Is Your Next RV a Front Kitchen Fifth Wheel?

Most fifth wheels have kitchens in the center or rear of the camper. You might have viewed a spacious front living room or a rear area with a dinette and kitchen island. Maybe you’ve seen a mid-bunk option with additional sleeping or office space. But a front kitchen fifth wheel is a rare find.

Why a Front Kitchen Fifth Wheel?

Few manufacturers make fifth wheels with front kitchens because they increase the payload of the front cap. Kitchens are heavy, especially ones with luxury appliances and amenities. Therefore, most fifth wheels feature kitchens in the center or rear of the camper to put more weight over the axles.

However, an increased interest in front kitchen toy hauler, travel trailer, and fifth wheel floor plans has motivated manufacturers to create spaces with ample countertops, abundant storage options, and dining areas that break the typical mold. These front kitchen fifth wheel floorplans maximize the cap space, providing plenty of room for meal prep and entertainment. If you have a large family or want a chef’s kitchen on the road, this layout may suit you.

Another advantage of this unique floorplan is that the kitchen sits over the truck bed. While this means your truck needs a high payload capacity, it also makes it the sturdiest room in the camper. Your RV appliances and kitchen gadgets will bounce less as you travel down the road, reducing the chances of something breaking.

6 Fifth Wheels with a Front Kitchen Layout

Fifth wheels with front kitchen floorplans are unique models because they offer ample meal prep space. The central living space is usually also spacious, comfortably accommodating at least six adults. Check out our top six luxury fifth wheel floor plans with front kitchens!

Palomino Columbus 388FK

Specs

• Model Year: 2024
• Length: 41’10”
• Dry Weight: 13,899 pounds
• Cargo Carrying Capacity: 2,300 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6

Favorite Feature: Room for Entertaining

This Palomino Columbus front kitchen fifth wheel features a huge central living space and ample countertops. If you love entertaining, this camper is an excellent option. I especially appreciate the cabinet storage and residential appliances. This front kitchen fifth wheel has a 20 cubic-foot refrigerator with an ice maker, a 30-inch microwave, and a 3-burner cooktop with a built-in 24-inch oven.

The rear bedroom features a king bed, a wardrobe, washer and dryer hookups, and a pop up TV, and the spacious bathroom has a double vanity and a linen closet. Having the rear bedroom keeps your sleeping space private while allowing for plenty of room for entertaining in the center and front of the RV. But since the bathroom is between the bedroom and kitchen, it’s still easy for guests to access.

Keystone Montana 3795FK

Specs

• Model Year: 2024
• Length: 39’11”
• Dry Weight: 13,870 pounds
• Cargo Carrying Capacity: 3,200 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6

Favorite Feature: Bar Top Seating

I love the bar top seating in the Montana 3795FK. Guests and owners can sit in the kitchen while watching a ball game or movie. They can also easily converse through the kitchen and living area. The front L-shaped countertop offers room for meal prep, and the residential appliances make cooking a breeze.

The living area resembles the Palomino Columbus, with three sofas and a drop-down floor. The rear of the camper features a king bed, a wardrobe, washer and dryer hookups, and a dresser. The bathroom for this front kitchen fifth wheel is in the very rear of the camper, so it’s not easily accessible for guests. But it does have a double vanity and a linen closet.

Forest River Sandpiper Luxury 38FKOK

Specs

• Model Year: 2023
• Length: 43’1”
• Dry Weight: 12,823 pounds
• Cargo Carrying Capacity: 3,000 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6

Favorite Feature: Outdoor Kitchen

The Sandpiper Luxury 38FKOK is very similar to the Montana 3795FK, with bar top seating in the kitchen area. However, this camper features a kitchen island and a huge buffet cabinet. If you need pantry storage options, this front-kitchen fifth wheel is a great choice.

But what I love most about this fifth wheel is the outdoor kitchen. While you have a spacious interior kitchen, you also have a sink, refrigerator, microwave, and gas grill outside for an additional cooking space. It’s the best of both worlds!

You’ll also find a king bed, two small wardrobes, and a dresser in the rear bedroom. The hall bathroom boasts a walk-in shower, overhead storage, and a closet with washer and dryer hookups. Like the Palomino Columbus fifth wheel, guests can easily access the bathroom in this Forest River front kitchen fifth wheel.

