For those of you (newbies?) who are trying to decide between a Class A/B/C, or fifth wheel, I would like to offer some food for thought.
Today was a dark, cold, and rainy day. When the weather is bad, we always go to the "front porch" if we want to sit outside and still be protected from the weather. Where is the front porch, you ask? Well, it is up front, directly under our bedroom, where the hitch is located. (As you can see in my signature block, we have a fifth wheel.) On the front porch we have our chairs and a small table in-between. An outdoor room, if you will. As I was sitting out there this evening, I began looking around the park and noticed that there is no place for Class A/B/C owners to hide from the weather. So, while Class A/B/C owners are home bound in circumstances such as these, having a front porch at least lets us fifth wheel owners go outside for some fresh air and/or a change of scenery. In our case, our awning extends past the front porch entry, so we are pretty much protected from our front door to the front porch. Awnings, we have found out, don't protect us enough from the rain.
Just a realization I had this evening and thought I would share with those of you who are contemplating the good, the bad, and the ugly.
pkhalin said
11:36 PM Nov 21, 2014
Good point and absolutely know what you're talking about. We've done that more than once.
The Junkman said
05:37 AM Nov 22, 2014
Where do you put the TV? .. j/k..lol
I usually, watch tv when I'm outside.
Sushidog said
08:08 AM Nov 22, 2014
Another choice is the patio option of some Open Range TTs. Here's a video: www.youtube.com/watch
I find a simple EZ-up with sides makes for a quick & nice spot
bjoyce said
09:02 AM Nov 22, 2014
I guess some people feel a strong need to justify their choice. It is all personal. I know why we made our choice and feel no need to sway others to do the same.
A-S Travelers said
04:30 PM Nov 22, 2014
We have owned a 5th wheel and did sit under the front a few times. Our 5'er also had a rear living room with a large picture window. It was great sitting inside and having a great view. Nice and warm, out of the rain and possibly snow.
With the class A's, we have owned, we always made sure we had large windows on the sides in the front. The large side windows with the huge front windshield gives great views.
The Junkman said
06:00 PM Nov 22, 2014
It rained here today.. we sat inside , and opened the window for a bit... then turned the heat on ..lol
Camper Chronicles said
06:25 AM Nov 23, 2014
bjoyce wrote:
I guess some people feel a strong need to justify their choice. It is all personal. I know why we made our choice and feel no need to sway others to do the same.
Bill....Jo's just passing along her personal experience for those who are undecided. That is what this forum is all about. We smoke but only outside so having a canopied area is a big deal for us in inclement weather.
Trace
manycats said
08:30 AM Nov 23, 2014
RV type is a personal choice but comments like these help. We choose 5th wheels for space and layouts and we do find that space under the "nose" useful. During long term stays it holds our outdoors gear and during short term stops we put our chairs there whenever we leave the site, just in case it rains. Sometimes it becomes a shady spot to sit too!
mds1 said
04:14 PM Nov 23, 2014
We have a long time to plan and have not decided between a 5th wheel or Class A. I appreciate the post. Never heard of a patio before. Suppose sitting under the front of the 5th wheel at times might offer a better view or at least a change of scenery. Good idea!
cherylbrv said
04:17 PM Nov 23, 2014
I never even thought of sitting under there - great idea! The only thing is that we usually have to duck down to walk under it, so how is there enough room?
pkhalin said
06:11 PM Nov 23, 2014
Cheryl,
It's fine for sitting. Just have to beware that it's a low bridge when getting up. Particularly if it's during ****tail hour.
pkhalin said
06:13 PM Nov 23, 2014
Oops! Didn't anticipate the asterisks. So, let me rephrase. HAPPY HOUR!
TRAILERKING said
09:29 PM Nov 23, 2014
pkhalin wrote:
Cheryl,
It's fine for sitting. Just have to beware that it's a low bridge when getting up. Particularly if it's during ****tail hour.
Leave "Tail Hour" out of this...........Besides should not be doin' that outside in front of your trailer.
FinanceGuy said
09:45 PM Nov 23, 2014
A-S Travelers wrote:
With the class A's, we have owned, we always made sure we had large windows on the sides in the front. The large side windows with the huge front windshield gives great views.
Agreed. Nothing like a rainy, or even better, a snowy day and looking out that front window with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. I would have no desire to sit under the front of a trailer.
The Junkman said
06:04 AM Nov 24, 2014
FinanceGuy wrote:
A-S Travelers wrote:
With the class A's, we have owned, we always made sure we had large windows on the sides in the front. The large side windows with the huge front windshield gives great views.
Agreed. Nothing like a rainy, or even better, a snowy day and looking out that front window with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. I would have no desire to sit under the front of a trailer.
With your rig.. I doubt any "trailer" every came up as a option..lol
Nice ride !
FinanceGuy said
07:51 AM Nov 24, 2014
The Junkman wrote:
With your rig.. I doubt any "trailer" every came up as a option..lol
Nice ride !
We looked at a wide range of RV's before we made our choice. Only the Santa Fe had a salon that suited us. Spending a lot of time per year traveling that was important to the Mrs.
TRAILERKING said
10:47 AM Nov 24, 2014
FinanceGuy wrote:
The Junkman wrote:
With your rig.. I doubt any "trailer" every came up as a option..lol
Nice ride !
