Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Cedar Creek Experience 29RL. This is one of those fifth wheel floor plans that everybody and their brother makes. It’s one I would use as the basis of my shopping for any fifth wheel. The reason I write that is that you can see how a company thinks by looking at a floor plan that everybody else makes. What kind of fixtures, appliances, and build quality do they put into this that others may or may not?
Built differently
The wall construction on these is very different than most RVs. The underlying structure is an aluminum build like many fiberglass-skinned RVs. However, the studs are actually screwed together rather than welded. There is also an adhesive applied to each joint as well.
The fiberglass you see on the outside is actually glued to those studs. This is what is called a “hung wall” system instead of a laminate. With a laminated wall, the actual lamination process on many RVs helps build structure into the wall build. But this system requires the aluminum studs and their fasteners to be that structure. Also, the fiberglass is a high-gloss wall.
Start at the ground level
From the road up, these ride on Goodyear Endurance tires, and they use a MORryde suspension that has greaseable bolts and heavier-duty hangers and such. It’s still a leaf spring, but it’s better than a cheap one.
There are also tire pressure monitors built into the Goodyear Endurance trailer tires. Honestly, if you are RV shopping for a towable and the builder you’re looking at doesn’t put tire pressure monitors in their tires, run. This is such a basic feature on a towable RV.
In addition to that, this rig features Lippert’s anti-lock braking system, which also tracks mileage and features a bit of anti-sway technology. Again, a very significant safety advance.
Underbelly in Cedar Creek RVs
I also like the underbelly that Cedar Creek uses, which isn’t screwed into the frame but is rather placed into the frame rails and then secured.
The slide rooms and leveling jacks are hydraulically operated—also nice—with individual shut-offs for the hydraulic system in each of the slide rooms.
As someone who has been rear-ended while towing a trailer, I sincerely appreciate the redundant brake and turn signal lights that Cedar Creek has put on the back of this model. These are mounted high on the back, and this is a fantastic idea.
Living space inside the Cedar Creek Experience 29RL
I recently was researching RVs with a lot of storage and pantry space, and this one absolutely stood out. The very nicely finished interior of this rig starts with the fact that it’s a wide-body design at 101” wide. That alone gives an RV a more open feel. The slide boxes have a 6’ 10” ceiling height.
This is a nicer kitchen than in my house, with a proper stove and oven, a large 12-volt refrigerator with two freezer drawers and an ice maker, and a large microwave.
There is storage on the front wall of this living space, including a countertop where one might arguably put a margarita blender. Drawers and cabinets are all over.
I really like the organizer under the kitchen sink, and there is a cabinet with a trash can in it right by the stove. The sink is one of those newfangled multifunction models with the glass washer and all the various insert pieces for washing veggies and such.
Under the dinette table, which can extend and is wall-mounted, is a nice silverware drawer. Across from the island is a shallow set of shelves behind a pair of doors that results in storage that most will find useful and uncommon. There’s also an ottoman as the seat toward the front of the dining table that can be moved around. It also provides additional storage space.
Main living space
In the main living space is a very large smart TV with a fireplace below that. These are on a wall that is like one of those walls in an old haunted house movie—step on the secret latch, and there’s a whole lot more storage behind here.
Put zee candle back. (Not everyone will get this movie reference!)
I also like that there are the newer-style windows that incorporate the shades and screens into the frame assembly of the window itself.
The entry door to the trailer is wider than average, but it’s one of those goofy doors with the black glass outer piece. I don’t know who thought these were a good idea, but they’re absolutely not. They’re hot in the summer and you don’t get any additional window coverage, just a huge hunk of breakable black glass on the outside.
Upstairs
Upstairs, there’s a decently large bathroom. The shower stall incorporates a seat into the build. Nice.
The bedroom features a king-sized bed in a slide. There’s a decently large bureau on the camp-side wall, but the real storage here is the closet in the nose of the rig. The closet rod spans the entire width of the front of the trailer, so you could hang one heck of a lot of clothes here. There are also lots of cubbies in here. There are washer-dryer hook-ups, as well.
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Boondocking and travel access in the Cedar Creek Experience 29RL
You can camp off the grid in any RV, just about. However, I wouldn’t put this in the category of a boondocking champion. Like all the RVs with this floor plan, you really can’t access much with the slides closed, and you shouldn’t use the upstairs bedroom with that slide in.
There is just one solar panel standard, with a second one optional. But this is more about a battery tender than anything else. There are certainly holding tanks to support off-grid camping, but you’ll want to upgrade the solar if that’s what you really want.
Final thoughts on the Cedar Creek Experience 29RL
I sold a lot of Cedar Creek fifth wheels when I was selling RVs, and they were a good product then. I’m sure they’re better now—truthfully. I think there are improvements in RVs being made despite what you read on antisocial media.
But what hasn’t improved is Forest River’s website. So there is no clear distinction between the Cedar Creek and the Cedar Creek Experience lines, other than that they have a different picture as the hero image (the main image at the top of the website). Also, the only video they have on their site is one explaining how to use their WiFi system. Come on, Cedar Creek. It’s 2026.
Is that really how you want to inform buyers about why this product is different? Why isn’t there a detailed walk-through of each unit, a detailed video about the build process, and actual information here? If you say that information is in the printed brochure, I’m going to come and pour vinegar in your coffee.
I think Forest River has some good products in their stable that are very well designed and outfitted, but someone at corporate needs to be fired for their website that was lousy five years ago and hasn’t gotten better.
I do like this fifth wheel quite a bit, both from the standpoint of how it’s built, but also just in the packaging. Too bad Forest River doesn’t invest in even a mediocre website to help tell the story of an otherwise top-notch product.
MORE FOREST RIVER RV REVIEWS
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- RV review: Forest River Grand Surveyor 290RLDS—a polarizing plus-size trailer
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RVT1249
The candle reference makes me inquire ‘are there knockers on the door”?
One solar battery isn’t enough to keep the DC Fridge operating very long. DC fridges were installed to cut corners and save them money. Put adequate solar in to operate the fridge. If they don’t provide adequate information on their web sites or brochures. Boycott buying their RV’s they’ll change if they don’t sell them.
I think a lot of people who buy rigs like this simply use them in seasonal and/or permanent sites. As someone who camps off the grid a lot I have chosen to install plenty of solar/lithium but I can also make a case for zero solar for a lot of buyers. I like being given the choice, quite frankly.
When we bought our first Forest River trailer, Cedar Creek was the top of the FR line of fifth wheels. It used hung fiberglass walls on wood studs and batt insulation and was FR’s closest competitor to Keystone’s Montana as a luxury brand. Then FR came out with the Riverstone brand, with hung, not laminated, fiberglass walls and luxury accessories. Made no business sense at the time and still doesn’t. The incremental improvements in those two brands don’t compare with the significant improvements Keystone has made in their Montana luxury fifth wheels. I am definitely not a Thor fan, but if I were shopping for a luxury fifth wheel today, it wouldn’t be for either FR fiver!