Melbourne placement of microwave under cooktop---why?

[rondi7]

Hi noob here--but not to RV'ing.
We want to downsize from our 2008 Allegro Bay 35TSB, 3 slide 36', GM 8.1L gas. A wonderful rig but too big. The Melbourne 29D, while almost as long is a very nice looking rig, nicely appointed, and nice furnishings and extra things like the legs on the valances in the bedroom, and the shelf for your reading glasses and a clock next to the bed. It is a notch ahead of the Nexus 29V, which is nice only because you can have it nicely custom built.

BUT the microwave placement is a deal breaker. I have a bad back, and I'd have to be on my knees every time I would use it. I use it to warm my coffee, warm my sandwich roll, sticky bun--iow a number of times a day.

Has anyone gotten around this--or does everyone find it ok? Maybe they "give" you a remote control so you only have to bend down to put stuff inside and take it out and use the remote to set the time, start & stop, choose popcorn, etc. We currently have a Sanyo Convection Microwave in the Bay, but have used the "oven" 2 times in the last 6 years, so we don't care about baking. I do like the buttons at eye level!

Has anyone removed theirs and had one added above the cooktop, the logical place for it? My wife thinks it's not there because of the slightly curved sidewalls, but I don't think that's the reason.

Has anyone contacted Jayco about this and if so, what was their reply? Maybe i should call them.

We'd appreciate your thoughts and tips,
Ron

[Trippers]

It was part of the deal breaker for us too, the Sunseeker model had the microwave set below counter height. What were they thinking? Maybe just the only space to squeeze it into.

[Seann45]

Lots of RV manufactures have put the convection/microwave in the hole the oven used to occupy. It might have to do with 1) slightly lowers the center of gravity 2) you are not pulling hot meals out from up high.. (a pot roast weights more than a plate of food..)

[Pocono1]

That and the lack of storage space made us switch from the Melbourne 29D to the Greyhawk 31DS. Although we probably won't use the oven that often, I liked that it was there and that we had the eye level microwave. Also when looking on line, there were a lot of negative reviews on the convection/microwave unit.

Jim

[fireman2525]

Hello, I have a 2013 29D with the combination electric oven microwave and although it is mounted under the cooktop, the controls are on the cooktop and are very easy to see and use from the standing position. Not sure about other years. Hope this helps. Happy Camping!

[Drakequack]

We have had a 29C for 5 years and no problem with the microwave . Very well built vehicle . We live in Southern Ca. and bought it from Richardsons at a show( they are great)