I reported on a more pricey option in the travel trailer field just a few days ago and the comments reflected a hesitancy to buy a travel trailer in that price range. So, I found the trailer listed for less than that MSRP in several places. But, still, the Flagstaff and Rockwood line is not the cheapest.
As with everything, you get what you pay for. So for those who kvetch about the quality of trailers, don’t buy the cheapest option.
But often there’s a middle ground option that might be more palatable to some purchasers and, perhaps, Forest River’s Surveyor division could be a better budgetary fit. Today we’re looking at the 2022 Surveyor Legend 240BHLE.
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Differences
So what don’t you get if you go with something like this instead of the Flagstaff, which is also a Forest River product? Here you have a leaf spring suspension instead of the torsion axles, and the tires are not Goodyear Endurance. There’s no tire pressure monitoring system here, either.
If I were out shopping this would be the end of the story for me. The suspension and tire quality are some of the most important aspects in the longevity of a trailer. But, clearly, they sell tons of these, so let’s keep going.
This also features an Azdel substrate on the sidewalls but not on the rear or slide box walls. So you may see this advertised as having Azdel, but just not everywhere. They don’t advertise that portion.
Please note that one reader did lay claim to the company’s using Azdel on all the walls but the company didn’t respond for clarification yet. If this matters to you, I would verify this.
What you do get in the Surveyor Legend 240BHLE
But what you do get are things like a PVC roof, which is a good feature, plus slam latch baggage doors. However, they don’t mention if these are keyed alike, which means one key opens everything. I doubt it—because if you got it, you flaunt it in the RV space.
Further, Surveyor Legend 240BHLE does have some nifty features including storage under the dinette. The dinette seat structure is actually supported with gas struts, so the seat bottom frames actually lift up and stay up for easy access. This is a terrific feature.
There is also a nifty rear cargo door and the lower bunk flips up, again with a gas strut. So you could put a pretty decent sized kayak or a couple of bicycles in there. I like that because if you have youngsters traveling with you, you likely have adventure gear for them and probably for yourself, as well. Nice.
I also really the outdoor kitchen on the Surveyor Legend. There is a single metal drawer-type feature that then has wings that slide out on either side. So while it’s not taking a lot of space in the body of the trailer, you ultimately get a good amount of usable space there. This trailer also comes with the Suburban propane griddle—which I have and like quite a bit.
Back inside, all the counter tops and table tops are Surfex. That is a sealed-edge pressed membrane product that is not susceptible to water damage. The table top has a live (natural) edge design. Nice stuff.
Also the cover for the relatively large farmhouse kitchen sink is split into two pieces of different sizes. So if you need a larger surface for cutting veggies or whatever. you have that. If you only want a smaller surface, you have that. Nice touch.
Over the kitchen there are no cabinets, but there is a pantry in the slide room on the road side. That also has a four-place dinette with that nifty under-bench storage.
Boondocking in the Surveyor Legend 240BHLE
These models come with a 12-volt compressor fridge, but you can still get the propane-electric model. There is an optional Go Power! roof-mounted solar panel, but only 80 watts worth. This would be good as a battery tender but not much more.
The holding tanks are also on the smaller side, at 40 gallons of fresh water and 30 each of black and gray.
More considerations
The Surveyor Legend 240BHLE is good in terms of travel access where you can cinch by the dinette and get to the fridge and bathroom even with the slide closed. But you cannot put down the Murphy bed with the slide closed.
That Murphy bed is one that bends about two-thirds of the way up. That means a very thin mattress and light-duty platform, as well. However, it rests on the couch and that couch has two drawers underneath, which is a plus.
Further, there are cubbies behind the closets on either side of the bed—which is also a neat trick.
However, I can’t understand the travel trailers that have a windshield and a Murphy bed. When you want light, it’s blocked by the bed. When you don’t, it’s right there in your face. Who makes these decisions?
Maybe the same people who put a 17” oven in a travel trailer designed for large families.
But at least they sort of redeemed themselves with a nifty holder behind the oven for utensils, as well as a holder for knives.
