Fifth wheel camper trailers with a kitchen in the front are increasingly popular. They let you truly bring the comforts of home with you just like a motorhome.
Expect you can unhitch your tow vehicle from the fifth wheel camper to let you explore everything your intended destination has to offer.
Still, not all fifth-wheel campers are created equal. Some have different kitchen and bathroom features that cater to certain needs.
So, you might be wondering what is the best fifth-wheel trailer with a front kitchen for you?
The answer depends on the places you want to take it just like the kind of features and appliances you want in the RV’s kitchen area.
If you are a foody, or you simply want to save your travel money by cooking your own meals, then you might lean toward a fifth wheel camper with a full suite of appliances.
If you just want a space to cook some breakfast or brew some hot cocoa on a cool summer evening, you might be able to save some money on the price tag you might be happy with a fifth-wheel kitchen that’s a little sparse.
9 Great Fifth Wheel Floor Plans With Front Kitchen
When you take a moment to do a little bit of investigating, you might find that there are a surprising number of fifth wheel campers with a front kitchen.
Filtering through them can feel a little bit challenging, especially if you are a first time RV buyer.
We’ve tried to take some of the guesswork out of it for you by reviewing the following list of some of the best fifth-wheel campers with a front kitchens.
1. Forest River RV Cedar Creek Champagne Edition 38EFK
Forest River is one of the strongest RV manufacturer brands with models to suit just about any need.
The Forest River RV Cedar Creek Champagne Edition 38EFK is a large fifth-wheel trailer and camper that was designed to feel luxurious.
It also features a master suite and enough room to sleep up to 6 people. This makes it a great choice for larger families or perhaps couples who like to co-vacation together.
The main living area also features two Hide-A-Bed Sofas, theater seating with built-in USB ports, as well as a 55-inch Smart TV, and even a remote-controlled, electric fireplace.
There’s also a full bathroom with a one-piece fiberglass shower, a porcelain toilet, and even a matching washer and dryer for doing your laundry.
In the front of the Forest River Champagne Edition 38EFK fifth-wheel trailer, you will find a “Furrion” chef’s kitchen. It includes a large 20-cubic foot electric refrigerator with a built-in ice maker.
There’s also a large four-burner stove with an oven that’s large enough to roast a whole turkey. There’s also a 30-inch microwave and a dining table that’s perfect for couples.
2. Keystone Alpine 3701FL Fifth Wheel Camper With A Front Kitchen
Keystone is a well-know RV brand name that is currently owned by the industry titan Thor Industries.
This means they also have access to the high-quality materials and components of Thor and their affiliates, which help infuse many of their RVs with creature comforts at a reasonable price tag.
This particular floor plan even comes with two bathrooms, which is pretty rare in fifth-wheel campers.
It also sleeps up to six people and includes a nicely appointed master suite with a king-size bed as well as ample storage space.
The gray water and black water tanks both hold up to 78-gallons each, yet there’s only a 66-gallon freshwater tank.
If you wanted to boondock with this fifth wheel camper, you will need to bring additional freshwater supplies.
The kitchen in front of the fifth wheel camper is relatively large. It includes a three-burner stove with a modest-sized oven.
The full-size refrigerator is full size. It’s a standard RV absorption refrigerator, which is a little more rugged than an electric compressor is driven home refrigerator.
It also can run on propane, which is nice for times when you are away from the reliable shore power of an RV park.
It’s also worth noting that Keystone offers this RV with their special North Face Insulation Package.
It essentially insulates key components in the underbelly, including the water lines and storage tanks, as well as beefing up some of the insulation in the RV’s main living area.
This is a great option to consider if you are planning on using the Keystone Alpine as a fall or winter hunting base camp.
3. Jayco – North Point 383FKWS
Jayco is another one of Thor Industries’ affiliates. The Northpoint fifth wheel camper comes in a variety of floor plans, many of them have the kitchen in the rear, though the North Point 383FKWS has the kitchen in the front.
This particular floor plan has a master suite, as well as convertible sofa beds. It translates into the ability to sleep up to six people at a time.
