Recreational vehicles (RVs) offer the best of both worlds: the convenience of home while experiencing new adventures on the road. The best RVs seamlessly combine comfort and functionality in various sizes and layouts, depending on your needs: How many people are traveling? How long do you plan to be away? What features are a priority?
How do you know what type of layout to look for when shopping for RVs? To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the most popular travel trailer layouts with brief descriptions of their features and which sort of camping lifestyle they might be best suited for.Whichever travel trailer layout you pick, it’s a good idea to go to a reputable RV dealer to tour trailers in person. At Albany RV, for instance, we carry a large inventory of both new and used travel trailers in a range of sizes and styles. We’ll be happy to answer questions and give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with different vehicles for a better idea of how they might meet your needs and preferences.
Bunkhouse Layout
As the name suggests, a bunkhouse layout has a dedicated, separate area for sleeping that uses bunk beds to maximize the number of beds without taking up a lot of space. The bunkhouse is usually in the middle or the rear of the travel trailer with a master bedroom up front that provides a more private sleeping area. When not being used for sleeping, some RVers use the bunkhouse area to store gear or as a play area for kids.
This layout is ideal for bigger groups camping together for an extended trip, for larger families on family vacations, or for grandparents traveling with grandchildren.
Toy Hauler
With a toy hauler layout, you get a built-in, flexible garage space. Usually, these are equipped with a ramp door for easy loading and unloading, most often found at the rear of the travel trailer. While many RV owners use this garage space for “toys” like motorcycles, bikes, ATVs, or other gear, you might also consider it for a bedroom, office, game room, or recreational space. Some toy haulers have sliding glass doors to separate the garage space from the main living and sleeping areas.Of course, the toy hauler is great for anyone who wants to bring a lot of gear with them when they’re traveling, especially those with active outdoor lifestyles, adventure travelers, or off-road enthusiasts. However, with the rise in remote work opportunities in recent years, some people have been choosing to live in RVs full-time and travel while working. For remote workers, the flexibility of the toy hauler is ideal since you can convert the extra space into a functional office.
Front Living Layout
For those who plan to take long trips or expect to lounge and relax indoors playing cards, entertaining guests, watching movies, gaming, and so on, a front living layout might be appealing. This travel trailer layout prioritizes the main living area in the front of the travel trailer with multiple, comfortable seating areas like sofas or recliners, big windows, and often an entertainment center. A private master bedroom can usually be found in the back.
Because the living area is the priority, rather than sleeping arrangements, front living layout travel trailers are best for couples or small families, rather than large families or groups.
Rear Living Layout
A rear living layout flips the features of the front living layout, moving the large windows and relaxing seating to a lounge area in the back. Travelers who want to enjoy panoramic views while also spending time indoors, for instance at a scenic campground or national park, or who want easy access to their living area when parked long-term, sometimes choose the rear living layout.
Again, due to the more limited sleeping options, this type of layout is great for couples, especially retirees or full-time RVers but might not be the first choice for a bigger family or larger group.
Front Kitchen Layout
As with the front living layout, the front kitchen layout generally features large front windows to enjoy scenic views, but in this case, it’s while you’re cooking instead of lounging. Having the kitchen in front allows more room for a functional kitchen with wraparound countertops.
The front kitchen layout is great for RV owners who plan on extended stays where they will be cooking and entertaining often.
Rear Kitchen Layout
Similar to the front kitchen layout, the rear kitchen layout also accounts for extra space for a highly functional cooking area. One benefit of having the kitchen at the rear of the travel trailer is that it’s closer to the entry door, making it easier to load groceries in and out and also allowing for better access to food prep areas when you’re cooking outdoors.
For couples or smaller families who enjoy seasonal and extended camping, the rear kitchen layout can work well.
Rear Entertainment Layout
If you enjoy long trips and extended camping but plan to spend a lot of time indoors (for instance, if you go camping in rainy locations or during the winter), a rear entertainment layout might be a good option. Although it’s similar to a rear living layout, the rear entertainment layout emphasizes an entertainment center (usually with a TV, gaming console, stereo, and fireplace) in the rear with many seating options.
This layout is great for small families who enjoy spending time together indoors.
Rear Bath Layout
One of the worst parts about camping is not having access to a comfortable bathroom. With a rear bath layout, you get a large bathroom, often the size of the entire width of the back of the trailer. This larger size bathroom gives you more privacy as well as additional space for storage and changing.
If you are focused on comfort while traveling or plan to live in your RV full-time, a rear bath layout might be appealing.
Find the Travel Trailer Layout That Works for You
When it comes to travel trailer layouts, Albany RV has you covered with our extensive inventory of both new and pre-owned RVs. We would love to help you find the perfect fit, so stop by and talk to our knowledgeable and friendly staff to get started today. Your next road trip adventure is waiting!
