Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Forest River Ibex 19BHEO travel trailer. This is yet another example of RV companies going back to their roots or decontenting or just offering less-expensive models. Don’t take that sentence like I am opposed to this. I’m actually in favor of it.
The way Ibex has done it really makes me happy. With their “Essentials Only” features and options, this smaller trailer essentially keeps the core quality features that Ibex is known for without some of the gingerbread, cheesecake or frilly stuff. That makes a lot of sense.
What is the Ibex 19BHEO
What we’re looking at is a smaller, single-axle bunk model trailer that has no slides but does have enough features that you don’t feel like you really cheaped out when you went RV shopping.
For example, Ibex is known for using thicker roof and floor decking and utilizing Azdel substrates on their wall lamination.
Those core features are still here. And, speaking of core, they haven’t degraded the cabinet quality and are even still installing struts to hold upper cabinet doors up. I know of premium brands that have stopped doing this (and have a bump on my head as a result!).
What’s inside the Ibex 19BHEO
Before we move on, know that this is intended to have a Murphy bed and that that Murphy bed is an east-west bed. I know some of you absolutely would rule this out for that reason alone. Fair enough. We all have our own criteria, and this would get this camper off my own, list as well.
If the east-west bed doesn’t bug you but the Murphy and his stinking laws do, that can be resolved by simply leaving the bed down. Since there’s no slide in this camper, there are no issues with the bed being left down.
Well, except that you’d lose out on the couch in the front of the rig. But that may be a price some campers are willing to pay.
There is also a dinette on the camp side which, of course, folds into another bed. This has those knee-knocker table legs. One of these days I’ll ask RV companies often enough to just put folding table legs under these, and finally some smart RV designer will do it and the world will have greater peace. Trust me.
Funny story. I’ve told you before how our first camper was a small, single-axle rig with a Murphy bed and a dinette. One time when we were all evacuated (and you wonder why I left California when I can tell multiple “when we were evacuated” stories), a friend came with us and there were three of us so-called adults in that little camper.
Hmm, maybe that’s not so funny after all.
Kitchen habits
The kitchen in the Ibex 19BHEO is over on the road side and features a 12-volt fridge, of course. There’s also a two-burner propane stovetop. I really like these in smaller campers. I don’t think I’ve ever had three things cooking at once in an RV, so to have three burners isn’t such a priority to me. So I like these two-burner in-line stovetops much, much more than I do the more traditional type.
Since there’s no propane oven, this does have a convection microwave—and I’m good with that.
In fact, since you all know I’m weird, I took the propane stove and oven completely out in my house and now we have this induction cook top, an electric skillet and a convection microwave oven.
The only time this has been an issue is when I get invited to bring one of my incredible cheesecakes to some function but then I go cook that outside in the RV oven. This is just another reason why, if an RV has an oven, it should have something I can actually use.
But I don’t mind the convection microwave whatsoever.
More to like
The Ibex 19BHEO does have a set of bunks in the back, each with USB outlets plus a light. There’s a curtain for each bunk.
The bathroom is roomy enough with good space around the toilet. Plus, I really like that this has a shower curtain rather than those glass shower doors.
We talked about this before and some of you have said, “But my shower door is fine.” Well, probably most of them are. But there is enough probability, based on my years working RV warranties, that these big glass doors will shatter and leave you surprise shards that your bare feet will find, that I don’t like them.
What’s missing in the Ibex 19BHEO
I mentioned that this rig is “decontented” or “essential” or however you want to think of it. So what’s missing?
Mostly nonfunctional things. For example, no dumb windshield—which doesn’t make sense with a Murphy bed, anyway.
They have substituted their high-performance vent fan for a do-nothing 4” vent fan.
A few things got substituted, though, that I don’t like.
They’re no longer using Goodyear Endurance tires on this and have switched to MayPop brand, or whatever imported stuff this has. Boo. Go buy some Goodyear Endurance tires as your first stop out of the dealership.
There is also no provision for a ladder whatsoever. This is weird considering that this does have a solid, walkable roof. I wish they had put on one of those mounts for a telescoping ladder, as so many RV companies do.
Final thoughts
Overall, I think this trailer can make a lot of sense for a lot of people. It’s relatively light and very affordable, but still built with better materials in a lot of cases.
Also know that if you don’t have an Ibex dealer in your hood, a No Boundaries, or NoBo, trailer is basically the same thing, and includes a couple of Essentials Only versions.
The size of this also means it’s towable by some less-capable vehicles like SUVs or mid-sized pickups. Know your numbers before you make a decision. It’s never bad to have too much tow vehicle, but smaller trailers ain’t bad either.
My thanks to Josh Winters from Bish’s RV for use of the photos and videos in this article
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.
##RVDT2355
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Hmm, … I don’t quite understand 30 gallons as the volume for all three tanks — fresh water, gray, and black. I expect gray volume + black volume to approximate fresh water volume. These aren’t close. Taking ~25 % off the price you list may put it into Dan’s price range. I’ll go ahead and forward this and let him decide. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Table is too small.