As for climate change, the Surveyor Legend does well in that department, with no floor-mounted furnace ducts. The furnace also heats the enclosed underbelly, which is neat. When you’re not running the heater, know that you do get a 15,000 BTU air conditioner, larger than in many smaller trailers.
In summary
If I were shopping for something like this, the suspension, tires, and design of the Murphy bed would be enough to make me move on. But this is a popular model for Surveyor. I do like the interior design, and there are some really good features including the higher interior ceiling height.
I wouldn’t get too hung up on the MSRP for these RVs here as I suspect we’re going to start seeing deals come back to an RV retailer near you. In the meantime, do you share my ideas about make-or-break features?
I would love to read your comments and suggestions over on our new forums, where you can weigh in and start or join a discussion about all things RV. Here’s a link to my RV Reviews Forum.
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. You can find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. 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.
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##RVDT1787
You are incorrect so please make this change. The Surveyor brand DOES use Azdel on the rear walls and the slide out walls. Saying that is does not is false. It is shown on the website, in the brochures, in walk around videos and more.
Tony why are you not responding to this? Are you ok putting false info to your readers with no regard on getting the actual truth?
Hi, Chase. Tony did update the post after your previous comment. He has reached out to the folks at Surveyor about the use of Azdel, but has not heard back yet. He’ll update the post when he has more information from Surveyor. –Diane
You mention that the company makes this claim on their website and I don’t see that. However I did reach out to them plus I also acknowledged your statement in the article. If/when they return my email I will absolutely make a correction if the information is incorrect. But, as of right now, this follows exactly what I saw on their own website.
Based on most of the responses below, it seems like many of us would prefer more cargo space to an outdoor kitchen. Problem is that it’s getting hard to find mid- and high-priced RVs without one. Maybe manufacturers should have an “outdoor kitchen option” instead of automatically including it just to increase the dealer’s profit!
Is it just me or does the adventure door look too small to get an adult size bike into?
When I want to grill outside, I put my $15 Walmart portable propane grill on my folding aluminum “TV tray” (shows how old I am!). Then I proceed to cook my hamburgers, chicken, fish, or steaks wherever I camp. I don’t need $1000 worth of fridge, stove, and sink taking up otherwise valuable cargo space in my RV when I can carry my food from the indoor fridge and wash dishes in the kitchen sink. Guess I am just not one of the those who has to get a fresh beer from the outdoor kitchen every 15 minutes while “camped” in the parking lot of an NFL or college football game. That’s what portable ice chests were made for–then you don’t have to get out of your camp chair for a cold one!
Spot on, Steve!
I agree most often my outside kitchen is the campfire but I also have a small portable gas grill that I can put on the picnic table. If I need beer close by I use a six pack cooler and an ice pack from the freezer. But, I only use that when I am visiting another camp site. I will just get another beer when i take a bathroom break on my own site.
Your typo has all ready been caught. I know I’m not a world class traveler but I have yet to see anyone cooking on the outdoor kitchen. Is this just a way to increase the cost of an RV? Personally I wouldn’t buy an RV with this feature. I can see the advantage to an outside TV or stereo, but I have yet to see or hear of someone cooking outside with the bugs.
We’ve seen a couple outdoor kitchens opened, but have never seen anyone actually using them. Is it just a status symbol?
I use the outside grill on my travel trailer probably as much as I do the inside stove top and oven. In fact I only cook bacon and other greasy things on the flat-top griddle on my travel trailer.
Bacon gets made on the grill over the fire or in the oven. Way less trouble.
Yeah, but if I do it on the griddle there are always “chef’s samples” readily available!
I had a travel trailer with a 2 burner cook top outside. It folded up when not using. I loved it and always used it for cooking breakfast. Sometimes my wife used it for cooking pasta. Miss not having it on my new travel trailer. The sink was useless since it didn’t have a drain.
UVW 5113, GVW 2432?? First time I’ve ever seen a negative load capacity. You may have a typo in here somewhere, Tony…
I have NO idea what you mean, Don! Okay, I’m kidding, the number was the CCC. I just updated the chart. Thanks for catching that.