Forum Discussion

Devocamper's avatar
Devocamper
Explorer
Feb 19, 2016

Front living area floor plans

We have been looking for a year or so to replace our current fifth wheel ( gave up on the class A thinking ) and really like the front living room floor plans, really liked the Montana Models however at an RV show this past weekend we got to take a close look at one and found that there is practically no outside storage at least compared to our current fifth wheel. When I ask the sales person ( I know they are sale people )I was told it is a design and engineering issue and that's why there so much less storage in front living room floor plans ? Now I am not a engineer but I don't see what difference it makes as to what's above the storage area in fact I would think if it is a bathroom or bed room it would be more weight than the front living area and when it is a bathroom such as ours currently is the plumbing takes more space. There is another slide on the front living area floor plans but that should not take up all the storage . they do give you a small under bed area accessible from the outside but then that cuts into your inside under bed storage which we always have pretty much stuffed . Has anyone seen a front living room floor plan that has the common large basement storage area ? I know many manufacturers are now producing these floor plans.
Thanks
Mike
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Feb 19, 2016
    kennethwooster wrote:
    I'm also not a front living room guy. Too many couches for me. You should be able to do a Google search and find most of the different styles. Having a small basement would discourage me. I've noticed most companies are trying to come out with front. Living areas.


    I am in this boat also, and then there are only two prime seats for TV viewing. I am what I consider average height 6'-0", and it is the lack of heat room would also bother me. It is differ when it is the bedroom. Once again different strokes for different folks. :B
  • Tiger8r's avatar
    Tiger8r
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2016
    fredandfred920
    I agree with you on the FL, Wife and I have looked very close at them and like another poster said I believe it might lighten the pin weight. I do think Grand Designs is a good company. May you enjoy many safe and happy trips. God bless.
  • fredandfred920's avatar
    fredandfred920
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2016
    We have a Grand Design 379FL. Would not go back to a non front living unit. There is some division between living and kitchen. Makes it seem not as cramped. Just my .02.
  • Stefonius's avatar
    Stefonius
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2016
    donn0128 wrote:
    I have a hard time liking a front living room. It means steps possibly dozens of times a day. No thanks. Going ip and down steps a couple times a day for bathroom and bed is easier to take in my mind.
    Funny, I think of this exactly the other way 'round. I NEVER use my living room, but I spend 8 hours a day in the bedroom and make multiple trips to the bathroom. If stairs were a concern for me, I'd want the living room up front because I don't use it.

    Of course, if stairs were a concern, the four or five steps up from the outside would be a bigger issue than the three steps up to the nose of the rig.

    With that said, I agree with another poster here that the FL layouts have too many couches.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Feb 19, 2016
    I suspect for once a salesman is telling the truth. With the two front slides, all the furniture, cabinets, TV, etc they probably intentionally reduce the storage area to limit loaded weight in the front. Looking at Jayco, KZ, Heartland, etc they all seem to do the same. Heartland does provide storage under the rear bedroom at the costs of raising the floor and making it a step up into the bedroom.
  • kennethwooster's avatar
    kennethwooster
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2016
    I'm also not a front living room guy. Too many couches for me. You should be able to do a Google search and find most of the different styles. Having a small basement would discourage me. I've noticed most companies are trying to come out with front. Living areas.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Feb 19, 2016
    I have a hard time liking a front living room. It means steps possibly dozens of times a day. No thanks. Going ip and down steps a couple times a day for bathroom and bed is easier to take in my mind.
  • Mfan's avatar
    Mfan
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2016
    I had a front living room, I agree, boy it was warm up there
  • Bob_Vaughn's avatar
    Bob_Vaughn
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2016
    The Heartland Big Country 3800 FL has 2 large basements in the back under the bedroom....plus 2 slides in the bedroom...
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Feb 19, 2016
    the extra strenght is designedmore for the extra weight ofpeople in the nosethan whats in the nose.Other fact front living rokms are hotter in the upstairs in most desogns the ac is noisier in the upstairs

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