NuWa Champagne model fifth-wheels are designed as destination trailers, those that provide all the comforts of home at a remote location, with hookups or without. The 35 LK RSB falls right in the middle of the seven-floorplan line in terms of size and weight.
Basics include 14-inch C-channel frame rails, a 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove floor deck, fiberglass-skinned blue polystyrene closed-cell foam walls, a rubber roof you can walk on anywhere, and greaseable shackle Nev-R-Lube axles.
While it’s neither inexpensive nor light, the Champagne 35 isn’t prohibitively expensive or heavy either. This model’s 16,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) means it can be towed by some larger pickups and — with 100 gallons of water on board, full LP-gas cylinders, two batteries and a spare tire — it had a respectable payload capacity of more than 2,000 pounds. Price for our turnkey test unit was $81,000 and change.
The RSB designation stands for reverse side bath, and is just one noteworthy aspect of this floorplan. The bathroom is curbside and self-contained, so you never need to run across the hallway from shower or WC to sink. There is plenty of headroom in the yard-square stand-up shower, and there’s a full-height three-door linen cabinet and a sink area that has counter space for more than a pair of toothbrushes.
Opposite the bath is a full-height slideout closet with a wire shelf which, along with another up front, gives the Champagne owner close to 8 linear feet of hanging space.
The bedroom is nicely finished and has a solid-wood sliding door for privacy. Reading lights, small shelf “nightstands” and a 20-inch television complete the details, and there are four opening windows here to enjoy the fresh air.
Our tester was fitted with optional dual deep-cycle batteries, electric jacks at both ends, a larger fridge, WeatherPro power awning, a rear sunscreen, a spare and hoist, an alabaster drapery upgrade, aluminum wheels and disc brakes — all reasons to give the HitchHiker a thumbs-up.
Pick up the May 2005 issue of Trailer Life for full test impressions and details on NuWa’s HitchHiker Champagne 35 LK RSB — then subscribe to Trailer Life, so you can stay informed on the latest tests, previews, tow vehicles, and technical and RV-lifestyle information.
NuWa Industries, (620) 431-2088, nuwa.com
