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Minor rant about fifth wheel layouts.

Stefonius
Explorer
Explorer
When we go camping, we spend 8 or more hours a day in bed, and only about two hours in the rest of the rig. Why don't manufacturers devote more floor space to the bedroom and bathroom? I could comfortably shelter a football team in my RVs livingroom, but that space is completely wasted on DW and I. We're not indoors unless it's pouring rain, and even then we'll be under the awning if it isn't too windy to have it extended.

I'd love to find a rig that has a big, spacious bedroom. Something that allows DW and I to pass each other when walking around a residential King-sized bed without either of us having to turn sideways or sit down on the mattress.

While I'm at it, I'd like a bigger bathroom, too. I don't want the bathroom sink in the bedroom, because that's just silly. I don't want a shower stall that feels more like a phone booth. I'm 6'5", which I understand is a bit taller than average, but... The trailer is nearly 13 feet tall. Why should I have to duck in the shower?

Does anyone know of a fifth wheel with a giant bedroom, a big bathroom with huge shower and a kitchen that can actually be used for cooking?
2003 F450 Crew Cab, 7.3 PSD "Truckasaurus"
2010 Coachmen North Ridge 322RLT fiver "Habitat for Insanity"
I love my tent, but the DW said, "RV or Divorce"...
41 REPLIES 41

Infinityrver
Explorer
Explorer
Veebyes wrote:
Atom ant, I guess you are right. It is the herd mentality. One does it. They all do. There are very few original ideas out there. Thats why cars look the same. TV programming is the same (can there possibly be another Alaskan based, pawn based, "Wars" this that or other, or restoration based etc. program?).

I come from boats where nothing is much like anything in a house. Space is efficiently used. One would think that RVs would be more akin to boats making the best use of available space rather than trying to be more & more like a house with huge amounts of cubic space containing nothing but air. Most 5ers have enough open floor room for a square dance.


All the companies that make 5ers are just doing what we're asking for. It's all about the convenience of home.
'12 Infinity 3850RL
'11 Ford F350 FX4 Diesel

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
Atom ant, I guess you are right. It is the herd mentality. One does it. They all do. There are very few original ideas out there. Thats why cars look the same. TV programming is the same (can there possibly be another Alaskan based, pawn based, "Wars" this that or other, or restoration based etc. program?).

I come from boats where nothing is much like anything in a house. Space is efficiently used. One would think that RVs would be more akin to boats making the best use of available space rather than trying to be more & more like a house with huge amounts of cubic space containing nothing but air. Most 5ers have enough open floor room for a square dance.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995

Dave___Ginny
Explorer
Explorer
Unfortunately rv aren't made balance because people typical want all of the kitchen appliances and storage together. The hot water heaters (full of 12 gallons of water) are usually on the same side as the refrigerator,stove and furnace so they don't have gas lines weaving back and fourth across the trailers.
2015 Entegra Aspire RBQ

northmeck0255
Explorer
Explorer
If you want a luxurious bedroom and bath, consider the Front Living floorplans. They have the bedrooms and bath at the rear, and there is quite a bit more room.
2010 Airstream 27FB Classic Limited
2012 Ram 3500 DRW 4X4

Atom_Ant
Explorer
Explorer
Veebyes wrote:
That RW39FB above.....Are you kidding me???? 1 1/2 baths, over 1/3 of it devoted to where you spend less than 1/3 of your day sleeping, not moving. Only 2, maybe 3 seats have good screen viewing angles. Next to nothing in galley storage. Stove, microwave,fridge, entertainment center, desk (where you keep all your heavy files), 1/2 bath, tub, washer/dryer (Cupbaord full of stuff), all of this heavy stuff on one side. WHAT were the designers of this thing thinking? Go aroind a right bend a little too quick & this thing is going to be on its side. It is most likely 42'LOA. A monster.
Regardless of what your opinion is, or even mine, this floor plan is gaining popularity across all brands, just like side aisles did a few years ago, split baths are today, and front living!

Someday, there may even be enough designs to meet everyone's needs.

PS - you are a funny guy, you really think these tubs weigh anything? Probably less than the BBQ you put in the basement below it.
2008 Ford F350 2014 Redwood 36RL - Our Rig
Onan 5500, Splendide Ariston W/D, 8K axles, disk brakes, G614s, tri-glide pin box,
6-pt leveling, dual heat pump, dual awnings, Trav'ler SK-1000 Dish

Stefonius
Explorer
Explorer
Veebyes wrote:
That RW39FB above.....Are you kidding me???? 1 1/2 baths, over 1/3 of it devoted to where you spend less than 1/3 of your day sleeping, not moving. Only 2, maybe 3 seats have good screen viewing angles. Next to nothing in galley storage. Stove, microwave,fridge, entertainment center, desk (where you keep all your heavy files), 1/2 bath, tub, washer/dryer (Cupbaord full of stuff), all of this heavy stuff on one side. WHAT were the designers of this thing thinking? Go aroind a right bend a little too quick & this thing is going to be on its side. It is most likely 42'LOA. A monster.
1/3 of it devoted to where I spend 1/3 of my day sleeping, and the other 2/3 of the rig devoted to space that I barely use? Sounds good to me. When DW and I go camping, we don't do it to spend time inside the RV. We wake up, shower, eat and go outside. We don't go back inside (except for restroom trips) until it's time to go to bed.

