Class A design suggestions

[MagillaGorilla]

Here are a few suggestions I have for Class A RV manufacturers:

1: Put an exit door in the bathroom. It gives me a second emergency exit and it keeps people from tracking up my RV when they use my bathroom.

2: Put the TV where it can be comfortably viewed from most of the seats in the living room area. Most of the time it is not set up in a location that can be comfortably viewed by more than 1 or 2 people.

3: How about some bigger windows on the camping/passenger side of the RV? That is the side that you are more likely to keep the shades open on. Let some light in!!

4: Please no rugs. Give me tile or a high quality vinyl. If I want a rug I can buy a throw rug and throw it away after it gets stained within 24 hours of then I bought it.


5: Bigger windows in the bedroom. I like fresh air and most bedrooms have 2 tiny windows that do nothing.

6: Windows that actually open!! New RVs have the tilt out style windows. I like that you can open them in the rain but they dont let in much of a breeze. I like lots of fresh air. I live in a city so when I get to RV I want the fresh air coming in.

7: I dont want my fresh water inlet in the same storage bin as my black water drain. Seems like common sense.

8: Keep all of my water connections in a different bin than my power chord. Again, more common sense.

[westernrvparkow]

Mile High wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Chum lee wrote:


OK I'll bite. Point me to some published accident statistics by NHTSB, DOT, Insurance statistics, whatever, showing that having an additional full size rear door (in lieu of an alternate escape window) with electric extendable steps in a Class A motor home has saved lives. And please make sure you post how many lives it has saved over how many years.

If you really believed that your life was in eminent danger, would you get into a motor home, or any other form of transportation? Please, . . . . a little dramatic don't ya think?


Chum lee

🙂 I agree

A 737-900 has 8 exit doors, but somehow that never really offered me any confidence I was going to live!

better to have it than not.

Not necessarily.

If we are talking airplanes, many commercial airliners have hit the dirt as a result of door failures, so their surviving families would probably disagree with you.

On the MH I would be indifferent as to whether it was there or not, as long as I had some form of escape window. If it resulted in compromises to storage or other features, I would probably sacrifice the door for the other feature.

Do you have any citations where the failure of a plane's exit doors was considered the cause of the crash? I couldn't find any with a quick Google search. Closest was the failure of the cargo door on a cargo jet. It is my understanding that even if a door failed, it would not compromise the ability of a commercial jet to fly. It would be uncomfortable as heck for the passengers, but the structural integrity of the plane would not be in jeopardy.

[2gypsies1]

If you intend to use your escape window you had better start practicing. 🙂 They aren't easy to exit... you need to have some 'props' handy at all times.

[AllegroD]

Tiffin has an option for an Egress Hatch behind the headboard.
This is their AB.
Outside - Closed


Inside - Headboard in place.


Inside - Headboard removed


Inside - Egress open


Outside - Egress open


Outside - Egress open2

[dougrainer]

The OP has a nice wish list. BUT, he needs to research and find the RV maker that has most of the items he wants. These are NOT custom built RV motorhomes. COST and design are always factored into what they offer and can install. Regardless of what most people think, in Mass produced motorhomes, they will NOT add most of what the OP would like. They will not change the wall engineering or anything else to accommodate 1 or less than 5 customers. Newmar, years ago attempted to do this, and found it cost them a LOT more money than they could absorb. Adding a door is NOT just a matter of cutting and hole and installing the door. There are support studs in the walls and sometimes wiring and such that you have to leave in place. Remember, we are talking Motorhomes here not towables, which do offer almost all what the OP would like. Doug

[Mile_High]

rk911 wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Chum lee wrote:


OK I'll bite. Point me to some published accident statistics by NHTSB, DOT, Insurance statistics, whatever, showing that having an additional full size rear door (in lieu of an alternate escape window) with electric extendable steps in a Class A motor home has saved lives. And please make sure you post how many lives it has saved over how many years.

If you really believed that your life was in eminent danger, would you get into a motor home, or any other form of transportation? Please, . . . . a little dramatic don't ya think?


Chum lee

🙂 I agree

A 737-900 has 8 exit doors, but somehow that never really offered me any confidence I was going to live!

better to have it than not.

Not necessarily.

If we are talking airplanes, many commercial airliners have hit the dirt as a result of door failures, so their surviving families would probably disagree with you.

On the MH I would be indifferent as to whether it was there or not, as long as I had some form of escape window. If it resulted in compromises to storage or other features, I would probably sacrifice the door for the other feature.

[rk911]

Mile High wrote:

Chum lee wrote:


OK I'll bite. Point me to some published accident statistics by NHTSB, DOT, Insurance statistics, whatever, showing that having an additional full size rear door (in lieu of an alternate escape window) with electric extendable steps in a Class A motor home has saved lives. And please make sure you post how many lives it has saved over how many years.

If you really believed that your life was in eminent danger, would you get into a motor home, or any other form of transportation? Please, . . . . a little dramatic don't ya think?


Chum lee

🙂 I agree

A 737-900 has 8 exit doors, but somehow that never really offered me any confidence I was going to live!

better to have it than not.

[Mile_High]

Chum lee wrote:


OK I'll bite. Point me to some published accident statistics by NHTSB, DOT, Insurance statistics, whatever, showing that having an additional full size rear door (in lieu of an alternate escape window) with electric extendable steps in a Class A motor home has saved lives. And please make sure you post how many lives it has saved over how many years.

If you really believed that your life was in eminent danger, would you get into a motor home, or any other form of transportation? Please, . . . . a little dramatic don't ya think?


Chum lee

🙂 I agree

A 737-900 has 8 exit doors, but somehow that never really offered me any confidence I was going to live!

