The Ride: Forest River Wildwood Lodge 42VERANDA is Pure Luxury
This destination trailer makes a swanky retreat.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Forest River
Destination trailers are having a moment right now. Larger and more spacious than the traditional towable, these RVs are designed for extended stays. Often, they remain parked at an RV resort or a private campground, and while their size makes them less nimble than other rigs, they make up for it with residential-style floor plans and posh amenities.
And when it comes to the destination concept, Forest River is leading the way as of late. Over the past few years, the manufacturer has released a stream of models with confident styling and creative use of space. Case in point: the Wildwood Lodge 42VERANDA, which in many ways redefines the expectations for towables.
Measuring 44 feet, 11 inches in length and with an unloaded vehicle weight of 13,754 pounds, the 42VERANDA is anything but small. You’ll need a hefty tow vehicle to get it down the road, but once underway its triple-axle, reinforced chassis ensures a smooth, controlled ride.
The signature feature is a rear patio that’s unlike just about anything we’ve seen on an RV before. The entire deck sits on a sliding mechanism that retracts in transit and expands to provide more space at the campsite. The deck’s wooden flooring, outdoor speakers, and ceiling fan give it a sleek, modern feel. An outdoor kitchen comes complete with a gas griddle, sink, and mini-fridge.
Photo Credit: Forest River
Inside, an expansive living space includes a lounge area, a residential-style island kitchen and a large bathroom with a glass-doored shower to rival those found in many homes. The primary bedroom has a power-tilting king-size bed, built-in wardrobe and dressers, and washer and dryer hookups. The rig also features a lofted sleeping area with a queen-size bed, storage cabinets, bookshelves, a wall-mounted TV, and a sitting area with an integrated table.
A surprising number of windows provide an abundance of natural light, giving the 42VERANDA an open, airy feel—and electric shades make it easy to adjust just how much of that light streams in. The destination trailer’s interior feels more “vacation home” than “RV,” and given its size, it’s well suited for families and couples alike.
This winning entry makes it easy to understand why destination trailers are surging in popularity. Once a traveler spends some time in one of these, it may be hard to “camp” any other way.
Dimensions
| GVWR: 16,200 lbs. | Hitch Weight: 1,815 lbs. | Overall Length: 41′ 11″ | Exterior Height: 13′ 3″ |
Photo Credit: Forest River
- The rear patio extends the living space outdoors and retracts while in transit.
- An outdoor kitchen includes a large griddle, a sink, and a mini fridge.
- Large campside awnings feature LED lighting diffuser bars.
- The trailer’s main entrance comes with a stylish glass door.
- Numerous large windows provide natural light and great views.
- An enclosed and heated underbelly keeps tanks warm in cold conditions.
- The triple-axle chassis guarantees smooth transport to and from the campsite.
- Manual stabilizer jacks improve stability when parked
This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. And avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
