Rear kitchens
Just wondering for those of you who have a trailer with a rear kitchen how you like it, if you have travel issues with a rear kitchen model. Thank you for your opinions. West Beachhouse
Forum Discussion
Rear kitchens tend to suffer from a LOT of bounce. Speed bumps are a killer. Doors can fly open and things can bounce out of the sink, even on short trips. The amount of bounce depends on trailer length, it's weight, position of axles relative to the tail end, tire load range, GVWR rating, and if it's a TT or 5th wheel. Frame design and strength is also a factor. Our frame is a lot weaker than most and has a lot of flex. Keystone Laredo has the same frame. This weak frame is something to look for, esp. in a rear kitchen.
If you get a rear kitchen, it's a really good idea to get shock absorbers, either as a factory option or add-on afterwards. Shocks are a good idea anyway for other reasons.
You can add a 2nd latch to the doors but it does make them somewhat harder to pull open. Haven't had trouble with the lower cabinet doors. The drawers can slide open though. I may add RV type roller slides that have a positive locking mechanism.
Another factor is WDH spring bar rating. We initally had an 800 lb set of bars but upgraded to 1200 lbs after weighing the trailer and finding out that the actual tongue weight is 960 lbs. The heavier bars significantly reduced the amount of bounce.
We love the rear kitchen. Has a lot more counter width than most kitchen layouts which is the biggest plus. So nice to be able to leave coffee maker, toaster and other things on the counter and still have good working space left. Another good thing in our rear kitchen is the pantry at one end.
If you get a rear kitchen, it's a really good idea to get shock absorbers, either as a factory option or add-on afterwards. Shocks are a good idea anyway for other reasons.
You can add a 2nd latch to the doors but it does make them somewhat harder to pull open. Haven't had trouble with the lower cabinet doors. The drawers can slide open though. I may add RV type roller slides that have a positive locking mechanism.
Another factor is WDH spring bar rating. We initally had an 800 lb set of bars but upgraded to 1200 lbs after weighing the trailer and finding out that the actual tongue weight is 960 lbs. The heavier bars significantly reduced the amount of bounce.
We love the rear kitchen. Has a lot more counter width than most kitchen layouts which is the biggest plus. So nice to be able to leave coffee maker, toaster and other things on the counter and still have good working space left. Another good thing in our rear kitchen is the pantry at one end.
