Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Prime Time Manufacturing LaCrosse 3411RK. As often as I look at RVs, I had honestly never really considered Prime Time Manufacturing.
Who is Prime Time Manufacturing?
Since I really hadn’t looked at this brand in the past, let’s check it out together. Essentially, Prime Time Manufacturing (aka Prime Time RV) is a division of Forest River that came about just after the good old Great Recession of 2008. That’s a time when lots of RV companies were going away, so it’s interesting that that’s the time they were starting.
The company has a number of lines, of course, with three main lines in the travel trailer field: Avenger, Tracer and LaCrosse. They also make Crusader and Sanibel lines of fifth wheels.
I recently got to check out a bunch of different models from the company and something that caught my eye was the word “ETERNABOND®” that the company used to describe their (bonded aluminum structure) construction.
For those of us who have been around RVs for any length of time, particularly in the world of vintage RVs, there is a product called EternaBond tape. This is a nearly permanent tape product that I’ve used to seal skylights and other exterior surfaces and is a product that is used in RV manufacturing. I’m not sure how Prime Time Manufacturing got to choose this term for their build, but they did.
I was told that, in the case of Prime Time Manufacturing, the term refers to how their products are built to last. One of the examples they cited was that the welds in the aluminum structure of these rigs completely encircle the joint. It is very common that the welds used are just tack or spot welds, so this isn’t a bad thing at all.
Inside the Prime Time Manufacturing LaCrosse 3411RK
The LaCrosse line is the most premium in Prime Time Manufacturing’s travel trailer series—and this is a long, long trailer. By one inch, it’s the longest in the series at 39’1”. Incidentally, since I used that reference, that’s actually seven feet longer than the New Moon trailer that was the subject of the 1950s Lucy and Desi film The Long, Long Trailer.
There are three slide rooms in this trailer, with two of those being opposing slides in the main living space.
A U-shaped kitchen is at the back of the trailer with a three-burner propane cooktop and a very large residential-style oven. The reefer in this is a 16-cubic-foot side-by-side model that operates on 12 volts.
Funny thing, I’m seeing more and more of these very large 12-volt fridges appearing even in park models and motorhomes now. I think the days of the propane-electric gas-absorption fridge are very numbered. That is a bit of a bummer for some boondockers. But the days of the residential fridge in RVs are also numbered—which couldn’t make me happier.
However, I don’t know if these larger 12-volt fridges will last longer than the lousy modern residential fridges. I sure hope so.
Living spaces in the Prime Time LaCrosse 3411RK
That big kitchen overlooks a really open-feeling living space in this rig. Prime Time Manufacturing’s rep told me that the company hired a proper interior designer to give their RVs a new, more appealing interior appearance. The designer got to massage the entire line and also worked to unify that line.
From my perspective, the interior was very pleasant, indeed. However, some people might balk at the white upholstery.
That upholstery was on the theater seats which faced a very large TV and fireplace that are located in the camp-side slideout. Also, there was a dining table and chairs. Those chairs were also upholstered in the same white material.
While I was drinking a coffee in there, I didn’t think it would be polite to spill some on the white upholstery to test its resistance to stain. But it did have a feel of being stain-resistant, so let’s agree that it is.
This being a couple’s camper, I don’t think there’s that much danger of crayons and markers being near the couches. But if the owners are anything like me, barbecue and mustard are highly likely to come into contact with these surfaces.
The living room is a nice space for conversations with that two-person couch plus the theater seats. You could also talk to the folks at the dining table.
Big bathroom in the Prime Time LaCrosse 3411RK
One of the things a long, long trailer provides is lots of floor space. Some of that space is used to make quite a large bathroom. It splits the trailer between the bedroom, which is up front, and the living space we were just looking at.
If RV bathrooms bug you because they tend to be small, this one won’t.
