We are REALLY close to purchasing a Montana 3850FL. We had a bunkhouse for the past nine years and this Montana seems to be a good transition for us. The teenage kids would use the opposing pullout couches as beds and we would not be stuck with a true bunkhouse when they no longer camp with us. I especially like how this particular model's front living room is more closed off to further give them a sense of their own room.So if you have or have had a front living room fifth wheel, would you give me your thoughts, please?

Up and down a lot of stairs between the kitchen and living room and bathroom.

We know a couple that have this layout. They love it and so do we. It is nice that when you come inside you are right away looking at the open living room and it is so spacious. Also, having the bedroom at the back, it is more private. No hearing people coming in. If we ever get a 5th wheel, this would be it.

donn0128 wrote:Up and down a lot of stairs between the kitchen and living room and bathroom.X2. They do look awful nice though.

loulou57 wrote:We know a couple that have this layout. They love it and so do we. It is nice that when you come inside you are right away looking at the open living room and it is so spacious. Also, having the bedroom at the back, it is more private. No hearing people coming in. If we ever get a 5th wheel, this would be it.Additionally there is a safety issue. Should you need to get out at night and a fire is blocking your exit, you can go out a window and not have to jump from the second floor.

Too many stairs!! C'mon fellas, what have we become? I suppose you don't climb any stairs to get into your RV. What about the stairs into a front BR (granted, you're not "climbing" them as often)? I submit that if you can't negotiate the "stairs" of an FL model, you should find a nice comfy retirement community to spend your last days. With that said, I believe you either love the FL layout or hate it. I've yet to meet someone that was on the fence. We happen to love ours but it's purely a feeling related to your personal taste. We had as much of a FL floorplan in our last TT (master BR in the rear with kitchen and LR all up front. We really enjoyed that layout and when we moved to a fifth we immediately starting looking for something similar and found it in the FL. The BIG disadvantage is lack of storage in the basement, which in FL models is quite small. However, we've learned to compensate for that in other ways. Good luck.

Front Living Rooms... yea or nay? | Good Sam Community

spindrift
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
dbbls wrote:
I have never seen a front LR with two recliners and viewing the TV straight on. A must for us.

Take a look at our Redwood 36FL.
Napria
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
dbbls wrote:
I have never seen a front LR with two recliners and viewing the TV straight on. A must for us.

Open Range makes one in a Roamer model. It also has a HUGE basement in the back.
sidney
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
spindrift wrote:
Too many stairs!! C'mon fellas, what have we become? I suppose you don't climb any stairs to get into your RV. What about the stairs into a front BR (granted, you're not "climbing" them as often)? I submit that if you can't negotiate the "stairs" of an FL model, you should find a nice comfy retirement community to spend your last days. With that said, I believe you either love the FL layout or hate it. I've yet to meet someone that was on the fence. We happen to love ours but it's purely a feeling related to your personal taste. We had as much of a FL floorplan in our last TT (master BR in the rear with kitchen and LR all up front. We really enjoyed that layout and when we moved to a fifth we immediately starting looking for something similar and found it in the FL. The BIG disadvantage is lack of storage in the basement, which in FL models is quite small. However, we've learned to compensate for that in other ways.

Good luck.

:B

I was beginning to believe every RVer on the forum lived in a ranch house.
TheAmRheins
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
I would make sure to have 2 air conditioners in a front living room arrangement. Heat rises and the front bedroom layouts get pretty warm without a/c. I think the front living room would be the same.
cdlaine
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
Front Living Rooms... yea or nay?

What does your spouse say ?

Charles
spindrift
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
cdlaine wrote:
Front Living Rooms... yea or nay?

What does your spouse say ?

Charles

And there you have it. The most insightful, and reasonable, response yet.
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 09, 2014
There are a number of members of the Montana Owners Forum that have them. They all seem to like them and I have seen no one say they regretted their decision.
Us_out_West
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
cdlaine wrote:
Front Living Rooms... yea or nay?

What does your spouse say ?

Charles

Luckily we agreed on this...there are others :B.

We looked at a FL, more out of curiosity, but like the RL floorplans where you have a big window to take advantage of the views which can be very nice.

Not interested in having those views from a rear bedroom.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Mar 09, 2014
I am not prepared to lose views like these out of my back window.

The extra trips up & down steps is not very appealing either even though I could use the exercise.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Mar 09, 2014
We have the FR Sandpiper 366FL and really like it. Once the kids are gone in a couple of years we will remove on of the couches and replace it with a recliner and small table. Only drawback is the lack of basement storage but with creative packing and not taking a to of unneeded items you'll be fine. On the secong A/C yes its a must. We had the dealer close off the duct going from the front A/C to the bedroom and that really helped keep the living room cooler.
Will our next unit be a front living room, doubt it. Most of the parks we visit the view is out the back and that is something a front living cannot give you,a view. Our main reason for buying the front living room was the two couches folded out into beds for our teenagers. Bunk houses just did not fit our needs and the FL works perfect for family time and great sleeping area for the kids.
Good luck with your decision and that second door in the bedroom is great for early morning exits without disturbing the kids.