Today’s RVs are so comfortable and loaded with a host of home-like features that it is a toss up as to whether RVers enjoy the comforts of home more so along their journey, or once they arrive at the RV resort or campground. There appears to be no limits to the creativity of the designers with the platforms that allow multiple slideouts on both sides of the RV and a chassis selection that provides extra carrying capacity, whether powered by a gas or diesel engine. The past few years have brought some impressive improvements to the interior configurations of both motor homes and fifth wheel trailers. When viewing pictures in a magazine or on Web pages, you might have a difficult time discerning if the kitchen or living room is located in an upscale suburban home, or if it is built into something that you take with you on the road. Whether you are an experienced RVer or have never enjoyed the RV lifestyle, you will be amazed at the dramatically improved livability that the expansive selection of RVs now available at Lazydays provides.
I think it took the imagination and design excellence of the engineers at Winnebago to start this revolution when they took the mid-coach kitchen and moved it forward until it became the first room behind the driver and co-pilot. Just a few years ago they introduced the Adventurer 38T floorplan (also in the Itasca Suncruiser) that became a big hit with chefs on the road. Here was a kitchen that rivaled many residential counterparts with Corian® solid-surface countertops, pull out cutting boards and a single control faucet with sprayer. The convection-microwave oven and three-burner cook top provide everything needed to prepare some quick appetizers before the big game or a holiday dinner complete with all of the trimmings. For more cooking capability, you can always opt for the three-burner cook top with oven. With the new double-door refrigerator/freezer combinations, there is no need for multiple trips to the supermarket. The units are offered in Titanium Touch stainless steel finish, which is not only stylish, but also won’t show fingerprints.
With its up front location, you can directly enter the kitchen without having to trek through the living room. This offers the convenience of going right from the kitchen to the outside patio, meanwhile keeping the living area free of outside dirt. The Adventurer and Suncruiser, built on a Workhorse chassis, provide a mid-coach entry that brings guests into the living room. While in the kitchen you can participate in a conversation with those in the living room area and even watch the movie or sporting event that is the evening’s entertainment. Winnebago has also successfully embraced the front kitchen idea in its top-of-the-line Vectra 40TD floorplan (also in the Itasca Horizon). This front-entry motor home is built on the new Maxum™ Freightliner® chassis with a powerful 425-hp Cummins® ISL 8.9L turbo-charged diesel engine. Nameplates found in today’s luxury homes are in the kitchens of many Winnebago and Itasca models including Moen®, Sharp and Amana®, to name a few.
The multiple slideouts allow designers to create a great room atmosphere. The dining area and kitchen environments are connected as there are appliances on both sides of the coach and both are just a short distance from the living room and entertainment area. The Fleetwood Revolution 42K, built on the Spartan® XC Series chassis, offers a full kitchen directly behind the co-pilot with a dining room table for four directly behind the driver. The living room sofa is street-side, just behind the dining area. In this configuration the television is angled on the curb side and easily viewable from all forward locations in this coach.
Creature comforts include satin polished, solid surface countertops and sink inserts as well as a large 12 c.f. four-door stainless steel refrigerator, complete with ice maker and water dispenser. The cook will appreciate the GE® convection microwave with range hood. This kitchen is tastefully appointed with ceramic floor tiles and accent inserts on a diagonal pattern which is carried through the galley.
Offering their version of the front kitchen layout, Monaco’s Dynasty Yorkshire IV (photographed above) floor plan has become one of the hottest motor homes today. Opposite the primary work area in this cook’s paradise is a refrigerator and dinette area. With a large slideout up front on either side, this layout is very open. Mid-coach, two J-lounges face each other and the large wall-mounted 46” LCD television is in clear view from any location in the forward area, including the driver and co-pilot seats.
2008 Monaco Dynasty Yorkshire IV
Another innovation that has brought livability to the next level is the rear living room found in many fifth wheel trailers. These comfort suites provide a residential flavor that equals what many folks have in their house. If your fifth wheel is your full-time home, then you probably don’t miss the stationary one that you had before pursuing your wanderlust on the open road.
The living area of the 40’ Glendale Titanium is vast with two of its four slideouts in the living room. It offers a very comfortable arrangement with a computer desk and entertainment center along the rear wall. Positioning the entertainment center along the rear wall allows for easy viewing when preparing meals or sitting in the dining area just across from the kitchen.
A big favorite that carries the Holiday Rambler nameplate is the Presidential Suite 37RLQ model, which features French doors for privacy and sound separation just off the kitchen and dining areas. This self-contained, comfort zone provides a well-appointed room for entertaining, whether for pleasure or a serious business discussion. Along the rear wall are two large vertical windows with two lounge chairs and a table positioned comfortably between them. The street-side slideout contains a computer desk and a sophisticated home theater entertainment center with a DVD player and surround sound speakers. Opposite this set up is a sleeper sofa nestled in the curb-side slideout.
You do not have to leave ultra luxury behind if you are an RV enthusiast who prefers to tow your rig rather than drive it. You can make Carriage’s luxuriously equipped Royals International fifth wheel yours for around $200,000. This exquisite RV offers an incredible rear lounge that is closely integrated into the kitchen and dining areas and a large sleep sofa fills the rear wall. The home entertainment center contains a Sony WEGA 40” LCD TV and a Bose Lifestyle System housed in solid hardwood maple of cherry raised panel cabinetry that has been hand stained. These features are part of the luxury upgrade package available for this handsome fiver, which will surely become one of the most popular gathering places in the RV resort.
As you can see, the interior designs and options are now just as important as the exterior graphics, or the engine and chassis when selecting your new RV. Everything that you would expect in a fine home is now available in price points from entry level to high line. All of these choices might make it more difficult for you to select your new RV, but once you decide your RV will be even more enjoyable.