Though four is probably more realistic. The spaciousness of this model’s floor plan is largely thanks to the impressive five slide-out sections.
The kitchen in the front is large for a fifth-wheel camper. It includes a three-burner stove with a modest size oven capable of roasting a broiler-fryer chicken. There’s also an outdoor grilling station included with this model.
The kitchen also comes with an 18-cubic foot electric refrigerator.
There’s also a pedestal table that can serve as an additional kitchen prep station or just a convenient place for everyone to sit around and have breakfast.
The Jayco – North Point 383FKWS has dual black water tanks for total black water storage of an impressive 74 gallons.
Though one of these tanks can serve a dual purpose as an auxiliary gray water tank if you can’t get to an RV dump station.
4. Keystone Montana 3820FK Front Kitchen Fifth Wheel
The Montana is one of Keystone’s most robust and rugged fifth-wheel campers.
Not only can it sleep up to 8 people and comes with a complete bathroom, but it also has an enhanced insulation package available.
This means you could use it during the summer for a family vacation with all the amenities of a comfortable RV park.
Yet you can also take it off the beaten path for a backwoods fall hunting trip. The kitchen in the front of the Keystone Montana 3820FK is rather large.
It includes a dual basin sink, as well as a three-burner range with a modest size oven.
The kitchen also has a full-size RV absorption refrigerator with durable engineering to handle a little bit of rough and tumble travel.
There’s also a U-Shaped Dinette that can comfortably hold up to four people at a time.
The Keystone Montana 3820FK front kitchen fifth wheel floor plan comes with a 66-gallon freshwater tank which supplies the front kitchen and bathroom.
It also has a large gray water storage tank of 78-gallonsThe 39-gallon black water storage tank is a little bit on the modest side when you consider the high volume of offered by the other two tanks.
If you are going to be boondocking with this fifth wheel camper, you might want to make sure to bring a backup portable waste tank with you, just in case.
5. 2021 Palomino Columbus 387FK
The Palomino Columbus is available in a wide array of floor plans, with a fair amount of difference in various model years.
Some of these models have a kitchen in the rear, but the 2021 version of the Palomino Columbus in the 387FK floor plan has a modest-size kitchen in the front.
There is a nicely appointed master suite in the rear of this fifth wheel camper. It includes a king-size bed that is installed into one of the six slide-out sections.
All told the sleeping accommodations in the Columbus 387FK can comfortably sleep up to 6 people.
There’s also a nice size bathroom with a standard size toilet and a fairly large shower stall.
The kitchen in the front has a nice amount of floor space and room for two to three people to dine at a time.
There’s a 3-burner cooktop range, with an oven that’s large enough to roast a broiler-fryer chicken or bake up a dozen cookies at a time.
The mid-size refrigerator uses RV absorption technology, which means it can run on the internal electric or the fifth wheel RV’s propane system.
When you factor in the kitchen components and the fact that it can sleep up to six people, with a very private master suite, the Palomino Columbus 387FK seems tailored to medium size families who want to explore.
It’s maybe not the ideal choice if you want to save money and cook all your own meals.
It’s more set up for making breakfast, a quick lunch, or an evening snack, while you explore the countryside and shops surrounding an RV park.
6. Heartland Big Country BC 3895 FK Fifth Wheel
Heartland is another one of the RV manufacturers under Thor Industries umbrella, that is largely allowed to maintain its own brand identity.
Yet they still have access to the materials, components, and engineering efficiency of their parent company.
As the name implies the Big Country is indeed massive. It’s five slide-out sections and thoughtful use of interior space give families and group vacationers the space they need to put their feet up without rubbing elbows.
There are several floor plans for the Big Country, and a few of them vary based on model year. The 2021 Heartland – Big Country BC 3895 FK has a fifth-wheel camper floor plan with a very spacious kitchen in the front.
There’s a large master suite with a king-size bed in the rear. It has the sort of storage a family will appreciate, without compromising on walking or dressing space.
