Stick the Boat on the Roof! Presidential Holiday Rambler
Written: Nov 30 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Light, light and more light. Light weight and a big beauitful bay window to let in light.
Cons: Options are a bit high, $1,736 for a leather chair? Ouch!
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| djgeiger's Full Review: 2000 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite |
The ultimate RV set up and the reasons why. We have rented several different motor homes and fifth wheel combinations. We have been trying to find what fits our needs. I strongly suggest renting and trying out RV's until you realize what our needs are. You don't know until you spend time on the road. With the motor home it kept coming down to the problem of having to tow a car to get around in while the motor home is parked. Driving a motor home and towing a car is like a double jeopardy. You’re stuck maintaining two drive trains/motors even though one of them is being towed. If using a motor home and towing a car where is the boat suppose to go? These problems brought us to the realization that a fifth wheel would be the best deal for us. With a fifth wheel we could unhook the truck from the fifth wheel and have a vehicle to get around in. We also found a way to bring our boat with us with the Lift-N-Load boat loader system that I will go into more detail about later in the review. The boat and boat trailer will go on top of the truck.
This review is about the 2001 Presidential (34RLT) from Holiday Rambler, which is part of their Alumalite series. Holiday Rambler is part of Monaco Coach Corporation. The primary reasons we finally choose this fifth wheel is the suburb craftsmanship, light weightness and the feeling of so much space!
Never once in the Presidential fifth wheel did we get the feeling of claustrophobia. In the living room are two flat floor slide outs one on each side of the living room easily giving you the feel and comfort of a full size living room. The height is a few inches higher than other RV’s we have looked at. The Fleetwood Terry EXL was 9.5 feet the Presidential is 12.6 feet. Just a few inches in height gives you the feel of more space and openness. The large bay window and several additional windows give the entire RV a feeling of openness, more space and light.
The bedroom also has a flat floor slide out giving the bedroom plenty of space for a comfortable king size bed The queen size bed comes standard but the king size bed was so big and nice! The bedroom also had a nice desk for computers with a phone jack conveniently nearby. Also convenient features is the lined wardrobe, chest a drawers and the TV shelf. Above the bed are two brass swivel lights that look so pretty with the dark wood.
The kitchen area comes standard with a large double-door refrigerator (optional icemaker), high output three-burner range and oven. Bi-fold Flushmont range cover and a 12V fan on the range hood. There is a system monitor panel on the range hood. The stand wood color is the Western oak cabinetry but you can choose an optional walnut (which is my choice) or the colony oak. Also standard is a microwave with a touch control. Another phone jack is in the kitchen. A very nice feature is the low friction roller drawer guides.
The bathroom has a big shower (one-piece fiberglass with glass door), a wood medicine cabinet with mirror and storage cabinet below the sink. As an option you can have a tinted skylight in the bathroom.
The toilet has it’s own privacy area and it’s own medicine cabinet. Next to the private toilet is a wardrobe which has washer and dryer hook ups. Having a washer and dryer in a RV is a big plus in my mind. I hate laundry mats.
When traveling long distances the tank capacities can become a major issue. In this fifth
wheel the water heater is 6 gallons, the gray water is 40/40, black water 40 gallons and the fresh water tank is a good size 70 gallons. There are two 30-gallon LP tanks.
On the outside you’ll find a large storage space that is lighted. There is also an outside shower that I find very handy. The under belly enclose a six-layer floor that protects fluids from freezing and provides an unrestricted airflow. The roof has ten layers. One of the features I like most is the vinyl ceiling. All these features together make for a very noise free environment. Even on a very windy day we were unaware of the noise outside. It also is very energy efficient.
The standard safety features include a fire extinguisher, deadbolt locks, 120V GFI protected outlets, breakaway switch, LP gas detector, smoke detector, Egress Windows and safety glass.
The heating is a standard 40M BTU Hydroflame electric ignition furnace that works through the in-floor ducts. The air conditioner is a One DuoTherm 13.5M BTU with a wall thermostat. Never during our time in the fifth wheel were we uncomfortable because of it being too hot or cold. Neither the heater nor the air conditioner was overly noisy.
The interior color combinations are very elegant. The wallpaper, drapes and carpets match very nicely. The color combinations include coral coast, sea view (my choice) emerald and mahogany. This is the first time I have liked all the choices and have had difficulty choosing between the color combinations.
Of all the fifth wheels we have looked at and tried combining the features of lightweight, luxury and price the 2001 Presidential is in number one position with us with the quoted cost of $48,209,00 (RV show price). Even including the cost of a Dodge Ram diesel the price still comes under the cost of a class A motor home. We will have a separate vehicle to run around in when the fifth wheel is parked. We found it very easy to park and pull. Backing up was a snap. We are very pleased with our decision.
Lift-N-Load boat loader system is just the ticket with a truck and a fifth wheel. There are two different models. The 105-F is for smaller boats and trailers. It fits over the cab and front end of the pickup. Its maximum GVW is 600 pounds. It has a Warn electric winch. The one we will use is the Model 101-T this model is for larger boats and trailers. The boat trail must be able to pass through the tailgate will a 3-inch clearance. It sits on top of the cab of the pickup overhanging the bed of the pickup on braces. There is no interference with the fifth wheel pin in the bed of the pickup (alas, the fifth wheel!). It also comes with a Warn electric Winch. Quite a set up to be able to bring your boat along with you. I’m impressed!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
djgeiger
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Member: Diana Geiger
Location: Huron, South Dakota USA
Reviews written: 164
Trusted by: 350 members
About Me:
I am a writer and the Exotic Pets Editor for BellaOnline.com.
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