Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Ozark 2430RBK travel trailer. What we have here is a trailer that sort of fits into the compilation that we’ve been looking at this past week. This is a couple’s camper, for sure. While yesterday’s Ember RV Touring Edition 26MRB was the absolute pinnacle of this group, today we’re looking at… uh, er… the most affordable in the series.
What you have here is sort of a similar floor plan to the others we’ve been looking at with the bathroom across the back, the bedroom up front and main living space in the middle. This one’s different in some of the layout.
How the Ozark 2430RBK is built
But the most significant difference is how this one’s built. Unlike the others that have laminated sidewalls, this one is what’s referred to as a “stick-and-tin” camper. That means that it’s a wood-framed build with aluminum siding.
Before you look online at this model and get confused, it’s also available in a fancier variant that uses fiberglass sidewalls instead of the corrugated aluminum. So you may see that out there and wonder what the heck I’m talking about. Those models that have the fiberglass sidewalls are what are call “hung wall” models. They’re still wood-framed, but the fiberglass is bonded to luan and attached to the wood framing.
So, yes, you’re getting the fiberglass sidewall. But the advantage of most fiberglass sidewall construction is the aluminum framing, which is lighter and less susceptible to water damage, depending on the other materials in the sidewall construction. This might be a wee bit less maintenance just because of the smoother side, but really this construction method actually adds weight. So weigh your options.
What’s inside the Ozark 2430RBK
One of the things this branch of Forest River has done is make the ceilings in this a bit taller, at seven feet. Higher ceilings always translate into a more spacious feel as it is, but there are other advantages, too.
Let’s start in the back bathroom, since that’s something I really like about this floor plan. Since the bathroom spans the width of the trailer, it’s pretty darned spacious. I think H.R. Pufnstuf could sit here and not bang his head on the walls.
By the way, did you know that H.R. Pufnstuf only shot 17 episodes but is ranked #22 in TV Guide’s top cult TV shows? Do you even know who H.R. Pufnstuf is?
Oddly enough, while the other trailers we’ve looked at in this series only had one sink, this one has two. I don’t know who wants two sinks with all the additional plumbing that could cause more headaches, but here they are. They did an interesting job with the two medicine cabinets, so maybe his and hers toothpaste drool won’t have to intermingle. Until we get to the gray tank.
On the opposite wall is a shower. These really do benefit from the taller ceilings. Even taller travelers could stand here without having to take advantage of the skylight that’s in here. In fact, this makes me wonder, would you rather not have a skylight in here?
Ozark did a nifty thing in the shower with a light here, so, really, the skylight could easily be eliminated. What this would also get you is another potential failure point. Skylights are probably the most likely place for water intrusion in the ceiling because they expand and contract so differently than the other materials on the RV roof.
In some trailers, the skylight really makes sense because it makes a small bathroom feel much brighter. But Ozark has that nifty light in the shower and the high ceiling. No skylight would be no problem here.
Main living space in the Ozark 2430
Speaking of skylights, you’ll find a second one in the main living space here, right above a rather unique kitchen.
Just along the pathway from the main entry door is a breakfast bar, and two stools are included.
The three-burner propane cooktop is in the center of a U-shaped kitchen. Below the propane cooktop is a convection microwave. A sink and some additional counter space round out the kitchen “U”—and counter top space isn’t bad. There are also a decent amount of overhead cabinets.
But what you don’t see here are any drawers whatsoever. The breakfast bar does have a pull-out shelving system, but I’m not sure I’d want to have silverware there. This is more for cans and that sort of thing.
This is one of those things where you’re at the dealership and all excited and it’s not ‘til you start packing things in that you realize that your silverware has now become homeless. Bummer, dude.
Couch your enthusiasm
Speaking of things like this, there is a very comfortable looking two-butt theater seat over in the slide room. Yep, it’s plenty comfortable and there’s a mount on the front of the theater seat for a Lagun-style table.
These are those pole mount tables that you can move around in all sorts of ways. But the mount is too high up so you’ll find the table is too high up. They’re usually more adjustable, but this one seems to be a knock-off of the original Laguna table so you can only go so low. Perhaps Mr. Pufnstuf might appreciate that he barely has to bend over to get a mouthful of whatever Pufnstufs eat.
A deal breaker
The other thing that would absolutely be a deal breaker for me is that the upholstery on this theater seat is white. And fabric. And I’m sure there is some magical spray that promises that this won’t ultimately look like a crime scene if you have spaghetti night, but my trust has been broken before. Seriously, who in the world puts white fabric upholstery in an RV?
Something I recently learned from an RV exec is that the BAL Exact-Slide® mechanism, which is the newer and improved-er version of the company’s cable slide mechanism, offers some really good reliability stats, according to the company. But, even more, I was told that you can occupy the slide room if it’s an Exact-Slide mechanism.
I would double- and even triple-check this, but that’s what an RV decision-maker (whom I trust) told me.
Interestingly, the theater seat is right next to the refrigerator. Ozark took advantage of the space behind the refrigerator with some adjustable shelving. What would you put here? It’s an interesting space, but I’m not sure what I’d use it for.
