Now that I have twice the towing capacity of my current trailer, time to look for something bigger ... right? :BDW and I have talked, "if" we were to look at new trailers (dangerous statement), it would have to be all about the kitchen counter space for food prep. Just the 2 of us, so we can eliminate bunk house models. We are huge fans of State Parks and when time permits, want to start hitting National Parks. With that, don't want anything much over 32 feet, aware that some National Parks limit to 30 feet (or so I've read?).Aside from kitchen counter space, must be well insulated. Ideal if we can load refrigerator and pantry without putting slide out. Any other bells or whistles are icing on the cake.I know we are asking a lot for more counter space, probably safe to "look" ... what does the audience recommend? I like my Keystone, but not married to that manufacturer. Recommendations?

We were in the same situation 4 years ago. We had a bunk house TT and the kids all got older and went off to college all over the country. We almost pulled the trigger on an Artic Fox 32 ft rear kitchen. Brand new leftover unit. I wasn't fast enuff on the draw and the dealer sold it within 3 days. Ended up with a real nice CC fiver although approaching 38ft long. It's a center kitchen and has TONS of living space but it prolly wouldn't fit into many State parks.Mike

Kind of the same story. Kids gone, no need for that much extra bed space. Grand kids and the floor will work well when time comes. My DW said the same, Kitchen counter space. We looked and looked and came to the conclusion that Rear Kitchens seem to offer the most usuable counter space. When we were looking, she would stick her head in the door before anyone else and either say, "yea" or "nay". 2 years later, she found what she like and I found the features I wanted with quality and in our price range. All we added was the 2nd air conditioner and we were set. If you like to cook indoors, like my DW, she found it as she has used the oven, stove, microwave, bread maker and etc and she loves it. I do the outdoor cooking while she does indoor. Its working well!

Well DW LOVES to cook, and she wanted more than 18" of counter space! So we were looking used and found this rig at a nice price.Now before all the OMG you don't want a Rear Kitchen group chimes in, we did have on incident.We hit a poorly marked road buckle (AKA Speed Bump) on 101 just south of Seaside, OR at 45 mph. TV with Bil's did ok :R, our 5er almost seemed to leave the ground (No Shocks on 5er). We did break a couple shelf's in the refer. We now have shocks on the 5er and the whole towing experience is much better, and no more breakage!That said this is the floor plan and a picture of the layout.

We love our rear kitchen Komfort though at 33' It's a tad bit longer than your specs. Haven't had any issues with State Parks though they all have site less than what we need. In the current trailer life there is an article on the KZ Duranfo new rear kitchen but I don't recal the length. I liked the open nature to the kitchen and layout of the kitchen

TomHaycraft wrote: it would have to be all about the kitchen counter space for food prep.Had that identical conversation with my DW. Once she saw the Rear Kitchen floor plan the search was basically over. We found a used Alpenlite 35RK that she fell in love with...it also has a large rear window which helps open up the room. Now that we actually have a Rear Kitchen I don't think I could ever talk her into anything else. As an addendum...we have had no issues with broken dishes, opening cupboards, refrigerator messes etc. that others elude to with a rear kitchen rig. Happy hunting!

"Next Trailer" - all about the kitchen | Good Sam Community

Chandalen
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Kitchen at the front or back is the only massive kitchen space we have seen.

However, I have seen the planks that go over the sinks to give counter space there as well as a drawer slide out with a counter top that goes on it as well.

I also have not seen a camper that didnt have access to the fridge when the slides were in.
2hams
Explorer
May 24, 2015
We are very happy with our Grand Design Reflection 303, which measures 33"10" from nose to back bumper. We have counter space beside the stove, the entire hutch, and the island (with sink covers). Works great for two retired folks traveling. We can access the fridge with the slide in. Although you can't get to the pantry with the slides in, you can get to cabinet by stove, one by the door that's great for canned goods, and all of the bedroom/bathroom except the dresser drawers. It works great for us, and we have to pack/unpack on the street with slides in.

Here's the floorplan:

Here's a picture of some of the kitchen:
jalichty
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Jayco has a rear kitchen in the HT line that would be less than the 32' you are looking for and they come with an arctic package of insulation and the underneath is fully covered and all the holes are plugged, at least on mine. I'm thinking the Eagle line also has a rear kitchen model, but it may be over the 32' limit you noted above. There is a ton of counter space in those rear kitchen FWs but the Jayco ones I was looking at didn't have the two chairs up front by the entry door, at the time, and that was a no go. That picture from SH would appear to be the ideal rear kitchen set-up with the two chairs for the entertainment and the big rear window, but it's probably around 38' long.
jmtandem
Explorer II
May 24, 2015
Arctic Fox. Check out the insulation and kitchen counter space. Just be sure you have a real tow vehicle for their 30+ footers.
SH
Explorer
May 24, 2015
TomHaycraft wrote:
it would have to be all about the kitchen counter space for food prep.

Had that identical conversation with my DW. Once she saw the Rear Kitchen floor plan the search was basically over. We found a used Alpenlite 35RK that she fell in love with...it also has a large rear window which helps open up the room. Now that we actually have a Rear Kitchen I don't think I could ever talk her into anything else. As an addendum...we have had no issues with broken dishes, opening cupboards, refrigerator messes etc. that others elude to with a rear kitchen rig. Happy hunting!
RollandB
Explorer
May 24, 2015
We love our rear kitchen Komfort though at 33' It's a tad bit longer than your specs. Haven't had any issues with State Parks though they all have site less than what we need. In the current trailer life there is an article on the KZ Duranfo new rear kitchen but I don't recal the length. I liked the open nature to the kitchen and layout of the kitchen
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 24, 2015
Well DW LOVES to cook, and she wanted more than 18" of counter space! So we were looking used and found this rig at a nice price.
Now before all the OMG you don't want a Rear Kitchen group chimes in, we did have on incident.
We hit a poorly marked road buckle (AKA Speed Bump) on 101 just south of Seaside, OR at 45 mph. TV with Bil's did ok :R, our 5er almost seemed to leave the ground (No Shocks on 5er). We did break a couple shelf's in the refer. We now have shocks on the 5er and the whole towing experience is much better, and no more breakage!

That said this is the floor plan and a picture of the layout.
Gearitis
Explorer
May 24, 2015
Kind of the same story. Kids gone, no need for that much extra bed space. Grand kids and the floor will work well when time comes. My DW said the same, Kitchen counter space. We looked and looked and came to the conclusion that Rear Kitchens seem to offer the most usuable counter space. When we were looking, she would stick her head in the door before anyone else and either say, "yea" or "nay". 2 years later, she found what she like and I found the features I wanted with quality and in our price range. All we added was the 2nd air conditioner and we were set. If you like to cook indoors, like my DW, she found it as she has used the oven, stove, microwave, bread maker and etc and she loves it. I do the outdoor cooking while she does indoor. Its working well!
rattleNsmoke
Explorer
May 24, 2015
We were in the same situation 4 years ago. We had a bunk house TT and the kids all got older and went off to college all over the country. We almost pulled the trigger on an Artic Fox 32 ft rear kitchen. Brand new leftover unit. I wasn't fast enuff on the draw and the dealer sold it within 3 days. Ended up with a real nice CC fiver although approaching 38ft long. It's a center kitchen and has TONS of living space but it prolly wouldn't fit into many State parks.
Mike

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