2012 Forest River Vibe 826VRB Review
When it comes to taking a vacation, sometimes we want to leave as soon as possible – just hook up and take off. If you like to get up and go, the 2012 Forest River Vibe Travel Trailer makes sure you make a clean get away.
The Vibe has nine floorplans to choose from in its 6500 and 800 Series. Recently, we had a chance to take a closer look at the 826VRB floorplan, which measures in with an exterior length of 28’11” and an exterior height of 10’4”. It weighs in with a dry hitch weight of 578 lbs, an unloaded vehicle weight of 5,569 lbs, a GVWR of 7,569 lbs and it has a cargo carrying capacity of 2,000 lbs. For water, the Vibe has a gray water capacity of 62 gallons, a black water capacity of 30 gallons and a fresh water capacity of 38 gallons.
Sleek and compact, the 826VRB Vibe’s exterior features high gloss gel coat sidewalls and roof, along with lightweight, fully laminated walls and floor. Since it is compact, the Vibe’s V-shape design gives you 75 cubic feet of extra interior space, which means you get a larger bathroom, bedroom and kitchen, plus full interior height at the front end of the travel trailer. And since it’s all about aerodynamics, the V-design cuts through wind, giving you better fuel efficiency. Air flow around the font and sides of the Vibe helps to deflect bugs and road debris, which also improves towability and keeps the trailer clean.
Built using a fully laminated aluminum cage and powder coated steel frame, the Vibe uses dense foam insulation to keep everything inside comfortable. Its full one-piece rubber roof stands up to the elements while repelling water, and its heavy-duty leaf spring suspension system smoothes out any bumps along the way. Once you get to your destination, its four stabilizer jacks ensure that you’re set up easily and safely.
Other exterior features that come in handy include an enclosed dual 30 lb. LP bottle, large folding entry assist grab handles, stainless steel wheel well covers, patio light with amber lens and interior switch, radius entry and oversized baggage doors, entry door step, fully enclosed vented LP tanks, fully enclosed vented battery compartment and tinted safety glass windows. If you feel the need to upgrade, you can choose to add on an outside shower, manual or power awning, sway control hitch package, power tongue jack and 13.5 BTU ducted air conditioning.
Compact yet roomy, the 826VRB is all about making the most of its available space. The Vibe we took a tour of was outfitted with Cambria Earth decor, complemented by plenty of Cognac Maple glazed cabinets. What we really liked about the Vibe was its linoleum flooring that looks just like hardwood – we couldn’t tell the difference. The flooring is all glued and is easy to clean, plus you never have to worry about scuffing up the floors like you would if it was real hardwood flooring. Adding to the hominess of this travel trailer are its over window valences and pleated fabric shades.
The Vibe’s kitchen is super cute – sure, it’s not all that spacious, but then again, we doubt that you’ll be whipping up seven course meals while you’re on the road. It gets the job done with an oven, a three-burner cooktop and a 6-cubic-foot refrigerator. And even though the kitchen is small, there is still plenty of cabinetry… there’s even a pantry for your sundry items. If it’s speedy meals you’re after, you can choose to upgrade with a microwave.
In the living area, a sofa pulls out for extra sleeping space. A broom closet offers extra storage space, as well as under the seats at the U-shaped dinette. If you need to be entertained, you can upgrade with a 26” flatscreen LCD TV and an AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 player.
Sliding doors separate the bedroom from the adjacent bathroom. Catch some quality ZZZ’s on the 60” x 74” queen-sized bed that comes with a Dual Density hypoallergenic foam pillowtop mattress and that’s flanked by a wardrobe on one side and a night stand on the other.
Finally, our last stop on the tour is the bathroom. This bathroom has two entries for easy access. As well, it comes with a porcelain pedal-flush toilet and neo-single shower with glass doors and a large mirrored medicine cabinet above the vanity sink.
The 2012 Forest River Vibe 826VRB Travel Trailer that we looked at was selling for $27,195. If you want to learn more about the Vibe line, you can visit http://www.forestriverinc.com/.
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