How do you like YOUR rear-entry, rear-living FP?

travelnutz wrote:
rhagfo,

I have to apologize for not finishing my post correctly as to the actual rear kitchen layout of the Jayco Eagle 293 5th wheel quite similar to your 5th wheel layout. Got interrupted while writing and didn't look back at the wording I had written.

The Jayco Eagle 293rkds has a about a 2' wide walk in doored large pantry where your fridge is and they'd moved the fridge over to the passenger side wall toward the front of the RV in the kitchen and close to the range/oven with the microwave above so all have full access with the slide in. This keeps the kitchen counter top space still adequate. Also allows the option to have a double side by side door 12 cu ft fridge if desired instead of just the 8cu ft standard fridge. This can be very important for fulltime living as an 8' will seem very small since it's only a fraction of size of even a small norm basic home AC fridge. Also, the large pantry is great when and for fulltime living and provides an additional storage area when short term RV'ing too. Versatility alive and well! Yes, also has room for a W/D in the model too all in 34'5" pin to rear bumper. Me thinks somebody did their homework!

That IS a good FP. Very accessible!

Michelle.S wrote:
We had a rear entry Montana, and had an issue with the steps hanging down to far that we dragged them several times getting in and out of fuel stations. Once so bad they had to be removed and a sledge hammer used to bend them back in useable shape.

That sounds horrible!! Is this common?

rhagfo,

I have to apologize for not finishing my post correctly as to the actual rear kitchen layout of the Jayco Eagle 293 5th wheel quite similar to your 5th wheel layout. Got interrupted while writing and didn't look back at the wording I had written.

The Jayco Eagle 293rkds has a about a 2' wide walk in doored large pantry where your fridge is and they'd moved the fridge over to the passenger side wall toward the front of the RV in the kitchen and close to the range/oven with the microwave above so all have full access with the slide in. This keeps the kitchen counter top space still adequate. Also allows the option to have a double side by side door 12 cu ft fridge if desired instead of just the 8cu ft standard fridge. This can be very important for fulltime living as an 8' will seem very small since it's only a fraction of size of even a small norm basic home AC fridge. Also, the large pantry is great when and for fulltime living and provides an additional storage area when short term RV'ing too. Versatility alive and well! Yes, also has room for a W/D in the model too all in 34'5" pin to rear bumper. Me thinks somebody did their homework!

travelnutz wrote:
rhagfo,

You must be late to the party of Jane's many wants, needs, questions, and thoughts.

Jane has over half a dozen threads running for a couple weeks now and has repeatedly said she want's a W/D in the RV and a lot of other things that are making it hard to find anything she's happy with. She is completely new to owning, hauling, living, traveling with and/or in a RV. All have and will fall short in more than one or even a lot more of her desires. Unfortunately, her stated budget max is also of no help either. Go read her threads.

Moving the fridge a couple feet doesn't cut into much of the counter space if you locate the sink differently and make the "L" leg a little longer.

Jane also wants to RV around the country with the RV after they are finished repairing their home and that makes various features much more important for easy access along with length. She wants to kill 2 birds with the same stone and it's not that easy!

Well once I looked at Jane's post I see what you mean. :S

This is why DW and I have been doing Retirement Previews, and so far are happy with the results.

We had a rear entry Montana, and had an issue with the steps hanging down to far that we dragged them several times getting in and out of fuel stations. Once so bad they had to be removed and a sledge hammer used to bend them back in useable shape.

rhagfo,

You must be late to the party of Jane's many wants, needs, questions, and thoughts.

Jane has over half a dozen threads running for a couple weeks now and has repeatedly said she want's a W/D in the RV and a lot of other things that are making it hard to find anything she's happy with. She is completely new to owning, hauling, living, traveling with and/or in a RV. All have and will fall short in more than one or even a lot more of her desires. Unfortunately, her stated budget max is also of no help either. Go read her threads.

Moving the fridge a couple feet doesn't cut into much of the counter space if you locate the sink differently and make the "L" leg a little longer.

Jane also wants to RV around the country with the RV after they are finished repairing their home and that makes various features much more important for easy access along with length. She wants to kill 2 birds with the same stone and it's not that easy!

travelnutz wrote:
rhagfo,

The 293 floor plan you posted is a very good layout for both full time use but marginal for RV'ing. It has open but designated defined areas with having lots of counter space and closet space for clothes also. A con is that the fridge is not accessible with the slide in or the kitchen unless it has a free standing table with only 2 or 3 chairs as they can be moved some to allow passage if the table is turned 90 degrees. Also,the OP wants a W/D in her RV so it's an issue too.

Jayco makes a very similar 293 Eagle model with the same basic layout but has moved the fridge about 2' and put in a doored large pantry so the fridge can be accessed with the slide in and also has a space for a W/D in the front closet too if that's a biggie.

Lots of trade-offs as none are perfect for all.

There's only so much cubic footage inside a legal road licensed RV with or without having slides which also cause accessibility issues and all a designer or manufacturer can do is shuffle the deck in putting wanted/needing features inside an RV. Extending the RV length creates lots of other bad problems/issues too. Maybe we need to change DOT laws and allow 10' or 12' wide RV's on the road to solve the dilemma! Ya think?

Well for many not having access to the fridge with the slide in is no big deal.
Moving the refer left to get a pantry, cuts into the counter space. As you stated trade offs.

We also have the Table and currently four chairs, DW would like to leave two at home. We have Beagles and their day bed goes between the couch and table, so hard to use that side without moving the bed.

One think I am starting to dislike in newer units, the the need to make towing with a SB TV easier is the rounded corners which cut into the floor space in the front closet.

We spent four months living in our rig last summer as part of "Retirement Preview" and never felt cramped for space, we would have even more if I could convince DW we don't 50 bath towels.:S

:h
I don't see any mention from JaneGoWest on a request for a W/D in her post.

To Jane, all I can say is keep looking and expand your search, we needed to drive 250 miles to get the unit we wanted, and would have gone many more for the right rig.

For us, we don't want a trailer with a slide on the curb side. We like having all the room on the curb side for lawn chairs, camp stove and a table. With a curb side slide you are pushed towards the front of the 5er. Most awnings are short unless you get an additional slide out awning. We don't like RV parks and stay in regular campgrounds along with some state parks. Depending on where the fire pit and picnic table are located, a rear curb side slide would stick out into the camp spot too close to the table and fire pit.
If you plan on just doing RV parks then I don't see an issue with opposing slides, but if you want to camp in forest service or even smaller older state parks you may have an issue with the curb side slide.
Probably not that often, but it's just one less thing to go wrong and also one less thing to that will determine whether a CG spot will work.

filrupmark,

In a very high percentage of states the length is a huge factor in state parks, national parks, county parks, and yes many private parks also. Even more so than RV vertical clearance. Drastically limits the number of CG sites a long RV can even fit in or be allowed to occupy as the will stick out in the CG road or not give enough room left to park the tow vehicle. Usually limits most long 35'+ RV's/trailers to the expensive and very expensive RV parks and/or resorts. Seen it so often in our half century of RV'ing and it's pervasive especially in regions where there's a lot of real tree growth. Texas and the Southwest U.S. is certainly not known for a lot of tall trees or are a few other specific localities! Short trees usually have branches starting much closer to the ground than the tall tree areas of the country.

Only you can determine what will work for your circumstances. Just think it through carefully