In the main living quarters, there’s a queen-size bed as well as a pair of fold-out sofa’s. This means you can easily sleep up to six people.
The front kitchen has a lot of counter space to both prep food and also layout snacks or plates for people to grab on the go.
There’s a three-burner cooktop range with a nice size oven underneath. There’s even a very large, full-size electric refrigerator.
The water storage tanks on the Heartland – Big Country BC 3895 FK might not seem like the coolest feature, but just like this fifth wheel RV, they are massive.
Though it’s worth noting that the fresh water tank is 65 gallons, compared to the giant gray and blackwater tanks that can hold up to 90-gallons.
This means that if you want to stay off the grid for an extended amount of time, you can simply bring additional freshwater storage tanks with you.
Yet, you could just as easily hook up to an RV park’s resources for freshwater at a seasonal rental and not have to worry about making frequent trips to the dump station.
How To choose The Best Front Kitchen 5th Wheel
There are several advantages to having a front kitchen in a fifth-wheel camper. Right off the bat, it means that the master bedroom is at the back, often with a bathroom separating it from the rest of the living and additional sleeping areas.
This provides extra privacy for married couples who travel with their children. Having a kitchen in the front of your fifth-wheel trailer also means you get more room to cook as well as store kitchen items.
With a lot of fifth wheel camper trailers having the front tends to experience a smoother ride, than the back. Which is nice if you plan to take your camper off paved roads.
This means fewer chances of something getting knocked around, cracked or dinged while you travel.
What To Look For In A Front Kitchen In A Fifth Wheel Camper
Right off the bat, you will want to factor in how you’ll be traveling and how many people you’ll be traveling with.
If you are planning to save a little money on the travel budget by cooking your own meals, then you are going to might prioritize certain features over others.
The Size And Type Of Refrigerator
If you are going to be cooking most of your own meals, then you will want a large or “Full-Size” refrigerator.
Some fifth wheel camper manufacturers will give specific details on the storage capacity of a refrigerator, and some won’t.
If you are going to need to bring a lot of food with you, then you should look for ones that are at least 16-gallon or more in volume rating.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that while electric refrigerators with compressor systems have gotten a lot more durable in recent years, that they still don’t tend to travel well over rough terrain.
If you plan to travel over paved roads and stay in comfortable RV parks, then an electric refrigerator like you find in your home kitchen will suit you just fine.
If you are going to be boondocking a lot or using the fifth wheel as a fall hunting camper, then you should lean toward the more durable RV absorption refrigerators. Most can run on electricity or propane to give you continuous usage.
The Size Of The Stove And Oven
Most fifth-wheel campers with a front kitchen have at least a three-burner stove that’s plumbed directly into the RV’s internal propane system.
If you are mostly going to be cooking breakfast for your significant other and perhaps a child or two, then a three-burner stove will get you by just fine.
If you need to cook for more people than that, you might want to lean toward a larger and less awkward four-burner range top.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the size of the range and the size of the underlying oven are usually related.
With a four-burner range top, you are usually going to get a larger oven. So, you might want to also lean toward a four-burner if you like to bake up big batches of cookies or making roasts for supper.
The Size Of The Stove And Oven
Most fifth-wheel campers with a front kitchen have at least a three-burner stove that’s plumbed directly into the RV’s internal propane system.
If you are mostly going to be cooking breakfast for your significant other and perhaps a child or two, then a three-burner stove will get you by just fine.
If you need to cook for more people than that, you might want to lean toward a larger and less awkward four-burner range top.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that the size of the range and the size of the underlying oven are usually related.
With a four-burner range top, you are usually going to get a larger oven. So, you might want to also lean toward a four-burner if you like to bake up big batches of cookies or making roasts for supper.
Additional Appliances
There are some fifth-wheel campers with a front kitchen that come with accessory appliances.
On the one hand, having something like a microwave or a coffee maker included in the initial purchase saves you having to shop for one.
Just make sure it’s a brand and model you like, and it’s the right size. The last thing you want is to get stuck with an appliance that over-promises but under-delivers.