We looked at a wide range of RV's before we made our choice. Only the Santa Fe had a salon that suited us. Spending a lot of time per year traveling that was important to the Mrs.
Hey MoneyBags...................Oh I mean FinanceGuy, I noticed your signature. Sure would be nice to see a few pic's of your Prevost and Trailer. Sounds like a COOL set up.
FinanceGuy said
12:14 PM Nov 24, 2014
TRAILERKING wrote:
Hey MoneyBags...................Oh I mean FinanceGuy ...
Really?
TRAILERKING said
12:19 PM Nov 24, 2014
FinanceGuy wrote:
TRAILERKING wrote:
Hey MoneyBags...................Oh I mean FinanceGuy ...
Really?
That was a jokey comment.....Having a Beamer LOGO, a Prevost, an aluminum stacker.......and the name FinanceGuy.
Don't take it the wrong way, please.
I'd still love to see pic's of your rig though.
Diana and Jim said
02:36 PM Nov 24, 2014
Back to the original topic:
Jo, we have never thought of using that area as a porch, but we will definitely try it out next summer. Right now, we have skirting around it, so we won't be trying it until at least April! Thanks for the tip.
Happy trails!
Jim
kb0zke said
07:20 PM Nov 24, 2014
When we started researching the question we asked full-timers was "Why did you choose the type of coach you did?" The answers we got gave us much to think about and discuss. I don't recall anyone mentioning sitting under the overhang when it was raining, but several mentioned that area as somewhat of a protected area for bikes, grills, etc. What is important to one person may have little or no importance to another.
The most important lesson here, in my opinion, is that each person needs to evaluate the various offerings in light of his or her own plans. What is an appropriate coach for a full-timing family of 4 or more is not necessarily the right one for someone who goes out fishing and hunting several weekends each year.
For those of you (newbies?) who are trying to decide between a Class A/B/C, or fifth wheel, I would like to offer some food for thought.
Today was a dark, cold, and rainy day. When the weather is bad, we always go to the "front porch" if we want to sit outside and still be protected from the weather. Where is the front porch, you ask? Well, it is up front, directly under our bedroom, where the hitch is located. (As you can see in my signature block, we have a fifth wheel.) On the front porch we have our chairs and a small table in-between. An outdoor room, if you will. As I was sitting out there this evening, I began looking around the park and noticed that there is no place for Class A/B/C owners to hide from the weather. So, while Class A/B/C owners are home bound in circumstances such as these, having a front porch at least lets us fifth wheel owners go outside for some fresh air and/or a change of scenery. In our case, our awning extends past the front porch entry, so we are pretty much protected from our front door to the front porch. Awnings, we have found out, don't protect us enough from the rain.
Just a realization I had this evening and thought I would share with those of you who are contemplating the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Good point and absolutely know what you're talking about. We've done that more than once.
I usually, watch tv when I'm outside.
I especially like the JT337RLS www.openrangerv.com/journeyer/floorplans.php
This Keystone Raptor fiver has a little smaller patio: www.youtube.com/watch
Then of course for those class A owners with more money then they know what to do with there's this: www.youtube.com/watch
A few toy haulers have back patio decks available. So does this Forest River Sierra fiver: www.keystonervcenter.com/2015-forest-river-sierra-360pdek-new-fifth-wheel-pa-i1285407
Chip
With the class A's, we have owned, we always made sure we had large windows on the sides in the front. The large side windows with the huge front windshield gives great views.
Bill....Jo's just passing along her personal experience for those who are undecided. That is what this forum is all about. We smoke but only outside so having a canopied area is a big deal for us in inclement weather.
Trace
We have a long time to plan and have not decided between a 5th wheel or Class A. I appreciate the post. Never heard of a patio before. Suppose sitting under the front of the 5th wheel at times might offer a better view or at least a change of scenery. Good idea!
Cheryl,
It's fine for sitting. Just have to beware that it's a low bridge when getting up. Particularly if it's during ****tail hour.
Oops! Didn't anticipate the asterisks. So, let me rephrase. HAPPY HOUR!
Leave "Tail Hour" out of this...........Besides should not be doin' that outside in front of your trailer.
Agreed. Nothing like a rainy, or even better, a snowy day and looking out that front window with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. I would have no desire to sit under the front of a trailer.
With your rig.. I doubt any "trailer" every came up as a option..lol
Nice ride !
We looked at a wide range of RV's before we made our choice. Only the Santa Fe had a salon that suited us. Spending a lot of time per year traveling that was important to the Mrs.
Hey MoneyBags...................Oh I mean FinanceGuy, I noticed your signature. Sure would be nice to see a few pic's of your Prevost and Trailer. Sounds like a COOL set up.
Really?
That was a jokey comment.....Having a Beamer LOGO, a Prevost, an aluminum stacker.......and the name FinanceGuy.
Don't take it the wrong way, please.
I'd still love to see pic's of your rig though.
Jo, we have never thought of using that area as a porch, but we will definitely try it out next summer. Right now, we have skirting around it, so we won't be trying it until at least April! Thanks for the tip.
Happy trails!
Jim
The most important lesson here, in my opinion, is that each person needs to evaluate the various offerings in light of his or her own plans. What is an appropriate coach for a full-timing family of 4 or more is not necessarily the right one for someone who goes out fishing and hunting several weekends each year.