Abstract:
This invention relates to Recreational Vehicles (RVs) such as motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth-wheel type camper trailers. The invention provides for a Recreational Vehicle configured with an integrated open-top cargo bed or pickup bed for carrying a wide variety of external loads, located in a portion of the aft end of the RV.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to Recreational Vehicles (RVs) such as motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth-wheel type camper trailers. These Recreational Vehicles are motor-driven or towed wheeled vehicles intended to traverse roadways, while providing enclosed volumes suitable for use(s) by camping occupants such one or more of: cooking, eating, sleeping, entertainment, bathroom functions and vehicle internal storage. Many state-of-the-art RVs provide enclosed volumes for internal storage, and some provide for limited roof-top external storage. However, roof-top storage is hard to access especially with heavy loads, and even if it can be accessed increases the risk of the vehicle suffering a rollover accident. Thus many RV owners and users are forced to carry desired external loads such as bicycles, motorcycles, a snowmobile, a water-scooter or canoe, or a small automobile on a towed trailer behind the RV. The use of a trailer is a significant inconvenience and adds substantially to the difficulty of driving the RV and of executing maneuvers such as backing-up.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is an object of the present invention to enable owners/users of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) to carry external loads, without use of rooftop carriage and its associated difficulty of access and increased rollover risk.  
         [0003]     It is an object of the present invention to enable owners/users of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) to carry external loads, without use of a towed trailer and the associated difficulty of driving and maneuvering the RV+trailer combination.  
         [0004]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new class of Recreational Vehicle (RV) with an integrated cargo or pickup bed suitable for carrying external loads, with a synergistic configuration which efficiently and effectively divides usable space for desired internal uses and desired external loads. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a representative prior art Recreational Vehicle, in this illustration a Class A motorhome.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, reconfigured relative to the  FIG. 1  prior art motorhome to now include an integrated pickup bed or cargo bed located at the aft region of the motorhome, which cargo bed is accessible from the rear of the motorhome.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  with the cargo bed enclosed by a tailgate, and  FIG. 3B  shows the same embodiment with the tailgate open.  
         [0008]      FIGS. 3C and 3D  show side views of an alternate embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , with a tall tailgate which also serves as a loading ramp when open.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 3E and 3F  show side views of another alternate embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , with a deployable cargo bed extension which serves to enclose the cargo bed when undeployed.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3G  shows a side view of a variant from that of  FIG. 3E , fitted with a coverable window panel in the extension floor and an active suspension system.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3H  shows a side view of a variant from that of  FIG. 3E , fitted with an openable access panel in the extension floor.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3I and 3J  shows an embodiment similar to that of  FIGS. 3C and 3D , but with a deployable ramp separate from the tailgate.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 3K and 3L  show an embodiment with a cargo bed above an aft engine location, and fitted with deployable cargo lift means.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 5A  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , fitted with a walk-in closet in an interior extension laterally adjacent to the cargo bed and fitted with a single bed in a second interior extension on the other side of the cargo bed.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5B  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , fitted with stacked bunk beds in an interior extension laterally adjacent to the cargo bed and fitted with a recliner-type seat in a second extension on the other side of the cargo bed.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5C  shows a plan view of an embodiment fitted with a cooking and dining area in an interior extension laterally adjacent to the cargo bed.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5D  shows a plan view of an embodiment fitted with a bathroom in an interior extension laterally adjacent to the cargo bed.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6A  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a plurality of bicycles in the cargo bed.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6B  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with two motorcycles in the cargo bed.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6C  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 3F , with a canoe in the combined space of a cargo bed and cargo bed extension. This embodiment also illustrates a skylight.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6D  shows a plan view of an embodiment with a water-scooter in a cargo bed.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6E  shows a plan view of an embodiment with a snowmobile in a cargo bed.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6F  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with an All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) in the cargo bed.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6G  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a narrow automobile in the cargo bed.