We're looking to upgrade from the camper to a 5er and I saw this post on another group and found it very informative.We are looking for a rear kitchen model because if we're watching a movie we don't want to look through the kitchen or the dinette not to mention you get twice as much counter space and seemingly more kitchen cabinet space.We are contemplating a mid kitchen on units with rear living but what is the goofy things you've seen or experienced on your rig?Bill

Here is one thing that is goofy about a lot of RV'sInability to USE facilities (kitchen, bathroom, bed) UNLESS slides are extended.We have a mid kitchen ---with slides IN we can still open fridge, use stove top & sink, fully use bathroom and still climb in bed to sleep.Folks always see models with slides out.....but what happens when they are retracted>?Not an issue if you NEVER just stop for a quick lunch break, or a late over-nighter etc.

Old-Biscuit wrote:Here is one thing that is goofy about a lot of RV'sInability to USE facilities (kitchen, bathroom, bed) UNLESS slides are extended.We have a mid kitchen ---with slides IN we can still open fridge, use stove top & sink, fully use bathroom and still climb in bed to sleep.Folks always see models with slides out.....but what happens when they are retracted>?X2...Totally agree. We picked our floor plan because when the slide was retracted we still had access to the kitchen and beds. Its so nice to be able to pull over on the road and enjoy lunch on the side of the road without having to put out the slide.

X3 We also can open frig, sit at table and get in bed use the bathroom etc with our sides in as wellSafe travels

as stated above, the fridge and kitchen are critical-and see if you can get to the pantry with the slides in (many you cannot) super critical fro grabbing snacks or you'll have to relocate things you may normally keep in there. Also, are the heat vents covered when the slides are in or can you get the rig warm with the slides in?

The dumbest things with our 5er, in my mind, are:1. The closets at each side of the bed were set up for hangers, not shelves for folded clothes.2. The beds are way too short, especially with the sloping headboard, that makes it even shorter.3. Decals that can't be made to last.

What is the dumbest things about your fifth wheel?

philh
Explorer II
Feb 13, 2022
dieseltruckdriver wrote:

With slides in, access to pantry is blocked and so is the bedroom clothes closet. Wife did a most awesome job turning the clothes closet into cubes and shelves.

On this one, what else could they do other than not have a slide.

Nothing, just pointing out what I can't get to.

We're very happy with this 5th wheel. Been in it for a few months, actually working from home.

When se get home, I'll be looking at the pass through. I may regret the slide we put in, because it was reduced in size due to the space limitations.

Also trying to find a place to put a cord reel. I need to measure the economy one, it might fit on the slide, but it only holds 30' of cord. The bigger one is too tall. Considering the possibility of making a bracket to attach to the drawer slide, but hang down for the taller cord reel.
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2022
Njmurvin wrote:
I only have a couple.

Snip

2) Why no water pump switch in the bathroom (my brother's Alpenlite has one)? I need to add it.
Ours has a water pump switch in the bathroom. It is AWESOME!
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2022
philh wrote:
NW 27-5L.

Wasteful very shallow cabinet under entertainment unit. I had the dealer pull the door off and put in a fireplace.

Area above water pump is completely closed off and wasted space. I've turned it into a 2 shelf cabinet for shoes.

We use that area as my wifes drink storage. Seltzer waters etc. The shoes go under the stairs.

Biggest issue, the whole pass through has not been well thought out as they carried sewer pipes through what could be a much larger area, but no, they completely blocked that area off.

I opened up a lot of that area by removing the "wall" on the street side and cutting it to fit front to back as opposed to side to side. It looks factory.

With slides in, access to pantry is blocked and so is the bedroom clothes closet. Wife did a most awesome job turning the clothes closet into cubes and shelves.

On this one, what else could they do other than not have a slide.
Njmurvin
Explorer
Feb 10, 2022
I only have a couple.

1) Weak-assed single motor landing gear ... I've since upgraded.

2) Why no water pump switch in the bathroom (my brother's Alpenlite has one)? I need to add it.
Lightning55
Explorer
Feb 09, 2022
I would have to agree with others that the location of light switches and electrical outlets in my FW are pretty dumb.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2022
dedmiston wrote:
Stereo speakers wired with two right speakers indoors and two left outdoors so you can't ever hear both channels unless you stand in the open doorway (not how I prefer to listen).

I wouldn't call that a design flaw since that's not how it was designed...that was the Amish Craftsman connecting the wires wrong. The wires are color-coded, so obviously the assembler misunderstood the wires colors, I wonder how many units went out the door that way? LOL
BurbMan
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2022
Veebyes wrote:
Never understood the obsession with accessibility with the slides in.

You didn't read the post that was literally the one before yours:

"We keep our trailer at a storage facility as we cannot park at home for more than a night or two. Night before a trip we bring the trailer home and park on the street. We cannot open slides as they would stick out onto the street or sidewalk. So its nice to be able to get to everything for packing clothes, fridge etc. without slides open.
momentum_rv
Explorer
Feb 07, 2022
Cummins12V98 wrote:
momentum rv wrote:
Bathroom doors that open out into the hallway. Always in the way, and when closed you never know if someone is in there or not, always have to knock before opening. Pocket door is the ticket!

And then you will be starting a thread about how the pocket door fell of it's tracks.

Yup, I've seen plenty of those threads but 7+ years and no issues with mine! (and if I did, I'd just fix it!)
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2022
We were at a friends Hitch Hiker and wife asked to use the restroom. She goes inside and hits the first switch she sees and the big living-room slide starts to come in and the big black cat literally flew across the RV.
Scared the SHITE out of all of us.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2022
momentum rv wrote:
Bathroom doors that open out into the hallway. Always in the way, and when closed you never know if someone is in there or not, always have to knock before opening. Pocket door is the ticket!

And then you will be starting a thread about how the pocket door fell of it's tracks.