2016 Spring

While the trailer is a traditional stick and tin build, it does add strength with a 5/8-inch tongue and groove plywood floor supporting it all. To fend off wet weather, the slide- outs all have triple seals, the outside walls carry 0.24-inch aluminum siding, and above it all is a one-piece seamless SuperFlex roof covering, which can be walked on. Another important feature is protection for freshwater and wastewater tanks. These are enclosed underneath the unit and those compartments are heated. For insulation the 2-inch wall construction contains R-7 fibreglass insulation throughout. For heating the trailer offers a floor-ducted 25,000 Btu forced air furnace—while cooling comes from a roof mounted 13,500 Btu air conditioner; it cools through ceiling diffusers. A neat feature on this model is a sliding-glass patio door that enters the living room right across from the single large slide-out. There is also a rear entry man-door, which accesses the back bedroom and its adjacent bathroom. Looking at the trailer from outside you can see that it would lend itself to a semi-permanent site where a deck could easily be added to below the patio door—with the large awning covering everything. This would be the main in and out with the rear door used for cutting down on traffic to the bathroom. But, this is just an option as the trailer tows well and handles nicely on the road. This is not a park model—it just could be. The dry weight on this Wildwood is 7,600 pounds and I towed it with a new2015 all aluminumFord F150 equipped with the very new 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine. Making 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque it’s surprisingly strong for a motor this size. While the weight of this trailer did put the Ford to work, it felt very controlled and stable. I also noted that despite a fairly high-sided attitude, crosswinds created very minimal buffeting. The only caution I’ll offer is that with a travel trailer of this length tail-swing is a concern—but only if you forget to allow for it in turns. Inside, the decor creates a look that’s homey yet upscale. The focal point of the trailer, as I said, is that large patio door across from the couch in the slide-out. This design is not only roomy but creates a sitting area with a view— just park it somewhere nice. The other half of the slide is taken up with a good-sized dinette across from the kitchen. This kitchen will handle meals for families, big or small, starting with the residential-style refrigerator next to the three-burner high output range with oven. Above it is a microwave with carousel built-in over the range hood with its exhaust fan and light. The large deep basin sink is set at an angle to create more counter space and features a gooseneck faucet. Glass fronted cupboards are a nice touch while under-counter storage is ample. For flooring, the Wildwood offers money-saving linoleum that mimics wide-plank wood. This is found in all high-traffic areas, bathroom and bedrooms, while carpet is found only in the flat-floor slide-out.

On the side of the kitchen cupboard (just as you walk-in through the patio door) is a handy device—a command center for all the trailer systems. Also the builder has given the customer wall switch controls in key locations (for each room) that control the 12-volt overhead lights (some of them). This is a convenience feature added to very basic lighting. The bathroom in this unit does its best to offer extras with little things like a tooth brush holder and towel ring, wooden medicine cabinet with a mirrored door, and a vinyl tub surround. With doors on either side it is also private to the rear bedroom but accessible to guests from the kitchen side through another hard door. Overall it’s a little light in its amenities, but again Forest River adds a perk with a 16 gallon-per-hour quick-recovery water heater. On the other hand if you want a skylight over the shower— that’s optional. After an afternoon with the Wildwood I saw amenities and construction that worked to keep overall costs down. For instance many powered items, which many trailers carry as standards are optional on the Wildwood—leaving the choice to add cost (or not) up to the buyer. However the designers also picked items of importance and added value to those. Specifically I saw that come into play where long-term inside usage would be appreciated and outside weather protection was needed. This is a trailer that has “middle-of-the-road” pegged. But, the variety and ingenuity of the floorplans are anything but that. These deserve a look.

FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD 37BHSS2Q

FRESH WATER: 40 gallons BLACK WATER: 27 gallons GREY WATER: 30 gallons

LENGTH: 36’ 1” HEIGHT: 11’ 2” GVWR: 11,092 pounds DRY WEIGHT: 7,600 pounds

COAST TO COAST SPRING 2016 21

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