Door Location for DPs

Well I can't understand the driving a school bus analogy but I do know that of the dozens of DP's I looked at only one was a mid-entry. I just went up the steps looked around and went back out, the set-up seemed odd to me and a waste of space. The seller's wife admitted that was why they were selling, going back to a front door coach.

DSDP Don wrote:
Of the posts so far, no one has said why the door is located in front of the passenger seat!

If you look at a DP, in front of the passenger's seat is the only place it can go on a front door model. The axle has to be back far enough to clear the generator. The generator is placed up front for balance reasons. This leaves a dead area on both sides of the generator. The dead area on driver's side typically has a steering arm and controls, along with coach electrical panels. The passenger side of the generator is the only place where the stepwell will fit.

If that were the case then why do some mid ship door models exist?

One reason may be that it is easier to see to the right and no one will be in your way when looking at the side mirror for the pass seat to be set back besides the obvious door opening!

Of the posts so far, no one has said why the door is located in front of the passenger seat!

If you look at a DP, in front of the passenger's seat is the only place it can go on a front door model. The axle has to be back far enough to clear the generator. The generator is placed up front for balance reasons. This leaves a dead area on both sides of the generator. The dead area on driver's side typically has a steering arm and controls, along with coach electrical panels. The passenger side of the generator is the only place where the stepwell will fit.

dubdub07 wrote:
There is only one reason to dislike the front door and that is passing in front of whomever is sitting there and that is only for gas/diesel stops.

There are other disadvantages to a front door coach as well.

Like already mentioned, a front door means that your door doesn't go out under the main awning as is the case for mid door coaches. There is always a gap between the small doorway awning, and the main awning outside. Some people really do not like this, and prefer a door that opens out under the main awning.

There is also the fact that a front door coach can make one feel like they are driviong a big school (or Greyhound) bus. The few times I test drove a DP like this, I felt like I needed to turn on flashing lights and swing out a 'stop' arm when opening the door, haha. With a door in the middle, it feels more like you're in a real camper or RV and not so much like a bus.

Like has been said so many times, 'There is a rear end for every seat'. That is why they make soooo many different models, designs. :)

When we were shopping for our DP, a mid door and drivers door were very high on my list.
Of course our old gasser had both.

At some point, reality set in. Our DP has a front door, no drivers door, and 4 slides...

I only used the drivers door when stopping for fuel, don't miss it much.
REALLY WISH the DW could find it in her to remember to crank the step cover in when we stopped for fuel so I didn't have to strand there like an idiot...
But I moved the switches so I can do it, no longer a problem.

When in camp itsa non-issue, as said above, seat is turned, access is easy. And the front door gives us half a chance of keeping the muddy footed pups from trashing the whole coach.

The thing I miss the most is going out the door under the center of the main awning when it is raining.
The stupid little door awnings they give us are, well, stupid. And there is always a gap where the rain comes through. And I just replaced the motor in my carefree marquee door awning for the second time...

I've had five with midway door, and the last one with front door. It's a keeper. Of course, this one also has the engine in the rear and radiator on the side. I'm not bragging, I'm just pointing out what a slow learner I am.

hipower wrote:

67Cutlass wrote:
Having a mid door on a DP would interfere with passthru basement storage access and also take away from basement storage.

That seems to be the reasons that I see for the front door designs. You will always have some good points and some not so good for either door placement.

If there were more demand for mid-entry coaches there would be more built that way. We have had both and don't really favor one over the other.

There is only one reason to dislike the front door and that is passing in front of whomever is sitting there and that is only for gas/diesel stops. The kids rarely get out for that. During stops the chair is 180 degrees turned so they pass behind the chair. The area and storage lost for a mid door is more substantial a loss versus the rare inconvenience of the front door.

WW

67Cutlass wrote:
Having a mid door on a DP would interfere with passthru basement storage access and also take away from basement storage.

That seems to be the reasons that I see for the front door designs. You will always have some good points and some not so good for either door placement.

If there were more demand for mid-entry coaches there would be more built that way. We have had both and don't really favor one over the other.

Having a mid door on a DP would interfere with passthru basement storage access and also take away from basement storage.