Community Forums

n5pht · 07-11-2013, 08:06 AM

Hello,

Currently have a Montana High Country 343RL:

Montana High Country

And we do love the floor plan. Thinking about going full time and may want something more suitable for full time living for a few years. But the desk area like the above is essential. I have been looking around the floorplans and keep coming up empty. The desk must be able to be used and someone watch TV at the same time. The desk needs to be big enough for a ham radio and laptop. Current desk is about 30 inches wide and sits next to the TV but both can be used at the same time. Some models have a pull out desk under the TV and that will not work.

Any ideas appreciated. I would like to stick with my F-250 2012 tow truck which allows a total of 16,100 lbs.

Gary, N5PHT
Retired Federal Employee

chief02 · 07-11-2013, 08:10 AM

Excel builds a great full-time unit and will custom build you a desk area.

tuffr2 · 07-11-2013, 08:46 AM

You will be very limited in your selection if you want to keep the 3/4 ton truck. I agree, finding a floorplan with a nice desk out of the way of the TV is not easy.

As far a pure floorplan my DW likes the Redwood 38BR. (BR - Bonus Room). It gives you a 3' x 8' space in the rear of the unit to use as you wish. But it is too heavy for a 3/4 ton truck.

wingnut60 · 07-11-2013, 08:50 AM

DRV has a nice desk model, but also will nix the 3/4 ton truck.
Joe

jamvir · 07-11-2013, 11:17 AM

"Full-time", "nice DESK area" and "F-250" aren't compatible.

A good real (vs. fake) full-time rig will be more than the 250 can handle - you will be in at least a 350 dually.

Nice desk area - The desk must be able to be used and someone watch TV at the same time - not many floor plans to pick from. To get a nice desk area the rig will probably be around 40' long. There is an Excel model with a separate desk area that is supposed to be available this fall - 38RDE. Also, the NuWa 38CKRD has a nice separate desk area - but they stopped manufacturing; you might find a used one.

Jim

n5pht · 07-12-2013, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the replies. Good ideas.

450Donn · 07-12-2013, 08:03 AM

A desk area IMHO is just plane wasted space. I would much rather have more storage cabinets, especially if you are considering full time. The dining room table makes an excellent work space for doing bills etc. laps work wonders for basic email and face time.

montana4two · 07-12-2013, 08:06 AM

Montana 3400RL has what you are looking for. We live in one, full-time and I do a lot of crafts.
However. We pull it with a Dodge 3500HD so you would definitely need to upgrade your truck :(

jpharley · 07-12-2013, 08:46 AM

You may be able to find a HitchHiker. Our 355CK has a wonderful desk area.

caissiel · 07-12-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montana4two

Montana 3400RL has what you are looking for. We live in one, full-time and I do a lot of crafts.
However. We pull it with a Dodge 3500HD so you would definitely need to upgrade your truck :(

We have similar layout in our 09 3500 RL Big Country by Hartland. But 10 and later no more desk.

TravelTiger · 07-12-2013, 10:03 PM

You might look at the Heartland Landmark Sequoia. Slightly different than yours but the desk is large. Tv raises out of it, but still plenty of usable space for desk and tv watching.

http://www.heartlandrvs.com/index.ph...fcmd=showfplan

Sightseer33 · 07-13-2013, 07:57 AM

Landmark San Antonio Desk is to the side of tv not in front. Considered this before buying the DRV.

WaterFolk · 08-24-2013, 01:54 PM

We have a 2002 Jayco Designer Legacy that has a really nice desk office area. Contrary to the above poster's comment about a waste of space, it was a MUST feature for us as my wife is an avid beader and I need some real space to handle some business chores. We were lucky to find this unit and it is in excellent condition. The floor plan is the 37RTLS which you can still view at "jaycorv.com" in the legacy brochure section. Look for a 2003 brochure.
I'm sure there are other nice setups out there as well.
As far as the truck goes, we're using an F-350 dually which handles the Jayco nicely even at around 14,500lbs.
Here's a pic of our desk area (entertainment center overhead)

TXiceman · 08-24-2013, 02:12 PM

Your big problem is the F250 and wanting a nice full-time unit. First the the 16,100 tow capacity of the F250 is a fairy tail. It is based on a stripped base model truck. Second, the F250 is limited on GVWR which is what carries the pin weight of the trailer. A 16,200# 5th wheel will have a pin weight of something around 3200#.

A typical F250 diesel will weigh 8000# plus when loaded and fully fueled for a trip.

So as a minimum, you add 8000 plus 3200 and you have a GVW requirement of 11,200#. You will need an F250 with a GVWR of 11,200# or more in order to carry the pin weight of the trailer.

You need to weigh your truck and do the math to see what your truck is really rated to pull, not just go by the overinflated manufacturers tow ratings.

Ken