How do you like YOUR rear-entry, rear-living FP?

[janegowest]

It seems that most plans that are short have rear entries. How do they function? The FP seems kind of awkward, in the sense that the recliners are so far from the TV....

Floor plans like this, for example (not one we are considering):

http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=169&ShowParent=1&ModelID=1786#Main

I JUST REALIZED THAT I HAD MEANT TO SAY, HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR REAR ENTRY, NOT "OUR."

[ReneeG]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

clotus wrote:
We don't have a TV, so no problem for us

No TV ???

How do you get it where you want to go - without a TV?

Oh - OK I get it - you must have a Motorhome.



~

I thought he meant Television.

[Dtank]

fla-gypsy wrote:


Only you can determine what will work for your circumstances.

Just think it through carefully

As always - best advice for LOTS and lots of threads/posts!


Holdup guy with gun: "Your money or your life!"

Guy repeats threat

Jack Benny: "(after loooonnnng pause).......I'm thinking, I'm thinking!"

[ol_Bombero-JC]

clotus wrote:
We don't have a TV, so no problem for us

No TV ???

How do you get it where you want to go - without a TV?

Oh - OK I get it - you must have a Motorhome.



~

[janegowest]

Earl E wrote:
OK here is a little bit of an alternative view. We LOVE the rear entrance in a smaller RV. We had a Arctic Fox 32' fiver that we full-timed in and found it very comfortable. The rear entrance makes a wonderfully large floor space as well as a great view out the back window. In fact, after we got off the road we bought a smaller pull-trailer that had a rear kitchen and just took a loss and traded it in for another small pull-trailer with the rear entrance and chairs in the rear. We love it. True, the door is often in the rocks or grass because of the way many parks are designed but an outside door mat took care of that. The only problem I see with the one you are looking at is the closet space in the bedroom. That may not be enough for full-timing. You need space for four seasons of clothes, even if you are chasing the sun. There is a reason for the popularity of this design--it maximizes the space.

Ah!! Thank you!! Finally someone who LOVES it!! Please tell me more!! Did you rearrange your furniture? Did you ever bend the steps going in/out of gas stations?

[Earl_E]

OK here is a little bit of an alternative view. We LOVE the rear entrance in a smaller RV. We had a Arctic Fox 32' fiver that we full-timed in and found it very comfortable. The rear entrance makes a wonderfully large floor space as well as a great view out the back window. In fact, after we got off the road we bought a smaller pull-trailer that had a rear kitchen and just took a loss and traded it in for another small pull-trailer with the rear entrance and chairs in the rear. We love it. True, the door is often in the rocks or grass because of the way many parks are designed but an outside door mat took care of that. The only problem I see with the one you are looking at is the closet space in the bedroom. That may not be enough for full-timing. You need space for four seasons of clothes, even if you are chasing the sun. There is a reason for the popularity of this design--it maximizes the space.

[travelnutz]

SDcampowneroperator,

Very smart move ordering with the island being non permanent fixed in a location as that gives so much more versatility and lots of additional access with slides in! Can always electrify the island by simply adding a plug and receptacle. Island with sink/plumbing is an entirely different animal and not our cup of tea, period! Always in the way and blocking! Our "special built" was much much more than just inside the coach features.

[travelnutz]

Jane,

36' Carriage Chaise 3 axle 18,000 GVWR purchased new years ago and had a tree fall on it in late Fall of 2006 which the ins totaled it. BTW, I bought back the carcass for their cost to have it hauled away and to keep the title from being listed and "Junked". Then sold it for the same $ to a friend who spent over a year with his wife totally rebuilding it and it's beautiful and is their pride and joy today yet as a "cabin" on some property in the National Forest they own.

Also had the Carrilite RK/with a big slide 5th wheel at the time we'd purchased new, so we didn't replace the totaled 36' Chaise. We'll probably never sell the Carrilite as the original Carriage RV's are no longer made and because it was "special built" per my request and cost. A long story and personal history but just let me just say, It's one of a kind! First one ever built this way! Remember what my profession was I'd told you back early in your RV questions and related was and you'll probably understand. We always had/have 2-4 RV's at any time for the last over 50 years. travelnutz! Got it?

