Today’s review is of the Keystone Outback Ultra-Lite 240URS, certainly one of the more unusual floor plans in a smaller travel trailer. I am actually surprised that I haven’t written anything about this in the past. I always really liked these when I was selling RVs for the simple reason that they’re not overly large but offer a lot of functionality.
Let’s be up front
I’m not sure what’s the bigger story, the front or back of the Keystone Outback. So let’s start in the front, where you’ll find a drop-down side ramp that leads into a 93 ¾” by 82 ⅝” compartment. Yep, there’s a big cargo compartment up front.
The ramp is interesting since it drops from the side of the trailer rather than the back, as you might expect to find. That ramp has sort of an extension on it—so you can roll up things like bicycles or whatever.
Like any toy hauler, the Keystone Outback has provisions to open up the compartment if the things you put into it need ventilation. In fact, one of the service techs at the dealership had a Honda Grom, which is a small motorcycle, and he zipped it right up that ramp. Those Groms are pretty nifty, making the most of a 124cc engine to shuttle the little 223-pound bike and rider around.
In fact, those would be a pretty slick accessory to this toy hauler and well within its capability.
Drop-down bunks in storage area of Keystone Outback
When not being used for cargo, the storage area in the front features two drop-down bunks. So this would also make sense as a family cruiser. In fact, that’s whom I sold these to the most. There were bunks for the littles along with plenty of cargo-carrying space for their camping gear.
Further, this entire area can be closed off with a door to the rest of the camper, making this its own room. It’s a pretty functional floor plan.
But I had mentioned that the back of the trailer, too, has a story to tell. That story is located in a slide room that pushes out of the back of the trailer. In that slide room is just one thing—a king-sized bed.
When the slide is out it reveals a couch on the road side and a dinette on the camp side of the trailer. So this makes a good family camper. When the slide is in, you still have access to the bed, but the couch and dinette are covered.
King-sized bed fills entire slide box in the Keystone Outback
Since the only thing in the slide is the king-sized bed, that bed fills the entire slide box. So making the bed isn’t really an option. This would absolutely be a case for an RV Superbag. I think you’d be crazy to do anything but this solution.
One of the issues that some campers had when I showed them this floor plan is that the only thing in the slide box was that king bed. So it did feel more enclosed than in many other campers. That was a deal breaker for anyone who had even the slightest bit of claustrophobia. There are windows on the sides of the bed along with a larger window at the back of the trailer.
Separating you from the interior of the trailer is a curtain. However, the curtain is about two feet into the bed, so it doesn’t cover much below your knees. Yes, it’s odd.
The rest of the trailer is pretty typical. However, it did feel a bit small, even with the rear slide out. I would have suggested lighter cabinetry to avoid this tight feeling but, instead, Keystone went with black cabinets.
Boondocking and travel access
I have written before about the various things I really like about Keystone products. That includes their SolarFlex™ solar package, where each of their products has at least 200 watts of solar on the roof. That’s true here, too, of course—along with the other things that make Keystone stand out in a good way.
As for liquids, this stores 54 gallons of fresh water and 30 gallons each for gray and black. Combined with the solar, you could spend potentially a week off the grid as a couple. Bring along a couple of Groms or eBikes and you can have quite the time far from other humans.
In summary
These models definitely were ideal for some customers who loved the storage, the ability to have a separate bedroom up front and the king-sized bed in a relatively short and light trailer. In a world of horses, this is a bit of a unicorn.
I will say I was surprised to see no photos of this unit on Keystone’s website, which is generally pretty good about that. So I’ve combined some photos I took at the dealership of a 2019 model and some I stole from a YouTube video I’ve included.
But the bed in the slide did make it feel more enclosed or tight to some customers, and that was the deal breaker. Overall, this is certainly something worth considering if bringing your toys along is a priority or you want a separate sleeping room in a trailer that isn’t overly large.
I would love to read your comments and suggestions over on our new forums, where you can weigh in and start or join a discussion about all things RV. Here’s a link to my RV Reviews Forum.
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 find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. 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.
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I had a 2017 Keystone Outback 240URS, it weighed 4,935 lbs. Seem like each year it weighed more. I like it, but my wife felt the bathroom was small. No towel or TP holder. I took the folding door off and put a pet gate on. Kept the dogs in the storage area at night and if we went somewhere without them. The couch wasn’t comfortable. Would have be nice if they made a custom theater seat. Underneath the couch was the hot water heater, noisy water pump and plumbing for winterizing. Mine had a outdoor kitchen which I liked. But it fell apart on a bumpy road and I had to fixed. Plus since it was behind sink cabinet It wasn’t insulated properly. Wife had no problem fixing bed and it had the most comfortable mattress. Quality was poor. Ceiling panel was coming loose above entry door. Above the bed against the ceiling is two cabinets. The formica underneath one was coming loose. Outside the back right corner a nail from inside against the fiberglass busted thru. Patch it with silicone caulk.
I had no trouble with the bedroom slide and it worked ok. Bought it from Scott RV in NJ, laterbought out by another larger dealer. Scott RV would not tell me how to crank the travel trailer in if the motor broke. There was a small motor inside with a flexible extension and a drill would allow you to crank in if needed. Terrible experience with Scott RV. Had lots of issues with Dometic Fridge. Dometic told fridge repairman to tell me buy a new fridge. Terrible company. Travel trailer towed ok and was getting 14 mpg towing with a 2018 Silverado 1500 with small V8. Got 9mpg towing my Jayco 29 RKS. Guy that delivered it from NJ to Pocono’s also said it towed great. Someone else also makes this floor plan, but I don’t remember who.
S/B crank the slide in if motor broke
I hope there are some VERY sturdy supports for that bed slide… But I sure like the size and the cargo capacity. Nice.
Putting the weight of the toys ahead of the axle, instead of “hanging it on the tail, ” seems like brilliant idea from a physics point of view. No more tail wagging the dog. But, with what appears to be a ton of cargo capacity, you’d better have a really capable weight-distribution hitch and, very likely, air suspension in the rear of a max tow, heavy-duty payload F-150, Ram 1500, or Silverado 1500. That’s because the tongue weight is going to be far greater than similar length, but more conventional layout, toy-hauling travel trailers.