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6H  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a garden area in the cargo bed.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6I  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a hot tub/jetted tub in the cargo bed.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6J  shows a plan view of an embodiment with a game table in the cargo bed.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show plan views of an alternate embodiment with a class A motorhome with a slide-out undeployed and deployed, respectively.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show plan views of a class C motorhome embodiment with a slide-out undeployed and deployed, respectively.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a class C motorhome without a slide-out.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a plan view of a travel trailer embodiment designed for towing behind an automotive vehicle.  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  shows a plan view of a fifth-wheel type camper trailer embodiment designed for towing behind a suitably-equipped pickup truck. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a representative prior art Recreational Vehicle (RV)  1 , in this illustration a Class A motorhome. The RV is supported on a land surface such as a road, on front running gear means  2 F including tires, and rear running gear means  2 R including tires, for permitting said Recreational Vehicle to move and maneuver upon a road surface. The Recreational Vehicle  1  comprises a vehicle body  3  supported by said front and rear running gear means  2 F and  2 R, which vehicle body  3  comprises a substantially enclosable compartment  4  suitable for accommodating at least one camping occupant. The rear end of the body is designated  3 R, and the outer perimeter of the body is designated  3 P. The RV is fitted with a front bumper  6 F and a rear bumper  6 R and a front windshield  7 F. The RV is also fitted with door means  8  for said camping occupant to enter said compartment  4  from outside said Recreational Vehicle, and optional entry stair(s)  9  if the height of the floor level of said compartment  4  above the outside road surface warrants it. The compartment  4  is enclosable through closure of the door means  8 . The compartment  4  includes a front left seat  10 L which would be a driver&#39;s seat in left-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United States, but could be a passenger&#39;s seat in right-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. The compartment  4  also includes a front right seat  10 R which would be a passenger&#39;s seat in left-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United States, but could be a driver&#39;s seat in right-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. The compartment also includes seating means  11  such as a sofa or sofa-bed suitable for use by said camping occupant for sitting; entertainment means  12  such as an entertainment screen for viewing television or video material; means for dining  13  such as a dining table suitable for use by said camping occupant for dining; means for refrigeration  14  such as a refrigerator suitable for use by said camping occupant for storing and preserving perishable foodstuffs; means for cooking  15  such as a cooking range suitable for use by said camping occupant for cooking; a kitchen sink  16 ; a bed  17  suitable for use by said camping occupant  5  for sleeping; one or more doors  18  connected to partition means  19  for separating areas within said compartment; closet means  20  for storing articles such as clothing; passageway means  21  such as an aisle for permitting an occupant to traverse to different locations within said compartment; and bathroom facility elements typically comprising means for bathing  22  such as the illustrated bathtub, toilet means  23  suitable for use by said camping occupant for at least one of urination and defecation, and a bathroom sink  24 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, reconfigured from the  FIG. 1  prior art motorhome to now include an integrated pickup bed or cargo bed  30  located at the aft region of the motorhome, which cargo bed is accessible from the rear of the motorhome. Thus  FIG. 2  shows a plan view of a representative Recreational Vehicle (RV)  1 , in this illustration a Class A motorhome, which is supported on a land surface such as a road, on front running gear means  2 F including tires, and rear running gear means  2 R including tires, for permitting said Recreational Vehicle to move and maneuver upon a road surface. The running gear means will preferably comprise at least four tires, with six in the illustrated embodiment. The Recreational Vehicle  1  comprises a vehicle body  3  supported by said front and rear running gear means  2 F and  2 R, which vehicle body  3  comprises a substantially enclosable compartment  4  suitable for accommodating at least one camping occupant. The rear end of the body is designated  3 R, and the outer perimeter of the body is designated  3 P. The compartment  4  includes an extension  25  extending rearwardly substantially to the rear end of the body  3 R, said extension having a first side wall  26 , a rear wall  27 , and a second side wall  28 , said second side wall  28  spaced inwardly of an outer perimeter of the body  3 P, with beneficial use means for permitting said extension  25  to be used by said camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, with the beneficial use means illustrated comprising toilet means  23  suitable for use by said camping occupant for at least one of urination and defecation, which toilet means is situated at least in part in said extension  25 . The extension  25  also includes a bathroom sink  24  in the illustrated embodiment, providing sink means for permitting hand-washing which is also situated at least in part in said extension  25 . In the illustrated embodiment, another beneficial means for permitting the extension  25  to be