I own a 5th wheel but rented a class A gasser last year to go to a funeral. I never made it to NY because the snow made it too dangerous to drive.I am thinking of selling my house and full timing it in a class A and one thing I like was the door in the middle of the vehicle.#1 it seem like it would be easier to go food shopping and carry the stuff into the kitchen cabinets and fridge.#2 It seems like it would be more comfortable for the passenger to have a floor to put their feet on instead of having them dangle. I know that some passenger seats have a recliner with a foot rest the flips out but if you want to just sit is there some kind of cover you can put over the stairs that will let the passenger rest their feet.What are the advantages and disadvantages between a front door and a door amidship.PS I love my 5th wheel it is almost perfect but if I full time it the large basement will give me more storage space. My storage area in the front of my 5th wheel is huge if I just use it for a few weeks or month long trips but if I sell my house I am going to have to sell a lot of my stuff and the storage space under a classA will allow me to have room to store a lot of thing I can't bear to part with.I guess I will need to rent a small house or apartment as a home base but there are some things I do not want to leave in a unoccupied apartment for months at a time.

P.S. much safer in a front end crash

All the front door Class A's that I have owned had a cover to close over the steps and provide a flat floor in front of the passenger seat.About the only draw back I find with a front door is when leveling, on a site when the front is low, the front step may be high off the ground requiring the use of an auxiliary step.

The entrance door area is a preference thing, for most. On about 99.999% of the Diesel pushers out there, the door is at the front corner. Some diesel pushers, not very many, actually opted to install the entrance door about half way down the coach. There are some folks out there that like it that way for their own personal reasons. When we were looking for a D/P, we wanted the front door because it represents a D/P. And, the wife has no inconvenience in either sitting or, the floor or, anything else. We have a step cover that when she or I, push a button, the cover slides out and becomes level with the floor. As for loading and un-loading, it makes no difference at all. We both load groceries, clothes and all other items needed. A few feet more is no big deal at all. One poster mentioned the entrance step level on a front door model being a bit low in certain camping conditions. Well, yes, that can happen. In fact, in a few spots we've been in, that lower step was literally 1" off the ground. Again, no biggie. It just makes for easier access to the coach. In other cases, that lowest outside step has been as much as 20" or more off the ground. It all depends on the level of the site and, what kind of work is needed to level the coach. But all in all, we've had no issues with a front door model and would do it again in a heartbeat. Scott

Class A with front entrance door | Good Sam Community

42 Replies

Peralko
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Some misconceptions about a front door; we have plenty of room to get past the passenger seat with groceries or anything else, whether someone is sitting in the seat or not. And are you really going to tell me it makes a difference carting groceries three steps instead of six step to get to the kitchen? We have about a 50-foot walk to get our groceries to the kitchen from the car in our stick house! As far as having the door under the awning--the only time I would be concerned with a front door is if it was raining heavily. In 24 years of motorhoming, that has not been an issue, and besides, if I expect heavy rain, there is usually heavy winds along with the rain, so I let the big awning in anyway--I had the wind rip our awning loose while camping in Death Valley in our gasser. I have not yet seen a valid reason in this thread why a mid door is advantageous, but as my dad says, it's a free country and whatever floats your boat!
silvercorvette
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
xctraveler wrote:
When we started shopping for a DP I knew that the two things I loved in gasser would not be available either at all or with very limited options. One was the mid coach entry door. The other was the driver door. The driver door let me access fuses and such up by the driver left foot while standing on a step stool outside without having to turn myself into a pretzel. It also let me get out to fuel or check the site without going all the way through the coach.

I don't really miss either. When bringing in groceries I lift them up to the floor so DW can cart them back to the kitchen. When fueling the PS front door is almost as efficient as the driver door and I suspect at my advancing age the old driver door would be more and more of a challenge.