C.T. Yoder, Carriage originator with his brothers and final owner had sold Carriage back in year 2000 and retired after 32 years of making Carriage RV's. Glenn Cushman owned Carriage and had made some very dumb business decisions over the years and got Carriage deep in debt going into the deep recession and the bank called in his $5+ million loan and auctioned off the business. In a nutshell!

Most of the Carriage employees were hired by Lifestyle RV and they made virtually the same Cameo models with these ex-Carriage workers and some of the management at and under the Lifestyle name for several years now. Redwood RV, a division of Thor Industries, bought the Carriage brand name, trademarks, and intellectual property and rights at the liquidation auction in Feb 2012 and are now applying it to a product line they are now making named Carriage by one of Thor's divisions but it's not remotely like the original Carriage with it's massive strong welded stacked box frame and coach quality which had been made by Carriage at their own very large manufacturing complex in Millersburg, Indiana.

Don't mean to bore you.

[SDcampowneroper]

janegowest wrote:

travelnutz wrote:
A few other things I noticed were that it's a mid entry, has a fireplace in clear view, theater seating directly at the front of the tv, another couch at a good angle to the popup tv or maybe even replace that couch with one or two swivel rockers or recliners, has a walk in nice closet in the bedroom, has a built in seat in the large shower and that's very cool, if the 8' fridge is selected leaves another pantry too.

The more I study the floor plan, the more smart things I see for either full time living or traveling/RV'ing for short period or long periods. Add in that it has a large freshwater tank and a large gray water tank. and a good sized black water tank too.

Actually, because of the corner sink, there's a lot of countertop behind it for things like a toaster and coffee maker etc to remain at which will be close to use/access but yet not in the way when making meals and don't have to be constantly removed. We know how excellent this is because we had the same in our 36' Carriage 5th wheel and have in our 29' Carriage Carrilite 5'er and simply love it. Wife says, "just like at home"!

Very easily towed behind out present SRW Duramax truck too, dang!

I better stop looking because if I do and keep seeing more goodies and positives, we just may have to order one! The dangers of peeping!

What models were your carriages?

I'll answer because your question is generic. Ours is an '09 35 fd3, we special ordered for the walk through bath and w/d prep. We liked the double door separation between bed and living for the late or early risers. We also ordered that the island be movable, as we store it in front of the table when on the road, so our kitchen and living is useable without opening slides for a lunch stop or even an overnight.
That has proven to be a good idea for us, as when we have company, it can be pushed over to the sink for more floor space.

To do it over again, we'd get an '09- 11 33 fws with side bath and hyd. levelers. Still with the movable island.

[janegowest]

travelnutz wrote:
A few other things I noticed were that it's a mid entry, has a fireplace in clear view, theater seating directly at the front of the tv, another couch at a good angle to the popup tv or maybe even replace that couch with one or two swivel rockers or recliners, has a walk in nice closet in the bedroom, has a built in seat in the large shower and that's very cool, if the 8' fridge is selected leaves another pantry too.

The more I study the floor plan, the more smart things I see for either full time living or traveling/RV'ing for short period or long periods. Add in that it has a large freshwater tank and a large gray water tank. and a good sized black water tank too.

Actually, because of the corner sink, there's a lot of countertop behind it for things like a toaster and coffee maker etc to remain at which will be close to use/access but yet not in the way when making meals and don't have to be constantly removed. We know how excellent this is because we had the same in our 36' Carriage 5th wheel and have in our 29' Carriage Carrilite 5'er and simply love it. Wife says, "just like at home"!

Very easily towed behind out present SRW Duramax truck too, dang!

I better stop looking because if I do and keep seeing more goodies and positives, we just may have to order one! The dangers of peeping!

What models were your carriages?

[travelnutz]

A few other things I noticed were that it's a mid entry, has a fireplace in clear view, theater seating directly at the front of the tv, another couch at a good angle to the popup tv or maybe even replace that couch with one or two swivel rockers or recliners, has a walk in nice closet in the bedroom, has a built in seat in the large shower and that's very cool, if the 8' fridge is selected leaves another pantry too.

