5th wheel with front living area

[rnamiddleton]

We are wanting to purchase a 5th wheel with the front living area, but I would like to know the pros and cons. One dealership told us that alot of people complain because there is no underneath storage. Does anyone have one and what kind and what do you use to tow it with..thanks for any info...

[Shepherd]

I like the Rushmore Lincoln.:C

[goducks10]

It's sort of ironic in a way. An FL is nothing more than an RES in reverse. But yet some say it has a more homey feel. It's still the same seating arrangement as most RES.

[Bob91040]

I love the feel of a front living room. Its like having a den in the house. What I don't like about it is they are really a high profile. Not good on gas mileage and wind.

[mamestra]

We love our Montana front living room it allows us to entertain more than one couple at a time and feel that our "rooms" are better separated than in a traditional rear living room 5er. Our rear bedroom is larger than our previous 5er as it has two slides one is the closet so as for closet space there is amply for our needs, we travelled for 8 months in this trailer and never once felt that we lacked closet space. I agree that because we have 5 slides we have lost some outdoor storage space, but after looking at we had carried and what we actually use we have adjusted and find that everything that we really need fits. With the Montana arched ceilings there is amply room in the front for most people.

[southernsnow]

Hi, We have an Open Range 386FLR and we love it. We really like the residential feel of it - like a small apt. The kitchen is big! We like to cook both inside and out. The LR has opposing couches and a recliner. The TV is located at the front end and we have no complaints about TV viewing. I am 5'9" (mom) and my three sons are over 6". No complaints about height.

The bedroom is also up a few steps. That gives us basement in both the front and the back. That was really important to my husband.

The Open Range owners forum in pretty robust group and you can get some real owner opinions - not a salesman's. They are pretty biased based on their inventory. Buy what appeals to you.

We are also in NC and purchased from Carolina Coach and Marine near Hickory. Again, we love it. Good luck with your search.
BTW, they are heavy. We have a 2002 Ford F550. Doesn't even notice when we hook up. You wouldn't need a 550, but you do have to be able to tow it!
Marie

[TXiceman]

Just about every front living area 5er we have seen over the years are woefully short of storage area for clothes in the rear bed room. They are also some aht short of kitchen storage. The front living area is usually limited on storage cabinets.

Ken

[MPI_Mallard]

We almost pulled the pin when Montana first came out with one and their original layout without the hall going through the head which gave the loo a real usable closet for the washer/dryer really worked for me but in the end the total lack of outside storage won out taking it out of "full-time" usability plus the over-all fit and finish of the rig was lousy, really cheap looking but for the weekend warriors and summer vacation crowd I can see the front living room offerings out there making a nice rig for that purpose but as a serious rig the ones we have seen so far just don't measure up, all sizzle and no steak.

Red Green:
There's only two things that excite
a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys.

[2008Wildcat]

Grand Design Solitude 379FL.

It is fully walkable, all the way up to the very front. In fact, it has to be about 6' 6" from floor to ceiling, as I am 6' 1" and there is plenty of room above my head.

It is big at 42 1/2 feet, but it is 430 square feet of living space, which is the max allowed by RVIA.

Also still has the pass thru storage, front storage, and a rear trunk area for storage.

[lawrosa]

Lack of storage where? There is tons of storage...

And I disagree with the ceiling heights. They are huge in these rvs.

Take a look here.

Front living room RV

[goducks10]

Don't own one and in reality can't tow one either with my 2500. Only one that's close is the Cougar HC 337FLSWE. Biggest issue for me is the seating positions are generally at 90 deg angles to the tv. No one places furniture in their house like that. Assuming you will be spending time in the FL since it's more of a long term floorplan as opposed to a smaller RL or RK, I would think the tv should be directly across from the sofa or two recliners. Also the kitchen layout can sometimes be compromised as far as the dinette is concerned. If I had the truck I would take a serious look at this onehttp://www.coltonrv.com/SearchInventory/tabid/62/Type/View/ID/55007/2014-Fifth-Wheel-KEYSTONE-ALPINE...

[amandasgramma]

I don't know about storage, but I CAN say this....I was in one last winter at the Quartzsite,AZ RV show and I have never felt so closed in as I did with the front living room......the ceilings are low in the LR area. It's okay for sleeping because you're laying down, but to sit or stand.....too low for me.