Keystone Alpine 3790FK

Specs

• Model Year: 2023
• Length: 41’5”
• Dry Weight: 13,672 pounds
• Cargo Carrying Capacity: 2,828 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: up to 6

Favorite Feature: Huge Primary Ensuite

Three features set the Alpine 3790FK apart from the others on this list. First, the rear bathroom is huge and features a double vanity, a walk-in shower, washer and dryer prep space, and overhead storage cabinets. Guests don’t have easy access without walking through the bedroom, but the bathroom is a super feature for owners who want a beautiful ensuite.

Looking for a 5th wheel with washer and dryer?

The front kitchen has residential appliances, an L-shaped countertop, and bar top seating that overlooks the living space. But it also has a huge countertop in a slide-out, providing even more meal prep and storage space. This second feature sets this front kitchen fifth wheel apart from the others.

Finally, I also love the rear storage bay at the bumper. This additional storage provides a place for hoses, cords, umbrellas, chairs, and other RV equipment to make your camping experience comfortable and enjoyable.

Forest River Cedar Creek 38EFK

Specs

• Model Year: 2020
• Length: 41’8”
• Dry Weight: 14,354 pounds
• Cargo Carrying Capacity: 3,646 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6

Favorite Feature: Thoughtfully Designed Storage

Another front kitchen fifth wheel with a kitchen island is the Cedar Creek 38EFK. This provides more countertop space and an additional meal prep area. However, my favorite feature is the ample storage. There are two pantry cabinets in the kitchen, and in the rear bedroom, there are dressers and wardrobes for all of your clothes. If you need plenty of storage for all your camping gear, this is an excellent option!

I also like the bathroom’s placement in the hallway so guests can easily access it instead of walking through the rear bedroom. Like the other front kitchen fifth wheels, this one features three sofas for comfortable seating in the central living area.

Jayco North Point 383FKWS

Specs

• Model Year: 2020
• Length: 43’7”
• Dry Weight: 13,495 pounds
• Cargo Carrying Capacity: 3,005 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6

Favorite Feature: Booth Dinette

The longest front kitchen fifth wheel on our list is the North Point 383FKWS. With this extra square footage, Jayco added an L-shaped booth dinette, a huge selling feature for this camper. None of the other fifth wheels on our list has this spacious eating area.

There’s also a large front window that lets in natural light and provides beautiful views for anyone cooking or washing dishes at the sink. Like the Forest River Cedar Creek, this fifth wheel has three sofas, a bathroom in the hallway, and a rear bedroom. While a queen bed comes standard, owners can exchange it for a king bed.

Honorable Mentions

• Forest River Riverstone 421FK
• Forest River Riverstone Reserve Series 3950FWK
• DRV Mobile Suites 41FKMB

What Is a Luxury Fifth Wheel?

Luxury fifth wheels feature higher-end finishes than standard fifth wheels. Because they have amenities like solid surface countertops, large sofas, and residential appliances, these campers also tend to be heavier. You’ll need a heavy-duty truck with a high towing and payload capacity to safely haul them.

Luxury campers like these front kitchen fifth wheels are also roomier, featuring more spacious interiors. Most standard fifth wheels won’t have a double vanity or a king bed. Finally, luxury fifth wheels generally offer more storage options, both inside and outside.

What Is the Roomiest Fifth Wheel?

The largest fifth wheel on our list is the Jayco North Point 383FKWS, at just under 44 feet long. However, the Palomino Columbus, Forest River Sandpiper, and Forest River Cedar Creek campers have six slide-outs, increasing the interior space. These fifth wheels offer as much square footage as some small apartments!

Is a 5th Wheel More Stable than a Bumper Pull?

Many owners who have towed both a fifth wheel and a bumper pull believe that towing a fifth wheel is much easier. The main reason is that more weight sits directly over the truck’s rear axle. This is more stable than a travel trailer that is only connected by a ball and hitch on a bumper. Fifth wheels tend to sway less, and owners feel like they have more control when driving. However, as I mentioned earlier, fifth wheels – especially these luxury front kitchen campers – generally require a larger truck with more towing and payload capacity.

If you have questions about towing a fifth wheel or want more floorplan options like a bunkhouse or front living, check out these articles!

• Rear Living Fifth Wheels
• Learn about 5th wheel weight and dimensions
• Fifth Wheels with Two Bedrooms
• Best Fifth Wheels for Families
• Reasons to Consider a Front Living Fifth Wheel

Which front kitchen fifth wheel catches your attention? Tell us in the comments below!