Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Ozark 2400BHLE. What’s that, you say? You haven’t heard of the Ozark brand name? Yeah, me neither.
You know how all these RV companies are working to make more affordable trailers in order to get folks like you and me back into RV dealerships? Well, what happened is the team that makes the Salem–Wildwood single-axle RVs were put in charge of doing something larger than what they had been—and now you have Ozark.
Who is Ozark?
Ozark is a more affordable line of trailers that come in a few series. These are all wood-framed trailers with most of them offering aluminum skin, but there are a few available with a fiberglass skin.
Don’t get confused if you see an Ozark with fiberglass skin, though—it’s still a wood-framed trailer. In fact, the fiberglass skin adds a bit of weight to the equation. However, you get the benefit of something that is potentially easier to maintain since the fiberglass skin wouldn’t be corrugated.
There are some nifty features in these that are not unfamiliar to some Wildwood-Salem owners, including the use of totes for storage—which I really like. For the units that have enclosed underbellies, they utilize the segmented underbelly panels, so you can remove just one if you ever need to effect a repair, rather than pulling down the entire cover.
These also have much higher ceilings, so, even in the models that don’t have a slide, they still feel very spacious. To that add the fact that the company is prioritizing larger windows, and you have a good recipe for how they feel inside.
Today we’re looking at one of the Limited Edition models, the 2400BHLE.
Limited Edition
When I see “Limited Edition” I think fancier or more premium; but here, it’s just the opposite.
The Limited Edition, or LE, models don’t normally feature an enclosed underbelly. They also don’t sport the power adjustable mattress of the non-LE models. There are a few other detail changes, as well, such as the use of a shower curtain instead of a Nautilus-style retractable shower door.
But, to me, if I were looking for an affordable travel trailer and really did want something easy on the wallet that I only used occasionally, I think I might prioritize finding one of these Limited Edition models, quite honestly.
Another thing you don’t get on the LE models is a tankless water heater—that works well in my mind. Yes, a tankless water heater offers “unlimited” hot water. However, I like being able to use an electric element to heat water when I’m at a full hook-up RV park. That is where I would suspect this would spend most, if not all, of its camping time.
While we’re in the bathroom, do note that the toilet is plastic. I’m seeing fewer and fewer of these, but here’s one for ya’.
I have had my share of vintage RVs as well as modern units. I actually like not having an enclosed underbelly, quite honestly. It lets me look up and see what’s going on and make changes if I need to.
Yeah, yeah, I know I live in the Southwest where our winters aren’t as harsh. I also realize that, when winter is penciled in on the calendar, that’s my cue to get the heck out of Dodge and head to where the weather better suits my clothes (thank you, Jimmy Buffett!).
What is the Ozark 2400BHLE?
What you have here is the definition of what I would think would be the perfect starter camper for many younger families.
This is a no-slide bunk model with some unique aspects to the floor plan. One of those is that this has a seven-foot ceiling—which is a half-foot higher than most travel trailers.
Ozark’s designers also prioritized windows in these rigs. That plays out with surprisingly good window coverage on the camp side by the kitchen—where parents preparing meals can be horrified by what their youngsters are up to and holler at them out the window before the dog actually lights on fire. Or whatever.
Interestingly, this does not have a window in the door, which is how every vintage trailer I’ve had was designed. Quite frankly, with the window in the kitchen and the window in the bedroom, that’s fine with me.
Living spaces in the Ozark 2400BHLE
There is an L-shaped bench in this trailer rather than the traditional dinette with a table that’s mounted to a pole that attaches to the benches. Under that bench is space for totes and, I guess, this could be a day bed.
Across the aisle is a decent kitchen with a three-burner propane oven and a convection microwave. I’m going to predict this is how you’ll see more and more RVs delivered, especially in this price bracket. I’m very good with this as opposed to the little ovens that just burn things.
There are a surprising amount of drawers in the Ozark 2400BHLE in the kitchen along with cabinets and overhead cabinets. Storage isn’t an issue here.
Sleeping in the Ozark 2400BHLE
Ozark is making noises about having a king-sized bed but, as is typical in the RV industry, this isn’t really a full king. But it’s better than a shortie queen, measuring in at 70” X 80”. Not bad. And this model does have a private bedroom except, well, there’s no door. But you could put a curtain there.
The bunks in the back are good size at 36” X 70”.
I suppose you could use that L-shaped seating area to enable one more person to dream at night or just use it as a day bed, which is why I like it so much. It doesn’t convert from anything into anything else, but it’ll hold a person at night. I don’t know how comfortable it would be for sleeping but, perhaps, that’s the whole idea.
Boondocking and travel access
Since this unit has no slide room, it’s good to go any time.
Considering the price of these, solar isn’t included nor would I expect it to be. Honestly, you could do well with a couple of portable panels that are alligator clamped to the battery on the tongue and be fine for a lot of situations without a lot of cost.
That’s how I got by with our vintage rigs, although they didn’t have 12-volt refrigerators.
Some thoughts
You know how you hadn’t heard of Ozark before? Oh yeah, I already wrote that.
There’s something I just don’t understand in the RV industry. There is such a ridiculously dizzying array of RVs and brands of RVs out there that I don’t see why there would be room for an additional brand.
Funny thing, though. There are still a good number of people who call RVs “Winnebagos.” There’s a company that understands brand recognition. So I wonder if it wouldn’t make more sense to just have fewer but stronger brands that people recognize?
But that’s just me.
On Monday, I wrote about the Grand Design Transcend Xplor 24BHX travel trailer. That would be likely competition for this trailer. So which would I pick?
I think there are some compelling things about the Grand Design product only because it’s a known brand that does have a reputation in the marketplace, and that may help resale if that’s a consideration.
But what I like about this offering is that it uses plywood flooring instead of that laminate flooring. I still don’t trust that stuff.
I also like the nice windows on the camp side and in the bedroom, and the higher ceiling is a big winner in my book.
Both this trailer and the Grand Design share the lousy bathroom fan and import tires on a horse-and-buggy-era suspension design. That is what I would expect in this price range, though.
Honestly, as a starter camper or something to take out the family on the typical 2-3 weekends a year that many travel trailers see action, this wouldn’t be a horrible choice at all.
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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I agree that FR has gone crazy on new brand names. The problem is keeping all those names straight and which one is built in which plant, since they aren’t all built in their own factories.
Heh, maybe confusing the buyer is the whole point! I just discovered a whole new marketing strategy.
BTW, plywood is laminated too!
Well, yes, plywood is laminated but it’s commonly accepted that laminated trailers have smooth sides and “stick and tin” are wood-framed trailers with corrugated sides. Let’s not confuse things with more facts and all that nonsense 😄
Good review!
I couldn’t agree more on way too many brands out there. The way the RV industry handles acquisitions and their integration into the larger corporate structure just blows my mind…not in a good way.
I have been involved in numerous large corporate “integrations” after acquisition. The goal is to use the best of what was acquired, cut the waste, consolidate and integrate operations. It’s never obvious that the RV industry does any of that. So they have to “decontent” units and offer customers less because they fail to employ overhead cost-savings methods that allow product quality & value to be maintained.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Yes, lots of this certainly seem “entry-level.” But that also means “low price.” I have seen other RVs designated “LE,” but the manufacturer meant “limited equipment,” and not “limited edition.” They tended to fit your description here, Tony; fewer bells and whistles to achieve a lower MSRP. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Where does the table get stored when not in use?