RV lot layouts + floor plans

[janegowest]

We were considering a rear kitchen 5er that had the dining on the wall opposite the entry door. There were several compromises, but thought that it might be liveable. However, as I got to thinking....these questions came to mind...

1. How much room is there on that side in parks with tight spaces? If there are a row of trees or bushes on that side, the slide could be jammed up to them?

2. I would imagine that I would be looking at our neighbor's campsite with dining on that side?

We have never RV'ed, so not familiar with RV lot layouts. Would love to hear from you experienced folks!

[ReneeG]

As others have said, there is so much variable, that the most important thing is the interior layout of what you pick and if it will work for you. As for where you park and if the slides will fit, it changes.

Consider instead your lifestyle. Do you need access to your kitchen en route, at rest stops to cook? We do, so that was a must for us. We have a mid kitchen and with the slides in I can get to all appliances and the sink. One of my pantry cupboards is blocked by a slide, so I make sure that all my coffee making supplies, some water bottles, and foods are in an accessible pantry.

What about access to your shower, toilet, and bed? Will the slides in hinder it or does it matter to you?

In glancing over the other replies, maybe it would be best to visit fifth wheels, a lot, at dealerships. Ask them to bring in the slide, take a look at what you can access. What if you are en route and stop for groceries, can you put them all away easily?

Spend a lot of time looking before you decide.

Perhaps you are apprehensive on the commitment? If so, wait on your decision. Let some weeks or months pass. Time has a way of making you realize what's important.

We too, have never been in a situation where our slides were blocked at a camping site. We've had 4 TT's before our FW and three had slides.
Good luck in your decision.

[the_bear_II]

We have a rear kitchen with the dining area in the rear corner on the opposite side from the entry door. Big windows on sidewalls and rear, great views. To be honest with you when we are in sites with neighbors close by we rarely notice them. We have mini-blinds on all windows and turn them where we can see out but it's difficult for anyone to see in plus our windows have a dark tint. We don't feel like we are in a fish bowl.

In 20 plus years with this 5th wheel we have never been in a site where the slideouts were blocked.

[travelnutz]

Jane,

What is is! RV CG's vary so much that there is no way to answer your question reasonably or meaningfully as CG's and a person's perceptions vary all over the map and from state to state and region to region! Who says another RV will even be parked next to you? Some RV sites or CG's are all at an angle so it doesn't matter even if there's another one parked next to you. Some RV sites are big to huge and some are like car parking lots. YOU choose the RV CG you want to be in and which site you'll be willing to stay on or as you notice, the RV has wheels and they can turn taking you to another CG selection. I don't know your age but if old enough, an adult only (55+) may fit you best. You stated that you do not have children so are lots of kids around and being noisy/yelling or having a play area near your site or a full playground close bother you?

Not wise to sign an agreement to stay for a month or more until you know if you like the place, the location, is there highway or train noise, uncontrolled kids running around all hours, your site comfort, AND your neighbors. You are only renting a space for a time period, not buying it! YOU are the only one who makes the decision to stay or go! All doubly important being totally "new" to RV'ing and CG's site living. Living there is or can/will be very different from just overnighting there.

I sure don't know what makes you happy or angry but you do seem to find fault and faults/issues with every RV you have looked at whether new or used. Hint: NONE are perfect or will be made just to the way you want and still be easily towed and have a max of $30K to $35K max cost is so likely a pie in the sky vision. Used is used and they almost always have some factors from being used. Keep dreaming until you really get serious and willing to accept what is possible. Your home is used too and seems it needs an awful lot of fixing up! Per your words!

We are very selective as we know what we want and expect before even entering a CG because there's so many pics and CG layouts on the Internet to do pre-research on before even looking at the CG which pares the list down to only a few. It's learned over time with hands on personal experience. Nobody can make your choices for you, you must!

[janegowest]

MinnCamper wrote:
Depending on where you camp the windows may be in the right or wrong position. We love lots of windows. We have a rear living room with windows on all 3 sides. If we park somewhere where we don't like the view out of one of the windows we just close the shades.

More important to us though is I wanted the layout so that when you walk in with muddy shoes you aren't walking directly on to carpet. I like that we can go in and get something to drink in the kitchen without having to walk all the way through the living area. Also we wanted to make sure we could get to the fridge and also have a place to sit and eat on travel days. We can stop at a road side rest and pull out things for lunch and eat inside the camper.

What camper do you have?

Good thoughts re not wanting to walk on carpet with muddy shoes to get to kitchen.

I read somewhere online that you should not sit in the closed slides, as it would cause damage to the slide mechanism. Is this true?

[MinnCamper]

Depending on where you camp the windows may be in the right or wrong position. We love lots of windows. We have a rear living room with windows on all 3 sides. If we park somewhere where we don't like the view out of one of the windows we just close the shades.

More important to us though is I wanted the layout so that when you walk in with muddy shoes you aren't walking directly on to carpet. I like that we can go in and get something to drink in the kitchen without having to walk all the way through the living area. Also we wanted to make sure we could get to the fridge and also have a place to sit and eat on travel days. We can stop at a road side rest and pull out things for lunch and eat inside the camper.

[janegowest]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
One of the reasons we went with rear living room is because we want to enjoy the big back window. The kitchen isn't as bright as a rear kitchen, but the back of the unit has windows on both sides. The dinette slide out is on the opposite side, never been a problem.

During the winter, we try to find spots that let the light into the back window, but during the heat of the summer it's better to have the back to the east, and after noon the back of the unit is in the shade.

Wow! Sounds like you have it down like a science!

[Artum_Snowbird]

One of the reasons we went with rear living room is because we want to enjoy the big back window. The kitchen isn't as bright as a rear kitchen, but the back of the unit has windows on both sides. The dinette slide out is on the opposite side, never been a problem.

During the winter, we try to find spots that let the light into the back window, but during the heat of the summer it's better to have the back to the east, and after noon the back of the unit is in the shade.

[donn0128]

Depends. I have been in NF campgrounds with barely enough space to get my slides open. I have been in parks where I could barely see the neighbors. Some parks are so close to the neighbors I coud hear them talking. Pick what you think you want and go for it. The rest will get sorted out eventually.