Today’s RV review is of the Salem/Wildwood FSX-series 163RDSK. This is quite literally one of the niftiest little campers I’ve seen, if you’re looking for a well-designed couple’s camper that’s easily towed by some less-capable vehicles like mid-sized pickups or even some SUVs.
But what really surprised me was that this little trailer sports a desk that can also be part of the kitchen/prep area and even comes with an office chair.
What makes it special
There is a lot to like in this little camper. Coming in at just under 23’ long, 90″ wide and weighing 4,300 pounds, you have a rather compact, towable unit here. This is sitting on a single-axle chassis, so it’s quite maneuverable.
The first thing I really liked about this trailer is that the back actually incorporates a desk, and this model comes with a rolling office chair. Not everybody is writing RV reviews on the road. But if you’re traveling even a moderate amount, sometimes a place to sit and catch up on emails or what’s happening here on RV Travel is not a bad thing at all.
If this being a desk isn’t something that works for you, no worries. This could also be an extension of the kitchen counter. There’s a bit of nifty storage under the desk top, as well.
In fact, if you don’t use this space for a desk, that cubby under the counter could also be a good place for a dog crate or just storage.
Cool kitchen stuff
This also incorporates the new Everchill 12-volt fridge that opens from either side like a 1950s Philco model. In this placement right by the door it’s pretty ideal, as you can reach in from the outside and get whatever you’re grilling or open the door from inside.
For a trailer of this size there is a remarkable number of drawers in the kitchen. The propane stove in this is a two-burner in-line model, which makes a lot of sense in a small camper. In fact, if you normally camp where you have full hookups, you could also bring something like this induction cooktop and forgo propane cooking altogether. Just a thought.
Over the stove is a spot for a TV, but there isn’t a TV standard. Frankly, this works for me. I don’t even have a TV in my house so having one in a camper is silly. To me.
The model I saw in the attached video had a shelf above the kitchen. So you could put totes or something if you, too, go without the TV. Or, there is a bracket there if you want a TV that faces the couch across the hall.
There is a single slide room in this, which is a cable-operated slide, and there’s a couch in that slide-room that has kick-up footrests. There is also a cup holder on each arm rest where there are little tables inserted. This folds down into a bed, but it’s a reasonably lousy one.
The rest of the Salem/Wildwood FSX 163RDSK
Something I really like that a lot of you have said that you don’t is the bathroom in this, which is located midship in the trailer and spans the full width of this RV.
I like this because it splits off the bedroom side of the rig from the living side of the rig with two doors (they’re sliding doors). This means you can accommodate different sleep schedules, which is a plus.
The bedroom where the different sleep schedules would be accommodated sports what the company refers to as a queen-sized bed. Since they don’t give specifics, we’ll take their word for it. There are wardrobes on either side of the bed and plugs behind those.
A few more things I really like about this include the fact that it incorporates the brand’s “AccessiBelly,” which means the panels that enclose the underbelly are segmented. If you need to remove just one to solve a problem, it’s no problem.
There’s also a flat-top griddle on a drawer slide in the front pass-through. That works well with the fridge that opens either way.
I’m a big fan of the fact that this is equipped with a Bluetooth speaker instead of those absolutely awful speakers either inside or out so many RVs have.
Boondocking and travel access
Being smaller and lighter, boondocking would seem to be a strong point just because of how maneuverable this little thing is. Tank sizes aren’t bad in here, but solar is an option with a 200-watt panel being available. But if you’re really doing some off-grid camping, more panels would be the way to go, along with a couple of lithium batteries at least. That fridge will eat through one in 24 hours, so you’d better be prepared.
As for travel access, it’s remarkably good. You can literally get to everything, except the desk, with the slide room in. Now, if you’re a traveling novelist and suddenly need to slap down a paragraph on the side of the road, maybe this is an issue. But for the rest of us, it should be good.
More to know—Things I’d change in the Salem/Wildwood FSX 163RDSK
Something to know about these is that they are at the more affordable end of the Salem/Wildwood family, which is already one of the more affordable brands from Forest River. What’s important to know is that this is available as a “stick-and-tin” trailer in its most affordable form.
You can also get a smooth-sided variant which would be heavier and more expensive yet would still be a wood-framed build. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s worth noting.
One of the things I saw was that this had traditional folding entry steps—which you don’t see very often any longer. I actually much prefer these to those solid steps, especially in a smaller trailer. They’re easier to deploy in more situations and don’t bring “stuff” into your camper. If they’re not stable enough, you can get these step stabilizers.
Having mentioned that this was more of an entry-level trailer, it’s good to know that this is not going to be equipped with the best tires and suspension. That’s fine if you don’t do a lot of adventuring, but it’s not ideal. And that’s where I’d start making changes.
I feel there is absolutely a place for this very well-designed little trailer just as it is. Few of us actually travel extensively, so something affordable for those 2-5 weekends you go out with this nifty little desk might work out quite well.
But there are signs that this is on the more affordable side of the equation. Things like entry-level blinds and fewer lights inside, including reading lights, tell the story. This also only has a regular old microwave but no oven, so it wouldn’t be a bad thing if this had a convection microwave.
And I think it’s pretty evident how much I dislike cheap vent fans.
I’d like to see a builder like Rockwood/Flagstaff take this floor plan and put their touches on it so there are more choices.
Conclusions
I think this is one of the more innovative small floor plans I’ve seen in a while. Honestly, it’s also very affordable and quite towable, so I can see this being very popular. I also think that it’ll serve a lot of travelers very well, especially at the “street price” I think you’ll see these at.
What’s your take on this? The 163RDSK might be one of the niftiest small trailers I’ve seen in a while.
My thanks to Josh the RV Nerd from Bish’s RV for the photos and video.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
Got an RV we need to look at? Contact us today and let us know in the form below. Thank you!
-form broken-
I agree with you and Josh, Tony. Having Rockwood build this floorplan and adding a second axle would make this a better quality, but more expensive, trailer. Rockwood’s vacuum-laminated fiberglass panels, torsion axles, Goodyear Endurance tires, real queen-size bed, solar package options, in-house built cabinets, convection-micro, and larger vent fans would add to both the usability and durability of this trailer. The road access with the slide closed, the “old-time” step design, and 12v fridge are definite pluses for me. However, I would opt out of, or immediately remove, the outdoor grill and desk chair (prefer a padded folding chair!).
You’re preaching to the choir!
Seems like a nice floorplan. I’d rather a 3 burner stove with oven. Larger window height wise would be nice at the desk. Reclining sofa is cheap looking.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Interesting RV. You certainly described it in a way enticing enough for me to forward to my buddy. He’s looking for an RV (initially only truck campers) to use when he goes hunting or fishing. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
I guess I keep the bunk model and have someone redesign it. A lot of these new trailers are too big and too much gvwr.