Today’s RV review is of the Starcraft GSL Light Duty Fifth Wheel 234RLS. I can hear it now: Starcraft? I didn’t know they were still in business. If you’re like me you remember seeing the Starcraft brand on the back of pop-up campers from years back. So, when a friend asked about these it was a head-scratcher for me. I didn’t know they were still around.
It turns out Starcraft is alive and well and part of the Jayco family which, by extension, means they’re part of Thor’s universe. The company makes a few lines of travel trailers as well as the GSL Light Duty fifth wheels.
These fifth wheels actually have some unique aspects to them, starting with the fact that they’re wide-body models at 101” wide compared to the typical 96” width for smaller fifth wheels. They also feature four-point automatic leveling and a number of other features that are sort of above their weight class.
The leveling jacks also incorporate additional supports (some of you may be familiar with the JT Strong Arm product), which makes a difference in the stability of this rig when it’s all set to camp.
There are four models in the fifth wheel line. Today’s example has a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of under 10,000 pounds—a significant difference from yesterday’s 5er at 22,000 pounds. Yikes.
Starting at the road
Something I like about these, besides the wider width, is the fact that they have a better-than-typical suspension system featuring the Lippert Equa-Flex® suspension. This offers additional dampening over a leaf spring system without this rubber component.
But the company’s website makes no mention of tires, nor do they state anything about tire pressure monitoring systems. So I’m going to guess that means imported low-end tires without a TPMS. Bleh.
This sports a heated and enclosed underbelly and the gate valves for the holding tanks are enclosed and heated. That means this is more ready for shoulder-season camping. I don’t ever make promises about camping in extreme cold, but this’ll get ya’ through a night below freezing.
What’s inside the Starcraft GSL Light Duty Fifth Wheel 234RLS
If you’re looking at the “RLS” and piecing together what that translates to, you’ve probably figured something like Rear Lounge Slide—or something like that. We talked about the alphabet soup that is RV model designations.
What you have here is a smaller fifth wheel with a couch at the back and a slide room with a table and chairs and a 12-volt refrigerator on the road side.
The kitchen features an “L”-shaped counter that incorporates the sink and a three-burner propane stove with, you guessed it, a 17” unusable oven. That’s a shame because the counter extends down the camp side of this rig and there is a good amount of counter space. This kitchen would be pretty good if it weren’t for that worthless oven.
The steps to the upper deck in the Starcraft GSL are on the road side of the camper (many fifth wheels place them on the camp side). That means the slide will block access to the upper deck when closed. In other words, no potty stops for you unless you can find a place to open the slide room to get to the bathroom.
Slide room blocks the fuse box in the Starcraft GSL
The other thing that is blocked by the slide room is the fuse box. Yikes. So if you’re in a situation where the slide is closed and somehow you’ve blown the fuse you had better remember how to manually override the slide. In the comments below, if you do or don’t know how to manually extend the slide room on your camper, share that with us, will you?
Oh, Starcraft isn’t the only company I’ve seen do this. But it never makes sense, no matter who does it.
The upper deck in the Starcraft GSL Light Duty Fifth Wheel 234RLS features a bathroom with a flexible sliding shower enclosure—which I like. I’m not a fan of big glass panels in a vehicle—having filed that warranty claim for customers on numerous occasions.
There’s also a proper queen-sized bed. Interestingly, while it’s common that many fifth wheel makers provide for hanging storage on either side of the bed, this one does not. There is hanging storage at the back of the bedroom, though, along with a couple of additional drawers. Each side of the bed does get a larger-than-average night stand, however.
Starcraft GSL Light Duty Fifth Wheel 234RLS conclusions
Quite honestly, the fact that the fuse box is blocked by the slide room when closed is a deal breaker for me. Put the thing somewhere else so that, when the slide room pops a fuse, it’s a much easier thing to resolve.
Also, RV industry, can we stop with the stupid “mandatory options” already? Part of the reason my friend was excited about this rig was the price she saw—$59,655. But then, if you delve deeper into the website, the first thing on the options list is the “Executive Package” at $6,000! What’s in this pricey pack?
