Storage and counter space in a class A with bunks?

Motor Homes are a compromise in limited space.

Short motor homes have less space than than longer motor homes.

Rigs with slides sacrifice long counter tops and long sofas and storage to achieve aisle space.

Rigs with bunks lose internal storage space.

Rigs with 1.5 baths lose storage.

It is hard to take 40' x 8.5' rig and gain space when adding a 1/2 bathroom, bunks, slide mechanisms, and tag axles.

Shorter rigs have the same issues but start with less space.

What my family did was get a Class A toyhauler that is no longer made. It's a Gulf Stream Bounty Hunter. But in the garage portion in the back, there are bunk beds that drop down. There is a rod above the top bunk that is great for hanging LOTS of cloths. It is the full width of the motorhome. As for counterop space, it is the same space as any motorhome, but there is enough space between the kitchen and dinette that you could put in an island you wanted.

The Hurricane has served us well over the years as far as space... But I would be lying if I did not say we would want more counter space. But it is hard to find good counter space in any gas motorhome... We also tend to cook more outside for this reason.

The other Bunk issue that the older Hurricane addressed was the size of the bunks. Ours is 30x80, which is the largest I am aware of. This was important to us as our kids are a bit tall, and my oldest is autistic and will be with us of some time...so having the bunks more of an "adult size" is helpful. When we finally move on to a DP (someday!), my son will have to sleep on a fold out bed, which will not be as convenient as our current bunks.

Just food for thought.

6 drawers and a closet in the bedroom, plus the cupboards over the queen bed, plus 2 cupboards by the bunks is plenty of storage for dh, me, adult kid, teen kid (though I did put two plastic drawers in the closet since the clothes didn't hang down low.

Kitchen, we do most of our cooking outside, so I got a big wooden board from Ikea (as is) and that fits over the stove giving lots of counterspace for the kettle and other stuff. If we do cook inside, I just take it off.

Dodge guy, I'm sure you already decided on an RV, but just thought I would throw this out there if anyone else finds this thread again. We recently purchased a 2010 Fleetwood Encounter 32BH. This is the same model as the current Storm, before they were forced to change the name.

We were trying to decide between new 2013/2014 or slightly older as the 2010 to 2012 model years had the dinette and sofa switched. With the older models the sofa was on the driver's side and this allowed there to be about 18" of USABLE countertop next to the sink. That was a huge factor that drove us to buy used, plus we really looked out in finding a seller that took exceptional care of the MH before we bought it.

Ours also has the drop-down bunk in front and the convertible bunks/dinette in the back slide. For our family of 6 it is the perfect set up, we couldn't have asked for a better fit.

I hope you had as good of luck in your search.

Tom

Most of the newer bunkhouse models have the bunks in a full wall slide, opposite the bathroom. The bunks take up no room at all.
Sometimes they are nice enough to put a big drawer under the bottom bunk for storage?

When we were shopping, my DW thought the bunkhouse models looked cool. Someplace to put the kids where we didn't have to convert to beds daily.
I pointed out that as we were in our mid-fifties and still very active adults, perhaps we wanted a little more space between ourselves and our kids, for privacies sake. I won that one, or should I say we both did :)

The TT vs class A thing is tough. Many if not all TT's are made for weekender families. Most have a "master bedroom" in the front, and a "bunkroom" in the back. Some can hold 5 or 6 kids without making up a dinette or stacking them like cordwood.

Class A's are luxo accomodations for 2, kids are an afterthought.

It's just a different market.

I did notice that the older original Class A bunkhouses had the traditional super slide with couch and dinette and plenty of counter space on the curb side kitchen area. I can deal with and resolve the lack of kids clothes storage, but the lack of kitchen counter space is a problem. I may actually look for a very clean low mileage older (06-09) class A bunkhouse.

We made a modification to our Berkshire which resolved both of those issues. We had a loveseat behind the passenger seat which was about as uncomfortable as anything I have ever used. We took that out and had drawers and counter space installed. We were able to match the wood finish and the counter top exactly. Now we have drawer space for the kids stuff and counter space for coffee maker, toaster and other stuff.

Our Ventana has bunks. The kids each have a large drawer under the bunks where they keep
cloths and they share use of the large closet in our bedroom. Our kitchen has a reasonable amount of counter space. But then again we have a 40 footer.

We got the Coachmen Pursuit for that reason, well one of the reasons. The rule is that you use whatever space you have, just like government budgets. They make a 32ft bunkhouse that you could buy new for under 80k. I know, I know, we have one. But it's fine and drives great, tons of power, easy to customize, good size for turning in parking lots and such. Plus, there's a pull out island in addition to the counter space, and a stove topper, too, if you need even more.