As the RV industry returns to normalcy this summer and fall, one segment sure to gain in popularity is adventure travel trailers—units built to go “off the grid” and away from crowded destinations.
And, while Forest River’s new IBEX was on the drawing board long before the COVID-19 virus became known, the new lightweight towable line—which goes into production this month—appears perfectly tailored to wilderness camping.
“The IBEX is our answer to the growing demand for ‘enthusiast-inspired’ travel trailers,” said Cody Schade, product/sales manager for Forest River’s No Boundaries, R-Pod and IBEX brands. “We helped to open up that segment when we introduced No Boundaries. Now, we’re taking what we’ve learned about campers designed and built for outdoor enthusiasts and applying that knowledge to full-size trailers.
“Building an off-road-capable trailer takes more than just adding mountain graphics to the side of a typical travel trailer,” Schade added. “We are learning every day how to make a more rugged, innovative product.”
Named after a sure-footed mountain goat found at elevations as high as 14,000 feet, the IBEX lineup will feature eight floorplans: four are 7 feet wide and weigh in at under 5,000 pounds, while four are 8 feet wide and hit the scales under 7,000 pounds. This focus on lighter-weight models makes the IBEX perfect for towing by SUVs and smaller trucks.
“The biggest difference is that No Boundaries and other single-axle travel trailers are smaller and designed for lighter tow vehicles,” Schade said. “While we continue to grow the No Boundaries lineup, IBEX comes out of the gate as full-size trailers designed for adventures farther outside the campground.”
As Schade pointed out, the landscape of RVing is changing rapidly.
“By focusing on how our customers are using their travel trailer, we were able to create a product that allows for more flexibility, both on the road and on the trail,” he said. “The result is a product that can navigate to more places and sustain more climate situations—all while still working great at a conventional campground with full hook-ups.”
Currently, Forest River has developed four IBEX floorplans which range from about 23 feet to about 30 feet in length; two others are expected to go into production within 30 days. Of the eight total floor plans, two will be equipped with garages.
“We’re not calling them toy haulers because they aren’t built with things like fuel stations or generators,” Schade said, “but they will accommodate most motorized toys or owners can utilize that open space for other uses.”
Depending upon the model, IBEX also features a cargo-carrying capacity of more than 3,000 pounds. The travel trailer is expected to retail for between $22,000 and $30,000.
IBEX is similar to Forest River’s No Boundaries line in that it also is built with Azdel composite panels and will also offer Rhino-Rack RVT tracks topside for additional storage solutions.
“Our exclusive partnership with Rhino Rack makes IBEX even more dynamic, as any of Rhino Rack’s hundreds of storage solutions can be added to the roof-mounted RVT Tracks,” remarked Schade. “Forest River is the only manufacturer that can offer enthusiasts a factory-installed Rhino system covered under warranty.”
To negotiate uneven terrain, IBEX features a minimum of 13 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. Built for traveling off the grid, it offers an on-board solar system with a large panel, controller and 100-watt invertor as well as a cold-weather package with heated and enclosed underbelly, tank pad heaters and enclosed termination system.
In addition, all IBEX models feature the following standard equipment and options:
• 6 cubic-foot gas and electric refrigerator
• 15,00-Btu A/C
• PVC roof with 15-year warranty
• JBL wireless Bluetooth audio system
• Central vacuum system
• 12-volt, 32-inch television
• 60-inch Panoramic front window
• Seamless countertops
• Stainless-steel appliances
• Outside cooktop
• Oversized stainless-steel kitchen sink and residential faucet
“IBEX is perfect for adventure-loving travelers who don’t want to be constrained by the limits of their travel trailer but still want all the comforts and appliances found in traditional trailers,” Schade said. “We are learning every day how to make a more rugged, innovative product.”
To learn view and learn more about the IBEX, visit ForestRiverInc.com/ibex.