With me it is a one person operation so with my 5th wheel I just put everything on the floor then get inside the RV to put everything where it belongs.
I like my little system and that is why I wanted a MH with a door amidships, but after reading the replies I am beginning to understand the benefits of a front door.
xctraveler
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
When we started shopping for a DP I knew that the two things I loved in gasser would not be available either at all or with very limited options. One was the mid coach entry door. The other was the driver door. The driver door let me access fuses and such up by the driver left foot while standing on a step stool outside without having to turn myself into a pretzel. It also let me get out to fuel or check the site without going all the way through the coach.

I don't really miss either. When bringing in groceries I lift them up to the floor so DW can cart them back to the kitchen. When fueling the PS front door is almost as efficient as the driver door and I suspect at my advancing age the old driver door would be more and more of a challenge.
silvercorvette
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
Mr.Mark wrote:
silvercorvette wrote:
willald wrote:
This is one of the reasons we don't want a DP. I absolutely hate the idea of the door being in front of the passenger seat, is basically a deal-breaker for us. Just does not work for us. And, like already said, there are very, very few DP options out there that don't have the door in the front.

Main thing I hate about it, is actually something nobody has mentioned and may sound crazy to some: It just makes the coach look, feel more like you're driving a big greyhound or school bus than a Motorhome or RV. With a door located there at the front, its almost like you feel that you need to pull out a stop arm and turn on flashing red lights whenever the door opens, hahahaha!

Other thing is, I just don't like how crowded and tight it makes the entryway. There is just not enough room up there for the door, entryway, IMO.

What has already been mentioned about the awnings is a really good point, too. I really like how there is just one awning with a mid door unit, and the door opens out under the awning. No 'gap' between them like you have with front door models.

I am glad you mentioned it because the front door does give of that feeling that you are driving a bus.

I never considered how door placement would effect awnings, and after reading a few posts I am going to pay close attention to awning space.

Silvercorvette, you will find that most front door coach awnings are rather small. If that is a concern, the big awning will offer way more protection (mid-door coaches).

We don't have a front door awning on our new coach, they don't come with one nor do we have window awnings. We have four big awnings intergrated at the roof-line on both sides. Both driver side awnings go out about 5 ft. to cover beyond the slide-outs (sides don't have toppers).

The big passenger side awnings go out 12-15 ft. offering a nice large space for shade.

I have to say, I don't understand the problem of feeling like you are driving a bus. Ours is a greyhound bus chassis (Prevost). And, we don't have the swing-down school bus stop sign. LOL!

We do have a siren, yelper and loud speaker. Also a train whistle and air horns.

MM.

I am sure that the bus feeling is not going to be a big deal and it will rank low on my priority list but I do have to admit the front passenger does give off the bus vibe but it sure as heck is not a deal breaker. The highest on my priority list is basement storage space and if it means having a front door that is the way I will go.

When you get down to it looks don't matter what does matter is the configuration that will best get the job done.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
silvercorvette wrote:
willald wrote:
This is one of the reasons we don't want a DP. I absolutely hate the idea of the door being in front of the passenger seat, is basically a deal-breaker for us. Just does not work for us. And, like already said, there are very, very few DP options out there that don't have the door in the front.

Main thing I hate about it, is actually something nobody has mentioned and may sound crazy to some: It just makes the coach look, feel more like you're driving a big greyhound or school bus than a Motorhome or RV. With a door located there at the front, its almost like you feel that you need to pull out a stop arm and turn on flashing red lights whenever the door opens, hahahaha!

Other thing is, I just don't like how crowded and tight it makes the entryway. There is just not enough room up there for the door, entryway, IMO.

What has already been mentioned about the awnings is a really good point, too. I really like how there is just one awning with a mid door unit, and the door opens out under the awning. No 'gap' between them like you have with front door models.

I am glad you mentioned it because the front door does give of that feeling that you are driving a bus.

I never considered how door placement would effect awnings, and after reading a few posts I am going to pay close attention to awning space.