used by the camping occupant comprises the extension  25  being at least 17 inches wide and at least 70 inches tall so as to be able to accommodate a normal-sized camping occupant in a standing posture. The interior floor level in the extension  25  may optionally be raised relative to the interior floor level in the main (forward) part of the compartment  4 . The open top cargo bed  30  is bounded at a forward edge by a rear wall  31  of said compartment  4  and at one side edge by said second side wall  28 , and at the rear by a tailgate  32  which serves as openable tailgate means  32  at the aft end of the cargo bed  30  for enabling cargo loads to be loaded into and unloaded from said cargo bed  30 . The illustrated cargo bed  30  is also at least 30 inches wide and at least 60 inches long, to enable carriage of desired large external loads. The Recreational Vehicle of  FIG. 2  further comprises a second extension  35  included in said compartment  4  and extending rearwardly substantially to a rear end of said body, which second extension  35  is situated on the opposite side of said cargo bed  30  as said extension  25 . The second extension  35  is illustrated with beneficial use means comprising means for bathing  22  suitable for use by said camping occupant for bathing (such as the illustrated bathtub which may also include a shower), which means for bathing is situated at least in part in said (second) extension  35 . The interior floor level in the second extension  35  may also be optionally raised relative to the interior floor level in the main (forward) part of the compartment  4 . While the illustrated beneficial use means comprises means for bathing suitable for use by said camping occupant for bathing, which means for bathing is situated at least in part in said second extension  35 , it will be evident that with left-to-right switching variations, it will be possible to provide means for bathing suitable for use by said camping occupant for bathing which means for bathing is situated at least in part in said extension  25  rather than in said second extension  35 . In the illustrated embodiment passageway means  21  connect the extension  25  with the second extension  35 , so that together they serve as a complete bathroom; and this passageway means  21  is accessed via (door) means  18  for permitting said camping occupant to enter said extension from more forward locations in said compartment  4 .  
         [0036]     The RV of  FIG. 2  is also fitted with a front bumper  6 F and a rear bumper  6 R and a front windshield  7 F. The RV is also fitted with door means  8  for said camping occupant to enter said compartment  4  from outside said Recreational Vehicle, and optional entry stair(s)  9  if the height of the floor level of said compartment  4  above the outside road surface warrants it. The compartment  4  is enclosable through closure of the door means  8 . The compartment  4  includes a front left seat  10 L which would be a driver&#39;s seat in left-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United States, but could be a passenger&#39;s seat in right-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. The compartment  4  also includes a front right seat  10 R which would be a passenger&#39;s seat in left-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United States, but could be a driver&#39;s seat in right-hand-drive jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. Thus the vehicle body  3  includes means for accommodating a driver&#39;s seat such as the front left seat  10 L and means for a driver for seeing outside said Recreational Vehicle such as the front windshield  7 F. Additional optional means for a driver for seeing could include a rear window, external and/or internal rear-view mirrors, and/or a rear-view camera with a driver-viewable display. The compartment  4  also includes seating means  11  such as a sofa or sofa-bed suitable for use by said camping occupant for sitting; entertainment means  12  such as an entertainment screen for viewing television or video material; means for providing a dining table surface suitable for use by said camping occupant for dining such as a dining table  13 ; means for refrigeration  14  such as a refrigerator suitable for use by said camping occupant for storing and preserving perishable foodstuffs; means for cooking  15  such as a cooking range suitable for use by said camping occupant for cooking; a kitchen sink  16 ; a bed  17  suitable for use by said camping occupant  5  for sleeping; one or more doors  18  in partition means  19  for separating areas within said compartment; closet means  20  for storing articles such as clothing; and passageway means  21  such as an aisle for permitting an occupant to traverse to different locations within said compartment.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , showing a roof  29  extending over the compartment  4  and over the extension  25  included in said compartment.  FIG. 3A  also illustrates side windows  7 S, which serve as window means for the camping occupant for seeing outside the Recreational Vehicle, while located within the compartment  4 . The side windows  7 S can also serve as contributory means for a driver for seeing outside said Recreational Vehicle.  
         [0038]     The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 A also illustrates in a Recreational Vehicle  1  comprising a body  3  and an interior compartment  4  suitable for accommodating at least one camping occupant  5 , the improvement comprising: an extension  25  to said compartment extending rearwardly substantially to a rear end  3 R of said body, said extension having a first side wall  26 , a rear wall  27 , and a second side wall  28 , said second side wall spaced inwardly of an outer perimeter  3 P of the body, adequate space means for said camping occupant to enter and use said extension; a roof  29  extending over said compartment and over said extension; and an open top cargo bed  30  bounded at a forward edge by a rear wall  31  of said compartment  4  and at one side edge by said second side wall  28 .  
