To say that the popularity of adult toys (ATVs, dirt bikes, dune buggies, etc.) and the accompanying demand for toy boxes or toy haulers continues to grow, is an understatement. Talk with dealers like Steve Richardson at Richardson’s RV in Riverside, CA and he describes how the toy hauler segment of his RV business grew between 2003 and 2004 from 25 percent to 35 percent. And leading the burgeoning list of makes and models on the market today is the Holiday Rambler Next Level, a toy hauler that’s truly a cut above anything else that’s out there.

More than a year ago we reviewed one of the fifth wheel models the Next Level is offered in, so when asked to look again at this market segment we immediately went to the Next Level 33CK, the only rear tow/receiver hitch format toy hauler Holiday Rambler builds. Our tow vehicle was a Dodge Ram 2500 that came equipped with a Cummins diesel engine and suffice it to say that the synergy existing between the Dodge Ram and the Next Level 33CK was superb. The only augmentation we made to the towing package was a load leveling device and an electronic brake controller.

To begin with, once again we reconfirmed just how easy it is to load and offload a Next Level. Stowing five Kawasaki toys (four ATVs and a dirt bike) inside the cargo bay via the spring modulated reinforced rear wall/door/ramp that measures 84 by 96 inches when open, took but a matter of minutes to complete. The mechanical spring modulated design mechanism articulates open and closed with minimal effort. It functions much like a well balanced residential style garage door. One individual can easily do the job.

Dressed with a skid resistant surface, the rear wall that converts into a ramp has a load handling capacity of 2,500 pounds and when compared to others that’s a bunch. Even with the five Kawasaki’s loaded inside there was more than a sufficient number of cargo tie-downs to secure the toys to the deck for travel. Anchored through the floor and into the steel chassis, each cargo tie-down ring is rated to handle 2,500 lbs.

So just how much cargo can the 33CK Next Level haul? This is the good part. It has a GVWR of 13,000 lbs. and a dry weight of approximately 8,210 lbs (this will depend upon the optional equipment added to the unit). The five toys we loaded and hauled inside weighed approximately 1,875 lbs. (which includes gas and oil in each unit). This means there still remained approximately 3,000 lbs. of cargo carrying capacity available for use (and that’s a lot). The prowess and cargo carrying capability of the 33CK Next Level can be directly attributed to its design. Let’s have a look.

Holiday Rambler has turned the way they build RVs into a science. They call it Alumaframe Construction and it’s a patented process that belongs to Holiday Rambler. How the walls and roof on the Next Level are constructed can be understood like this. First, they begin with high strength, light weight H and C-channel aircraft grade aluminum structural members. These members have apertures that are precision machined and positioned along each member. These apertures do two things.

First, these machined apertures make the structural members not only stronger but reduce the total weight of the unit by removing metal that serves no practical purpose. Second, these apertures allow the vertical and horizontal cross members to intersect, one another. At the point where they intersect the members are welded together. The beauty of Alumaframe Construction is the way it loads and manages the weight and all of the forces that are applied during use (hauling heavy loads, navigating down a road, or over rough terrain). It’s phenomenal.

Between the grid pattern formed by the vertical and horizontal members, residential insulation is cut to fit and put into place. An adhesive is sprayed on each section of insulation to ensure that over the life of the walls and roof the insulation will not be affected by gravity. Two vapor barriers are placed on either side of the insulation, a feature that stops moisture in its tracks. A sheet of bead foam insulation is laid against the entire aluminum grid structure to halt the migration of outside ambient temperatures (cold or hot) to the inside. The standard exterior on the walls is aluminum, with fiberglass offered as an option. The roof is dressed with BriteTek. The floor is a grid pattern of welded tubular steel members, with insulation cut to fit and placed inside the grid patterns. The underbelly is dressed with a barrier material that is light in weight, exceptionally strong and impervious to dust and moisture. It also insulates the floor and holding tank bays.

One of the really sweet things about the 33CK Next Level is that it not only gets you to a favorite place in the backcountry, but once there it becomes a full service, stand-alone docking station that supports the use and enjoyment of all the toys brought with you. Another sweet thing is that no matter where you decide to go and enjoy your toys, the 33CK features all of the luxury appointments and equipment today’s discerning RV enthusiasts demand. The Next Level is equally at home in a luxury RV resort or in the backcountry.

Looking first at its field support/docking station capabilities, the 33CK does all of the important stuff and does it very well. Case in point is that this unit can be equipped with an optional refueling station with level gauges and controls inside the unit. No need to carry cans of fuel for the motorized toys. You have a remote fuel station with you at all times. The tank holds 40 gallons and it features an electric pump with a timer that guarantees the pump will automatically shut off after a set number of minutes (a great safety feature that provides peace of mind). And there is also the much needed and wanted air compressor that is offered as an option.

The Next Level can also be outfitted with a portable electric power winch which, if needed, can be inserted into an anchor point in the galley area floor. The anchor point remains hidden below a cover until needed. This is an excellent feature, one that will assist in loading toys into the cargo bay, things like a dune buggy or a dirt bike or ATV that might not be in working condition when it comes time to head home. This is good stuff! The optional 5.5 kW gasoline powered auxiliary generator (with 20-gallon tank) is capable of supporting a portable arch welder, which means that toy repairs in the field are totally doable.

As a habitat in a primitive, stand-alone camp setting, the 33CK is first rate. To begin with it has sleeping quarters that will accommodate as many as eight people and do so comfortably. In the forward end of the 33CK is a bedroom with a bed that measures 60 inches wide by 96 inches long. The bedroom is equipped with overhead storage cabinets, plus three windows. An optional electric bed (72 inches by 78 inches) and optional electric bunk beds are also available. These unique beds (patented as the Electro Magic Bed) remains tucked up and out of the way against the ceiling in the cargo bay area until it’s time to sleep. Then it’s lowered (and raised) simply by pressing a wall switch. The third sleeping quarter is in the forward end of the cargo bay, just aft of the galley. With the cargo bay empty a dinette and sofa that are folded up and stowed against the outside walls when hauling toys, can be folded down. This is a full service living and dining area, but at the end of the day the dinette and sofa quickly convert into beds for tired guests.

Not to be forgotten is the full-service, state of the art coach wide galley. It’s appointed with everything (three-burner cook-top, refrigerator freezer and twin stainless steel sinks. Items like an optional 10 cu-ft refrigerator, a convection microwave oven and a roll-out pantry are available as is an outside cooking grill with a quick disconnect. The fully enclosed private bath includes a marine style toilet along with a tub/shower combo. A stainless steel bathroom sink is also standard.

There is a list of options that the toy hauler enthusiast can select that will mold the 33CK to meet a specific lifestyle. These include solar prep, 50 amp electrical service, one or two 12V deep cycle batteries (with disconnect), roll-out carpet for the cargo area, a cargo privacy screen; utility center (with folding table and shelves), 13 inch or 19 inch color television (or both); built in vacuum, rechargeable hand held radios, etc. etc. etc. The bottom line is that Holiday Rambler understands that the RV lifestyle belongs to those who live it and the end user should be able to tailor it to the world they enjoy.