Sorry, I Don't Get it.

[CaptnJohn]

Wow! I feel if I want to cook with the bugs I'll lite the grill. Just one more area for those that need to winterize to think about. They need to think of how that wall is NOT insulated as well. That kitchen usually means the loss of a slide and lots of space.

That is just facts and many actually want an outside kitchen. We are all different with different needs and wants. So, really happy for those that want SMALL, but I like space. I doubt the dog would be happy being with my wife and I in a 28' TT. Yes, just the 3 of us and Roscoe is only 26#, but we travel pulling a 43' Montana 5er. I'm 69 and will be cramped in a box one day, sure as hell not going to be cramped now.

[Wobbles]

I do not want add to anything that is already been hashed out but I do agree with the op. I my recent searches for a small 5er, all I can find are the rear entry with slides that make it impossible to use the bathroom when the slides are in. Myself when traveling enjoy pulling into a place and being able to go into the rig and have a sandwich and if required use the facilities.

[Triple SS]

We have the Rockwood 8301 with an outside kitchen so sandwiches are not much problem, and bathroom is accessible from both entrances

[mogman]

Soaker tub?? Gotta have somewhere to take Cialis.

[Scheinin]

[QUOTE=Oakman;1545332]
"Length and height is another thing that I don’t get. I mean some fifth wheels are now 13’5” in height and almost 42 feet long and these are not toyhaulers. I guess fulltimers really need their space. I’d hate to try to get into most state park campsites here in MO with something that long. Yeah, yeah, I know it can be done."

Unlike most of the other responders, we have a 5th wheel that is 13'5" and 40 feet long. We have been full timing for 375 days. We are not camping, we are sightseeing in our condo. That height and length allows us the comfort we want.

The thing we found most disturbing in looking for our home, was the fact that you could not watch TV head on, but had to turn your head. What were they thinking?

[Santini]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

I do not want add to anything that is already been hashed out but I do agree with the op. I my recent searches for a small 5er, all I can find are the rear entry with slides that make it impossible to use the bathroom when the slides are in. Myself when traveling enjoy pulling into a place and being able to go into the rig and have a sandwich and if required use the facilities.

Take a look at the Open Range 297 RLS.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by mogman

Soaker tub?? Gotta have somewhere to take Cialis.

LOL, it all makes sense to me now.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Oakman

LOL, it all makes sense to me now.

Haven't you watched the ads? You have to have two, a his and hers. lol...

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

I do not want add to anything that is already been hashed out but I do agree with the op. I my recent searches for a small 5er, all I can find are the rear entry with slides that make it impossible to use the bathroom when the slides are in. Myself when traveling enjoy pulling into a place and being able to go into the rig and have a sandwich and if required use the facilities.

On our Coachmen the bath is in the rear. So while on the road, the DW had to use the bathroom. So I pull of and had to open the large slide so she could use it.

Originally Posted by mogman

Soaker tub?? Gotta have somewhere to take Cialis.

Ahhh I can hear the DW now in the soaker tub... "Take Me Away Calgon"!!

[BandJCarm]

If most of my campsites were small, I'd not be looking at a fifth wheel. Lots of neat bumper pulls that fit in smaller sites.

I'd love to have two laveratories in the bathroom. I'd love more to have 1 1/2 baths. Yesterday that would have come in real handy.......and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Many of our state parks are big rig friendly. Still, at 40' I'm as big as I want to be. I'd lose the back 3 feet and the couch that's in there, if it were up to me. But DW thinks someone might sleep there sometime..........grandkids??? When we visit, they have their own bedroom.

I did make sure I got one I could watch TV 'straight on'. That was my criteria.

Not sure I 'camp'. I travel to places and stop at campsites with FHU's. I like TV and campfires, both. I like roasting hot dogs and making biscuits in my convection microwave, both. I like having a lot of good food in my big honkin' residential refrigerator. I'd never trade my 6 point auto level!!! But I'm not 40 anymore either. And I'm not working anymore. If I was both, or either, all my thoughts would change.

I guess that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.

I could get used to any floorplan, I think, if everything worked and didn't break down, and had heavy enough suspension and tires and brakes and such.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by glsimms

On our Coachmen the bath is in the rear. So while on the road, the DW had to use the bathroom. So I pull of and had to open the large slide so she could use it.




Ahhh I can hear the DW now in the soaker tub... "Take Me Away Calgon"!!

NO! The Calgon goes in the black tank!

(Geo Method)

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

I am fully convinced that some of these 'features' are added just to have a bit of "wow" factor at RV shows. Some are truly useful (outdoor kitchens) and some just leave me scratching my head. I shant say which ones, as I am sure there are people out there that just love their wonky "feature" and will take offense at it being called stupid.

Tim

I will say it. The two vanity sinks which will start an elbow war and divorce proceedings if 2 people try to use them at the same time. One larger sink would be better.

