Deb,
We have a '76 X-Birchaven. Even the "X-" doesn't really convey the changes
I've made during the 18+ years we've owned it -- The cabinet doors are
really the only things original inside -- and almost underneath also. But
those changes have resulted in a coach that SHE and I wouldn't consider
trading for any 26'. The photos in this album are not quite accurate:
They show a pair of captain's chairs separated by a slide-out dining table
behind the driver's seat. The bed was a sofa/bed on the starboard side
which expanded into the kitchen hallway into a king-sized bed. After our 4
month trip to Alaska, SHE stated "I'm never going to crawl to the bathroom
again -- nor shut the kitchen down at bedtime." So, I replaced the
captain's chairs and table with another sofa/bed and made the original sofa
non-expandable. That's worked very well, but it did call for developing a
"gas powered dining table" which hides beneath the port side sofa/bed when
not in use. Otherwise these photos may help you visualize the changes I'll
describe below:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3055-our-x-birchaven.html
I completely gutted the coach and installed new windows from Motorhome
Enhancements -- similar ones are now available from Applied GMC. On the
starboard side, I replace the small (36"?) window with a large one like
that on the port side (60"?). That one change is probably most responsible
for most 26' owning visitors usually exclaiming "where did all this room
come from?" Enlarging that window eliminated the "wine cabinet" that
resided behind the entry door on most Birchavens. The wall space in that
area supports a flat-screen TV and below that there's a bedding cabinet
which easily contains our two "TravelSacks" and pillows.
The rear bath is the only option I'd consider -- it's much more roomy than
any other wet or dry arrangement. While I, at 6'2" tall can't stand up
straight in there, I can sit on the built in seat of the small bathtub for
most of my bathing. If I had kits or pets to wash, my adamancy be
absolute. Privacy is not a problem. The rear window, like all the side
windows is darkly tinted and obstructs all vision from outside as long as
it's lighter outside than inside. But we don't depend on that: The 2' or
so of the port side of the window is inside the clothes closet, covered
with Reflectix -- nothing to see there. The starboad 2' or so is covered
with a sheet of FRP to deflect water from the window and to obscure all
vision. The remaining center 2' is covered by a cellular blind which is
totally opaque -- as are all of the other coach windows. Those
Hunter-Douglas blinds are wonderful: Enclosed with 360* valences, their
closed cell, with aluminum linings, construction makes them excellent
insulators and provide 100% privacy.
Storage is adequate. The 4' port aft closet easily stores all of our
hanging clothes, laundry bags, and has a lower compartment for bath
linens. Even though it's above the generator compartment (and an added
external storage compartment) its height is sufficient. The overhead
cabinets down each side of the coach easily accept 12"x18"x6" plastic trays
in which we pack our folded clothes (3 for her and 2 for me). Additional
ones accept more food, dishes, etc., that we ever need between
replenishment stops Drawers in the kitchen base cabinet are quite
sufficient for all of our cooking utensils, silverware, etc. There are two
slide-outs for canned goods, and other, storage; we rarely fill them. One
of those is in the kitchen base cabinet; the other is full height and
slides into a wall pocket ahead of the bathtub.
While we have a 2-burner gas stove, it has a removable cover which seldom
moves. The location of the convection microwave, which we use extensively,
is a little unusual -- it's above the foot of the starboard sofa/bed.
Since that sofa, being on top of the wheel well, is too high for
comfortable seating, the space beneath the oven would not be used for
anything except the sleeper's feet anyway.
While I've emphasized the changes made to our coach, what I'm trying to
tell you is that there's more than adequate space in a 23', especially one
with a rear bath, for one or two people to be very comfortable. Our
changes have only made that space seem larger and more comfortable -- for
US.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com
> Getting lots of different perspectives on this. A lot to consider. Since
> I hope to buy only once, I want to make my best attempt the first time
> I do think the 23' would be plenty for me, mainly the rear vs side bath
> that is the quandary.
>
> Keep the comments coming!! I am hearing a lot of good information here.
>
>
