Bath + 1/2 or single center bath - Opinions wanted

[Bchtravlr]

We are searching for our first RV and had initially ruled out a center bath Class A, as we look at more floor plans, we are now looking at the advantages of the center bath floorplans. We would love to hear the personal opinions of benefits and issues with both options.

We plan to travel 4-5 months a year, mostly just the two of us, but with friends joining us on occasion.

Thanks in advance!

[LJowdy]

If friends will be joining you then a center bathroom is great. That way they don't have to travel through your bedroom to reach the bathroom. One of the greatest things I did was back in 2010 when I sold my 40' Rexhall Roseair and purchased a 40' Winnebago Tour with the 1/2 bathroom mid coach. Having 2 toilets was absolutely great. My current coach, a 2016 Newmar Dutch Star also has the 1/2 bathroom mid coach and a huge rear bathroom. It's advertised at 43'. (I think it's closer to 44' but I haven't measured it)

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Bchtravlr

We are searching for our first RV and had initially ruled out a center bath Class A, as we look at more floor plans, we are now looking at the advantages of the center bath floorplans. We would love to hear the personal opinions of benefits and issues with both options.

We plan to travel 4-5 months a year, mostly just the two of us, but with friends joining us on occasion.

Thanks in advance!

Will respond before I read the other posts - First think 450 Sq Ft - bath and a half - Really - most 1000 sq ft houses are one bath - as space is premium.

Center bath works well - access to both sides - if you are joined by others (also spend some time being sure the front Bed is a true Queen with a comfortable Mattress.

This floor plan worked for us http://www.dreamfindersrv.com/Litera...e-Brochure.pdf - 42 DSO4

For us it has only been with the Granddaughters and has been great - full sized bath with private W/C - two sink areas - Washer in the rear - Large Closet - Mid station TV - everyone can see from all seats - larger living area/salon - drivers and Co-pilot seat are both usable - lots of seating - no booth - .................


Lets see what other say,

[Dutch Star Don]

Well.....before the lovers and haters get started, there is a reason for half bath models and its not some sinister plan to steal floor space.

Many will remember that when they first started RVing, their RV had a single all in one bath. Usually, your knees protruded into the shower while sitting on the toilet. This led to the demand for more bathroom space. The next generation of coaches came around and the split baths were the rage. People had much more room with the shower on one side the toilet/sink on the other. Everyone wanted a split bath.

When we bought a new motorhome in 2005, we looked for one that specifically had an all in one bathroom. We never cared for the split bath concept. What we found was a side aisle Diplomat with quite a large all in on bath. We really liked the privacy of the all in one bath.

As time went on, apparently the majority of the public also disliked the split bath and started looking for something larger. That led to the current style (latest generation)that many people like and want, the rear bath, covering the entire rear of the coach from sided to side. With the introduction of the rear bath, an issue arose. The rear bath was not accessible to passengers while the coach was underway (blocked by bedroom slides). The solution was a small half bath that was usable while underway.

This model became popular and people now find it has even more value than just a bath while underway. In our household, my wife goes to bed about two hours earlier than I do. By having my own bathroom, outside the master bedroom, I don't bother her. We also let the grandkids use this toilet. Lastly, on a trip two years ago, we both got the flu and were sick for two days. It was really nice having a his and hers bathroom.

Before some of you give your reasons why you hate the half bath idea, remember that not everyone likes what you like and vice a versa, but the current industry trend is bath and a half. Who knows what will be the next trend.

[Selah]

It truly is personnal preference. We have a 1+ 1/2 bath and like it very much. If I were to get another coach it would probably (not absolutely) have a 1+1/2 bath. I like having my own space when we are both getting ready in the morning or for an evening out.
I have been in many coaches with mid bath, dual sinks, lots of room, etc that I would not hesitate owning. I think a lot of finding what works for an individual cannot be measured or even explained. It seems it has a lot to do with an intangible feeling.
Go through several type and floor plans, spend some time in each one. Walk around, sit an talk for a few minutes, and see how it feels.

[MSHappyCampers]

We really like our bath arrangement. Going out of the kitchen, with a sliding door, the shower is on the left with lavatory and vanity next to it. Right across the hall, with a separate door, is the toilet with another lavatory and vanity. There is another sliding door going into the bedroom. This works great for us!

[curtsr]

+1 for bath and a half. Family members and guests can access the half bath while someone else is using the full bath.

[wildeflowers]

FWIW, we do not full time, and we want the shortest rv that gives us what we need. That said, I do not want a bath and a half, and prefer the floor plans with a single center bath.

Unless someone is ill (agree it can happen), we feel there is zero need for us to give up valuable floor space to another toilet, and I have enough baths to clean at home. We have never had a time that both of us were ill at the same time, or ill enough that we couldn't just pack up and go home. Our focus when camping is not on having everything exactly as it is at home (multiple baths) and bathroom time is not the priority.

I can certainly understand if you have more than one couple traveling together or you are fulltiming and would prefer an extra bath for various reasons, but then I would think you would be looking at longer coaches in the 40+ range.

[G.G.]

Originally Posted by wildeflowers

FWIW, we do not full time, and we want the shortest rv that gives us what we need. That said, I do not want a bath and a half, and prefer the floor plans with a single center bath.

Unless someone is ill (agree it can happen), we feel there is zero need for us to give up valuable floor space to another toilet, and I have enough baths to clean at home. We have never had a time that both of us were ill at the same time, or ill enough that we couldn't just pack up and go home. Our focus when camping is not on having everything exactly as it is at home (multiple baths) and bathroom time is not the priority.

I can certainly understand if you have more than one couple traveling together or you are fulltiming and would prefer an extra bath for various reasons, but then I would think you would be looking at longer coaches in the 40+ range.

What she said. We have 2 sinks, which is sufficient for our needs. We used to have only 1 sink, so this was an upgrade for us. We have had the DS, DIL, & GS stay with us for up to 3 weeks with absolutely no bathroom issues.

[Winemaker2]

We find a split mid bath more than adequate if guests are only occasional. We travel for about 2 mos at a time. Would not want a single combined and looked specifically a split that allowed isolating the bath shower and bedroom from the front living area. That allows sufficient separation for us.
The new to us Newmar Ventana 3433 has 2 pocket doors one fwd & one aft of the shower / bath...provides separation either front or back as desired.
If looking at longer coaches I don't see a downside to the 1&1/2 bath layputs...we wanted a short(34) DP and the options are somewhat limited.

[Blondiega1]

Bath and a half all the way!!
One reason - TWO potties!!
When he sets up camp in one, I still have the other to use! LOL

[Mac99]

I like the side aisle large one bathroom center layout.
I don't want to give up the space, don't need another
toilet to clean, and I really think that the second bath
with the macerator toilet is more prone to problems.
JMHO

[seeg]

Traveling w/ 3 grand kids makes the 1/2 bath a necessity.

[vsheetz]

We dry camp often so don't want a macerating toilet. They are usually used a rear bath and use a lot of water - quickly depleting your fresh water and filling the black tank.

We like out current center bather setup. Toilet and vanity on one side, with a door. Then another vanity and shower on the opposite side. The hallway does double duty - so little wasted space. We each have our own vanity, medicine cabinet, and storage. When my adult son travels along it continues to work well.

Would a second bathroom be handy sometimes? Sure, but not a big need. And when traveling with slides in you have to climb over the bed to use a rear bath.