Silvercorvette, you will find that most front door coach awnings are rather small. If that is a concern, the big awning will offer way more protection (mid-door coaches).

We don't have a front door awning on our new coach, they don't come with one nor do we have window awnings. We have four big awnings intergrated at the roof-line on both sides. Both driver side awnings go out about 5 ft. to cover beyond the slide-outs (sides don't have toppers).

The big passenger side awnings go out 12-15 ft. offering a nice large space for shade.

I have to say, I don't understand the problem of feeling like you are driving a bus. Ours is a greyhound bus chassis (Prevost). And, we don't have the swing-down school bus stop sign. LOL!

We do have a siren, yelper and loud speaker. Also a train whistle and air horns.

MM.
silvercorvette
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
Mr.Mark wrote:
With any coach, even the very top of the line coach, there are compromises.

Will, we all know there is no changing your mind. You like a center door and this is just fine. I like a center door too but not enough to compromise on the lost space on that wall or storage underneath.

Everyone has their compromises as no coach will ever be 100%.

Gassers generally can't have the door up front because of the engine. Even rarer is a gas-pusher.

As they say in the car business that is parallel with the motorhome business, "there is a butt for every seat".

MM.

All these replies have given me a lot to consider. I really like the door amidships, but if I am full timing it basement storage is going to be high on my list of priorities.
silvercorvette
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
After reading all the replies and suggestions I am thinking about including a Super class c. I absolutely want a diesel. A super C will be easier to service. I have heard that some repairs on a diesel pusher may require a mechanic o enter your home to do the repair, Also a super C gives you a drivers and passenger door plus a door amidships. Super Cs are expensive but I can get a used super C for about the same cost as anew class A.

When the time comes my budget will be between $250,000 to a little over $350,000.
silvercorvette
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
willald wrote:
This is one of the reasons we don't want a DP. I absolutely hate the idea of the door being in front of the passenger seat, is basically a deal-breaker for us. Just does not work for us. And, like already said, there are very, very few DP options out there that don't have the door in the front.

Main thing I hate about it, is actually something nobody has mentioned and may sound crazy to some: It just makes the coach look, feel more like you're driving a big greyhound or school bus than a Motorhome or RV. With a door located there at the front, its almost like you feel that you need to pull out a stop arm and turn on flashing red lights whenever the door opens, hahahaha!

Other thing is, I just don't like how crowded and tight it makes the entryway. There is just not enough room up there for the door, entryway, IMO.

What has already been mentioned about the awnings is a really good point, too. I really like how there is just one awning with a mid door unit, and the door opens out under the awning. No 'gap' between them like you have with front door models.

I am glad you mentioned it because the front door does give of that feeling that you are driving a bus.

I never considered how door placement would effect awnings, and after reading a few posts I am going to pay close attention to awning space.
silvercorvette
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
2gypsies wrote:
Front Door was our choice:

- at fuel stations you don't have to walk through the living area with greasy shoes. We kept an entrance rug for that purpose.

- more basement storage is available

- groceries? It's no big deal to walk a few feet extra.

- They also make front kitchens in small models....seems odd to me...but everyone has reasons for things.

- mid-door options would also have the same front passenger space available so why not put everything in that unused wasted space?

Good luck in choosing what works for you.

You make a good point about walking thru the RV with dirty feet after fueling up

If I full time it basement storage will be very important so the loss of basement storage my be the deciding factor.

It isn't the extra few steps with the groceries. Trying to step over and around the seat with my hands full can be a problem.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 01, 2015
With any coach, even the very top of the line coach, there are compromises.

Will, we all know there is no changing your mind. You like a center door and this is just fine. I like a center door too but not enough to compromise on the lost space on that wall or storage underneath.

Everyone has their compromises as no coach will ever be 100%.

Gassers generally can't have the door up front because of the engine. Even rarer is a gas-pusher.

As they say in the car business that is parallel with the motorhome business, "there is a butt for every seat".

MM.

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Class A with front entrance door

42 Replies

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