Oh, just things like the air conditioner and water heater and digital control system that the company brags about on their website. There’s also the “Four Season Package,” which is also mandatory and includes more things the company brags about, including the enclosed docking station and other cold-weather camping features. But you can’t not get either of these packages (“mandatory options”🫤).
I might be turning into a grump because seeing things like that fuse box and the 17” oven and low-grade tires just makes me want to put a big “F” on the chart and just be done with it all. I kind of see the chart as the report card for these rigs.
But then I think about companies like Brinkley and Alliance and Ember, who are doing things differently, and I’m not so grumpy. So I guess that’s the point of my being here, to help steer buyers in the direction of RVs where the decision-makers actually use the product just like you and me.
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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Can totally agree with the “mandatory options” BS. Who thinks this up? And with the tires being suspect and no TPMS, it’s an easy pass like you mentioned. Thanks for the honest review. You are not a grump. Some people don’t know a good thing and will screw up something in the guise of improvement. I am big on leave things alone if it isn’t broke.
Thor, via Jayco, acquired the Starcraft name, but did they opt to keep Starcraft’s build quality? Names like Bell & Howell and Radio Shack are still out there – but they are just names, not the businesses that built the names’ reputation.
4 years ago I bought a 2008 Starcraft TT. I put about a grand of TLC into it. Only sold it 2 years later because the floor plan wasn’t quite what we needed – and other than my labor got my purchase price plus everything I had put into it. That’s an almost free 2 years’ use.
Is this the same Starcraft that used to make boats?
Good question Tommy.
Tony, I could not agree more regarding your “mandatory options” statement. That comes from marketers who believe their potential customers aren’t too bright and have too much time on their hands so spend it thinking up deceptive practices!
Unfortunately having sold lots of RVs at a dealership I would say, based on that experience and what I read in forums on line, the manufacturer isn’t far off the mark. I’m always surprised when someone spends many tens of thousands of dollars on something and has no idea whatsoever how it works or how it’s built.
Although I guess that’s also why I have a job so, perhaps, I should just zip it 🤐
Well…I didn’t want to comment directly on RV buyer knowledge, but from potential buyer comments I hear walking around shows, it seems to be more about blue lights and glass marbles in fireplaces than the chassis and box construction. This year we were in a 42′ 5ver and a couple came in to look. I overheard them discussing their half-ton pickup and being able to tow that monster!!! Egads! 🤯🤣
The interior looks almost like the 2025 East2West Blackthorn 26RD I just purchased, except I have a king bed and theater seats.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 Have no fears, I won’t buy this. “Mandatory options?!?!?” I think that is a misprint. Standard features must be included in the base price, but these two are not because they are “options.” It is essentially a case of the manufacturer lying to the consumer by listing the price BEFORE adding the prices of the mandatory options. Thanks again have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Yep. As if the malarkey that the dealership is going to spew isn’t enough, the manufacturer gets in on the game before you even step foot into the dealership. Pretty lousy if you ask me.
Years ago, I asked an RV Wholesalers salesman about those “Mandatory Options” that were automatically added to their “wholesale” cost. I told him that I just wanted some of the “optional” items, but not all of them. Nope, the trailer only came as package with all of them, they can’t be individually “itemized”, he said. I then asked, if they are “options”, how can they be “mandatory”? He had no answer except, “that’s just the way the manufacturers price it”. Ie., kind of like buying a new car advertised at a very low price, but the dealer has only one car at that price and “it’s already been sold!”
The website indicates: “Standard Features and Options“. Additionally, there is a price list of the various options one can add to the unit(s). Also floor plan options.https://starcraftrv.com/rvs/fifth-wheels/2024-gsl-light-duty-fifth-wheel/234rls/
Thanks, D & J. Yep, that’s the link Tony put in at the top of the post. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
We have a 2017 Starcraft AR-OneMaxx. Same length, bought it new for $33,000. So that price tag is a wow for me, sign of the times I guess. Ours has a better floor plan, in my mine, with a ton of storage & closet space. I wouldn’t trade my 7 year old Starcraft for this brand new one. Of course we have added solar & made changes to make it ‘ours’ too.
Yep. Too much cheap crap to even consider this one…..