Dick A wrote: For the past couple years we have been somewhat looking to upgrade to a DP of about 40' with a slide or two. Our current gas Rexhall 36' coach with no slides has a "L" shaped kitchen area with considerable counter space. We like to cook and find most of the newer coaches have hardly any kitchen counter space.
I have also noticed several newer high-end used coaches have a puny two burner stove with the burners so close they are next to useless. I guess the folks who buy those things are just party folks at the races or eat out every night.
Another thing I find rather frustrating is most all coaches have two couches across from each other, one on each side, and the television screen up front. Gee, what a pleasure for two people who just want to watch television with ought getting a stiff neck.
Our present coach had two couches facing each other but facing front and back. We removed those and installed two lane easy chairs which sit in front of the kitchen "L" and face the television.
Why do most of the coach floor plans look they "cookie cutter" layouts regardless of who builds the coach? Why is it that Bill Rex could design a nice sized "L" shaped kitchen layout and no one else sees the potential. Not everyone travels with four kids or spends all their time partying.
I've had funds set aside in CD's for two years but have about given up finding what we want and like.
The 3 burner stove in my Daymon has not been a problem. Since I always cook part of the meal outside on the grill, or in an electric frypan. We aren't full timers, but we do travel a lot. Many times we cook for 7 without any problems.
Our 05 Journey 34H has nice counter space and has a pull-out counter extension that also has a large pantry storage space. I like the little appliance garage and the nice spice rack. It also has a second pull-out pantry next to the refrig. The stove has 3 burners that are all usable plus we have the oven as well which I really like, it may not be big, but big enough for us. It also has a nice microwave/convection oven. I do most of the cooking and will probably grill outside a lot too, but its nice to have a good kitchen. Our refrig is a little small, however, we have a small refrig/freezer in one of the cargo bays. The kitchen also has lots of storage space as well. For a smaller MH we really love the floorplan as it suits our needs well. Winnebago did a nice job designing the MH. We also noticed the 2 burner stoves in some of the new larger MH and got the same pitch from the sales person that most RV's don't cook. Ya I almost believe that one! Good Hunting for that perfect floorplan and Happy RVing!!
Even a 41 ft Dutch Star is a tiny house, THEREFORE everything in your floorplan is one compromise after the other. We special-ordered ours, and the kitchen designed received quite a bit of consideration. But, in the end we had to compromise 'cause I wanted some space for my Ekornes recliner, and for my small computer desk(all between the kitchen counter and the passenger seat). With the 4-door 12 cubic ft refrigerator on the other end, THIS IS the biggest counter you can get:
After a few years of fulltiming, we decided that ANY layout in a motorhome(ANY motorhome) was simply NOT going to take the place of even a small stix/brix. I suppose I could show you a photo of the kitchen I myself designed, but I think you get my drift.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
As shown in the picture posted above, much of the 'counter space' is the stove top cover. So, if you're using the stove--and I usually am--there is no available counter space.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
I agree with above posters that most of usable counter space in the stove top and covered sink. The key is to do all the prep work before starting cooking. Therefore make salad, prep meats, chop veggies, slice bread before, then open up stove top and 1/2 the sink to cook and start clean up.
We have an '07 HR Scepter 40'. It has a kitchen layout that we really like. Even with the sink and stove covers removed, there is plenty of counter space with the pull out counter. We also have a few folding tables we use as end tables in the living room. The twin couches work fine for us, especially if you have the two front chairs turned around, it makes for a comfortable area for entertaining.
I'm not sure of the logic. Huge coach, very little counter space, no pantry, but a dishwasher and residential refer. Ok, you can carry food in the refer, but where do you put it before with so little cupboards and little or no pantry? Yep, they say they don't cook.
Altho' Alfa is gone, they had ok counter space and a great pantry and storage. Our Country Coach was ok on the issues above, but some have me wondering. Our 5ver is pretty good too. But you couldn't beat the Alfa for pantry and storage.
SMC
'06 Newmar Torrey Pines 5ver
'08 Chevy 3500 crew cab dooley long bed
Box Elder, South Dakota
I don't see a problem here. You have enough money to just upgrade your current coach. New engine, tranni, paint job, upgrade to the interior and you're good to go. And you save $100's of thousands too. There are lots of businesses that do this type of upgrade that are hungry for your dollars right now. There be bargains out there matey. Arrrgh.
Forgot to mention that there are also companies that install slides!!
* This post was
edited 03/14/09 09:43pm by Jim@HiTek *
Our 40ft Phaeton QTH has tons of counter space thanks to a huge slide out with full length drawers under it (that slide out with it). 3 burner stove and large double sink too.
Jim@HiTek wrote: I don't see a problem here. You have enough money to just upgrade your current coach. New engine, tranni, paint job, upgrade to the interior and you're good to go. And you save $100's of thousands too. There are lots of businesses that do this type of upgrade that are hungry for your dollars right now. There be bargains out there matey. Arrrgh.
Forgot to mention that there are also companies that install slides!!
Our current coach is gas powered with limited GVWR so it's not practical to do much more than has already been done. Actually, I would love to find our current floor plan in a diesel coach with 15K more GVWR and a slide or two. As slides are rather heavy, it's not too practical to use many on gas rigs and still have much CCC left let alone being underpowered in mountain states.
As has been mentioned in a few posts here, we see these fancy four-door refrigerators, double sinks, and even dish washers but next to no counter space for working area.
So, I guess the feedback to the manufacturers has been those big frigs are just for storing several cases of beer and other libations.
I do see Winnebago / Itasca has one floor plan with a fairly descent kitchen layout.
Oh, BTW with the state of the stock market and other investments I'm sure many of the previously high-rolling folks who have been used to eating out all the time are now eating in. Maybe they just buy TV dinners and shove them in the microwave.
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