Dishwashers
Some high-end fifth wheel campers with a kitchen in the front will come with a built-in dishwasher.
This is nice, but it also means sacrificing a fair portion of storage space. If you are going to be cooking most of your own meals then you might lean toward making a dishwasher a priority.
If the RV kitchen is going to be used for one meal and maybe an evening snack, you might want to steer clear of a dishwasher.
Afterall storage space is at a premium in just about any RV kitchen, and handwashing a few plates and pans at the end of the day might just be a worthwhile tradeoff.
Water And Wastewater Storage Tanks
When you have a large kitchen and you also need to support a bathroom for multiple people then fresh water and gray water storage become increasingly important.
Especially if you are going to be boondocking off the grid, or far from an RV park’s resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between An RV Absorption Refrigerator And A Traditional Refrigerator?
The refrigerator you have in your kitchen at home uses electricity to power a special compressor. The pressure generated then moves freon through a complex system to remove heat energy.
A built-in fan then circulates cold air through the refrigerator and freezer compartments. While this type of refrigerator is reliable and cools things down quickly, they aren’t all that rugged.
Up until just a few years ago, traditional refrigerators that weren’t kept level would suffer catastrophic failures.
Today even the most durable of these refrigerators don’t like the rough and tumble life that comes with hauling a large fifth-wheel camper on a rough patch of road.
Absorption refrigerators, which you tend to find in more RV’s don’t have all the moving parts and compressor of a traditional home kitchen refrigerator.
They use a special fluid balance to gradually remove heat energy from the refrigerator and any possible freezer compartments. This gives them the ability to better handle the rigors of RV travel.
One other interesting feature of absorption refrigerators and freezers is that they can run off the on-board electrical system, or they can run off your RV’s propane system.
This makes them a great option for boondocking RV adventurers. If you are going to be taking your fifth wheel camper to a lot of off-the-grid locations, then you should prioritize a kitchen with an absorption refrigerator.
Just keep in mind that you will need to turn off any propane sources before pulling into a refueling station.
Why Do Some RV’s Have A Small Freshwater Storage Tank?
You might notice on some of the listings that there are a few fifth-wheel campers that have modest-size freshwater storage tanks and massive black or gray water storage tanks.
From an engineering standpoint, this is the manufacturer’s way of saving towing weight. Though it also gives you a hint that the fifth wheel camper was designed for life at an RV park.
If you do happen to fall in love with a particular fifth wheel camper with a front kitchen, but the freshwater storage tank is a little bit on the small side, you might want to consider buying an additional freshwater storage tank.
They’re usually inexpensive, and they give you the ability to take more water with you.
Conclusion
As you can see, RV adventurers who are looking for a fifth wheel camper with a front kitchen area a little bit spoiled for choice.
Taking a little time to factor in how you will use it most will help dial in the best fifth wheel camper with a front kitchen for you and your family.
If you want an RV that can live comfortably at a seasonal RV park in the summer, and gives you enough space to spread out, then the Heartland Big Country BC 3895 FK might be the best fifth wheel camper with a front kitchen for you.
The full-size electric refrigerator holds enough food to support a family of four or more. It also has the storage tanks to spare you having to make multiple trips to the RV dump station.
It could be especially nice if you often travel with teenagers who need a little more space.
If you are looking for a rough and tumble fifth wheel camper that you’re going to take off the beaten trail, then the Keystone Alpine 3701FL Fifth Wheel Camper might be the best option.
It has robust engineering and durable appliances like an RV absorption refrigerator to handle rugged travel.
On the other end of the spectrum. Families who are looking for a little more of a “Glamping” experience might want to give a good hard look at the 2021 Forest River RV Cedar Creek Champagne Edition 38EFK.
The “Furrion Kitchen” is arguably palatial and comes with a huge 4-burner range top, with a large oven, and a full-size electric kitchen.
However, you want to travel, and the size of your family, chances are good that the best fifth wheel camper with a front kitchen for you, is somewhere on this list.