         [0039]     The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 A further illustrates a Recreational Vehicle  1  comprising: running gear means ( 2 F,  2 R) for permitting said Recreational Vehicle to move and maneuver upon a road surface; a vehicle body  3  supported by said running gear means, which vehicle body comprises a substantially enclosable compartment  4 , said compartment including two extensions  25  and  35  extending rearwardly substantially to a rear end of said body; a roof  29  extending over said compartment and over said two extensions included in said compartment; and an open top cargo bed  30  bounded at a forward edge by a rear wall  31  of said compartment  4  and on its two side edges by said two extensions  25  and  35 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 3B  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 3A , but with the tailgate  32  open or down rather than closed or up, to serve as openable tailgate means  32  at the aft end of the cargo bed  30  for enabling cargo loads to be loaded into and unloaded from said cargo bed.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 3C and 3D  show an embodiment similar to that of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , but with the tailgate  32  replaced by a tailgate ramp  33 , shown closed or up in  FIG. 3C  and open or down in  FIG. 3D . The tailgate ramp  33  serves as a beneficial tall tailgate when closed or up ( FIG. 3C ), and when open or down ( FIG. 3D ) serves as deployable ramp means at the aft end of said cargo bed  30 , for facilitating the loading and unloading of cargo into and from said cargo bed. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3C , an optional cargo bed access door  50  is also illustrated, which enables a camping occupant to move from the compartment  4  onto the cargo bed  30 , wherein the cargo bed  30  is also of sufficient size and shape to accommodate a mattress (mattress not shown) for permitting the camping occupant to sleep thereon. This embodiment could also beneficially serve for the carriage of a horse or a cow or other animal in the cargo bed, with a relatively easy ramp for the animal to use for boarding and high walls on all sides to keep it safely constrained on the cargo bed while the vehicle is in motion.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3E  shows a side view of another alternate embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 3C , with a deployable cargo bed extension  37  hingedly connected to the vehicle, which serves to enclose the aft end of the cargo bed  30  when undeployed, as illustrated. The cargo bed extension  37  includes an extension floor  38  which is approximately vertically oriented when the cargo bed extension  37  is undeployed, as illustrated. The cargo bed extension  37  also includes an extension tailgate  39 , hingedly connected to said extension floor  38  as illustrated.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3F  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 3E , but with the deployable cargo bed extension  37  deployed. Optional extension sidewalls  40  are included as part of the cargo bay extension  37  in this view, and serve to provide lateral constraint for any cargo loads that may be carried on the extension floor  38 . The extension tailgate  39  serves to provide an aft longitudinal constraint for any cargo loads that may be carried on the extension floor  38 , and this extension tailgate  39  may be opened when desired to facilitate loading of cargo onto the extension floor. The embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3F  can clearly carry longer or larger cargo loads through deployment of the extension, than could an embodiment not fitted with a cargo bed extension and having the same size cargo bed  30 . Thus the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3E  and  FIG. 3F  illustrates a Recreational Vehicle  1  further comprising a deployable cargo bed extension  37  for extending the cargo bed  30 , which deployable cargo bed extension  37  includes an extension surface which serves as a cargo bed extension floor  38  when said deployable cargo bed extension is deployed, and which extension surface serves as a tailgate surface for said cargo bed  30  when said deployable cargo bed extension is undeployed.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3G  shows a side view of a variant from that of  FIG. 3E , fitted with a coverable window panel  41  in the extension surface or extension floor  38 , which could optionally be used in conjunction with another window in rear wall  31  to enable rear viewing for persons within the RV including the driver using a rear-view mirror.  FIG. 3G  also illustrates use of an active suspension system  34 , which in addition to load support and shock absorbing functions can also provide optional load leveling for both static loads as may occur with a heavily laden cargo bed, and dynamic loads as may occur when executing turns and in order to minimize or prevent body leaning during such turns. The active suspension system may also allow the vehicle ground clearance to be changed by the driver, for example by raising the ground clearance as may be desired for driving over rough roads.  FIG. 3G  also illustrates a Recreational Vehicle  1  wherein said cargo bed  30  is located at least in part above a fuel tank  36 , and wherein said cargo bed  30  is located at least in part above a spare tire housing  2 S.  
