Howdy, new guy to the neighborhood. Just retired last yr, now I'm ready to fly. lol. We've been camping for some time now down here in Texas and would like to step it up (in a big way, lol).God bless y'all because y'all are such a fount of knowledge. Really.Anyway, I have a question. Maybe y'all can help me. So here we go: Why is it that your mid range and more expensive models (class A's) Don't have Kitchenettes (outside kitchens)? I noticed that quite a few models that are below $135K Have Exterior Kitchens, but the more expensive coaches don't. Why is that. We'd love to get a Monarch, Entegra, phaeton, Allegra but from my understanding and research they don't have ext. Kitchens. So I'm relegated to having to choose between, the FleetW Storm, HR vacay, Winn Vista/sunstar, Coachman Mirada, Thor Windsport and Hurrican (but I heard bad things about Thor). Is there a Non Entry level that has a kitchenette? thanks for Everything.

MY guess is because once it is your full time home you find the outside kitchen useless

I have heard the same about Thor but I can honestly say that I have had some issues with mine and they have been there 100% for me. ???

Much of the reason for outside kitchens is due to the lack of space inside. In ours, although it is not very big, our grill and outside stuff fit very well in the basement, and at a campsite, if needed, it set up on the tables outside. Most cooking is done inside, cause that is where all the stuff is, and it is a pain to carry it all outside and them back in.

darsben1 wrote:MY guess is because once it is your full time home you find the outside kitchen uselessX2

I see some of the Winnebago DPs with a slide out kitchen, (cooktop, fridge) but I think most people take them out eventually in favor of storage.

Class A Curiosity feature | Good Sam Community

Mile_High
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Chainwright wrote:
Mile High wrote:
I try to do a lot of the cooking outside just to keep the heat and moisture out of the coach. I don't need a fixed kitchen for that though and not sure I would want one because they never line up to where you want it to be.

What I do have and love though - is an 80cf refrigerator freezer that slides out on a tray from the basement, an induction cooktop I set on the picnic table, 5 gal water jug with spigot, and the grille. All the outdoor kitchen I could ever want.

Yeah, most of your Ext.Kitchens only have the Fridge and counter space, some have a sink. But you'd definitely would want to add those folding tables to the equation for a more comfortable cooking experience. I mostly like the outside kitchen because it's a great Wet bar. When you want quick access to a Beer or wine or you want to make that much needed Margerita or Long Island Ice tea, you have your Alcohol, sodas and mixers right there. We like socializing with the other RV'rs and campers, and going in and out of the Bus to get them a drink gets old after a while. I'd make you your first drink or get you that 1st beer, but after that you'd have to walk to the outside kitchen and serve yourself. LOL.
The outside cooler definitely eliminated the need for running in and out for a beer or soda. It's cold all the time and no ice required. We also use a portable ice maker for outside to do mixed drinks or margs. Once I unload chairs off of the slide out tray, that becomes the bar. Not ideal ambiance, but it's all under the awning and it all slides closed in the rain. As a bonus I even have an LP tap on that side behind the little door. :)
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Executive wrote:
Bugs and mosquitos. We're no longer "camping", this has been our home for nine years now. If I cook outside, it's on a Weber....Dennis

That's great... (I, husband) pretty much live in my Man cave at home, which is a "converted" garage (I can still park my cars in it though, even though I don't have to), we have lots of sun down here, 10 months a yr, as a matter of fact I don't even own a coat. So I have quick access to Beer, my cigars, and my flat screen for Football games, HGTV, ESPN and so on. I really don't see that changing with my RV.
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Here is how we've seen it handled

Very nice thanks. But the outside kitchens on class A RV's are not as nice as the ones on the TT's. There's almost not comparison. But I also want a Class A Rv so I can go to those Luxury Resorts. Quite a Few Luxury Resorts don't Allow TT, 5th wheels, Class B's or C's. Like that one in south Vegas. Which is High on my list.
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Mile High wrote:
I try to do a lot of the cooking outside just to keep the heat and moisture out of the coach. I don't need a fixed kitchen for that though and not sure I would want one because they never line up to where you want it to be.

What I do have and love though - is an 80cf refrigerator freezer that slides out on a tray from the basement, an induction cooktop I set on the picnic table, 5 gal water jug with spigot, and the grille. All the outdoor kitchen I could ever want.

