The 2024 Salem FSX 30VCVIEW—redefining towable RVs (with secrets!)

Today’s RV review is of the Salem FSX 30VCVIEW travel trailer. Before we go further, I’d like to encourage you to clear your mind of what you know about towable RVs. If you’ve already looked at the photo, which I imagine you have, you’re going to have a preconceived notion of what this is, but it’s almost not what it is. What am I getting at? 

What is the Salem FSX 30VCVIEW

Okay, technically this is a toy hauler. But it’s kind of not. In fact, I would imagine more people buy this for it not being a toy hauler than do, though I could be really wrong. And the fact that it could haul things like eBikes or similar toys is almost secondary to a lot of other things this trailer can do. 

Best features

Often when I find an RV to review I find a few things I really like about it and a lot of things that are like a lot of things I’ve already seen. In many ways, this RV is different. 

And, if you like entertaining people, this is a great choice. 

What you have at the very back is a three-seat couch with an ottoman and then a big, open space because, if you were to use this as a toy hauler, that’s where those toys would go. The couch itself is in a slide room over on the road side. 

That couch features a recliner at the outer two positions with the center seat being stationary, although the backrest can fold down and that’s where you’ll find a pop-up power port. It also faces a wall of windows, as this is part of the brand’s VIEW series. 

Each of those windows has a power-operated blackout shade so you could relax here and lower each shade individually or lower them all. Then you have another switch that operates something I’ve only seen in one other RV—a $2 million Newell coach. What’s that, you ask? A power-operated movie screen. That screen covers those blackout shades over on the window side of this rig and it, too, is power-operated. See, I just saved you almost $2 million. 

And, like in that fancy motorhome, you have a projector on the opposite wall along with a soundbar. I have been wanting to see projectors in RVs since I saw the one in the Newell—and now it’s finally here. And that makes this a very good trailer if you like movies or if you like entertaining. Or if you find movies entertaining. 

I have been a fan of projectors for RVs since I got one for this review. We still use the heck out of it. 

Salem FSX 30VCVIEW

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Inside out

Another thing I like is that, since this is technically a toy hauler, it also has a ramp at the back and that can serve as a patio deck. There were also glass doors on the prototype unit which could be closed off to protect against the elements or opened. 

I could see entertaining people as they walk in and out of those glass doors drinking margaritas while videos of Jimmy Buffett concerts played on that huge screen. 

This would also be a great RV if you have pets or little humans as either, or both, of them could wander in and out and enjoy the fresh air or come inside but still be protected by the patio surround. 

Another secret room

But there’s a bigger secret in this trailer and that’s a secret room. And this one has a number of surprises. 

Behind a Dutch door that from the main space in this camper looks just like a wall, there’s a secret room here. To me this room reminds me of being in a compartment on an Amtrak train but with additional features. 

Yes, there’s a couch at the bottom and a bunk that drops down from the top (would that be more of a berth?). But there’s also a drop-down desk on the opposite side of this little room. Further, there’s a half-door that leads to the outside. 

You could flip up the upper and lower berth here and use this space to haul things that you could get to from that half-door on the road side of this rig. So it doesn’t have to be a room, but it can be, and it doesn’t have to be storage, but it can be. 

Other advantages

Another benefit of being a toy hauler is a higher ceiling of seven feet. That means the headroom in the bathroom is exceptional. 

Being part of the Salem family, this features a bedroom with a 66” X 78” bed that has a power lift that raises the head of the bed. This serves a few purposes. It can raise the head of the bed (no kidding, right?), but it can also move the foot of the bed such that the floor space in this room is better. 

When the bed is up you can also more easily get to the totes that are under the foot of the bed. I really like those totes, which are a signature feature in Salem products. There’s also a closet in here with adjustable shelves that can be removed and, should you do so, you’ll now have space for a washer and dryer. In a travel trailer. Well, toy hauler. 

Other details

There are a few other details worth noting, one of which is the island in the kitchen. This is a small island but has a large flip-up counter extension on the rear to almost double its size. The kitchen also features a three-burner propane stove and convection microwave. Refrigeration comes from a 12-volt unit whose door swings either way. That’s cool. 

I also like that Salem uses a segmented underbelly so you could just remove one panel if you find an issue. With my recent rants about RV plumbing, this is more important than ever in my mind. 

Boondocking and travel access

The only slide in here is a very large one that accommodates the couch, refrigerator and stove/microwave so the rest of this rig is fully accessible in travel mode. That’s assuming you haven’t loaded up the whole thing with miniature clown cars or something along those lines. 

As for boondocking, there is only a 200-watt solar panel here, so you’re not going to be off the grid all that long unless you step up the solar game. 

What I don’t like

Of course, nothing’s perfect and the first thing I found that I didn’t like was the position of the toilet, which leaves you little room if you’re right-handed and need to complete the paperwork on a job well done. It’s also a plastic toilet. Yuck. 

There are also two connection points for the sewer with the tube for the stinky slinky being between those. Bleh. Of course, the bathroom only has one of those worthless vent fans. Seems all my complaints on this unit center around one specific zone. 

Don’t call Dr. Freud—nobody needs to be thinking about that. 

Conclusions

This is one of the more unique floor plans that I’ve seen, and the Salem and Wildwood family seems to be on a roll with new and innovative ideas in the travel trailer world. 

Incidentally, Salem and Wildwood are essentially identical units with just the name and some exterior decals to differentiate them. This all has to do with a company wanting to expand its market share while respecting (sort of in a cheater way) a dealership’s territory. 

I like a lot about this trailer and have been wondering why I don’t see more projectors in the RV world. Overall, a nifty design with a lot of really unusual features that could serve someone really well. 

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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