by Troy Eliason
Then Holiday Rambler introduced the Alumascape fifth wheel in 1997, the intention was to fill the price point just below its existing base towable line, Aluma-Lite. Alumascape filled the niche nicely, as expected. What wasn't expected, however, was that three model years later it would be Holiday Rambler's best-selling towable, and its nameplate would be synonymous with the word value. And that's no marketing gimmick. That introductory Alumascape fifth wheel was the first Holiday Rambler product entirely designed, developed and built after Monaco Coach Corporation acquired Holiday Rambler back in 1996. Today, Alumascape stands on solid ground in a seriously competitive towable market, without taking itself too seriously. Just take a look at it. With its sporty profile and playful graphics, the Alumascape fifth wheel exudes fun. But don't let its rugged good looks fool you. Like its Holiday Rambler siblings, beauty runs beyond skin deep. In fact, if you're the type who can find beauty in the way something is engineered and built, you'll appreciate its legendary Alumaframe(r) construction, the sturdiest in the industry.
What's In A Name?
It's no accident that Alumascape shares its name with the superstructure it's built on. Holiday Rambler has proudly touted its Alumaframe construction for 30 years. And why not. It's the most rugged and rigid full-cage aluminum skeleton you'll find in any RV today. As you can see in the cut-away image on this page, Alumaframe uses a cage of aluminum C-channel uprights and crossmembers for the walls, and I-beams for the roof, with all joints both double-welded and interlocked for superior strength. Holes are punched out of the C-channels (see close-up image on page 45), similar to aircraft, eliminating hundreds of pounds of unnecessary weight and allowing the walls to breathe. The holes also allow for grommet-protected wires to pass through the walls so receps can be installed for convenience. An automotive-style color-coded wiring harness provides a sensible and convenient aid for technicians, as well as cutting costs for owners. Holiday Rambler is so confident of Alumaframe's reliability, they back it with a five-year limited warranty. No other product in its class carries a warranty that good.
Ahead Of the Curve
Alumascape is Holiday Rambler's lowest-priced line. That said, it's still a Holiday Rambler, and the brand's reputation for quality and integrity is present in every model, and visible down to the smallest detail. Take slideouts, for instance. With single, double and even triple slideout floorplans available, you can really maximize your coach's living area. Each slideout takes only about 35-40 seconds to slide completely in or out. The switches to operate curbside and non-curbside living area slideouts are located near the entrance door; the bedroom slideout switches are located in the bedroom. Because the drive mechanisms are ratcheted, you can't damage them by holding the switches on too long. And just in case, each slideout can be hand-cranked in or out manually. Alumascape uses the all-electric Venture(r) system, with a rack-and-pinion design that keeps each slideout aligned properly. Alumascape fifth wheel and travel trailer slideouts come standard with the patented flat-floor design, the same used in Holiday Rambler's top-of-the-line towable coach. The idea is simple. When the slideout is in the OUT position, the floor remains flush - no clumsy step to trip over. And the only visible break in the carpet is where the slideout piece overlaps to create a clean, finished look.
It's the Design
A drawback of slideouts is that you tend to lose some overhead cabinet space. In Alumascape fifth wheel floorplans which position the kitchen in the back of the unit, Holiday Rambler designers did a nice job of replacing lost overhead cabinets by positioning them against the back wall above the counters and window. Floorplans with optional swivel chairs or a sofa at the coach's rear have overhead cabinets positioned generously over the furniture, running the length of the rear wall. Another advantage of the Alumascape's living area slides is the additional window space you get. With good-size windows in the sidewalls of all living area slides and one or two more against the back of the slide, these areas, usually consisting of a dinette and either a sofa or swivel chair, gets natural light from three directions. And there is plenty of unobstructed room to store guest bedding and other stuff under the dinette seats and under the sofa. On all but one floorplan there is a floor-to-ceiling cabinet unit positioned flush against a wall. (This unit is set up a little differently with the 29SKD floorplan. The optional TV sits in a cubby at an angle, and the unit is positioned at the end of the kitchen counter, with overhead cabinet space flush against the wall.) The cabinet units house the optional 20-inch color TV with remote (27-inch TV available with 32RKT and 34SKT only) and AM/FM stereo with cassette (also available with CD player). There's space above the TV for a VCR. The remaining cabinet space has plenty of room for tapes and CDs. Cabinet construction throughout the Alumascape fifth wheel consists of vinyl-wrapped stiles with raised-panel solid oak fronts and radius overheads. Drawers are solidly made of hardwood with roller guides and positive-latch closures that operate smoothly. Counters are edged in solid oak and inlaid with gold trim.
