Side Aisle and All-in-one Bath Floorplans

[gonesouth]

A few weeks ago, one of our members posted a picture of his Beaver Emerald and discussed that the floorplan had a "side aisle" which meant that the aisle to the back bedroom does NOT go through the bathroom. Practically, this means that if someone stays over for a few days then they don't trap you in the back bedroom if they use the bathroom. DW and I looked at the pictures and realized that it solves one of our principal troubles with conventional split-bath plans.

Unfortunately, all the Emeralds I can find online are in the $100,000 to $150,000 price range, even in the 15-25 year old class, and my budget won't stretch that far. Has anyone seen another model with a side aisle floorplan?

Several people have pointed out that an all-in-one Bath accomplishes the same objective, so if you know of a model that has that, please suggest it, too.

Thanks

[nevadanick]

http://fleetwoodrv.com/frvlibrary/docs/2004/2004_bdrd_f.pdf

[gonesouth]

One of our options for Florida is to go with a motorhome in a park where we can rent it and pay a small monthly fee for storage in the off-season. One of our favourite parks, Paradise Oaks in Bushnell, FL offers winter residents their lot in the off-season for storage at $50/ month. We would then just drive the van south each fall and stay in the rig for 6 months of winter. We like the people and lifestyle in Rv parks and the weather in central Florida.

We are ideally interested in a late 90's vintage DP, something with good wood, leather sofa and chairs, a slide or two, aquahot, maximum of about $50,000. The idea would be to get the current owner to take it to Bushnell for us or else get a driver to move it for us. The next time it moves might be in 10 or 15 years as we don't plan on touring anymore now that I can't drive. The other thing is that we will consider modifications, like a residential refrigerator and a heat pump.

All these suggestions of suitable gassers have opened up a whole new world of choices........I need to go looking again before I decide on those. But this would be our second home, so anything that reduces the cost attracts my attention.

Of course I should mention that old ideas from 10 or 20 years ago are pushing me towards Beaver and Country Coach and Monaco, and away from Thor and Forest River. I am neutral on Newmar, Winnebago, and Tiffin. I'd consider them, but experience tells me that you need to watch roof construction, lamination, and chipboard cabinets if you plan to use something for 10-15 years.

[Dutch_12078]

Every motorhome we've owned, from a National Dolphin to a Coachmen to our current Landau have had all-in-one baths. We've looked at a few split bath models, but ruled them out in part because of the split.

[doxiemom11]

There is an older Damon Challenger that has the side hallway. Have seen a couple of them this past winter.

[RWjSIM2003]

Fleetwood Discovery Model 40X is that way

[DC_MC]

Ours is a side aisle. Mandalay 40E 2006.

[Rick_Jay]

gonesouth,

Can you give us a ballpark estimate of your budget, your preference for gas or diesel and your preference for new vs. used? I know there were many all-in-one bath floorplans in the era of our rig (mid-2000's) on the Workhorse and Ford gas chassis.

We might be able to make better suggestions based upon our own rigs if we knew what else is important to you.

Good Luck in your search,

~Rick

P.S. You might want to go back to your original post and edit the Subject to something like "Side Aisle or All-in-one Bath Floorplans" for broader appeal.

[2gypsies1]

If you have children, having a separate toilet room might be better. Then they're not tying up the whole bathroom if someone wants to shower.

[nma33]

Our bathroom does not interfere with our bedroom, the isle is in the middle, the bathroom is separate room you pass by. I personally do not like the split bathrooms where is someone is in the bedroom they are trapped if someone else is showering.

[gonesouth]

Thank you, everyone for your helpful and prompt replies. And, Rick, yes I will look at all-in-one bath styles. I've never seen one before, so like the side aisle we will track one down to look at.

[Rick_Jay]

gonesouth wrote:
...discussed that the floorplan had a "side aisle" which meant that the aisle to the back bedroom does NOT go through the bathroom. Practically, this means that if someone stays over for a few days then they don't trap you in the back bedroom if they use the bathroom. DW and I looked at the pictures and realized that it solves one of our principal troubles with conventional split-bath plans.

Is this the principle reason you're looking for a side-aisle floor plan? Our rig has a center aisle and an "all in one" bath on one side with cabinet storage on the other. We wanted the "all in one" for the same reason you mentioned and it works really well. We typically have 6 people (or more) travelling with us, so this was important.

Anyway, if this was your only reason for seeking out a side-aisle rig, I just thought I'd mention that the "all in one" bath units might work for you too. There are many of those out there.

Good Luck in your search,

~Rick

[STBRetired]

Newmar has side aisle floorplans. the brochures for many years are available here.

Newmar Brochures

[gonesouth]

Nevadanick, do you know what year it is? I'm looking for anything to help me find one like it.

[gbopp]

Our 96 Southwind has a side aisle. That's one of the reasons we bought it.
It's an excellent floor plan, at least for us.

[oldmattb]

Only one I have seen was a Beaver Emerald. By far, my favorite floor plan of all RVs I have seen. It felt like a nice apartment, not a vehicle.

Cost was several times our budget.

Matt B