My son is looking at a Keystone Hideout 23RKS. I am not sure based on what I have read that the rear kitchen is best. I always pull a fiver so I am unsure what to tell him. Anyone have any suggestions. They don't want it to bounce around.
The rear kitchen usually gives more actual kitchen space, including counter space than you might get otherwise, however, the backend bounces worse. We've had various campers over the years and we've loved all of them at the time, some with rear kitchen, some with center kitchen. I personally don't like how things bounce at the back, just place things carefully and it'll be ok. The worst camper we had with the rear kitchen had a door behind the wheels and we had a hard time making the door open and shut good--levelling it just right was a bit of a problem. If everything else is just right, I wouldn't worry about a rear kitchen.
Steve and Layne Wilhoite
550 Ford Star Hauler
36' Elite Suites
10' Motorcycle trailer or 06 Bug
What is best is up to the owner. Each of us have different ideas of what is most important. We went with a rear living room, makes for much more room, seating for 11 between dinette, couch, 2 chairs, an 2 bar stools. Not that we want to crowd 11 people in all at once but room for company on the rain days, an gives you different seating areas.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
We just picked up our 2nd trailer, both had/have the rear kitchen, which is what I personally prefer. I have never had a problem with things bouncing around as stated. If I did, I would have never bought another one. If you know how to pack properly, everyhing will stay in place and that goes for rear or side kitchens.
JJ & Sandie
Li'l Jack, Pickles & Bunny the chihuahuas...Chewy, poodle 6/15/95-7/4/08 We will always love you Chooch.
2003 Chevy 2500HD,LT,CC,SB,4x4,Duramax/Allison
2007 Starcraft Homestead 262RKS
You could always install shocks on the suspension system if bounce is an issue. I always liked the rear kitchen floor plans, as as mentioned the counter space is better, and the rear window usually looks out at the rear of the other guys RV, so you're not losing anything to the view! Just buy plastic or Corelle dinnerware, and carefully open the refrigerator!
We have a Keystone Sprinter 249 RKS and love the rear kitchen. My wife's biggest issue was counter space so by having a rear kitchen you get a little more. We haven't had any issues with bouncing problems. The only issue I have heard of with a rear kitchen is someone saying that on their way to Alaska that their microwave popped open and their carosel dropped on the floor. That is the bumpiest highway in North America. Hope this helps.
We have our first rear kitchen 5th wheel now and I think any future camper will be a rear kitchen. There is more counter room and a distinct kitchen/dining area and "living room" area. We have liked every camper we've had, but the rear kitchen layout is a real winner for us.
We pack carefully, as we did in previous campers and have had no problem with things moving around. Keep in mind that we have one (count them, 1) bed unless we let something down. If we still had kids at home or frequently need an additional bed, I would consider a mid-kitchen with beds on each end. Otherwise, it's rear kitchen all the way.
We have a Jayco G2 31RKS and we love it. We traverse some "ride 'em, cowboy" roads, so my packing expertise gets a light work out, but I saw more stuff tossed on the floor in our '01 Mallard than I have in the G2.
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