Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale (Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale)
| Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112517] |
Thu, 20 January 2011 15:27  |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I am looking at a '78 Royale and have mixed emotions about the rear bath. I am not sure why as I have never owned a GMC before so I have no reason to feel either way.
For those of you who have a rear bath, can you tell me if you like it or not, and if you would buy it again?
Thanks,
Bob
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112530 is a reply to message #112517] |
Thu, 20 January 2011 18:11  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Bob,
Our Birchaven, also by Coachmen, has the same rear bath as a Royale. While
we've never used any other GMC, we really like our bath. Having it, and the
space it continuously occupies, all the way to the rear allows more clear
"living space" where we spend most of our time. Most 26' owners who visit
to our little 23' are amazed at its openness (some of which is due to other
changes,however).
If you're tall, you may find a bit less vertical clearance in the Royale
tub/shower than in a GMC module. At 6'2", I sit for most of my shower.
With a hand-held spray head, that's not a problem.
I probably should say, however, that nothing in our rear bath is original.
The equipment and arrangement are virtually identical to what Coachmen
installed, but I replaced EVERYTHING 12 years ago.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 4:27 PM, Robert Peesel <thorndike@pldsllc.com>wrote:
>
> I am looking at a '78 Royale and have mixed emotions about the rear bath.
> I am not sure why as I have never owned a GMC before so I have no reason to
> feel either way.
>
> For those of you who have a rear bath, can you tell me if you like it or
> not, and if you would buy it again?
>
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112540 is a reply to message #112517] |
Thu, 20 January 2011 19:51 |
Nelson Wright
Messages: 147
Registered: May 2004
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Bob,
I had a 77 Royale side bath and a 78 royale rear bath and had to
decide which I would keep. While the side bath was nice we really
liked the rear bath floor plan with the twin beds. However that shower/
tub in the rear bath was a problem looking for a solution. I decided
to keep the rear bath coach if I could make the shower area better, so
this is what I did. To increase the head room I removed the tiny tub
and relocated the drain trap below the floor. This gained about 5
inches of height and by removing the forward bulkhead and rear double
panels gained another half foot or so. I had to fabricate a custom
shower pan and install an accordion style shower door. The end result
is a shower that works very well for people of average size.
Having experienced most all the different floor plans this is the one
that suits us now that the kids are gone and we don't need to have the
bunk beds.
And to answer your question, I would buy it again and make these same
changes.
HTH,
Nelson Wright
Orlando FL
78 Royale rear bath
On Jan 20, 2011, at 4:27 PM, Robert Peesel wrote:
>
>
> I am looking at a '78 Royale and have mixed emotions about the rear
> bath. I am not sure why as I have never owned a GMC before so I
> have no reason to feel either way.
>
> For those of you who have a rear bath, can you tell me if you like
> it or not, and if you would buy it again?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112557 is a reply to message #112517] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 01:53 |
 |
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| thorndike wrote on Thu, 20 January 2011 13:27 |
...
For those of you who have a rear bath, can you tell me if you like it or not, and if you would buy it again?
...
|
Our first coach is a 26 foot side bath. We used it for several years. It seemed slightly larger than we really needed. I also noticed that for less money than the work it needed, we could buy whole other coach that didn't need THOSE items... We found another coach at a good price.
After using our second coach, a rear bath Birchaven (23 foot), wife and I miss the two separate areas a side bath provides. We often will have one of us sleeping while the other is still awake. (Comes from working at night for many years... ) BUT... We like the shorter coach, it fits in more places our 26 will not. (It isn't any longer than many pick-ups... and only a little wider.)
That is why we bought our 3rd coach, A side bath Birch. But it needs work. --- Someday I'll actually start on the rebuild. 
So, No. I would NOT buy another rear bath coach.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
| Re: Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112572 is a reply to message #112517] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 09:23 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
when i started the search process we looked at the floor plan drawings and really liked the rear bath idea. we bought one and really like it. it already had a bunk extension for the right side bed which we leave made up all the time. it is a bit tight sleeping 2 of us but we sleep at home in a double bed so we are used to being cozy.
i'm 6'1" and find i have to tilt my head to use the shower but it isn't a problem for me and we both like the dry bath after having a wet bath Airstream trailer.
