Home on the Open Range

Technology and forward thinking has advanced people and convenience in ways we never thought possible. We can talk on portable telephone almost anywhere, we can sit at our desks and look at live pictures from all over the world, heck we have even put a man on the moon...with a car! Then, why can't we have a three slide fifth wheel under 9,000 pounds?

Ok, so maybe that is a long connection, nonetheless, why not? Well we can. Ask Open Range, they build one and it's nice. Open Range is a new company that is thinking a little more outside the box then most RV companies. Their idea is to build something light, that people can tow easily, but still give it some luxuries. The light weight features aren't mind blowing, it's very obvious. For example, a standard slide out has a large motor, one or two drive pistons and extra framing. The Open Range doesn't use drive pistons, they use steel cables and pulleys to operate their slides and since there isn't as much weight hanging out there, the slides are deeper. Another example is the roof rafters, they are bevelled cutouts, not wood trusses. They also use a special Plylite plywood for the floors that is more porous then standard plywood. These are all simple things that pick up a few pounds here and there that really add up. That stuff is all nice and good, but it's more fun to talk about the bells and whistles.



Where do I begin? Well the Open Range is an incredible four season unit. Thermal pane windows are an options. There is a Four Season Living Package. The slide outs are insulated with flex foil insulation. Flex foil is a reflective corrugated foil that is thin and weighs about as much as cardboard, but it provides an additional R-14 rating of insulation, that is substantial considering just how little it weighs. Also the pass through storage compartment is designed with an air return and furnace register, so air circulates throughout that compartment, just like the interior of the camper. The plumbing connections are enclosed in that compartment as well. The bedroom floor is insulated, you say, big deal, who's isn't? You'd be surprised if you knew how many companies don't insulate their bedroom floors.

The interior is well designed and ascetically pleasing. The colors are all matched very well with the two tone wood decor. Open Range uses residential curtains, this is the first RV I have seen that actually uses real curtain rods instead of wood and fabric stapled together. Residential is a word thrown around way too much in this industry without actually thinking about what it means. The dining chairs look like actual dining room chairs, not miniature RV chairs. The kitchen is well appointed with a wine rack and spice rack under the sink. The counter tops are a solid surface that is as durable as Corian, but lighter. The floor plans available so far are all enclosed bathroom layouts, which is ideal. Does your house have the shower in the bedroom? I think we can call that a residential feature.



Open Range was also smart enough to realize that when you buy an RV you should be able to get what you need without having to go to Camping World a dozen times. The Open Range is the only fifth wheel to offer a built in King Pin Stabilizer that folds up underneath the bedroom to save storage space. What is an outside cook top? A stove outside? How about a real grill? I can't cook a cheeseburger on a stove! Open Range has a slick slide out LP grill. How about a max air cover? Now you can leave that overhead vent open and get that cheeseburger smell out of your kitchen without worrying about rain. The gutter spouts keep those black streaks off your brand new, shiny Open Range. The power awning is quick and easy to setup, that just means you can start your vacation faster.



The Open Range offers a great selection of features that work for you, the RVer. It truly is a new product in a traditionally old fashion business, check it out. Now I've got to go make some burgers, I made myself hungry!