The shower is every bit as large as the ones in many fifth wheels and includes a seat/step. There’s lots of space around the king of thrones, and there’s a decent sink with a medicine cabinet.
There’s also a large closet in the bathroom, and you can make a choice as it’s plumbed for a stackable washer-dryer combo. Or, you can just leave things as they are and use this to have more storage.
Bedroom in the Prime Time Manufacturing LaCrosse 3411RK
One of the highlights that Prime Time Manufacturing cites is the king-sized bed, which is in a slideroom in this trailer. But you’ll find that there’s really no space on either side of the bed for your personal whatchamagadgets.
I do like the headboard of this, which looks like a nicely finished pallet. That sounds bad, but it’s really not.
You’ll also find that there’s a seat in the bedroom, and a good amount of both hanging and drawer space.
Boondocking and travel access
In the classic car world, there are some cars that are so fancy (and often valuable) that they only go to shows on the back of trailers. Those are called trailer queens.
I suspect that this is a trailer park queen in that boondocking really isn’t a forte for this trailer. Also, as long as it is, I know some of the places I like to boondock wouldn’t fit this lengthy beast.
So, the fact that you’re completely blocked from the kitchen and bedroom by the three slide rooms isn’t surprising. I guess it’s not that big of a deal if this is the trailer for you. You can still get to the bathroom—so there’s that.
What I would change in the Prime Time LaCrosse 3411RK
Something I’m not a fan of are floor ducts for the furnace in RVs. Unfortunately, this one has a floor duct right at the foot of the two-person couch, which is also a hide-a-bed. When that couch is opened up into a bed, now the furnace duct is blasting the underside of the bed. Bleh.
This has a “spread axle,” which places the axles farther apart to make towing a better experience—according to the companies that do this. I haven’t towed a spread-axle trailer, but the transporters who have towed with this setup have told me that, yes, this does make a bit of a difference.
It’s still a leaf spring suspension with no dampening in the center. So I would imagine you’re still transmitting a fair amount of road surface irregularities to the trailer.
Lastly, that name ETERNABOND®. To me, it’s really confusing considering the tape that’s commonly used in the RV industry by the exact same name. (Well, except the tape is EternaBond.)
This trailer can make a lot of sense if you’re considering a fifth wheel. However, the steps to the upper deck are a challenge. You have the living space in here that many fifth wheels offer, and the interior is certainly pleasant. There’s also the washer-dryer prep which is typically found in larger fifth wheels.
Would this work in your world? I can see this being a good rig for full-time living as much as short jaunts and regular travel.
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 lifelong 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.
##RVT1160
That’s a BIG tagalong!!
39 FEET???
This looks like a “seasonal camper” that will be towed to a Minnesota seasonal RV park on one of those famous 10,000 lakes in April, then towed to its storage lot in October. For that use, the suspension, refrigerator type, and lack of road access aren’t of much concern. It is just too long for long distance travel unless it’s a couple who work-camp host at a national park for 6 months.
Pretty but it looks like they “cheaped out” on some important things, one of which is the suspension, as you noted!
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 I might also avoid boondocking in this RV because of the price. I’d hate to pay that much (or 70-75% of it) and break it taking it down some washboarded dirt road in search of solitude. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Good article
Thank you so much.
I bought a lightly used 2011 PrimeTime Tracer “Executive” model that was 26′ inside and about 29′ overall. I lived in it full time for almost three years. I boondocked, moochdocked, and stayed for three months in a small park. So essentially I had every type of experience you can have in a TT. I dragged it up that (dangerous) skinny dirt road in Craggy Wash all the way to the top. No sweat really. I even buried it in “quicksand” (for 10 days) at the RTR in Quartzite. It held up very well overall, until I parked it in outdoor storage. The quality was surprisingly good. The materials and fit-and-finish were above par in my experience; and it took everything I could dish out.
This is good to read – thanks for weighing in and sharing your experience, Steve.
I’d hate to get caught in a strong crosswind!