Need Help Deciding which feature for trailer
Hello, we are looking to buy our first travel trailer right now. There are three models that look pretty good to us and we are having trouble making a decision. Two of the models have a panel that c...
Forum Discussion
On our camper, we tried to find one with only one entry door and with no outdoor kitchen. We ended up with a camper that had almost everything we wanted, but did have a smaller outdoor kitchen that we don't use. Here is a few thoughts. My opinions only - your mileage may vary.
With our floorplan, the entry door is located mid-camper. You can access the whole camper, except for the fridge, with the slide in. You can access the whole camper even if beds are out. On some units, a second door may be added because you might not otherwise be able to access a bathroom or bedroom. For example, a rear living unit where the door is blocked if the couch is made into a bed. As others have mentioned, the second door can be an issue for a variety of reasons. But, some like having the door into the bathroom. Think about your group and how you might want to access the camper at the campground and also when taking a break at a rest area.
At the RV shows last year, most units had an outdoor kitchen. They ranged from a very small fridge up to enormous pull out tables with built in grills. Some had large refrigerators, ice makers, and all kinds of accessories. I shared pictures on our blog for the shows in Richmond and Virginia Beach that would give you a sample.
We use our inside kitchen. We also cook outside a lot. I have a Weber Q, Blackstone, and a Dutch Oven. From my point of view, the small two burner stoves in most RV outdoor kitchens are awkward to use. They might be useful for making coffee or to cook with a smaller round pan. I noticed that some RV makers have switched over to providing a griddle instead.
How do you envision using the outside kitchen? Think about what you like to cook. Do you like to have gatherings at your site but don't want people going into the camper for a drink? Will you be at a site with electric hookups or boondocking?
Good luck with whatever camper you buy. It's just great to have the chance to get outdoors.
With our floorplan, the entry door is located mid-camper. You can access the whole camper, except for the fridge, with the slide in. You can access the whole camper even if beds are out. On some units, a second door may be added because you might not otherwise be able to access a bathroom or bedroom. For example, a rear living unit where the door is blocked if the couch is made into a bed. As others have mentioned, the second door can be an issue for a variety of reasons. But, some like having the door into the bathroom. Think about your group and how you might want to access the camper at the campground and also when taking a break at a rest area.
At the RV shows last year, most units had an outdoor kitchen. They ranged from a very small fridge up to enormous pull out tables with built in grills. Some had large refrigerators, ice makers, and all kinds of accessories. I shared pictures on our blog for the shows in Richmond and Virginia Beach that would give you a sample.
We use our inside kitchen. We also cook outside a lot. I have a Weber Q, Blackstone, and a Dutch Oven. From my point of view, the small two burner stoves in most RV outdoor kitchens are awkward to use. They might be useful for making coffee or to cook with a smaller round pan. I noticed that some RV makers have switched over to providing a griddle instead.
How do you envision using the outside kitchen? Think about what you like to cook. Do you like to have gatherings at your site but don't want people going into the camper for a drink? Will you be at a site with electric hookups or boondocking?
Good luck with whatever camper you buy. It's just great to have the chance to get outdoors.
