While, on the surface, there appear to be hundreds of combinations of floor plans available for RVs, what we’re seeing in our regular web surfing is that this may not necessarily be the case.

In the bunkhouse-classes of RVs that we’re considering for full-time use, it’s becoming clear that there are, in very general terms, a few minor variations in the arrangements of the major living spaces in each trailer.

This might be related to the periodic model upgrade evolution from manufactures, but here’s what we’re seeing for the most part in the existing models and the model previews for 2014:

Bunk rooms are typically either:

1. Fixed, built-in with either twin-sized or double-sized beds. The double-sized are often the chamfered- or rounded-corner type.
2. Fixed bunk rooms with bunks two to three high on either side of the coach.
3. Slide-out bunk rooms that have at two or more bunks, but often options for either a sleeper-sofa, foam lounge-type chairs, or a small dinette table or booth.

There are two types of Living/Dining arrangements and they’re both slide-outs with a couch of the sofa/sleeper variety and:

1. A dining table and chairs, or
2. A full or U-booth dinette.

We have noticed that a few manufacturers have started to exclude the small sofa and dinette combinations, replacing them with a jumbo-sofa. Neat idea, we think, but pretty rare. We’ll look forward to seeing this in future models.

Kitchens are typically two varieties:

1. Single-wall-mounted, L-type, or
2. Island-sink centrally-located to the coach with a slide-out on which all other appliances are typically installed.*

There are, of course, efficiencies to be had by manufacturers who buy hundreds or thousands of completely identical appliances to install in RVs. That that three-burner range with the microscopic Easy-Bake-Oven, for example: is that really the only thing available in the world?

Bathrooms seem to have the most variability and are commonly:

1. ¾ or full bath,
2. centrally-located (aft of the kitchen), or
3. en suite, toward the front of the coach, or
4. a ¾ en suite with a ½ bath aft, which typically has a separate exterior door

Master suites, too have a bit of variation:

1. bed in-line with the coach, or
2. bed transverse, on a slide, or
3. bed fixed but with cabinets or dressers on a slide

There are of course some variation in finishes and fixtures. Some fifth-wheel class trailers have space for an RV washer/dryer. And many travel trailers have an outdoor kitchen space, too.

So, yes, there are some choices to make. Floorplans don’t tell the entire story. It may be that seeing something you don’t like initially on a floor plan may be insignificant when you see it in person — or vice versa.

Fortunately, there are a few RV shows coming up near us. One each in January, February, and March.

I suppose we should put together a list of models and features we want to see.