Another RV company has been working behind the scenes with RV influencers, and the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38 was announced as the result of this collaboration. This is not the first production-ready fifth wheel that was designed with the help of content creators, as we reported on the Forest River Sabre 37RVMILES in the past.
James and Kestra Bronneke have toured the country, visiting 42 states and 26 national parks, covering 50,000 miles since 2021. Their crew includes their two children and a dog. James is a military veteran and has served as a firefighter for 18 years, and Kestra worked in a Level 2 trauma center.
The objective of this RV is to be realistically livable for a family on the road, and it seems that they’ve accomplished that.
What’s inside the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38
This is a very large fifth wheel, measuring 43’4” in length with four slide rooms. 😳 So, as you might expect, there is a lot of room in here.
One of the highlights mentioned in a press release by Forest River is the kitchen, and I can see that this would be worth mentioning. The kitchen in this rig is located all the way at the back of the trailer and is a U-shaped affair.
Since this was designed by actual RVers, you’ll find things like a four-burner propane stove with a real oven that you can actually use for proper cooking. There’s also a larger French door refrigerator.
Mid bunk in the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38
This can be described as a mid-bunk fifth wheel where there is a room amidship that has a couch in it, which is ideal for a family. The mid-bunk room features a couch that can open up into a bed, but this might also be the place where the kids go to study—or the parents go to retreat.
While a lot of these mid-bunk models have a lower ceiling in these rooms to accommodate an overhead loft, this is different in that you access a sleeping loft through the bonus room.
The mid bunk also has a hidden desk/table and four storage totes, which makes it usable for doing homework and such.
There’s also a bathroom that’s accessible in the bonus room with a porcelain foot flush toilet and sink.
A lot of times, these mid-bunk bonus rooms feel more like they’re an afterthought. But I think this is one of the better configurations that I’ve seen of one of these rooms. I like the accessibility of the loft and the second bathroom from here.
Main living space in the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38
In the main living space, you’ll find one of those big L-shaped sofas that seem to be more and more popular these days. Interestingly, when you bring in the slide room, you do have to deal with the end seats on these types of sofas. So it’s a bit more fiddly than a traditional sofa, but they are rather huge when they’re deployed.
There’s also a dining table with four individual chairs. But the biggest deal might be the built-in desk in the camp-side slide room. Together with the pull-out desk, that means you could really have multiple people getting work done at the same time, which truly makes this rig stand out for that reason alone.
Well, and the cool bonus room. With the bonus bathroom and all.
Sleeping in the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38
In addition to a sleeping space in the loft over the bonus room, you get a large main bedroom at the front of this rig. That’s where you’ll find a queen-sized bed and a large closet across the front of the trailer.
Final thoughts on the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38
I like seeing these collaborations between RV content creators and RV companies. Abby and Jason from RV Miles have stated that helping in the design was eye-opening, with them learning a lot in going through the process.
I would imagine this wasn’t dissimilar. I’m sure we’ll learn more for those who follow the Bronneke family on their various social media platforms.
Now, the big question for me is: When will there be a Tony & Peggy RV?
MORE RV REVIEWS:
- RV review: Forest River Sabre 37RVMILES—big surprises in many ways
- A look at Airstream’s Rangeline Class B motorhome on a Promaster 3500 chassis
- RV review: Jayco Eagle HT 230MLCS—small, affordable and familiar?
- This ultra-spacious 2026 trailer has two bedrooms, two baths, two lofts
- Forest River to debut new destination trailers
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. 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 lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars.
You can also check out Tony and Peggy’s RV podcast.
RVT1224
112 gallons of black waste storage?!
I think Tony flipped the black and gray capacities. LOL!
Thanks, Bryan and Traveler. I didn’t catch that when I proofed the post. I’ve just emailed Tony about it. (I can’t edit his charts.) Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Oooooops. I fixed it.
Interesting, and I really like the idea of manufacturers working with the people who actually use the RVs, rather than relying on marketing and sales personnel.
A great floorplan for a family of 4 with home-schooled, preteen kids. Sufficient, semi-private bed, study, and play space, a big family-night TV and game space, great kitchen, real dining table and 4 chairs instead of an uncomfortable dinette/bed, and lots of interior and exterior storage. But, with the size of this fiver, it really only works for a couple who stay in private RV parks for 3-6 months at a time, like a traveling nurse or construction worker. It is NOT a move-every-5-days, National Park dry campsite/boondocking RV with that length, width, small fresh water tank, 2 bathrooms, and washer-dryer.
Prime Time construction methods, suspension, tires, quality, reputation?
I wish I had more information about that. In the updated chart (I flipped the black and gray numbers) I indicated that I wasn’t able to see the suspension or plumbing first-hand.
Thank you for the review, Tony! The tank sizes puzzle me, but maybe make sense for the boondocking set. Interesting to me that you did not write a word about the suspension, tires, or access to the area below the floor. Have a great week and safe travels!
Ugh, they should go out of business. I constantly pour money into my Crusader. I’m too deep in now to get rid of it. I just can’t see the price either. That kind of money, I would stay away from any Forest River products!