A Dozen Features that are Nice to Have.
RVs are a personal thing. Some people
like the versatility of a lightweight
trailer while others wouldn’t be caught
dead in anything less than a forty-five
foot bus conversion. In any case, there
are a few features and characteristics
that are nice to have in any RV. Some
are usually only feasible in larger
motorhomes
or fifth wheels while others are viable
in any RV. Keep these in mind when
you’re purchasing an RV or planning your
next remodeling project.
1) Easy to Maintain Floors
Regardless of the type of flooring you
prefer – the key is maintainability. If
the floors in your RV are hard to keep
clean and difficult to maintain, you’ve
got the wrong flooring. For ease of
maintenance, look into vinyl tile,
linoleum, or plastic-laminate wood. For
a good compromise, consider carpeting in
the living room area and tile (or
linoleum) in the kitchen and bathroom
areas. In heavy traffic areas, use a
carpet or vinyl runner for extra
protection.
2) A Re-Configurable Dining Area
Removing a fixed dinette and replacing
it with a free-standing set of table and
chairs is one of the most commonly
performed remodeling projects.
Unfortunately, some manufacturers make
this task a great deal harder than it
should be. Nevertheless, it’s still
worth the effort for those that want the
flexibility and the breathing room that
this particular arrangement offers.
3) An
Island
Style Bed
An ‘island style bed’ is not an exotic
bed that’s designed by indigenous
islanders for ritualistic purposes.
Instead, it’s merely a bed that can be
accessed from three sides. Beds that
have two sides against a wall can be a
real challenge when changing the sheets.
Furthermore, when two people are
sleeping in the bed, the person against
the wall not only has less breathing
room – they also have to find some way
to get up without climbing over their
partner.
4) A Flip-up Kitchen Counter Extension
RV kitchen are frequently short on
useful workspace. A large flip-up
countertop extension can provide badly
needed surface area whenever you need
it. You can make your own using plywood
and hardware from your RV dealer.
Alternatively, IKEA (www.IKEA-usa.com)
sells a wood drop leaf table (called the
NORBO) that can easily be adapted to
serve as a countertop extension. It cost
around $30 (plus shipping).
5) An Adjustable Television Set
Most RVs come with televisions that are
mounted inside a cabinet. As a result,
people have to twist their bodies, turn
sideways, or move their chairs to get a
good view (assuming their chair even
moves). It makes a lot more sense to
have a television that can be configured
for the viewer. A good alternative is a
flat-screen television attached to a
flexible TV mount that can be extended,
rotated, and tilted in all directions.
You can find them in good appliance
stores or on the Internet.
6) Flexible Wardrobes
When it comes to closets and wardrobes,
most RV manufacturers throw in a closet,
install a closet rod, and call it good.
That works great if everything you own
can be hung on a coat hanger. However,
with some adjustable shelving and a few
bins, wardrobes and closets can be
easily configured to meet the storage
needs of everything and everyone.
7) A Dedicated Workspace
Most RV manufacturers haven’t yet
addressed the fact that RVers need a
dedicated place to work. A few RVs have
token desks but they frequently don’t
offer enough surface area for serious
use. Moreover, many of these desks are
located in the bedroom rendering them
useless for those that work after hours.
Genuine work areas should have enough
surface area for a laptop computer as
well as a printer. They should also have
enough space for a real office chair
with wheels.
8) Separate Vanity and Toilet
When a bathroom vanity is in the same
room as the toilet, both fixtures are
tied up when either one is being used.
When they’re separate, one person can
brush their teeth while the other uses
the toilet. This may sound trivial but
in a one-bathroom ‘house’, issues like
this can make a big difference.
9) Well-designed Food Pantries
The best RV kitchens have pull-out food
pantries that are specifically designed
for canned goods, spices, and other
commonly stored items. Look for
adjustable, display-style shelves that
are removable for easy cleaning.
10) An Accessible Bathroom
Some RVs have ‘private’ bathrooms that
are located in the rear of the bedroom.
The concept is similar to the master
bedroom that is often found in houses.
However, in a real house, there is
usually more than one bathroom. In an
RV, this design means that everyone has
to parade through your bedroom to use
the toilet. Not always a good idea.
11) Real Doors
Privacy is no less important simply
because you’re staying in an RV.
Accordingly, bathroom and bedroom
doors should be solid and capable of
being locked. Likewise, in toy haulers,
there should be a solid door separating
the living quarters from the ‘garage’ to
keep fumes out of the living quarters.
12) Lots of Windows
RVs are largely about experiencing the
great outdoors. Windows help to bring
the outside in. They also make an RV
seem brighter, bigger, and more
cheerful. Many RVers routinely install
extra windows in their RV. Ask your
dealer for a list of companies that sell
RV windows.
This article was provided by Desert
Winds Press, publishers of The RV
Makeover Bible.
Click here
for a free 38 page
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