Yeah, most of your Ext.Kitchens only have the Fridge and counter space, some have a sink. But you'd definitely would want to add those folding tables to the equation for a more comfortable cooking experience. I mostly like the outside kitchen because it's a great Wet bar. When you want quick access to a Beer or wine or you want to make that much needed Margerita or Long Island Ice tea, you have your Alcohol, sodas and mixers right there. We like socializing with the other RV'rs and campers, and going in and out of the Bus to get them a drink gets old after a while. I'd make you your first drink or get you that 1st beer, but after that you'd have to walk to the outside kitchen and serve yourself. LOL.
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
mtofell1 wrote:
I'm also in the camp of wanting an outdoor kitchen in a higher end class A. It's a bummer they are only to be had in a entry level coaches. I guess I (we) are in a rare demographic of still wanting to do some outdoor living in a nicer coach. Setting up the various appliances (grill, burners) isn't hard but I sure do like having a sink to wash my hands in after throwing a piece of chicken on the grill.

I hear ya, Don't quote me on this, But in my research, I only saw a Class C that had a pullout kitchen table witha sink on it. I'm thinking it was the CM Leprechaun. Did you find any otherones?
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
TxGearhead wrote:
I don't think it has much to do with how much kitchen room is inside the coach. The outside kitchens are great for tailgating at ball games and partying at car races. Maybe getting up early to cook side dishes with BBQ. Maybe old dad getting up early to cook bacon outside instead of stinking up the coach. I would think advanced aged well financed seniors are less likely to spend a lot of time with meal preparation.
I'm looking at class A's myself, and wanting outside kitchen.
Coachmen Mirada gasser 35kb. I would spend more but I guess no one wants it.
Or, maybe it's a cultural thing. A lot of men in Texas cook and take pride in it. Like to cook all day, outside. Louisiana men too.

Great reply makes a lot of sense. Also, we very rarely cook meats in the house that stink it up. We're definitely not into those Open Concept type homes where kitchen fumes can linger up to All day, but hey to each their own, that's why there are thousands of different Home floor plans out there.
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
The Logans wrote:
We sometimes camp where there more Bears than people... An outside kitchen would be like a Bear buffet.

The one unit that we did have with an outside kitchen, well, it never got used. Seems like it was always too hot, or too cold, or raining, or attracting forest creatures, etc.

Wow Bears, lol. Well (I, the husband) am Retired Army, so I'd be hitting up all the Military base RV parks. I'll sprinkle a few civilian RV parks in there if absolutely necessary, like Key west. Key west Military RV park has a waiting list and only allows you to stay for 2 weeks at a time, then there's a civilian one down the road where you can stay up to 30 days. So we'll stay in mostly densly populated areas and mostly in the southern parts of America, I figuere I'll go as far north as St George UT, but that's it.
Chainwright
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Ivylog wrote:
A outside kitchen is needed when you have six people and not enough counter space inside. The grill, crockpot, and the induction cooktop get used outside...no need for anything more and welcome to the forums.

Thanks so much. That makes sense. I wouldn't travel without a Grill, induction plates, griddle, toaster, crock pot and pressure cooker anyway. Thanks again.
Executive45
Explorer III
Aug 27, 2017
Bugs and mosquitos. We're no longer "camping", this has been our home for nine years now. If I cook outside, it's on a Weber....Dennis
Busskipper
Explorer
Aug 27, 2017
Chainwright wrote:
Howdy, new guy to the neighborhood. Just retired last yr, now I'm ready to fly. lol. We've been camping for some time now down here in Texas and would like to step it up (in a big way, lol).
God bless y'all because y'all are such a fount of knowledge. Really.
Anyway, I have a question. Maybe y'all can help me. So here we go: Why is it that your mid range and more expensive models (class A's) Don't have Kitchenettes (outside kitchens)? I noticed that quite a few models that are below $135K Have Exterior Kitchens, but the more expensive coaches don't. Why is that.
We'd love to get a Monarch, Entegra, phaeton, Allegra but from my understanding and research they don't have ext. Kitchens. So I'm relegated to having to choose between, the FleetW Storm, HR vacay, Winn Vista/sunstar, Coachman Mirada, Thor Windsport and Hurrican (but I heard bad things about Thor).
Is there a Non Entry level that has a kitchenette?
thanks for Everything.

Here is how we've seen it handled - Out Door Kitchen for Class A

Hard to beat. :S