A lot of the glitz is to sell the RV rather than make it more functional.

[KellyG]

Different people like different things. For our part, we currently have a 21' interior / 25' overall Shasta Oasis. Love the floorplan, which is what sold us. We have no need for TV, so that was never a consideration for us, be understand that that could be a deal-breaker for others.

What we'd like in a 25' interior/29' overall, assuming other things similar.
1. Outdoor kitchen.
2. No slides--we're both mechanically inept, and need nothing else that can go wrong, plus want full access when stopped at, e.g., a rest area.
3. Quieter A/C.
4. Taller, deeper "throne" in head (don't ask): distaff side uses interior head, spear side treks to bathhouse.
5. More storage (pantry, basement)
6. A 12VDC outlet by bed (CPAP)

Other things that are more "after-market" add-ons:
1. Electric tongue jack
2. Electric awning
3. More battery capacity (currently have modded to 2x6VDC golf cart)
4. Smarter electric distribution/converter/inverter(?)
5. Solar panels

Then again, to each his own. Alas, every outdoor kitchen--we cook outdoors a lot--we've seen requires a slide. Some people love them, and like the width. We don't mind not having it. (Retired submariner may be part of reason! :-) )

[TheWolfPaq82]

I'm with you. Got 2018 FR 304BS this year...90% we like and this fall its going to a 40x60 climate controlled storage...with power and getting a little make over. The bunkhouse is already shy one bunk...when you folded bunk to sit on couch...bunk blocked the window. ? Third TT and we've never used tub/shower so this one will be removed and replaced with large pantry and kitchen storage...which is greatly lacking in this model.

[ManlyMan]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

I'm with you. Got 2018 FR 304BS this year...90% we like and this fall its going to a 40x60 climate controlled storage...with power and getting a little make over. The bunkhouse is already shy one bunk...when you folded bunk to sit on couch...bunk blocked the window. ? Third TT and we've never used tub/shower so this one will be removed and replaced with large pantry and kitchen storage...which is greatly lacking in this model.

I sure understand about not having good pantry and kitchen storage space but I would look for other solutions rather than take out the bath/shower. You mentioned this is your third TT so I know you’re experienced but aren’t you worried about the resale/trade-in value if you take out the shower?

[BGKirkham]

I've seen at least one camper where I thought the bathroom double sink countertop was wide enough to be useful by two people at once. Can't remember the model, however. But, why ask why? There are so many models, floor plans and features out there that I can't imagine someone not being able find something they like. You have to be willing to compromise because it would be pretty rare to find the ideal camper that had everything you wanted, arranged just the way you wanted it. Would you walk away from a camper that had a useless double bathroom sink, but was absolutely perfect in every other way?

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by ManlyMan

I sure understand about not having good pantry and kitchen storage space but I would look for other solutions rather than take out the bath/shower. You mentioned this is your third TT so I know you’re experienced but aren’t you worried about the resale/trade-in value if you take out the shower?

At first...yeah. Son sold his trailer last year with shower gone and buyer didn't blink an eye. We sold our 2007 Jayco this spring and not too many people even mentioned the shower/tub and were happy with sink and toilet.

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Personally, had my wife seen a soaker tub in ANY type of RV when we were looking, we would most likely be owning it at this very moment. She loves her baths.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by BGKirkham

But, why ask why? There are so many models, floor plans and features out there that I can't imagine someone not being able find something they like. You have to be willing to compromise because it would be pretty rare to find the ideal camper that had everything you wanted, arranged just the way you wanted it. Would you walk away from a camper that had a useless double bathroom sink, but was absolutely perfect in every other way?

And therein is my problem. When we bought our current trailer there were no compromises. We wanted a quality trailer (not entry level), we wanted the fridge to be accessible when the slides were closed, we wanted an all-in-one bathroom, we wanted good storage space, we wanted to look at the television straight on, and we wanted all of this in a fifth wheel under 35 feet. If I found a trailer like this and it had a double wash basin or even a soaker tub, no that would not be a deal breaker.

I’d keep my current fifth wheel but maintenance issues are popping up on a regular basis due to age, use, and horrible highways. My idea of RV travel is travel, not spending time sweating on a hot day making a repair. I might be getting to old and crabby for the RV lifestyle.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by Oakman

I might be getting to old and crabby for the RV lifestyle.

You sure this isn't the biggest issue?

I do understand your frustration. The smaller the trailer, the more floor plan matters. DW and I talked long and hard about if accessing the bathroom with the slide in was a deal breaker for us before we pulled the trigger.

Good luck Friend

[spock123]

When I first started camping my son had a 39ft park model and I had a 27ft travel trailer and I said no way would I ever pull something that long down the road. Now that's all I look at is 40ft. Cedar Creek comes out with more models every year, it's kinda funny but last year I said all I would ever look at was another Cedar Creek and now I'm looking at SOB. You only live once, I can think of no better way to spend my kids inheritance