The more I study the floor plan, the more smart things I see for either full time living or traveling/RV'ing for short period or long periods. Add in that it has a large freshwater tank and a large gray water tank. and a good sized black water tank too.

Actually, because of the corner sink, there's a lot of countertop behind it for things like a toaster and coffee maker etc to remain at which will be close to use/access but yet not in the way when making meals and don't have to be constantly removed. We know how excellent this is because we had the same in our 36' Carriage 5th wheel and have in our 29' Carriage Carrilite 5'er and simply love it. Wife says, "just like at home"!

Very easily towed behind out present SRW Duramax truck too, dang!

I better stop looking because if I do and keep seeing more goodies and positives, we just may have to order one! The dangers of peeping!

[janegowest]

travelnutz wrote:
rhagfo,

I have to apologize for not finishing my post correctly as to the actual rear kitchen layout of the Jayco Eagle 293 5th wheel quite similar to your 5th wheel layout. Got interrupted while writing and didn't look back at the wording I had written.

The Jayco Eagle 293rkds has a about a 2' wide walk in doored large pantry where your fridge is and they'd moved the fridge over to the passenger side wall toward the front of the RV in the kitchen and close to the range/oven with the microwave above so all have full access with the slide in. This keeps the kitchen counter top space still adequate. Also allows the option to have a double side by side door 12 cu ft fridge if desired instead of just the 8cu ft standard fridge. This can be very important for fulltime living as an 8' will seem very small since it's only a fraction of size of even a small norm basic home AC fridge. Also, the large pantry is great when and for fulltime living and provides an additional storage area when short term RV'ing too. Versatility alive and well! Yes, also has room for a W/D in the model too all in 34'5" pin to rear bumper. Me thinks somebody did their homework!

That IS a good FP. Very accessible!

[janegowest]

Michelle.S wrote:
We had a rear entry Montana, and had an issue with the steps hanging down to far that we dragged them several times getting in and out of fuel stations. Once so bad they had to be removed and a sledge hammer used to bend them back in useable shape.

That sounds horrible!! Is this common?

[travelnutz]

rhagfo,

I have to apologize for not finishing my post correctly as to the actual rear kitchen layout of the Jayco Eagle 293 5th wheel quite similar to your 5th wheel layout. Got interrupted while writing and didn't look back at the wording I had written.

The Jayco Eagle 293rkds has a about a 2' wide walk in doored large pantry where your fridge is and they'd moved the fridge over to the passenger side wall toward the front of the RV in the kitchen and close to the range/oven with the microwave above so all have full access with the slide in. This keeps the kitchen counter top space still adequate. Also allows the option to have a double side by side door 12 cu ft fridge if desired instead of just the 8cu ft standard fridge. This can be very important for fulltime living as an 8' will seem very small since it's only a fraction of size of even a small norm basic home AC fridge. Also, the large pantry is great when and for fulltime living and provides an additional storage area when short term RV'ing too. Versatility alive and well! Yes, also has room for a W/D in the model too all in 34'5" pin to rear bumper. Me thinks somebody did their homework!

[rhagfo]

travelnutz wrote:
rhagfo,

You must be late to the party of Jane's many wants, needs, questions, and thoughts.

Jane has over half a dozen threads running for a couple weeks now and has repeatedly said she want's a W/D in the RV and a lot of other things that are making it hard to find anything she's happy with. She is completely new to owning, hauling, living, traveling with and/or in a RV. All have and will fall short in more than one or even a lot more of her desires. Unfortunately, her stated budget max is also of no help either. Go read her threads.

Moving the fridge a couple feet doesn't cut into much of the counter space if you locate the sink differently and make the "L" leg a little longer.

Jane also wants to RV around the country with the RV after they are finished repairing their home and that makes various features much more important for easy access along with length. She wants to kill 2 birds with the same stone and it's not that easy!

Well once I looked at Jane's post I see what you mean. :S

This is why DW and I have been doing Retirement Previews, and so far are happy with the results.