[Chum_lee]

rk911 wrote:

Chum lee wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Wiscampsin wrote:
Link to Newmar's bathroom emergency door with ladder. Great idea IMHO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_CQhfnNAaU

better than nothing but a retractable set of steps like those at the main entrance would be better in an emergency for people (who may be paniced) with mobility issues. bathroom, bedroom...doesn’t make much difference.

Think about what Newmar would have to do to create that. The radiator in the engine bay (at the rear of the MH in this case) would have to be moved because the steps would be in the way. The floor would have to be cut away in the bathroom similar to the front of the coach where you step down onto the exterior steps which extend below. If the extra door was located elsewhere you would lose basement storage space and probably other wall storage space. It's a vicious never ending cycle. MH space planning is a complex 3 dimensional problem best left to those who do it for a living. It's not the same as changing wall paper. Don't ask me how I know that.

Chum lee

I get all of that but OUR LIVES ARE A TAD MORE IMPORTANT THAN STORAGE SPACE.

OK I'll bite. Point me to some published accident statistics by NHTSB, DOT, Insurance statistics, whatever, showing that having an additional full size rear door (in lieu of an alternate escape window) with electric extendable steps in a Class A motor home has saved lives. And please make sure you post how many lives it has saved over how many years.

If you really believed that your life was in eminent danger, would you get into a motor home, or any other form of transportation? Please, . . . . a little dramatic don't ya think?

Now if you had a gorgeous trophy wife and you told her that she could no longer have her large storage closet, as far as she is concerned, your life MIGHT be in danger. (that's a joke for the comically challenged)

Chum lee

[2gypsies1]

Mile High wrote:
The exit door is becoming a thing, but I'm not sure how they are any easier to exit than my exit window in the rear bathroom. The ones I saw had the toilet in front of the door, and the door leaves you 5' in the air.

See the above link for the Newmar with exit door behind the toilet and stairs to get out. 🙂

[Mile_High]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Everything on that wish list has been done and are currently available on RV's. No one RV has them all, but they are all out there.

X2 Agreed! I think it's all been done. Carpet is rare anymore, this year windows are HUGE, my cord is in a different compartment than water, and fresh is separated from waste. The exit door is becoming a thing, but I'm not sure how they are any easier to exit than my exit window in the rear bathroom. The ones I saw had the toilet in front of the door, and the door leaves you 5' in the air.

[Ivylog]

I guess if your willing to give up living space for a bath and half, what’s a little more for a second door??? I’ve added a grab bar above my emergency exit window so I’m within 2’ of the ground before having to turn loose. Pretty sure there will be enough adrenaline flowing to be able to hold my weight with one hand in a real emergency. You might want to try opening your exit and spray the seals with silicone spray and even try getting out it.

I like having all 3 of my utilities in one place...takes up less storage space. I hook up my electric cord first...unhook last after turning breakers off. Never worried about the water hose being close by and not going to start now.
I hook up and unhook my water hose before the sewer hose (in 50 years I’ve not worn gloves when handling it) so having them next to each other has not been a problem.

I have the sign... cocktails for 6, dinner for 4, sleeps. 2. That includes watching TV for 2. If more than 2 it will most likely be outside. That’s why I added one outside and carry plenty of chairs.

I agree the current fad of frameless windows is really dumb, yes they look cool but are not cool because of how little actually open. One advantage of my “new” ride with higher ceilings is the windows are even larger...yes, windows that open 50% was on my MUST have list.
Why just big windows on only the curb side???

[rk911]

Chum lee wrote:

rk911 wrote:

Wiscampsin wrote:
Link to Newmar's bathroom emergency door with ladder. Great idea IMHO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_CQhfnNAaU

better than nothing but a retractable set of steps like those at the main entrance would be better in an emergency for people (who may be paniced) with mobility issues. bathroom, bedroom...doesn’t make much difference.

Think about what Newmar would have to do to create that. The radiator in the engine bay (at the rear of the MH in this case) would have to be moved because the steps would be in the way. The floor would have to be cut away in the bathroom similar to the front of the coach where you step down onto the exterior steps which extend below. If the extra door was located elsewhere you would lose basement storage space and probably other wall storage space. It's a vicious never ending cycle. MH space planning is a complex 3 dimensional problem best left to those who do it for a living. It's not the same as changing wall paper. Don't ask me how I know that.

Chum lee

i get all of that but our lives are a tad more important than storage space.

[Chum_lee]

rk911 wrote:

Wiscampsin wrote:
Link to Newmar's bathroom emergency door with ladder. Great idea IMHO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_CQhfnNAaU

better than nothing but a retractable set of steps like those at the main entrance would be better in an emergency for people (who may be paniced) with mobility issues. bathroom, bedroom...doesn’t make much difference.

Think about what Newmar would have to do to create that. The radiator in the engine bay (at the rear of the MH in this case) would have to be moved because the steps would be in the way. The floor would have to be cut away in the bathroom similar to the front of the coach where you step down onto the exterior steps which extend below. If the extra door was located elsewhere you would lose basement storage space and probably other wall storage space. It's a vicious never ending cycle. MH space planning is a complex 3 dimensional problem best left to those who do it for a living. It's not the same as changing wall paper. Don't ask me how I know that.

Chum lee

[Bill_Satellite]

Everything on that wish list has been done and are currently available on RV's. No one RV has them all, but they are all out there.

[rk911]

Wiscampsin wrote:
Link to Newmar's bathroom emergency door with ladder. Great idea IMHO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_CQhfnNAaU

better than nothing but a retractable set of steps like those at the main entrance would be better in an emergency for people (who may be paniced) with mobility issues. bathroom, bedroom...doesn’t make much difference.