...getting no slide
...believe in keeping things simple
...getting dinette/convertible to sleeper
...getting the slide out pantry between the stove and the bed
Since it has no slide, that means there is some extra room on the dinette side, since the 2450 that PC has on the website has a slide dinette and if you take out those slide walls, there will be some extra space. I'm hoping they will build me a broom closet between the dinette and the frig--similar to the slide out pantry but no slide out--where I can store long items like a broom, sweeper, maybe a guitar.
Oh, and double wide drawers with no cutting board in the galley
Carol,
You and I are on the same page. I love your thinking.
I think you are right about gaining space on the driver side. You may get a second pantry-like cabinet or maybe you could opt for a much bigger main closet from your no-side dinette configuration. Since you will be full timing, I wonder if a bigger closet would be more useful. You already gain nice size over-the-dinette cabinets, which is a lot more than others get with a slide-out. If you don't plan to hang much in the closet, you could ask for cubbies in the extra closet space for folded clothes or other supplies. I bet you would gain more storage that way compared to a separate pantry-like cabinet.
Since you are not getting a slide-out, make sure your furnace will be mounted under the main closet or fridge like mine. This will open up the storage area under the bed for improved out-door storage. Make sure Earl understands that it is important to you to have that extra out-door storage. Outdoor storage always trumps indoor storage because everyone runs short with outdoor storage.
Also, moving the furnace to the other side is "CRITICAL" for the 3 wide-drawer galley system that I made. When the furnace is under the bed, the heat duct takes up the one drawer position, making it impossible to duplicate what I had done. Make sure they also add the button latching system I have to keep the drawers closed, for anything less than a solid latch will have your drawers opening while driving. Pay the extra money for it. You won't be sorry. Maybe they can offer a lower-cost alternative latching method compared to what I did, without sacrificing the security.
Be sure to get your dinette with the leather surface memory foam cushions for they will be much more comfortable than the standard cloth covered regular foam. We had the regular cloth and after some years, switched to the leather with memory foam and it is a huge improvement. They don't compare.
You mentioned getting the closet instead of the Euro chair. I don't dispute having an extra closet will be very useful. But having a 3rd seat instead will quickly become a favorite sitting place for lap time with a small dog, reading, playing guitar, and watching TV. I think our 3rd captain seat will make for a better choice over the now-standard Euro chair, only because of your no-slide-out situation. I do wonder that it would not be possible to recline properly with a Euro chair in the restricted space. With our 3rd captain seat, the front dinette bench is a great ottoman when adjusting the captain seat close to it. Both my wife and myself love the 3rd captain seat. We started out with a standard-at-the-time barrel chair there which never got used. Ask the factory about a 3rd captain seat that is identical to the two front seats.
If you think rotating the front passenger seat will provide the same comfort.....it doesn't compare. It is close to the passenger door, low to the house floor, and you cannot watch TV from it. It's much better than nothing and very nice to have when accommodating guests, but I feel the 3rd captain seat is much more comfortable, and always ready to use. Watching TV when sitting at the dinette works, but you can't kick back. I think you might miss having a favorite seat.
I understand the thermal windows have not been 100% thermal since the factory changed the window style in recent years. Those that open, all fixed glass remains single pane because of the outdoor flush-mount styling. The single pane areas represents the majority of the glass. Ask about that option, and what exactly can you expect from it. If you are disappointed, I would consider getting only one thermal pane window, the one in the back wall. This to eliminate radiated down-draft over your head when you are sleeping in cold weather. One thermal window would be much cheaper, and maybe is all you really need if the rest of the rig is thermally mixed up anyway.
I think PC-USA will not charge more for most unique requests. There will be cost associated with the 3 galley drawer system, and a back wall thermal window. The others may cost you nothing or miniscule.
That's all I have for now.