         [0045]      FIG. 3H  shows a side view of a variant from that of  FIG. 3E , fitted with an openable access panel  42  in the extension surface or extension floor  38  to permit items to be loaded into the cargo bed  30  through the extension floor, even while the cargo bed extension  37  remains in its undeployed configuration. The openable access panel may be openable inward, outward, or be of a sliding open or bifold configuration.  
         [0046]      FIG. 3I  shows an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 3C , but with a deployable ramp  43  separate from the tailgate  32 , which tailgate in this embodiment has one (or optionally two) sideward opening panel(s). The deployable ramp is shown in its undeployed configuration, supported by ramp support structure and bearing means  44  for supporting the deployable ramp  43 .  FIG. 3J  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 3I  but with the deployable ramp  43  deployed to serve as deployable ramp means at the aft end of said cargo bed  30 , for facilitating the loading and unloading of cargo into and from said cargo bed  30 .  
         [0047]      FIGS. 3K and 3L  show an embodiment of a Recreational Vehicle  1  wherein the cargo bed  30  is located at least in part above an aft engine location  46 , and fitted with cargo lift means  47 .  FIG. 3K  shows the cargo lift means  47  in its undeployed configuration, with the cargo lift means  47  comprising a cargo lift platform  48  folded up and supported by cargo lift support structure and mechanism means  49 .  FIG. 3L  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 3K  but with the cargo lift deployed and the cargo lift platform  48  in its “down and horizontal” and “ready to load” position. Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other lift means as are know from the prior art, could be utilized to lift the cargo lift platform  48  along with any cargo thereon. Thus  FIGS. 3K and 3L  illustrate an embodiment of a Recreational Vehicle further comprising deployable cargo lift means  47  at the aft end of said cargo bed  30 , for facilitating the loading and unloading of cargo into and from said cargo bed.  
         [0048]      FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . In this view the tailgate  32  behind the cargo bed  30 , is seen between the extension  25  and the second extension  35 . A cargo bed access door  50  is shown for permitting the camping occupant to move from within the interior of the compartment in the body of the Recreational Vehicle, onto the open-top cargo bed  30 . The cargo bed access door  50  may be of hinged, multi-panel, bi-fold, sliding or other door type as is known from prior art door designs. Thus  FIG. 4  illustrates cargo bed access door means for permitting said camping occupant to traverse from within the compartment (inside the Recreational Vehicle) to said cargo bed  30 . An optional window  51  can be incorporated into the access door  50 , as illustrated. Optional windows  52  can also be incorporated into the aft ends of extension  25  and second extension  35 , as illustrated, and these optional windows  52  can optionally be frosted, one-way glass, one-way mirrored on the interior side, and/or openable. Optional high-mounted brake light locations  57  are also illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 5A  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , fitted with a walk-in closet  53  in extension  25  laterally adjacent to the cargo bed  30  and fitted with a single bed  54  in second extension  35  on the other side of the cargo bed. In this embodiment partitions  19  are shown separating the bedroom area from the dining area and the bathroom area, respectively. Doors are not shown, but either doors or curtains or other partitioning means known from the prior art could be used to separate the dining area, the master bedroom area, the single bed area, the bathroom area, and the walk-in closet area. The walk-in closet  53  provides beneficial use means for permitting extension  25  to be used by a camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, wherein said beneficial use means comprises a walk-in closet situated at least in part in the extension  25 , which closet is usable by said camping occupant for storing and retrieving articles such as articles of clothing. The single bed  54  provides beneficial use means for permitting (second) extension  35  to be used by a camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, wherein said beneficial use means comprises a longitudinally-oriented bed situated at least in part in said (second) extension  35 . Clearly the walk-in closet and the single bed could be switched left to right in alternate embodiments of Recreational Vehicles.  
