I will be working and need space for a full-size desktop computer and a 32" monitor. Photo editing.I have considered a bunkhouse model to keep it all out of sight...for a tidier look, but I just cannot stand the tiny kitchen and living area.Because we cook daily, we really want to have a rear kitchen model. I cannot come up with any office solutions with this kind of a floor plan, without using the dining table.Would love to see if anyone has come up with some solutions.

My computer desk uses a radial computer monitor mount which can be swung out of the way when not in use. My tower computer is in an enclosed, ventilated space below the desk with a printer on top.I designed this space instead of using the traditional big, honking desk in the middle of the RV.

Have you considered a 32" television with PC input? That could decrease some of your extra space requirements. Not sure why photo editing requires a desktop PC. Laptops are just as powerful and require less space. The main advantage of a desktop would be add-on cards.

HappyKayakers wrote:Have you considered a 32" television with PC input? That could decrease some of your extra space requirements. Not sure why photo editing requires a desktop PC. Laptops are just as powerful and require less space. The main advantage of a desktop would be add-on cards.I am a professional photographer and my work requires a great deal of intricacy...as well as a large monitor for designing albums.a. Laptop monitors do not come in 32"b. Laptop monitors cannot touch the quality (resolution, contrast, color, etc of a separate monitor. My professional monitor costs $1,500.c. Laptop monitors cannot be calibrated for above qualities for the most part, but even if they can, they will never match the above.The same with a TV...it is not created to be a fine-tuned super high rez editing machine.Also, the rear kitchen models with the E-center next to steps to BR are not convertible to desks.

TechWriter wrote:My computer desk uses a radial computer monitor mount which can be swung out of the way when not in use. My tower computer is in an enclosed, ventilated space below the desk with a printer on top.I designed this space instead of using the traditional big, honking desk in the middle of the RV.Sweet!

We have a 37 ft class A. The first thing we did was yank the couch and we yanked the chair behind the passenger chair. Hubby found a small stacked desk and put it where the couch was with his office chair. He did have to make it narrower but all he did was remove one side and cut all the shelves down 2" so that it fit on the slide better. We could have let it hang out over the edge but he wanted to mount the side table next to it. The side table was between the passenger chair and the chair we yanked. It has a table you lift up and out to make a side table. I found an enclosed desk that has two doors that, when closed, holds monitor, tower, keyboard and lots of stuff and keeps it all in place and out of sight. When we travel, I take my office chair and nest it upside down, on top of his office chair and we strap them tight with one of the seat belts that used to be for the couch. Both computer desks are screwed and secured. They have never moved since we did this in 2007. Printers stay in place and so do the monitors. The only thing I do is unplug his laptop and place it up front by my feet.The doors of my enclosed computer desk are secured shut with a wire tie. I pack the inside with a few pillows and some bubble wrap so it's filled. Nothing moves around inside that desk. I found the desk at STAPLES in 2007. When it's shut it looks like a wardrobe closet.We don't watch tv in the "living area" so having a couch wasn't important. The couch was never that comfortable to sit on or sleep on. This works for us.

What do you do for an office w/o a bunkhouse?

cswinford
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
I had the same problem but I actually HAD a bunkhouse RV. However, my bunkhouse is full of kids :) I work a 9-5 job online from the road and I had been working on my lap for 1.5 years. It was terrible and I finally got around to doing something about it a few weeks ago. What I did was moved our washing machine into the closet and renovated the space for the washer/dryer into a desk. I'll be posting about it in detail on my site in the very near future. Subscribe and you'll see a post about it shortly: http://longlongwaytotipperary.com
monkey44
Nomad II
Nov 02, 2013
Sounds to me like a Toy-hauler would be ideal. I know, no rear kitchen, but that's the least of your worries. You can pretty much design a toy-hauler to any shape you want, if you can void your rear-kitchen requirement ...

One the basics (kitchen, bath) are built in place, in whatever configuration suits you, the remaining desk set-ups can be relatively inexpensive and will fit your exact spec's - I'd find a good, local cabinet makes somewhere that can build and install what you want. You'd be surprises how space efficient a good cabinet maker can configure into a compact area. Don't go to one of those computer design centers, that's not the same thing as someone with a human brain and experience in the field.

One thought - IF you make a workspace along a rear or side wall, then do a rotating seat, and put 'the kitchen table' behind you, so when you turn around, you can use it for extended workspace when it's not 'eating time' -

Multi-purpose work areas work extremely well in RV's ... just takes a little living in it and deciding what is most important -- THEN find the RV that fits your ideas, rather than find the RV first and try to make your design work around its drawbacks.
TechWriter
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
2112 wrote:
Unless you have a specific hardware requirement the desktop or tower is wasted space and power.

Depends . . . I knew I needed a printer, so I put my tower under the printer.
2112
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2013
I have a large monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse at home and my office. I carry my laptop with me. Haven't used the docking station in years. I rarely even look at the laptop screen. Unless you have a specific hardware requirement the desktop or tower is wasted space and power.
LabbieLover
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
MookieKat,

We just purchased a Montana High Country 303RK with rear kitchen (which I was adamant about). It has a small desk in the living room area. I also need a work area and if the desk doesn't work out well, I may sacrifice one of the reclines for additional desk space.

Hope this helps. :)
MookieKat
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
hocker wrote:
My wife wanted a craft space for pretty much the same reasons, to be able to leave the stuff out but not clutter up living space. We picked a Nu Wa 5th wheel floorplan, the 339RSB, with an extra closet slide-out in the "hallway" to the bedroom. I converted the closet into a work area with a desk and cabinet storage. It has worked great for us the last 4 years.

That is a nice idea. I found one like that, but the opening of the closet slideout is about 10" off the floor, So that I cannot use that closet with a chair to work in.
sowego
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
The best RV office situation I've heard of was a computer workstation built into the wall where the dinette usually goes. A base wall cabinet held the large component pieces with a U shaped counter for table top area/multiuse for dining as well as work. The monitor can be set into the unit's top to be a "pop up" like they do for some televisions. If you are willing to take out any other furniture on that some side I think you could build in all the work and storage space you need. You can also then use the type of office chair you need for comfort.

I cannot give you names for places that can do the work but many companies all over the country do customized things like this.

If you do a remodel like this, post an image...we'd all love to see it!
hocker
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
My wife wanted a craft space for pretty much the same reasons, to be able to leave the stuff out but not clutter up living space. We picked a Nu Wa 5th wheel floorplan, the 339RSB, with an extra closet slide-out in the "hallway" to the bedroom. I converted the closet into a work area with a desk and cabinet storage. It has worked great for us the last 4 years.
bjcarpetguy
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
I don't have pics. What I did is in my 1987 34' Class A, I did away with the Dinette. Our intention was to eat outside as much as possible, (Stuck in Western
Wa for the winter) Not going to work out so well. Anyway I took it out and built a desk and Book self. It is U shaped the Book shelf to my left is 3 tiers.
have my Hp 6500 printer to my right. Quite a bit of storage under. We have a 24
inch Hp touch screen computer. So It is just a matter of being a little creative
with the area you have.
duggram
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
I started full-timing again 2 months ago. I work in healthcare IT and this is a great opportunity. I have a 40' toyhualer and use the garage as a garage for toys and workshop tools. I live alone so I setup my dining table with a shelf. I could put the printer on the shelf too but it fits fine on the bench seat behind. I can still eat at the table and usually do while working (I love my work).

I also picked up a light weight small table at World Market that is built on an aluminum frame with a wood top. It's designed to slide under the couch when you are using it. It's 14 x 18 and works well for laptop or dinner.