Pros and Cons of Rear Kitchens in Fifth Wheels

A major selling point of fifth wheel RVs is the amount of space they provide. Some can reach over 40 feet long and offer a whopping 430 square feet of space. (But a 2020 ruling by the RV Industry Association’s Board of Directors removed a 430-square-foot maximum rule for fifth wheels, which will allow the rigs to be even larger!). As a result, fifth wheels come in a variety of floor plans that allow for some unique features. One of those features is a rear kitchen. 

Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of a rear kitchen!

Pros 

• Many RV owners like that a rear kitchen is away from the main entry door, which is where kitchens placed in the middle of the rig are located. Because of the mid-kitchen layout, traffic flow from outside and to the living space or bedroom can make prepping and cooking more difficult. A rear kitchen does not have these issues.  
• A rear galley kitchen simply allows for more space overall, including coveted counter space and storage space. 
• Sometimes a large rear window in the kitchen provides expansive views, just like in many brick-and-mortar kitchens. 
• A rear kitchen can help to keep all the cooking odors and grease in one area of the RV compared to middle kitchens. 

Cons

• One major disadvantage of rear kitchens is the amount of bouncing they are subjected to during movement. Many RV owners say that this jostling requires that appliances, cupboards, drawers, and every little thing in the kitchen must be properly secured before travel. 
• The additional securing and packing that may be required to keep items in place can increase the time you spend breaking down camp, which can be a lengthy process to begin with. 
• It’s possible that in some rigs with slides, that parts of the kitchen will not be accessible unless a slide or two is opened. This can make grabbing a quick snack during a refueling stop or bathroom break challenging. 

Ultimately, many RV owners in forums highly recommend rear kitchens and say they rarely have problems, especially when there is a solid suspension system on the rig. Still others avoid rear kitchens because of their past experiences. 

What do you think? Have you ever owned an RV with a rear kitchen? What did you like or dislike about it? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!