Bedroom in the Ozark 2430RBK
Another unusual thing is that this trailer has a king-sized bed. Ozark has taken advantage of this by putting some storage totes under the bed, and I like these.
There’s also a tall window, which opens for airflow, over on the camp side of this rig.
As usual, there are both household and USB outlets on either side of the bedroom, along with hanging storage plus overhead storage. The overhead storage doors should be hinged on the side because there is no provision for these top-hinged doors to stay open. Grrr.
Boondocking and travel access
With the slide room in, you can forget about the front bedroom and even the refrigerator. Oh, well.
Ozark includes a 200-watt solar panel and 30-amp controller, which may be sufficient to keep the battery charged. But be careful about your hopes and dreams about keeping the 12-volt fridge running with this amount of solar.
Incidentally, this does have a separate sewer connection for the kitchen gray tank and the black and gray tanks for the bathroom. Bummer.
Thoughts about the Ozark 2430RBK
There are so very many build quality differences between this trailer and yesterday’s Ember RV Touring Edition 26MRB and also the Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS.
So, let’s talk about that, shall we? This has the traditional buggy-era leaf spring suspension and discount tires with no tire pressure monitor. The wall build is the least-expensive type. While there are lots and lots of vintage trailers with the same wall build, I hope buyers know that the corrugated finish could translate into additional maintenance in making sure the windows and doors are properly sealed over time.
Frankly, “stick-and-tin” isn’t a bad way to build a trailer, but it does require more attention to the seals. But, then again, I’ve worked on plenty of vintage trailers where they leaked over time and you just peel off the skin and replace the rotten wood. Yeah, that’s a bummer.
One thing I really like about this trailer is the storage totes under the bed. I also like the taller ceiling. Underneath it all, this has a segmented underbelly. That means, if you discover a leak, you can just open up that section of the underbelly instead of having to remove the entire thing. That’s a plus.
Difference in price
So, compared to the Ember and the Flagstaff, you’re looking at about an $11,000 difference. Not figuring any discounts and thinking about the fact that many RVs are financed for 15 years (gulp), and rates right now are hovering around 12%, you’re looking at about a $132-a-month difference between this and the higher-end rigs.
That’s real money if you use this 2-4 times a year, as many RV owners do.
I absolutely think that buying a higher-quality product from the start is worth it—but I also have different priorities in my life. I travel a lot and so the quality difference in tires, suspension and overall build absolutely makes a difference.
If I were just using this a few times a year, perhaps I’d feel differently.
I hope these reviews at least provide information for someone who might be considering a camper of this type. Buying something that’s more affordable may absolutely make sense, but having something of much higher quality may also make sense.
My goal is to point out the differences so at least you have something to go on.
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this story.
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.
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If you can use the slide when in. That would be a game changer and great. Financing thru a credit union would be a lot cheaper. I refinanced my new travel trailer in April 2024 thru American Heritage FCU, Phila, Pa and got a rate of about 7.5%. They have a way to join if you’re not in one of their groups.
Credit unions are almost universally the best place for vehicle financing including RVs. Not all credit unions want this type of business but, those that do, are great allies. I completely agree!
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Well, this is pretty expensive, given the underlying cost cutting in the production process. 🤔😯 Thanks again, and safe travels! 🙂
The cost-cutting negatives of this Ozark far outweigh the positives. But I like this floorplan better than the comparable trailers only because I would never buy an RV with a dinette. So, the eating bar is just fine.
I dislike all these floorplans for two reasons: closed slide access and window location. Even the 2-door Ember has no 3:00 AM access from the bedroom to bathroom with the slide in. That means no overnighting in a Flying J RV-designated parking space, Walmart, rest area, etc. And on some, there is also no access to the fridge in a grocery store parking lot. Plus, all the big windows are on the road side, with a view of your neighbor’s site, but not yours!
I see no reason for 2 sinks, I would rather see the extra space in the bathroom put to better use. We don’t spend much time in the bathroom, certainly don’t each use a sink at the same time. Why does it need to be so large. Ours is smallish & we manage fine.
Yes the table is a must for us, we play cards, games etc in the evening, it would be uncomfortable to perch on those chairs to do that. The lack of drawers & just basic kitchen storage would make this a hard pass for us. Way more negatives than positives. White cloth covered seating?? In a rv? That ranks right up there with carpet in a rv.
I knew I had zero interest in this TT just like most of the newer models, as soon as I saw that they continue not to have a large front window. Like what the hell — I go camping to see the world, not the inside of a tin can. Windows are a MUST. And I can’t see but I’m guessing they have a tiny awning, which is also a deal-breaker. Even though we have the money and would like a newer TT for many other features, we will continue to renovate and maintain our lowly 2008 Keystone until manufacturers get their act together. I know some models have the front windows, very few, but then they have other weird problems like no storage, smaller doors, tiny awnings, no ovens, tiny kitchen sinks, etc.
Funny. I do not want any windows in the bedroom of our trailer. I want to sleep in after sunrise. If I want to see the outdoors I go outdoors. Or at least to the living rom of the trailer where are ample windows.
That’s funny – so, so, so many people we speak with absolutely do not want a front windshield on a towable RV. But, there are companies that do have them. Look at things like Rockwood Flagstaff based on the things you wrote here.