Street side door?

[chirakawa]

I've been full timing for about ten years, rv'ing for over 50 and have owned at least 15 rv's of all types.  Until last month, I've never seen an American made RV with a street side door in addition to the typical curb side one (with the exception of a driver's door on a motorhome).  Now, I've seen two newer fifth wheels with street side doors.  Both, when set up, had the door positioned in such a way that you would have to step over the utility pedestal if you came out that door.

My question is, what purpose does this door serve and why would I want to give up the wall space to have such a door?

Thanks.

[BlueLghtning]

One reason might be that they could pull into a site forward and still have a door on the normal side? It certainly does take up extra wall space though, but then a lot of units these days, especially toy haulers and rear bedroom models have a 2nd door on the same side. 

[I'mdonewiththis forum]

The only ones I have seen like that were rear bedroom fivers. It would be an escape route if the need requires.

[TheLongWayHome]

New Horizon did at least one for folks what were going to be in a fixed location and wanted a certain view. 

[chirakawa]

The two I saw were mainstream units.  The first was a Cedar Creek and the second was a Montana.  Do those make rear bedroom units?  Even then, the doors are nearer the middle of the trailer, not in the rear where a bedroom might be.

Pulling forward into a back-in site is an interesting theory.  I've seen water front sites which were built for motorhomes to pull in forward, the utilities being placed on that side.  However, I can't imagine running all the utilities under the trailer to get to the other side though.  I suppose it's feasible, have just never seen that.

[Second Chance]

It wasn't a fifth wheel, but we just stayed next to an older Jayco Eagle travel trailer (probably about 32' ft. or so) that had a door on the street side forward and a door on the curb side aft. It was a rear living area, so I assume the bedroom was in the front. Other than a fire escape, I don't know what the purpose would be for the street side door.

Rob

[Dutch_12078]

Were these full standard entry doors? I have seen a few trailers over the years with a door like access panel on the street side that opened up to "tall item" type of storage bin. Park models sometimes have a similar door for access to the water heater, etc. As far as having to step over the utility pedestal, it seems to me that anyone with a unit like that would know enough to position it with clearance for the door.

[Second Chance]

8 minutes ago, Dutch_12078 said:

Were these full standard entry doors? I have seen a few trailers over the years with a door like access panel on the street side that opened up to "tall item" type of storage bin. Park models sometimes have a similar door for access to the water heater, etc. As far as having to step over the utility pedestal, it seems to me that anyone with a unit like that would know enough to position it with clearance for the door.

If your question is directed to me, Dutch - yes, they were full-sized standard entry doors.

Rob

[WeBeFulltimers]

26 minutes ago, chirakawa said:

The two I saw were mainstream units.  The first was a Cedar Creek and the second was a Montana.  Do those make rear bedroom units?  Even then, the doors are nearer the middle of the trailer, not in the rear where a bedroom might be.

Pulling forward into a back-in site is an interesting theory.  I've seen water front sites which were built for motorhomes to pull in forward, the utilities being placed on that side.  However, I can't imagine running all the utilities under the trailer to get to the other side though.  I suppose it's feasible, have just never seen that.

I can speak for the Montana as that is my current brand.  A very few years ago Montana had a new Front Living floor plan that was only in production for 1 year I think. There was a street side door that gave access to a short hallway, rear bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. I did a walk through of this floor plan while doing factory tour during Montana owners rally in Goshen. This would have been about a 2014-2015 model I believe.

[chirakawa]

1 hour ago, Dutch_12078 said:

Were these full standard entry doors? I have seen a few trailers over the years with a door like access panel on the street side that opened up to "tall item" type of storage bin. Park models sometimes have a similar door for access to the water heater, etc. As far as having to step over the utility pedestal, it seems to me that anyone with a unit like that would know enough to position it with clearance for the door.

Yes, full standard entry doors with full folding steps.  The Montana one is directly behind the rear axle.  I believe the Cedar Creek was directly in front of the front axle.

[trailertraveler]

I remember seeing one a few years ago with a full size door on the utilities side that was in the bathroom. Don't remember the brand. I noticed it because the owner was cleaning the toilet with a hose wand and thought about how much I hate dragging a hose through the trailer.

[Dutch_12078]

4 hours ago, Second Chance said:

If your question is directed to me, Dutch - yes, they were full-sized standard entry doors.

Rob

You and/or Chirakawa, Rob. I was just trying to get it clear in my head what kind of doors these were.

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

Excel RV's had a  rear kitchen model that had a road side door.  We looked at one years ago but it sold before we could put a deposit down.

[Hot Rod]

I could see how that would be handy if you did a lot of "family" camping where you have adjacent sites, or at a racetrack and such.  Everybody would hang in the common area between the campers, and you would not have to walk all the way around to get in/out of that unit.