Details, Details
Alumascape's luxurious look and feel can be partially credited to the understated elegance of its interior decor packages. Monaco Coach Corporation Interior Designer Margaret Miya carefully selected each fabric, pattern, color and texture incorporated into each decor scheme. She closely consults with VP of Product Development Pat Carroll, and VP of Holiday Rambler Sales Ed Kinney, to determine which packages best suit today's sophisticated buyer. Margaret also speaks to a large number of Holiday Rambler owners, and conducts her own informal surveys of likes and dislikes, tastes and trends among owners. There are four interior decors to choose from: Antique Rose; Moccasin Tan; Dresden Blue; and Aspen Green.
Turn to the kitchen and you'll notice another very nice thing about the living area slideout. Whether the kitchen is positioned across from the dinette or at the end of the coach (34RKT), there is plenty of room for two to move through the area comfortably.
The extra space comes in handy when considering the number of appointments Alumascape's kitchen affords. A large double-door Norcold fridge and high output three-burner range/oven and range hood (with fan and systems monitor panel) come standard in all fifth wheel models. Above the range hood you can add an optional easy-to-operate touch control microwave. Behind the sink you'll find a clever knife-spice rack, and the white chip-resistant deep-basin double sink and has a color-matched synthetic cutting board sink cover.
At the front of the coach, we step up to the bath and bedroom. The bath seperates the bedroom from the living area. Baths in the Alumascape feature lots of small storage compartments, large mirrored medicine cabinets, make-up lights and an optional tinted skylight. Several fifth wheel floorplan models even have large shower units (29SKD, 32RKT, 34RKS, and 34SKT) with detachable shower heads and accordian-fold glass doors, which keep water off the floor much better than a curtain. And all models have generous wardrobe storage in the bath. On tub/shower floorplans, the tub step-over is low enough for older folks to easily negotiate. The vanity has a decent-size sink with good storage underneath. Finally, the bedroom. Most of the fifth wheel floorplans have a deluxe queen-size bed positioned with its head against the front wall. On the 32RKT and 34SKT the head of the bed is tucked in the slideout. On the 29SKD, a roomy wardrobe closet fills the bedroom slide. There is also a standard shirt closet and vanity with the slideout (32RKT and 34SKT only), optional on 29RKS, 32SKS and 34RKS floorplans,respectively. You'll also find storage spage for everything you need, a color-coordinated bedspread, headboard and window treatments.
On The Outside
For 2000, Alumascape is cleaner-looking with new graphics, white window trim, white wheels with stainless lugs and hubcaps, smooth radius corners and radiused fiberglass end caps. The standard build is flat aluminum skin with an option for high-gloss gelcoat.
There's easy, well-labeled access to all the utilities, including a fresh-water winterization kit. Phone and cable TV jacks are on both sides of the coach for convenient hookup in any campground. There's even an outdoor shower - great for rinsing down kids or pets.
On top, Alumascape now uses RV 2000 composite roofing. The manufacturer says this material is 350% more puncture resistant than rubber roofs and very easy to repair. It's also lighter, stain resistant and doesn't "chalk," which cuts down on streaking problems. Underneath, the area between the frame rails is completely enclosed in a tough composite material (an option). The outriggers are exposed, but the Darco subfloor material seals off the coach from the weather, and all the plumbing and wiring is between the rails. Holiday Rambler has applied the principle of "layering up" to RV construction for years.
Sidewalls have five layers, including fiberglass insulation in the framework, a vapor barrier and bead foam insulation. The extra layer of foam insulation prevents heat transfer through the framework, which keeps you cozy and eliminates condensation on the wall paneling.
The roof has nine layers: RV 2000 roofing; plywood decking; thick, bead foam insulation (tapered for water run-off); double I-Beam aluminum framing with fiberglass insulation; a vapor barrier; more foam insulation; another vapor barrier; more plywood; and the vinyl ceiling.
With the steel framing and seamless strand-board decking, the floor should stay quiet forever. Outside the floor is a rugged Darco protective shield. The whole thing rests on a frame made of 10-inch I-beam rails with truss cross members, all electro-coated for rust protection. Compared to tubular steel, I-beams save weight without sacrificing strength; both these features are important in a coach that features two slideouts.
Holiday Rambler provides excellent warranty service and the best dealer network in the industry. Owner benefits include 24-hour emergency roadside assistance and a 24-hour technical assistance hotline.
As you can see, there's a long list of reasons behind the sales success and popularity of the 2000 Alumascape fifth wheel. And since its introduction just over three years ago, more people than ever have enjoyed the experience of owning a Holiday Rambler.–