As for TV viewing angles, who needs a TV? We can watch TV when we're at home in the S&B. For those times when the weather doesn't permit outdoor activity, the LR layout is ideal for having friends over, and the 1/2 bath keeps them out of MY bathroom. The kitchen certainly looks more useful than the one I currently suffer with.

I must admit, it does look like it's a bit heavy on the driver's side. It also looks to be about 42 feet long, which is 6 feet over what I'm hauling now.
2003 F450 Crew Cab, 7.3 PSD "Truckasaurus"
2010 Coachmen North Ridge 322RLT fiver "Habitat for Insanity"
I love my tent, but the DW said, "RV or Divorce"...

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
That RW39FB above.....Are you kidding me???? 1 1/2 baths, over 1/3 of it devoted to where you spend less than 1/3 of your day sleeping, not moving. Only 2, maybe 3 seats have good screen viewing angles. Next to nothing in galley storage. Stove, microwave,fridge, entertainment center, desk (where you keep all your heavy files), 1/2 bath, tub, washer/dryer (Cupbaord full of stuff), all of this heavy stuff on one side. WHAT were the designers of this thing thinking? Go aroind a right bend a little too quick & this thing is going to be on its side. It is most likely 42'LOA. A monster.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995

Atom_Ant
Explorer
Explorer
Like the Montana, here is a new Redwood with a front master bath, larger tub, room to dress and run around, and if you get the slide-in-a-slide option (not shown), it pushes that King bed out another slide depth giving you 41" of room at the foot of the bed without interfering with your patio/awning space like other units with double bedroom slides. The 1/2 bath is a bonus!

RW39FB

2008 Ford F350 2014 Redwood 36RL - Our Rig
Onan 5500, Splendide Ariston W/D, 8K axles, disk brakes, G614s, tri-glide pin box,
6-pt leveling, dual heat pump, dual awnings, Trav'ler SK-1000 Dish

Stefonius
Explorer
Explorer
Dave & Ginny wrote:
Look at the Redwoods. They have a very tall ceiling in the very large bedroom with a slid-in-slide. This gives you over 40inches of free spacer at the end of the bed. There are several 5th wheels made with large kitchens but you'd better have a dually to get the job done safely.
I've got a 2003 F450 chassis cab dually with a 7.3. I can tow darned near anything.

The Redwood with the front livingroom had a neat layout. It's a bit bigger than I like, though. I have enough trouble dragging around my 36 foot Northridge.
2003 F450 Crew Cab, 7.3 PSD "Truckasaurus"
2010 Coachmen North Ridge 322RLT fiver "Habitat for Insanity"
I love my tent, but the DW said, "RV or Divorce"...

NJRVer
Explorer
Explorer
Gulfstream 36fbqs. Large front bath with double sinks and a 1/2 bath off the kitchen.

wward1674
Explorer
Explorer
x2 on Montana 3900 FB.
Love that one.
2010 Ford F-250 XLT Super Crew 4x4 5.4
2006 Fleetwood Prowler 320DBHS.

Dave___Ginny
Explorer
Explorer
Look at the Redwoods. They have a very tall ceiling in the very large bedroom with a slid-in-slide. This gives you over 40inches of free spacer at the end of the bed. There are several 5th wheels made with large kitchens but you'd better have a dually to get the job done safely.
2015 Entegra Aspire RBQ

JohnG3
Explorer II
Explorer II
Haven't seen the inside but the Rushmore has a rear bedroom model that looks pretty big.
John and Elaine. Furry ones, Bubba, Buddy, Barney and Miss Chevious
2017 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40 SP
Know guns, know safety, know peace. No guns, no safety, no peace.

Stefonius
Explorer
Explorer
RoyB wrote:
maybe you could get you a TOY HAULER and setup all of that area into a large bedroom suite and convert the old bedroom into an office area...

Roy Ken
That's a really intriguing idea.
2003 F450 Crew Cab, 7.3 PSD "Truckasaurus"
2010 Coachmen North Ridge 322RLT fiver "Habitat for Insanity"
I love my tent, but the DW said, "RV or Divorce"...

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
I have to agree. Even in more entry level units like our Jag, the bedroom/bathroom area is open with plenty of room. We looked for a replacement and came home disappointed with the maze of walls cramping the bedrooms even in larger units. The only thing we want inclosed with walls and a door is the commode. We also prefer a slide out closet instead of the bed as the front cap is warmer than windows in winter. It's also nice to be able to look down the length of the rv from the bed and see out the back windows over the water or woods with our rear living floor plan. It's a nice view to wake up to.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'