River Ranch

[AKRUEBBE]

I've never been a fan of Forest River, but this is an extremely nice fifth wheel. The full length storage bays are impressive and the idea of a central air/heat pump is nice eliminating roof units.

https://camperreport.com/new-luxury-...-house-living/

[Route 66 Traveler]

Nice trailer...but comes with Chinese Bombs for tires?? Even Jayco now uses Goodyear Endurance tires on many units. What's the price? Having had a FR trailer before I think I'll pass.

[Lake Huron]

I owned one Forest River and won't own another. I don't care how nice it is.
However, interesting they new way they built it. Sure, you don't have the up and down stairs inside, because you already climbed the extension ladder to get up into it. The storage room you have underneath is definitely spacious, but I can see some kind of floor carpeting being needed to keep things from sliding around on their floor. The idea of one set of HVAC ducts being used just like residential. I never could figure out why anyone didn't do that sooner. Cooling system ducts in a roof where all the summer heat is at never made sense to me. Side and front profile looks like you're hauling a HUGE block down the road. It doesn't have any body lines. The front to back awnings are really nice. It also appears they put a very little extra in the axle department using 8k axles.
It probably took a good week to build that unit, be interesting to see how the overall build quality is when they roll them off the line at the blistering rate they run everything else off the lines at. They'll probably be just as big of a pos as the last Forest River I owned.

[AKRUEBBE]

Goodyear H rated tires with upgraded rims are available as an option. It has a 4,000# cargo capacity for a total weight loaded at 18,000#. MSRP supposed to be around $110,000. I agree that it needs more "lines" to it. A few more decals would make it look better. An option is black full body paint.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Lake Huron

I owned one Forest River and won't own another. I don't care how nice it is.
However, interesting they new way they built it. Sure, you don't have the up and down stairs inside, because you already climbed the extension ladder to get up into it. The storage room you have underneath is definitely spacious, but I can see some kind of floor carpeting being needed to keep things from sliding around on their floor. The idea of one set of HVAC ducts being used just like residential. I never could figure out why anyone didn't do that sooner. Cooling system ducts in a roof where all the summer heat is at never made sense to me. Side and front profile looks like you're hauling a HUGE block down the road. It doesn't have any body lines. The front to back awnings are really nice. It also appears they put a very little extra in the axle department using 8k axles.
It probably took a good week to build that unit, be interesting to see how the overall build quality is when they roll them off the line at the blistering rate they run everything else off the lines at. They'll probably be just as big of a pos as the last Forest River I owned.

It’s actually more efficient to have cool air come from overhead, and hot air from below with thermodynamics being what they are.

[Mikayles]

Our old Alfa had the basement air with a heatpump also. Funny how things come around full circle lol.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Mikayles

Our old Alfa had the basement air with a heatpump also. Funny how things come around full circle lol.

Funny, I read this summer that FR is trying to patent this idea. Should be hard to do, as the Camelot (1970's) had a similar single level design, and the AC/heat. Underneath.

[Shokyle1]

I think it is unique in terms of recent 5th wheels. It seems to be almost a solution In search of a problem. If the couple of stairs in a traditional 5th wheel are a problem the steep and odd set up of the entry stairs will be a nightmare. The giant storage underneath with relatively small doors make most of it a challenge to use.

[poohbear]

There was a similar design by a start up rv company several years back that had the full length basement. I don't know if they ever actually produced any other than the one used for advertising photos

[Sk734]

I think they should make travel trailers that tow just like a 5th wheel just like a horse trail. TT would track and tow much better. Even a reasonable price retro fit would work. Then everything on 1 floor with only two entry steps. Just a thought. Happy trails.
SK

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by poohbear

There was a similar design by a start up rv company several years back that had the full length basement. I don't know if they ever actually produced any other than the one used for advertising photos

I think Vanleigh has a model with rear basement storage at 220 cu ft

[LegalEagle]

I went to a dealer to look at one a couple of weeks ago. It is very nice, except for the two huge steps just inside the door to get up to the floor level. Very steep, and difficult for this 61 year old to navigate. The grandkids couldn't climb them without lots of help. While the storage is nice, it is a no go for us. The steps inside a conventional fifth wheel are nothing compared to the two inside the River Ranch that are much more steep and narrow.

[klassic]

You need to close the safety gate so you don’t go for a midnight tumble lol.

[BeachRetreat]

My opinion is in 5 years this will be the normal in 5th wheels. The concept isn't much different than high end motorhomes based off of large coach buses. The advantages of not carrying any weight on the roof is huge. Residential style heating and cooling would be worth the upgrade for me. I'm waiting for the toy hauler version with the drop step to the garage.

They'll get the steps figured out, like these guys.
http://www.powerhousecoach.com/use_i...es/c27step.JPG

[rkymntsno]

When I first saw this model I watched the video of the tour and researched what I could. I found out it has a 39 gallon black tank, 11 less than my current 5er, no coffee nook where mine is, and the extra steps would be a pain. I don't think it's worth the MSRP they're asking even if marked down 30% which I'm sure they're not gonna do.

[billcf7]

Too bad there is a patent on the design or I think there would be other manufacturers building them