         [0050]      FIG. 5B  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , fitted with stacked bunk beds  55 L and  55 H in an interior extension  25  laterally adjacent to the cargo bed  30  and fitted with a recliner-type seat  56  in a second extension  35  on the other side of the cargo bed  30 . Thus beneficial use means are provided for permitting extension  25  to be used by a camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, wherein said beneficial use means comprises at least two vertically separated longitudinally-oriented bunk beds (illustrated in  55 L and  55 H) which are situated at least in part in said extension  25 . Also, beneficial use means are provided for permitting (second) extension  35  to be used by a camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, wherein said beneficial use means comprises a recliner-type seat  56  situated at least in part in said (second) extension  35 . Clearly the recliner-type seat and the bunk beds could be switched right to left in alternate embodiments of Recreational Vehicles.  
         [0051]      FIG. 5C  shows a plan view of an embodiment fitted with a cooking and dining area in an interior extension  25  laterally adjacent to the cargo bed  30 . Beneficial use means are provided for permitting extension  25  to be used by a camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, wherein said beneficial use means comprises means for cooking  58  situated at least in part in said extension  25 , and wherein said beneficial means further comprises means for dining  59  situated at least in part in said extension  25 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 5D  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , fitted with a bathroom  61  in an interior extension laterally adjacent to the cargo bed. Beneficial use means are provided for permitting extension  25  to be used by a camping occupant for at least one beneficial camping-related use, wherein said beneficial use means comprises means for bathing suitable for use by said camping occupant for bathing, which means for bathing is situated at least in part in said extension  25 , and further comprises toilet means suitable for use by said camping occupant for at least one or urination or defecation, which toilet means is situated at least in part in said extension  25 .  FIG. 5D  also illustrates a Recreational Vehicle  1  wherein the cargo bed  30  is of sufficient size and shape to accommodate a mattress (not shown) for permitting said camping occupant to sleep thereon, and for enabling “outdoor sleeping” when so desired.  
         [0053]      FIG. 6A  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a plurality of bicycles  62  in the cargo bed  30 . Thus this embodiment illustrates a cargo bed  30  which is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of more than one bicycle.  
         [0054]      FIG. 6B  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a couple of motorcycles  63  in the cargo bed. Thus this embodiment illustrates a cargo bed  30  which is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of a motorcycle.  
         [0055]      FIG. 6C  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 3F , with a canoe  64  on the cargo bed  30  and on the cargo bed extension floor  38 . Thus this embodiment illustrates a cargo bed which is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of a boat such as a canoe. This embodiment also shows a roof  29  wherein said roof includes at least one skylight  65 , for providing natural sunlight in the compartment  4 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 6D  shows a plan view of an embodiment with a water-scooter  66  in a cargo bed  30  with a tailgate bed-extender  68 . Thus this embodiment shows that the cargo bed (with tailgate bed-extender included) is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of a water-scooter. The tailgate bed-extender  68  serves as deployable means for extending said cargo bed, which deployable means include an extension surface which serves as a cargo bed extension floor when said deployable means are deployed, and which extension surface serves as a tailgate surface for said cargo bed when said deployable means are undeployed. This embodiment also illustrates installation of a sunroof  67  in the roof  29  of the Recreational Vehicle; thus illustrating that the roof  29  includes at least one openable sunroof section serving as means for allowing sunshine and fresh air into the compartment  4  on days when the weather is suitable.  
         [0057]      FIG. 6E  shows a plan view of an embodiment with a snowmobile  69  in a cargo bed  30  with a tailgate bed-extender  68 . Thus this embodiment shows that the cargo bed (with tailgate bed-extender included) is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of a snowmobile.  
         [0058]      FIG. 6F  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with an All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV)  70  in the cargo bed. Thus this embodiment shows that the cargo bed is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of an All-Terrain-Vehicle.  
         [0059]      FIG. 6G  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 3C , with a narrow automobile  71  (such as for a representative example the ‘Tango’, U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,121) in the cargo bed  30 . Thus this embodiment shows that the cargo bed is of sufficient size and shape to enable carriage of a narrow automobile or microcar. A cargo bed access door  50  is also illustrated, of a sliding door type, to enable an occupant to traverse from the narrow automobile when it is on the cargo bed  30 , into the compartment  4 . Thus  FIG. 6G  also illustrates cargo bed access door means for permitting a camping occupant to traverse from within the compartment  4  inside the Recreational Vehicle  1  to said cargo bed  30 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 6H  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a garden area  75  in the cargo bed  30 . Thus this embodiment illustrates a Recreational Vehicle wherein said cargo bed is of sufficient size and shape to accommodate a garden area with living plants.  
