Why not more mid-door MHs?

[peterson]

Why do most MHs have a front door instead of a mid-door?

[Steve Ownby]

This front door configuration is common on diesels. The chassis design of diesels puts the front axle back several feet from the front of the coach. That, along with the fact that there is no engine "doghouse" in the way up front makes a front door pretty attractive. It also maximizes wall space in the coach. A mid door is very convenient but occupies some valuable real estate when every foot is used for something.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[Triker56]

Most new gas MH have the door right behind the passenger seat.

[Peralko]

It's very simple; When buyers had a choice, they wanted the front door. My year coach was available as a front or mid door, yet I have only seen one example of a mid door. All the other coaches in that year group were front door versions.

[Bucky1320]

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

This front door configuration is common on diesels. The chassis design of diesels puts the front axle back several feet from the front of the coach. That, along with the fact that there is no engine "doghouse" in the way up front makes a front door pretty attractive. It also maximizes wall space in the coach. A mid door is very convenient but occupies some valuable real estate when every foot is used for something.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

I think that pretty much nails it. The front entry affects usable space very little, so it ends up being the normal choice. There are a few situations where people like mid entry, but that tends to not be the norm. If it were not for the doghouse, most gassers would probably have the door up front.

[normandlegra]

I prefer a lot more walking in my mh in the kitchen area where you usually drop your groceries instead of walking across the living room area !
I wish I could find a 3-5 year old mid door dp, I'd buy it now replacing my alcoolique gasser !

[beenthere]

I really think you wont find a mid entry DP only few yrs old.. although the old ones did. Like the '90's as our '97 London Aire is mid entry with driver entry door. and that usable space people talk about is used in the front for a recliner instead of kitchen ....again I guess we don't have the full flat windshield as ours is sloped for better wind resistance.. I really think that's why we get 9.5 to 10 mpg consistently...

[WReeder]

I like the placement of the door on my 2003 Itasca Sun-cruiser. You enter behind the recliner, but with the kitchen counter on the left as you enter!

[Lloyd in S.C.]

Originally Posted by WReeder

I like the placement of the door on my 2003 Itasca Sun-cruiser. You enter behind the recliner, but with the kitchen counter on the left as you enter!

If your sun-cruise had a entry door infront of the passenger seat, you would come up the steps and run directly into the engine cover. Right?

L.

[WReeder]

Yes

[Mr_D]

Better use of space. The mid door takes up one storage bay door. But we do prefer a mid entry, just couldn't find one.

[WReeder]

Here is the layout for mine.

[SteveLevin]

As others have said, front entry utilizes space that is otherwise "dead" once you get somewhere. It looks like the "front kitchen" models address the folks that don't want to have to walk through the living room.

To be honest, the front area becomes out "mud room" when stopped. Leashes are there, and we cut an all-season/all-weather rug to fit the front area to trap snow/sand/mud before we enter the rest of the coach.

But as others have said...it gets harder to find mid-entries the newer you go...for whatever reason, the market/sales don't seem to support them.

Steve

[normandlegra]

Originally Posted by WReeder

Attachment 100044
Here is the layout for mine.

Why don't you put details or your coach in your signature ?