First Trip with 2013 Lacrosse 318BHS

[DanTrantham]

I can't say enough about this trailer. We love this trailer. We have two young daughters (6 and 8), and they LOVE having their own room in the back. And of course I LOVE having an external beer fridge in the outdoor kitchen. So many nice functions and options. I am proud to show anyone my new trailer.

However, there are just a few negatives that should be addressed, not as options, but in base model manufacturing. As follows:

- Short Queen...how hard would it be to add additional 6 stickin' inches to the trailer. I'm pulling a behemoth trailer as is, 6" wouldn't change a thing...

- Quality of the Queen Bed...did Forest River purposely put the lowest quality matress in this unit? I'm already paying $30k for the trailer, why cheap out on the bed?

- Toilet Paper Holder...I don't think its breaking news to say hanging a fixture on an RV wall is suspect. Is it too thin? Will it pull out? Why aren't there any cross frames in logical places to anchor into? So why not engineer a toilet paper holder into the wall somewhere in bathroom? Maybe Forest River engineers don't use toilet paper and don't understand the importance of said paper. Anyway...

-- Along those lines, it would be nice to have a some solid backing of the bunk room's TV area backwall. That way I could anchor an articulating flat screen arm.

- Ladder in the back...I think the Touring Edition may have one of these elusive pieces of equipment. So I understand it may be a good add-on feature; then at least provide pre-engineered anchor holes on top for the option. This isn't my biggest loss, but it would be nice to have a ladder for my winegard carryout mount and a bike rack for the girls. More importantly it would be nice to climb on top to check for leaves and limbs on the slideouts before I retract them, AND I can easily clean and condition the roof as the fine print of the warranty mandates. Oh well...

See. That's it. Everything else is great!
dt

Dan Trantham
Fort Smith, Arkansas

[Terier]

to the forums!

This is just my view but most RVs aren't known for comfortable beds. Many of us tend to upgrade the mattress asap. As for the lenght some of us assume it would be what we have at home and you know what is said about assuming.

The Toilet Paper Holder many of the units come without it being installed so you can select the best location. Based on what I have read on messages boards there's a lot of people that have a different opinion where it should be mounted. I was just lucky that my TT had it mounted already and in a good location too.

You have made some valid points. If you do upgrade down the road I bet you might will have a different checklist of "must have" for the new RV. Often these things can be upgraded and included in the contract.

Enjoy your trailer as you make great family memories.

[weiman1983]

Welcome to the forum!


I have the same trailer and love it as well. There have been many compliments from our neighbours in the parks.

As far as the negatives, i would have to agree with most of them. The matress is probably by biggest pet peeve! I wouldn't mind the hard matress as much if it was 6" longer but then you might loose the room somewhere else in the trailer.

Since our trailer is parked seasonally it doesn't bother me at all not to have a roof ladder. I just bring one from home every couple weeks to up there and have a look.

Overall it's a great trailer! A few minor issues that were dealt with by the dealer. I hope your family enjoys it as much as ours.

Happy camping!