         [0061]      FIG. 6I  shows a plan view of an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 2 , with a hot tub/jetted tub  76  in the cargo bed  30 . Thus this embodiment illustrates a Recreational Vehicle wherein said cargo bed is of sufficient size and shape to accommodate a hot tub for use by said camping occupant.  
         [0062]      FIG. 6J  shows a plan view of an embodiment with a game table  78  in the cargo bed  30 . Thus this embodiment illustrates a Recreational Vehicle wherein said cargo bed is of sufficient size and shape to accommodate a game table for use by said camping occupant. Examples of games or sports that can be played or simulated on the game table include soccer, football, hockey, ice-hockey, air hockey, tennis or table tennis, pool or billiards, basketball, baseball, cricket, rugby and/or other games or sports as known from the prior art.  
         [0063]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show plan views of an alternate embodiment with a class A motorhome with a slide-out  80  undeployed and deployed, respectively. The slide-out  80  serves as slide-out means for increasing the interior volume and spaciousness of said compartment  4  while said Recreational Vehicle is in a parked condition. Thus  FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate slide-out means for increasing the interior volume of the compartment  4  while said Recreational Vehicle  1  is in a parked condition.  
         [0064]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show plan views of a class C motorhome  82  which comprises an embodiment with a slide-out  80  undeployed and deployed, respectively. Thus  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate slide-out means for increasing the interior volume of the compartment  4  while said Recreational Vehicle (class C motorhome  82 ) is in a parked condition. Note that in the undeployed or day configuration of  FIG. 8A , the sofa-bed  11  is in sofa configuration, the upper level queen bed  17 U is folded, and a dinette  13  is deployed. As in the embodiment of  FIG. 5B , this embodiment illustrates stacked bunk beds  55 L and  55 H in an interior extension  25  laterally adjacent to the cargo bed  30 . The embodiment also illustrates a dishwasher  90 , a nonpermanent cover  91  over the cargo bed  30 , and upper level stairs  9 U leading from the main level to an upper level above the vehicle&#39;s driver&#39;s cab, in which upper level the upper level queen bed  17 U is located. The nonpermanent cover  91 , which may be of a roll-out, fold-out and/or slide-out design, provides nonpermanent means for covering the top of said cargo bed  30  on an as-desired basis. In the slide-out deployed or night configuration illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the upper level queen bed  17 U is unfolded and deployed for use, the sofa-bed  11  is in a bed configuration, and the area which had the dinette  13  deployed is now converted to deploy a single bed  13  instead. Thus in the night configuration up to seven people can sleep on the beds provided.  
         [0065]      FIG. 9  shows a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a class C motorhome  82  without a slide-out.  
         [0066]      FIG. 10  shows a plan view of a travel trailer  85  designed for towing behind an automotive vehicle. Thus in this embodiment the Recreational Vehicle is the travel trailer  85 . A tow hitch connection fitting is designated as  86  in this Figure, and a table  83  is illustrated between two sofas  11 . A cargo bed  30  and a cargo bed extension  37  and an extension tailgate  39  are shown with the cargo bed extension deployed, in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3F . The travel trailer embodiment of  FIG. 10  is illustrated with two queen or comparable beds  17 , a combined dresser and entertainment center  87 , a slide-out  80  shown deployed, and a bathroom area arranged around the cargo bed. The embodiment of  FIG. 10  illustrates a deployable cargo bed extension  37  for extending the cargo bed  30 , which deployable cargo bed extension includes an extension surface which serves as a cargo bed extension floor  38  when said deployable cargo bed extension  37  is deployed (as illustrated), and which extension surface serves as a tailgate surface for said cargo bed  30  when said deployable cargo bed extension  37  is undeployed or folded up, as will be evident.  
         [0067]      FIG. 11  shows a plan view of a fifth-wheel type camper trailer embodiment  88  designed for towing behind a suitably-equipped pickup truck, with  89  indicating the connection fitting to support the front end of the fifth-wheel type camper trailer above the pickup bed of said pickup truck. The cargo bed  30  and cargo bed extension  37  are similar to those illustrated for the travel trailer embodiment of  FIG. 10 . Thus in this embodiment the Recreational Vehicle is the fifth-wheel type camper trailer  88 .  
         [0068]     While certain preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be understood that further variations and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the attached claims.