By Tony Barthel
Fifth wheel and motorhome buyers have had decided reasons for buying each configuration, oftentimes dictated by under-floor cargo space. But Forest River’s Palomino division has thrown a new choice into the ring with their new River Ranch fifth wheels that feature under-floor storage almost the entire length of the body of the coach.
EDITOR’S NOTE: These reviews are not based on an actual physical inspection or test drive of an RV (with exceptions). We gather and interpret information from RV manufacturers and other sources to try to provide you with a sneak-peek of each model that we discuss in this space 365 days a year.
Up to now, fifth wheels have a raised section and a lower section with the roof line dictating interior height. Part of this was dictated by overall vehicle height limits so the fifth wheels, and their air conditioners, could go under overpasses and such. But the folks at Palomino have come up with a good solution for this.
By utilizing a Coleman-Mach air conditioning system that is typically found in mobile offices, they were able to create a fifth wheel with a single tall roof height for the entire trailer. Furthermore, by doing so they were able to put storage almost the entire length of the trailer facilitating over 480 cubic feet of under-floor pass-through storage. That is actually more than what can be found in many motorhomes.
The Coleman-Mach AC system has mostly been used before on mobile offices rather than RVs. It has a robust filtration system like those used on homes, implementing a 5-inch x 16-inch x 22-inch air filter, which cleans the intake air for both the AC and Suburban furnace. The HVAC system uses the same ductwork for the AC and furnace.
At debut two floor plans will be available, a mid-bath model and a mid-bunk model.
The River Ranch models have an 84-inch ceiling height end-to-end and no stairs inside, being all a single level. This may make owning one of these easier for folks who have trouble with stairs although, of course, there are still stairs to get into the unit.
Owing to the size of this trailer, Palomino fits them all with residential-grade appliances including refrigerator and stove. There is also a tankless water heater as well.
Options include a gas/electric RV refrigerator, a 5.5kW generator, dual-pane windows, and washer-dryer.
These have fully laminated construction and feature Azdel substrates in the build process so water intrusion is less of a concern. Roof trusses are still wood but this is not uncommon, especially in larger fifth wheels such as this one.
Summary
For people looking at full-time RVing, this Palomino River Ranch fifth wheel is a true alternative to other fifth wheels or motorhomes. Offering more cargo space than many motorhomes and a flat floor end-to-end, this is a significant model. The HVAC system, too, breaks new ground.
The big decision might be if someone wants to tow around a trailer that can weigh 18,000 pounds.
The MSRP of the RV is $107,360.
Please leave a comment with your thoughts, pro or con, if you own this model RV or a similar one.
##RVDT1453
In my opinion, one of the downfalls of 5th wheels IS the steps to either the bedroom or front living room (my preference). This plan eliminates this problem. Finally. However, the downside, as I see it, is how we all know that stuff expands to fill space allowed. That means the ability to stuff more unnecessary items in all that underbelly space will overcome common sense. I know that would apply to me for sure.
But I love the idea just the same.
Several important items are missing from the description.
1) axle type and weight rating
2) Tire and rim sizes
3) low temperature rating
4) is the basement heated/cooled.
5) how many and type of batteries
6) solar peeped?
I was impressed that an RV type refrigerator was offered as an option. We’ve found that our Samsung residential French door bottom freezer refrigerator has less usable space than the 18 cu ft Norcold RV fridge we had in a previous unit.
Finally, all of that extra storage space could make it difficult for full timers to keep the weight of the onboard STUFF down so as to stay under the gross vehicle weight rating.
100 grand for a 39 gallon black tank? No thank you!
You get a lot more than just a black tank sir!
Forest River?! Check the literature about their customer support.
At 68 – 69 years old, we find the stairs handy. We take turns using the stairs to put our tennis shoe on. It’s easier to reach/tie your shoes while sitting on one step with your foot propped up on the other. 🙂
It looks to me as if these are advertisements for these RV’s. These are not independent evaluations of an RV, they are a compilation or the manufacturers descriptions without a physical inspection and evaluation.
Perhaps read the editors note.
They might think about re-naming the color of gray on the interior. Disfunctional gray just does not sound good.
Where did you read Disfunctional Gray?
Click on the floor plan, look at the kitchen island
Thanks, Abe. Yep, there are four locations in the floor plan that are labeled “disfunctional gray”! Wow!!! 😯 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Ah! I see it now..I never clicked on the floor plan. Obviously…and I agree with Ellen! and hello Diane! 🙂
Hi, Sink! How’s it going? Stayin’ healthy, I hope. Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Really like the one level. It seems to open the space up more. I think this will be a big seller as long as they build it good.
You mentioned the entrance stairs. How many risers are there, and how does that impact the Interior Space?
Norm – click on the floorplan. It shows 3 steps from entrance to main floor level. Yes. it impinges some, but my concern is someone getting up from the table who might stumble a little. Pretty close to the stairwell.
I am curious if the AC ducts are all in the floor like the older/cheaper mobile homes or are there wall channels to output thru the ceiling.
William – based solely on the pictures, the outlets are in the floor. Fine for heat, problematic for A/C.
Why problematic. Never saw a sticks n bricks built any other way. Should work as well since the system is more like s&b than mobile systems. As long as they add heat to the tank area.