Front Living

[Horsevoice]

As we shop for a fifth-wheel to full time, we have come across a couple of "Front Living Room" models - notably Montanas, a couple of years old. Who else makes a Front Living Room model? Anyone have one - what are the pros and cons...?

[Horsevoice]

As we shop for a fifth-wheel to full time, we have come across a couple of "Front Living Room" models - notably Montanas, a couple of years old. Who else makes a Front Living Room model? Anyone have one - what are the pros and cons...?

[Disney Campers - Scott]

many manufacturers now have a front living room floorplan, fleetwood has a new front kitchen floorplan as well.

Holiday rambler Alumascape 35flq

Newmar Cypress 39 rbfl

Crossroads Paradise Pointe

[Ray,IN]

During our shopping for a new 5er we viewed several front living room models. While different, we decided they are not practical for us. Older folks like us don't want to negotiate stairs every time we want a drink while watching TV,entertaining company, etc.

[Ken Lenger]

I could never see the advantage of the front living area. What makes them attractive to folks?

[TXiceman]

I side with Ken Lenger on this. While it is something different, I do not see how they fit me. The ones we have looked at, seem to loose a considerable amount of usable storage space. For me storage is very important.

Ken

[JRMora]

When we were shopping for our current fifth wheel we looked at a couple of front living room models (as well as a front kitchen - Prowler AX-6?) but decided we liked the more traditional layouts better. Our dealer had a Cedar Creek with a front living room on the floor for over a year - he said that everyone thought it was a unique idea, but nobody wanted to buy one. He finally dropped the price way down on it to move it. He said he wouldn't bring another one in unless it was pre-sold. The lesson to us, he pointed out, was that this style of unit probably wouldn't have very good resale value since they were difficult to sell in the first place.

The other thing I noticed about these units is that they all tended to be rather heavy - 15,000# and up (some went as high as 18k# gross). Don't know if it's because of a different type of construction or just that they were large and loaded.

???

I guess it's "to each, his (or her) own"

Juan

[NLOVNIT]

The front lounge layout seems to get the "WOW" factor at rv shows & it was something the mfr's tried but they don't seem to be a good seller. They look impressive but aren't practical from a storage standpoint plus the pin wt is much higher on these. Another mfr has entered with a front kitchen layout that I saw at a recent RV show. Don't know that those will sell much either. It's a lot of going up & down stairs while preparing meals to serve outside or just to get a cold beverage out of the fridge. Not my taste.
L-
P.S. Personally I thought rv-ing was to get out & enjoy nature. With these entertainment center based lounges & the indoor fireplaces that now come in several units, we don't really even have to leave our campers. Just tune to OLN on the tv & turn on that fireplace & you've got all the perks of the outdoors without the bugs, noisy neighbors & unpredictable weather.

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rv goddess:
P.S. Personally I thought rv-ing was to get out & enjoy nature. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Sometimes it is. Other times (such as visiting relatives over the holidays), it's about having our own living quarters along with us. In the latter case, the "entertainment-centered" RVs are really quite nice!

I agree about the front living room configurations, however. Those that we examined were woefully short of storage, among other shortcomings!

Rusty

[Lynnvt]

I like the bedroom in front because it kind of separates it from the rest of the living space. But people like different things. It looks fun but I think I would stick with the traditional floor plan.

[BIGHORN]

I guess I'll be the oddball on this thread. We have a 2006 Montana 3685fl front living model http://keystone-montana.com/?page=floorplans#3685fl and love it. Of coarse we're not full timers yet, but do take 3 to 4 week vacations. Storage is adequate for our life style both basement and living quarters. We looked at all the models and liked the interior of the Montana the best. Unfortunately Keystone has discontinued this floor plan for 2007. Low sales I guess.

[Windy]

We have looked and toyed around with the front living room. The reason we thought it would be nice is all you really need would be on the first level if you had any problems one day with stairs. We have been looking and looking and probably will go tradional too.

Have been looking at Montanas, Newmars, and Sunny Brooks. Seen a Mobile Suites Fifth Wheel and boy was it wonderful with a wonderful price too. Shut the door and no outside sound at all. The Montanas and Sunny Brooks have had central vac which I think is nice too.
Happy hunting,
Linda