Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Redbird

If you have followed my blog or read my profile, then you know we live in an older motorhome. For about 7 years we have been fulltiming ( a term used for people who live all the time in a rv as opposed to just camping now and then) in a 32 ft. Itasca.

Since the hood and driving compartment takes up over 7 feet, the actual living part of it is about 25 feet long and about 8 feet wide. Small enough the wife can manage it and large enough to be comfortable with just two of us.

It has served us well and has more than paid for itself in actual cash savings, but I have been on the lookout for something newer and a little larger. I wanted a trailer trailer this time as I think it better suits our needs.

We could not buy a fifth wheel because the wife has bad knees and did not need to climb the steps on the inside of a fifth wheel several times a day.

We needed a shower with a short step over.
Lots of cabinets
More closet space
Didn't want the tv 20 feet from us
We wanted slideouts to add living space
Did not want the commode in a room the size of a closet
I prefer a rear bedroom
Affordable but above an entry level rv ( the quality of our Itasca has spoiled us)
I prefer to buy locally if possible

We started the search and really only found one unit that came close to fitting our criteria. It is not perfect but close.

That unit being a 32FKR Cardinal by Forrest River







Our local dealer had the model we were looking for on their lot. It is optioned nicely but did not have a few of the things I felt were deal breakers for us.
It was built in March of 2006. A few of its options are now standard equipment but with a higher list price to cover those options.
We fell in love with the colors and decided that it was the one for us after we added the options we needed.

Here is how that unit is equipped:
Sable interior color
Merlot color carpet
10gal, gas electric DSI water heater
16" tires on Aluminum wheels
Pillow top mattress
Euro leather recliner & ottoman
Dinette and 4 chairs
Marbelized shower and bath sink
Center awning support
Slideout awnings
15F btu A/C with solar panel
Roof ladder
Fantastic fan with rain sensor
Coffee maker
Outside shower
Slideout oak facia
Electric front jack
12V battery disconnect
Satellite prep
Shock absorbers
Auroa china toilet
5.1 stereo with dvd
carbon monoxide detector
water purifier

The dealer offered us a very good deal on this unit but it was not what we needed. A couple of the small options we could live without but since I knew the price of this one, I told him I wanted one just like it except with my added options.
Thermopane windows
2nd A/C
Micro/convection with the already full stove
Wood plank flooring ( we added this at the last minute)

It is now on order. Build time about 8 weeks or a little longer. As the old saying goes, "everything but the kitchen sink", but this time even that is included, and to answer the wifes question, " a maid will not be included".

The pictures are of the unit in stock and the only real difference you will notice is it does not have the wood plank flooring and the graphics are not the same.













4 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

It looks very nice and comfy, cozy too. I'm sure your very excited about it.

Gary said...

That really does look nice. I think I would really enjoy living in it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for stopping by The Cedar Chest yesterday and leaving a comment.

This blog is interesting! You do a great job of giving information about your topic. I am going to put you in my links, and hope you will link me as well. I will be back for more stories of your life in the rv!

Kerri said...

I thought I commented on Friday when I was here, but I guess not!
This van sure looks good enough to live it. They really do them up nicely inside, don't they? Sounds like you'll have everything you'll ever need!

 

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