Front living area floor plans

[Devocamper]

We have been looking for a year or so to replace our current fifth wheel ( gave up on the class A thinking ) and really like the front living room floor plans, really liked the Montana Models however at an RV show this past weekend we got to take a close look at one and found that there is practically no outside storage at least compared to our current fifth wheel. When I ask the sales person ( I know they are sale people )I was told it is a design and engineering issue and that's why there so much less storage in front living room floor plans ? Now I am not a engineer but I don't see what difference it makes as to what's above the storage area in fact I would think if it is a bathroom or bed room it would be more weight than the front living area and when it is a bathroom such as ours currently is the plumbing takes more space. There is another slide on the front living area floor plans but that should not take up all the storage . they do give you a small under bed area accessible from the outside but then that cuts into your inside under bed storage which we always have pretty much stuffed . Has anyone seen a front living room floor plan that has the common large basement storage area ? I know many manufacturers are now producing these floor plans.
Thanks
Mike

[RustyJC]

Front living rooms aren't my cup of tea at all, but then again, it's not my money other people are spending for them. To each his or her own.

Rusty

[klassic]

I saw that Avalanche at the RV show, the amount of storage is huge.
It's a way better use of space then having a super tall ceiling in the bedroom.
Also saw a front living room model (I forget the make, anyone??) it had a loft over the bedroom the entire size of the bedroom, with a staircase leading up to it. Not a ladder

[Craig_A]

This Avalanche is pretty neat. They've raised he bedroom in the rear and there's storage under there. Neat idea, but a little heavy for my truck.

[wkswenson]

We have a '13 Cedar Creek 38FL and we love it. The upstairs can be a little bit warmer in the summer, but not too big of an issue. Storage on ours is not a problem - we have plenty of basement storage for our needs, plenty of storage in the kitchen, I have an office (desk/storage), and our bedroom storage is almost always half empty because we have so much.

I thought the stairs would be an issue for me, but turns out it is not problem and keeps my legs/knees in better shape. We also spend most of our time outside so I have to go up/down more stairs to get into the rig than I have for the living room.

[TXiceman]

The front living area is a fad that passes every few years. We have looked at them and find too many short comings. Reduced storage in the living area, basement and rear bedroom. All that we have seen are woefully short of kitchen storage.

Ken

[southernsnow]

We have an Open Range 386 flr and we love it. Open Range has redesigned their front living room model, but I can tell you in ours we have a full open basement underneath the back bedroom, of course, storage under the bed, a smaller area under the kitchen for all our small appliances that we use outside and an ample area up front for all our chairs, etc that is open on both sides. Plus all our propane tanks and installed generator. We definitely feel we did not lose storage space.

Also, my sons are all over 6 ft. And they can stand in living room without any trouble. No bowed heads!

As stated most manufacturers have a FL model -- just see which one suits you best.
As far as stairs go, we figure 'use it or lose it'.

Good luck and happy travels,

[rhagfo]

kennethwooster wrote:
I'm also not a front living room guy. Too many couches for me. You should be able to do a Google search and find most of the different styles. Having a small basement would discourage me. I've noticed most companies are trying to come out with front. Living areas.

I am in this boat also, and then there are only two prime seats for TV viewing. I am what I consider average height 6'-0", and it is the lack of heat room would also bother me. It is differ when it is the bedroom. Once again different strokes for different folks. :B

[Tiger8r]

fredandfred920
I agree with you on the FL, Wife and I have looked very close at them and like another poster said I believe it might lighten the pin weight. I do think Grand Designs is a good company. May you enjoy many safe and happy trips. God bless.

[fredandfred920]

We have a Grand Design 379FL. Would not go back to a non front living unit. There is some division between living and kitchen. Makes it seem not as cramped. Just my .02.

[Stefonius]

donn0128 wrote:
I have a hard time liking a front living room. It means steps possibly dozens of times a day. No thanks. Going ip and down steps a couple times a day for bathroom and bed is easier to take in my mind.

Funny, I think of this exactly the other way 'round. I NEVER use my living room, but I spend 8 hours a day in the bedroom and make multiple trips to the bathroom. If stairs were a concern for me, I'd want the living room up front because I don't use it.

Of course, if stairs were a concern, the four or five steps up from the outside would be a bigger issue than the three steps up to the nose of the rig.

With that said, I agree with another poster here that the FL layouts have too many couches.

[BB_TX]

I suspect for once a salesman is telling the truth. With the two front slides, all the furniture, cabinets, TV, etc they probably intentionally reduce the storage area to limit loaded weight in the front. Looking at Jayco, KZ, Heartland, etc they all seem to do the same. Heartland does provide storage under the rear bedroom at the costs of raising the floor and making it a step up into the bedroom.

[kennethwooster]

I'm also not a front living room guy. Too many couches for me. You should be able to do a Google search and find most of the different styles. Having a small basement would discourage me. I've noticed most companies are trying to come out with front. Living areas.

[donn0128]

I have a hard time liking a front living room. It means steps possibly dozens of times a day. No thanks. Going ip and down steps a couple times a day for bathroom and bed is easier to take in my mind.

[Mfan]

I had a front living room, I agree, boy it was warm up there

[Bob_Vaughn]

The Heartland Big Country 3800 FL has 2 large basements in the back under the bedroom....plus 2 slides in the bedroom...