i would do it again if i were to buy another GMC.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
|
|
|
|
| Re: Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112573 is a reply to message #112517] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 09:50 |
g.winger
Messages: 792
Registered: February 2008
Location: Warrenton,Missouri
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
|
When we were looking for something after our 21' wet bath MH, the "Boss" had 3 requirerements. Dry bath,,,,,counter space,,,,,beds that don't need to convert. The rear bath covers all of these. I'm 5' 12" and shower standing up. Would like to make that lower shower basin mod though.You also can use the can in the middle of the nite and not crawl over/wake someone. BUT,,,,,if you like to entertain,,,,its kind of a minus. And the reason the PO went with a rear twin Royale. If you want to stay up Or some one wants to nap during the day, the rear twin might be better. BUT,,,again, the side kitchen Royale is a great comprimise in seperate sleeping/eating/entaertaining. But it has alot less counter space. A flip up on the end would help. Now I've seen two rear baths that were converted. Both really, really nice. The kitchen and the drivers side bath were swapped and the pass. side bed made wider for two. Made the isle narrow but solved the "entertaining" problem. The previous kitchen area became a couch. This would increase your sleeping capacity by one. We don,t use the bunk bed parts and removed them. I hope this helps,,,,,PL
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112575 is a reply to message #112557] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 10:01 |
Len Novak
Messages: 676
Registered: February 2004
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Karma: -3
|
Senior Member |
|
|
We had a rear bath Birch and just got tired of the lack of space, no cooking
when sleeping, etc. We now have a side bath............much better!
Len and Pat
78 Kingsley, The Beast II with dash lights that work
Fallbrook, CA
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Miller
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 11:53 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale
thorndike wrote on Thu, 20 January 2011 13:27
> ...
> For those of you who have a rear bath, can you tell me if you like it or
not, and if you would buy it again?
> ...
Our first coach is a 26 foot side bath. We used it for several years. It
seemed slightly larger than we really needed. I also noticed that for less
money than the work it needed, we could buy whole other coach that didn't
need THOSE items... We found another coach at a good price.
After using our second coach, a rear bath Birchaven (23 foot), wife and I
miss the two separate areas a side bath provides. We often will have one of
us sleeping while the other is still awake. (Comes from working at night
for many years... ) BUT... We like the shorter coach, it fits in more
places our 26 will not. (It isn't any longer than many pick-ups... and only
a little wider.)
That is why we bought our 3rd coach, A side bath Birch. But it needs work.
--- Someday I'll actually start on the rebuild. :?
So, No. I would NOT buy another rear bath coach.
--
Mike Miller
#01 - `73 26' X Painted D. "The Spare"
#02 - `78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath "The User"
#03 - `77 23' Birchaven Side Bath "The Keeper"
Hillsboro, OR
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Len and Pat Novak
1978 GMC Kingsley
The Beast II with dash lights that work and labels you can see!
Las Vegas, NV new email: B52sRule@Gmail.com
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4375
www.bdub.net/novak/
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112590 is a reply to message #112575] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 12:31 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Bob – as you know I have a dry side bath, rear twin Royale. If you are my height (6’5”), sleeping and bathing in a GMC of any configuration is tough. When I started looking, I was drawn to the rear bath center twin configuration. I wound up buying mine because it was a solid, well cared for coach. I also thought it important to buy from a forum member.
The side bath in mine has been modified somewhat with the toilet turned so that, sitting, your knees are in the hall. The shower is very small, but not impossible for me.
Having said that, the ideal for me probably would have been the rear bath with center twins, since the passenger side twin is not restricted in length. I would hang off the end, but that is better than sleeping on a bed that abuts a closet.
Anything, IMHO, is better than a wet bath.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112624 is a reply to message #112609] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 19:08 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Roger,
You must take a shower EVERY day! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Roger Black
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2011 8:14 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale
Rob, brings out a good point and one of the reasons I went for a side
bath. I looked at space vs usage time. I mean, how much time are you
going to spend in the bath each day? Do you really want to give up
that much living space for just a few minutes a day? Being in a short
coach, the wet side bath just made more sense for me.
Roger Black
77 Birchaven
Burns, Tn
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Pros and Cons of Rear Bath Royale [message #112634 is a reply to message #112517] |
Fri, 21 January 2011 21:23 |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I guess this is why GMC made so many different models. Something for everyone!
Thanks for all the information. I will keep you all posted if/when I find the right coach.
Bob
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Mon Sep 30 01:21:04 CDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01284 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
