Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Community Chat -> Still undecided?
Post Info TOPIC: Still undecided?
Jo And Craig


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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.



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sun.gifJo & Craig: Class of 2014!

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pkhalin


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Good point and absolutely know what you're talking about.  We've done that more than once.



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Paul & Kim

99 Ford F350 Crew Cab

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The Junkman


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Where do you put the TV? .. j/k..lol

I usually, watch tv when I'm outside.

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"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 
Sushidog


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Another choice is the patio option of some Open Range TTs. Here's a video: www.youtube.com/watch

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

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Lucky Mike


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I find a simple EZ-up with sides makes for a quick & nice spot

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bjoyce


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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.

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A-S Travelers


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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.

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The Junkman


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It rained here today.. we sat inside , and opened the window for a bit... then turned the heat on ..lol

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"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 
Camper Chronicles


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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



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 Trace 

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manycats


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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!

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Dyana L. Smiley
mds1


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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! 



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Mark from Missouri

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cherylbrv


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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?

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Cheryl B. in her new RV

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pkhalin


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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.



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Paul & Kim

99 Ford F350 Crew Cab

2013 Montana 3582RL

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pkhalin


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Oops!  Didn't anticipate the asterisks.  So, let me rephrase.  HAPPY HOUR!



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Paul & Kim

99 Ford F350 Crew Cab

2013 Montana 3582RL

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TRAILERKING


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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.



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FinanceGuy


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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.



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2013 Prevost "Santa Fe" H3-45 Motorcoach

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The Junkman


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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 !



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"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss

 

 

 

 
FinanceGuy


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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.



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2013 Prevost "Santa Fe" H3-45 Motorcoach

2014 BMW X5 xdrive 35i in an ATC 24' Aluminum Stacker Car Hauler
TRAILERKING


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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.



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FinanceGuy


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TRAILERKING wrote:
 Hey MoneyBags...................Oh I mean FinanceGuy ...

 

Really?



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2013 Prevost "Santa Fe" H3-45 Motorcoach

2014 BMW X5 xdrive 35i in an ATC 24' Aluminum Stacker Car Hauler
TRAILERKING


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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.



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Diana and Jim


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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

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Jim & Diana

2007 Colorado 31 RL  5th wheel

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kb0zke


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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.



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David, kb0zke

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