Monaco Coach Corporation introduced a new wave of innovative floorplans this year, to rave reviews by dealers and prospective buyers. The triple slideout, side door entry floorplan, available on two models, is an example of cutting edge coach layout that represents the flexible future of motorhome design.

The floorplan is available on the 2003 Camelot 40PDT and the 2003 Diplomat 40PDT, and judging by the demand for these two coach styles, it will be available on other models in years to come. “We’ll definitely do some more,” said Pat Carroll, vice president of product development. “It’s not something that you’ll see all at once but we will extend the floorplan to one or two other models. It has a lot to do with whether there is a demand for this style in other models.”

Carroll said that, from what he has seen and heard, the new floorplan has had no detractors in the ranks of dealers and prospective buyers.

“The decision to offer side entry triple slides came about mostly due to customer input, Carroll said. ' We had some customers who really wanted to see a side entry triple slide, so we built some.”

The decision to offer side entry triple slides came about mostly due to customer input, Carroll said. “We had some customers who really wanted to see a side entry triple slide, so we built some.”

He said that there are advantages and disadvantages to both the front and side entry, but in the end it comes down to personal preference.

“Some people don’t like to walk through the cockpit to get to the house area of the coach,” he said. “It’s not a matter of which way is better, it’s more about which style you prefer.”

Carroll said one advantage that the side entry floorplan holds over front entry triple slides is a more homelike ambiance. Owners and prospective buyers like the side entry because walking into the coach is less like walking into a vehicle and more like walking into a house, he said. More home than motor. In both the Camelot and Diplomat, the driver and co-pilot seats swivel around completely to allow for living room conversation with visitors sitting on the sofa, enhancing the already strong homelike atmosphere.

“In both the Camelot and Diplomat, the driver and co-pilot seat swivel around completely to allow for living room conversation with visitors sitting on the sofa, enhancing the already srong homelike atmosphere.”

Jeff Butler, director of engineering, said that another advantage to the side entry door is convenience. “It’s right in the center of your camping space,” he said. “So you don’t have to walk all the way to the front of the coach to get out. Once you’re parked at a campground for a few days, you really have no reason to be walking to the cockpit all the time.”

On the other side of it, Carroll said that some owners prefer the front entrance because it opens up the living area to more windows. “If customers ask us for something we like to be able to give that to them,” he said. “It’s nice to have both options available to suit both preferences.”