Questions about Columbus FW's . . .

[TXRam]

We are looking to sell our TT (Rockwood) and buy a Fifth Wheel. Have looked at so many makes/models that my brain hurts!!!

Wife and I really like the Columbus for the price/value/amenities. I see the 320RL is very popular here - we personally like the 325RL. Anyone have that one?? Thoughts/comments/likes/dislikes/problems?

Why are almost all of the ones I see the brown/cream exterior? We greatly prefer the grey but can't seem to find hardly any gray ones.

Most of the ones we have found have the "theatre" seating. Anyone have that? thoughts?

Any other thoughts/comments/advice is also greatly appreciated.

[lgray]

TXRam,

I can sympathize with your frustration and since no one has replied, I will share our experience/decision on this subjective topic. We traded from a Flagstaff TT. We researched and looked at Cardinal, Blue Ridge and Sierra, until walking into the Columbus 320…that changed everything. The 320's open floor plan, shower and king sized bed couldn’t be matched. When comparing the 325 and 320, beware of the specs listed. The 320 is longer than listed on the Palomino site and I suspect the 325 is not as long. I say that because our dealer referenced a smaller unit now being manufactured, which could only be the 325. Not knowing what your needs are, I can tell you that having the flexibility of the 320’s island has been a real advantage. It certainly allow for a larger open space or “great room”. On the other hand if you are a tailgater, the 325 is your choice with its outside amenities. As far as colors are concerned, I would suspect that they produce more of the brown, tan and crème due to the interior colors.

[Earth Station]

We have the blue/gray exterior and love it!!!

[Going Camping]

We are picking up our new 320RS Friday in Marion, NC. We ordered the grey exterior instead of the brown and cream for personal likes. Color should be to the likes of the owners. Everyone has different taste. For the outside kitchen on the 325, there is both pro's and con's. Pro's being less trips into the rv for meal prep, outside fridge for cold ones, etc. We opted for the interior room of the 320 with the island. We have an outside fridge that will be hauled on the bike rack if needed. We have been camping with TT and FW for over 30 years. Every year there will be something new on the market that might be better, but as for now the Columbus 320 and the 325 seem to have what everyone wants. It took us almost a year to find what we wanted to change to from a Jayco 325 bunkhouse. I will have to say I think we have found our last FW. This should last us as long as we need it to. Enjoy what ever your decision is. Camping is the great life.

2013 Columbus 320RS
2006 Dodge 2500 HD

[amxpress]

We have the grey; it matches my truck and my hair.

[rjshiflet]

We have the brown/creme - it matches what my hair looked like 30 years ago.

We picked the 320RS before there were other models available, but having seen the floorplans and specs - we would still go for the 320. The minute we stepped into the display model at the RV show we knew it was EXACTLY what we wanted in a floorplan...I mean EXACTLY. We were so tired of seeing TV/Entertainment centers in the back so from the couch or recliners along the side it meant watching at an awkward angle. The huge shower...the little things like easier-to-handle propane tanks and frameless windows.

We saw it - fell in love and a week later ordered our own and haven't had a second of regret or buyers remorse. Just the longing for more days out and about.

We're taking 3 more days late next week in celebration of our 43rd wedding anniversary and headed to the Texas Hill Country.

[rjshiflet]

By the way TXRam - are you here in Texas? What part?

[Earth Station]

Originally Posted by rjshiflet

We have the brown/creme - it matches what my hair looked like 30 years ago.

We picked the 320RS before there were other models available, but having seen the floorplans and specs - we would still go for the 320. The minute we stepped into the display model at the RV show we knew it was EXACTLY what we wanted in a floorplan...I mean EXACTLY. We were so tired of seeing TV/Entertainment centers in the back so from the couch or recliners along the side it meant watching at an awkward angle. The huge shower...the little things like easier-to-handle propane tanks and frameless windows.

We saw it - fell in love and a week later ordered our own and haven't had a second of regret or buyers remorse. Just the longing for more days out and about.

We're taking 3 more days late next week in celebration of our 43rd wedding anniversary and headed to the Texas Hill Country.

Happy Anniversary to you both!!!!!!

[ritzyteach]

along the same line as the brown/cream instead of the grey exterior in all the display rigs, all the interiors seem to be Sierra (I think that is the brown with huge sunflowery things). That means I have to order one because I like the pewter interior. Why do the dealers not get a variety in?

[Earth Station]

I saw some new interiors when I was at the STL show last week. (again liked mine better )

[ZanMan4U]

We just ordered our new columbus 320 RS last week. I think it is going to be a very long 6 to 8 weeks.

[rjshiflet]

Originally Posted by ZanMan4U

We just ordered our new columbus 320 RS last week. I think it is going to be a very long 6 to 8 weeks.

Yep, I can promise you...it'll be the longest 6 to 8 weeks of your life!!

[Cflmom]

Originally Posted by ritzyteach

Why do the dealers not get a variety in?

When we ordered in July, the Pewter color was just coming out....that just left the Seville and the other one, Pebble, I think. The last one really wasn't a choice (my opinion)! So I think there are so many Seville interiors out there because that really was the only choice for awhile!
We picked the Grey exterior. Love it!!

[WannaBcamping]

Last time we were at our dealers they had 3 Columbus models on the lot. 2x 320RS and 1x 295RL. One of the them had the grey exterior and interior. I liked the grey exterior as much as the brown and cream one but I did not like the grey interior. I guess different strokes for different folks.

[ritzyteach]

which ones? and which one do you have?

[joelek]

Another happy 320RS owner here. And yes, I have the ever popular brown/cream outside with the Seville decor inside. I'm eager to talk to the Columbus rep this winter at the RV show and find out how the brand is doing and what dealer expansion will be happening in Minnesota.

[Fred and Christine]

We had only seen the Columbus on the internet when our dealer called to tell us he had two come in. A brown 365RL and a Gray 320RS with the Seville interior it was love at first sight. We had planned on buying a 5th wheel in the Spring but we bought the 320RS that night. No regrets.

[ZanMan4U]

I'm really glad to see some very positive post here. We ordered the 320RS with 6 point leveling, gray exterior, and the seville interior. I agree I didn't like the pebble interior. We are trading our 2008 Cedar Creek DayDreamer, loved the unit, but felt that the floor plan of the columbus better suited our needs.

[drinkh20]

This is great! We ordered our 320RS on Aug. 25 th and still waiting for it to arrive!!
ZanMan, i ordered the 6 point leveling. How do you like it? Are they using hydraulic pumps on the leveling system?

[ZanMan4U]

Hi drinkh20 we haven't gotten our unit yet like you we are waiting on it to arrive at the dealer. I did research on the 6 point leveling system and from everything I read it is electric/hydraulic which our DayDreamer was equiped with electric/hydraulic and I really like the speed of how quickly jacks and stabilizers lower with this type of setup. There is a youtube video about the LCI 6 point leveling and it is very impressive check it out.