With a half century experience building recreational vehicles, Holiday Rambler has made yet another strategic move with the introduction of the all-new Next Level Toy Hauler. The new line was unveiled to dealers at the end of June, and the response was awe and excitement.

Jumping at the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the 37CK fifth wheel, one of three models (two fifth wheels and a travel trailer) being offered in this new product line, we immediately headed for the canyons of Utah to test its mettle. Long story short: the Next Level yields mega amounts of utility (we carried four large ATVs inside the cargo area) and we found the 37CK to be replete with all of the luxury appointments and creature comforts folks have come to expect from Holiday Rambler. More subtle but equally important: over the 1,200 miles we towed the Next Level through a broad spectrum of driving conditions, it exhibited superb towing characteristics.

Using the patented Alumaframe® Construction that is a benchmark for the RV industry, the 37CK comes with a GVWR of 17,000 pounds. On our adventure to Color Country (a nickname uniquely associated with Utah), the four ATVs (Arctic Cat, Honda, Bombardier and Kawasaki) added approximately 2,300 pounds of weight to the inside of the Next Level. The filled 120-gallon fresh water tank added another 960 pounds of weight, plus we were carrying 20 gallons of gasoline for the ATVs (more on that in a minute), several hundred pounds of helmets, riding boots, camp table and chairs, personal gear and miscellaneous items that enhance enjoyment of the great-out-of-doors.

The cargo capacity designed and engineered into this Next Level Toy Hauler also permits gray and waste tanks that hold 50 gallons each. Two 30-pound LPG bottles provide fuel for the two-way refrigerator freezer, 3-burner cook top with oven, water heater and the 40M BTU forced air furnace. As noted, there are two auxiliary fuel (gasoline) tanks. One holds 40 gallons, the other 20 gallons. The larger of these two fuel tanks makes it possible to refuel ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, whatever, without having to leave a favorite, remote camp setting or carry gas cans. The smaller 20-gallon fuel tank is dedicated as the fuel source for the 5.5 kW Onan genset. It’s all of these things plus features like the massive unit-wide basement storage compartment that makes extended periods of stand-alone RV camping a reality and easily doable. The fuel tanks feature their own level gauges.

Loading the four ATVs we hauled up to Utah was an uncomplicated task and one that left us commenting amongst ourselves about how much this new Next Level 37CK could hold. The rear exterior wall of the unit doubles as the loading ramp for the toys and once the latching/ locking devices are released, the rear wall (it is hinged to the chassis at the bottom) takes minimal effort to open and lower. It can be raised back up with minimal effort as well. Much like a garage door, the articulating ramp/rear wall is controlled and augmented by large coil springs. We found that one adult can easily lower or raise the ramp/wall. With the ramp lowered, we simply drove the ATVs inside and using cargo straps we secured the ATVs to the tie-down rings that are integrated into the floor’s infrastructure.

The ramp and the interior cargo floor area are dressed with a protective rubber matt that’s permanently attached to the sub-floor. Along the street and curb sides of the cargo area are both wood storage cabinets and open overhead storage compartments for gear like helmets, riding boots, and more. Once the gear is stowed, cargo nets are looped over retaining hooks to keep it in place. But that’s only half of the equation. Here is the real beauty part. With the toys off-loaded, this interior cargo space quickly converts into a comfortable living, dining and sleeping area, one that yields the essence of what the RV lifestyle is all about.

To begin with, the Next Level comes with a custom tailored section of industrial carpet that can be rolled out to disguise the rubber matt that the toys ride on. Plush, upholstered hinged seats that are easily positioned out of the way when the toys are being hauled, are quickly and effortlessly reconfigured into a sofa and two bench style seats. Between the bench seats (they face each other, fore and aft) a folding table is placed to create a fully functional dinette. Both the bench seats and the sofa can be further manipulated to create two large and very comfortable beds. And if that were not enough, there’s a queen bed that sits tucked tightly up against the ceiling (out of the way when it’s not in use) at the rear of the 37CK. It is lowered (and raised) simply by touching a toggle switch.

Positioned so it can be enjoyed from the sofa, dinette or the queen bed is a 27-inch television housed in the over-head cabinets. A variety of optional entertainment equipment is available. For those who elect, Holiday Rambler also offers an optional solid wall between the galley and the cargo area.

The landing forward of the galley smacks of nothing less than “pure luxury RV.” This area needs to be characterized as a bedroom/bathroom suite, for it yields all the amenities found in a 5-star hotel. A 30" deep, 67" wide slideout houses a queen bed, that when extended creates a massive bedroom venue. Across the entire front of the bedroom is a floor to ceiling mirrored double door wardrobe. At the foot of the bed is a dresser that includes a complex of drawers. Immediately upon entering this bed/bath suite, you’ll find a full size shower (really large) and a countertop/cabinet that includes a mirrored medicine cabinet above. On the street side is a private water closet and an armoire. The combination of colors and fabrics used to accent the lambrequins, valances and the armoire, create a very sporty theme, one that continues in the living area. Options in the bed/bath suite can include a non-slide-out queen bed, twin beds or bunk beds.

The galley that sits forward of the spacious cargo/living/dining/sleeping area is full service, a galley that even the most circumspect chefs will find to their liking. A double sink and galley countertop, 3-burner cook top with oven below, microwave oven, refrigerator/freezer, cabinets, drawers and a massive roll-out pantry all support any culinary pursuit. The floor is dressed in a low-maintenance vinyl.

The Next Level’s chassis comes outfitted with three leaf spring axles that carry the loads the Next Level is designed to accommodate. At the same time this axle/suspension system provides excellence in ride and handling.

We found the synergy between the fifth wheel and tow vehicle was excellent, even over the scenic but notorious washboard roads in backcountry Utah. With six 15-inch wheels and six D-range radial tires sharing the load, the Next Level easily interfaced with the many kinds of road surfaces we experienced. And out on the pavement, be it on the Interstate or along Utah’s beautiful winding byways like Hwy’s 12 and 14, the Next Level 37CK tracked ever so well. In fact, it was often transparent to us that the 37CK was even in tow.

This is a serious fifth wheel/toy hauler that represents an admirable and completely successful effort on the part of Holiday Rambler. The Next Level meets all of the requirements of those who like to play hard but who at the end of the day demand the lifestyle that a luxury RV provides.

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