Front Kitchen?

[PurdyWagon]

In the renovation of our Airstream, we are thinking we would like to put the kitchen in the front, rather than the side. We have seen a few (very few) laid out like this, but not with the 1977 Sovereign.

Has anyone done this, seen it done, or have any idea why it is rare? What concerns are there to laying it out this way?

[TheGreatleys]

You'll need to move the range hood vent if you move the stove location and fridge vents if you move the fridge. Not impossible, but will require some patching of the exterior skin. And then you're talking about moving around electric, plumbing, and propane lines, but maybe you're planning on doing that anyway.

I think I've seen one done this way, and it was a pretty cool coach. Big project, but no reason why you couldn't do it. Just watch your tongue weight -- a kitchen tends to contain a lot of heavy-ish things, and you don't necessarily want to move too much weight that far forward of the axles.

[sgschwend]

Center kitchens have center tanks, which between the axles they are protected well.

Stuff that is above the floor:
The kitchen and the center bath hide the very large fender covers. In my trailer kitchen cabinet also hides the furnace, water pump, access to the fresh water tank vent, the sink drain, the service port for the fresh water tank, and the heat ducts for the front and rear.

[pmclemore]

I think one of the reasons that Airstreams do not have front kitchens is that they are so low to the ground. You will have a relatively long run to the gray water tank with necessarily little slope.

Pat

[Thomas31]

There are many things you have to consider. Among them are windows and locations/height from floor/etc. Also what appliances you will install and will they be compatible in the desired locations. We had a total remodel done by Capital City Customs in Raleigh, NC and worked closely with Dan to insure things fit where we wanted them. It was a big part of our decision to remodel as we wanted a front kitchen. It can be done several different ways but we chose to raise the front windows about 7" to get the counter height closer to normal w/o having a dropdown behind where the windows existed. We removed the small window just to the right of the door also for counter space. Our Vertigo refrigerator/freezer is just inside the door on the right, under the counter, our large single bowl sink is in the front center of window, we chose a two burner cooktop (our preference) to the left of the sink diaganonal in the corner w a downdraft exhaust system, further around to the left is a dropdown counter ( for the existing windows) with a convection microwave underneath. Just FYI we added another set of windows above our sofa area (so we have three windows on the street side). Dinette is to the left (curbside) inside the door w a larger window where the original sink window was located (careful to think about window openings!) PM if you have specific questions. Enjoy the adventure of the remodel. Thanks to Tommie Lauer for the picture on Flickr, more available in the Alumalina spring 2016 thread, Thomas

[Sbb]

I love the front kitchen, it is bautiful. I would love a window that opens on sink side of bambi. Wish that kitchen was available to all. Very nice job.

[TheGreatleys]

Thomas, your kitchen is gorgeous and huge. So much workspace. Very nice design.

[PurdyWagon]

Thank you all so much for the input. Thomas, your kitchen is awesome! Unfortunately, the changes necessary to make that work are more than we care to do. So, we have decided to keep the kitchen in the center and modify it to our liking.

[blondie99]

Originally Posted by Thomas31

There are many things you have to consider. Among them are windows and locations/height from floor/etc. Also what appliances you will install and will they be compatible in the desired locations. We had a total remodel done by Capital City Customs in Raleigh, NC and worked closely with Dan to insure things fit where we wanted them. It was a big part of our decision to remodel as we wanted a front kitchen. It can be done several different ways but we chose to raise the front windows about 7" to get the counter height closer to normal w/o having a dropdown behind where the windows existed. We removed the small window just to the right of the door also for counter space. Our Vertigo refrigerator/freezer is just inside the door on the right, under the counter, our large single bowl sink is in the front center of window, we chose a two burner cooktop (our preference) to the left of the sink diaganonal in the corner w a downdraft exhaust system, further around to the left is a dropdown counter ( for the existing windows) with a convection microwave underneath. Just FYI we added another set of windows above our sofa area (so we have three windows on the street side). Dinette is to the left (curbside) inside the door w a larger window where the original sink window was located (careful to think about window openings!) PM if you have specific questions. Enjoy the adventure of the remodel. Thanks to Tommie Lauer for the picture on Flickr, more available in the Alumalina spring 2016 thread, Thomas

What did the tongue weight end up being?