The bath-in-a-half floorplan is presently the hottest design element in the RV game and one whose time has definitely come. Once the first such layout found its way into a recreational vehicle, it was like a collective switch went off in the minds of RV builders everywhere. After all, an RV has long been billed as a home on wheels and how many homeowners do you think would put up with but a single bathroom? Not many, for sure, especially if it means sharing the commode with teenagers and all their hair products, make-up, and acne cream.

Of the nine Vacationer motorhome’s floorplans for 2004, only one features such a layout – the 36DBD, with both a rear and mid-coach bathroom – but expect that number to explode in the coming years. Product Manager Gary Stanton says consumer reaction has been far too favorable to back away from the concept.

“That’s one of our most popular models [36DBD],” said Stanton. “It’s talked about a lot.”

Stanton says that while the Vacationer wasn’t built with one demographic in mind, he admits that having a full bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower in the back, as well as a secondary version with sink and toilet in the middle of the coach is perfect for a variety of buyers.

“You’ve got the one bathroom with shower all the way to the rear, so if you’re in the back of the coach, you’ve got more privacy as opposed to just bopping into the front one,” said Stanton, who believes the rear bathroom creates a true master bedroom, secluded from the comings and goings of fellow travelers.

And the 36DBD does just that – it keeps travelers separate. Two bath areas prevent guests from bumping into one another when getting a drink of water in the night. It keeps your toothbrush out of my sink, and my blowdryer from consuming all of your counterspace. In short, it’s a marriage-saver. It’s a trip-saver. It’s a winner in terms of understanding the dynamics of people traveling together and how they overlap. And our recent tour of this new 36-foot Vacationer only reinforced these notions. Stanton says it’s just another way this gas-powered unit distinguishes itself from the field.

While the rear bathroom is somewhat tight, it’s extremely functional, flanked by a modest shower and toilet next to a small window. A sliding door separates the bathroom from the bedroom. A deep medicine cabinet leaves the sinktop open for assorted odds and ends. A few slender drawers and one decent-sized compartment underneath the sink (with minimal intrusion from plumbing fixtures) make up the bathroom’s total storage, but you shouldn’t find it lacking. The metallic hardware found on the faucet, handles, and accents stands out as one of my favorite elements—and a reoccurring theme—throughout the coach. All told the space is very pleasant.

The shower is typical by RV standards, requiring a small step-up to get into. The metal dispenser inside remedies the question of what to do with all those floating bottles of shampoo and conditioner. You have to commend designers for utilizing clever methods to conserve space.

The secondary bathroom (streetside) resembles the first sans shower. It’s got the same mirror, roomy countertops (in this case, wrapping around much of the space’s perimeter), and the same cool hardware. And lots of smaller storage spaces eventually add up.

The bedroom sits between these “two” bathrooms, giving couples a much-needed option. However, the bedroom is where one realizes the potential drawbacks of multiple bathrooms, namely a sacrifice in terms of overall storage. Gone is the main wardrobe closet that is a mainstay of larger motorhomes. Depending on your travel—and packing habits—you may or may not miss it. The bedroom also lacks a catch-all type of closet, with the hanging items relegated to two small compartments. Fortunately, there are a couple of deep pullout drawers and several sizable flip-up cabinets above the vanity to ease the sting.

Still, the Vacationer’s bedroom/bathroom is the highlight of the coach. The bed is plenty large and supremely comfortable. It’s the main benefactor of the bedroom slideout, which takes it and some cabinetry along for the ride. A padded wall sits at the head of the bed rather than the typical large window/emergency exit.

Controls for the his and her lights over the bed are within easy reach. The lights are small and efficient. A well-placed AM/FM/CD stereo sits right next to the bed. And since it doubles as an alarm clock, that’s now one less thing to pack. The room’s deepest storage area sits underneath the bed, which lifts easily if not a little awkwardly.

At the foot of the bed is a vanity, with a window hidden cleverly behind it that serves as your second exit if need be. The area is well-lit with enough outlets.

Opposite the mid-coach bathroom are two large storage compartments stacked on top of one another. Or maybe it’s a collection of pantries? Either way, I like it because every interior needs a space for larger items, whether they be larger pots and pans, small appliances, or clumsier items that just don’t seem to fit anywhere. I found the small, recessed stretch of counterspace separating the two compartments exceedingly useful, particularly with the double-door refrigerator/freezer nearby. This ledge gives you a spot to place items on your way to and from the galley.

From here, the curbside galley drops down to reveal an elegant Corian® countertop and two-burner range.

The main living room is true Holiday Rambler all the way. Storage lines the perimeter of the coach, the lighting is elegant and well-placed, and the furnishings are comfortable. Plan on winning even more friends after you deploy the room’s massive slideout.

The sleeper sofa that makes up half of the living room slideout is comfortable whether you’re sitting or zonked out horizontally. A dinette with four chairs sits nearby.

The room’s best piece of furnishing is the Ultraleather™ chair (optional) adjacent to the entryway. It swivels, it’s inviting, and you can expect nightly tussles to see who gets it. And it’s relatively light so moving it isn’t a big deal.

Kudos to designers for not only equipping the unit with a stabilizing triple entryway step, but with both a built-in handrail and a mini guardrail inside for easy egress.

The rest of the cockpit is comfortable and efficient. Moreover, it’s probably the best place to ride shotgun I’ve ever seen. For starters, the co-pilot doesn’t have to worry about negotiating the deep entryway chasm of many other units. And the passenger seat’s pullout work station/computer tray is the best around, perfectly aligned in terms of ergonomics, plenty big, slides easily, and nicely locks into place. I consider this one of the Vacationer’s masterstrokes, which supports my contention that the little things can get the most attention.

In a word, both the windshield and side windows are simply huge. I can’t get over the size. Better still is the fact that both cockpit occupants boast terrific seats (thank you, Ultraleather) built for the long haul. The top of the dashboard just goes on forever.

The driver isn’t inundated with gadgets, instruments, and distractions, which I prefer. Aside from the power window, the top of the door isn’t lined with an overwhelming gauntlet of controls. Maintaining my Zen-like state while driving is hard enough. The backup monitor is well positioned in the center of the console, with adequate space for cups, coins, and sunglasses. The cockpit’s 27-inch TV is as unobtrusive as a 27-inch TV can be. In short, I didn’t bust my head on it walking by.

The Vacationer has earned its longevity in the Holiday Rambler lineup because it doesn’t present livability challenges. The 2004 version is no different, save for some galley and minor storage issues that are far from deal breakers. Moreover, the clever dual bathroom set-up should make you forget any minor inconveniences sacrificed in terms of storage. The rear bedroom/bathroom are a tremendous tandem at this price point. The 36DBD is a keeper.

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