2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 309BHL Review

RVGuide.com
by RVGuide.com

For a comfortable, affordable way to experience the RV camping lifestyle, the 2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge Travel Trailer is great for the active family. Designed for relaxation, convenience and value, the Autumn Ridge can sleep up to nine adults, and features a range of standard equipment and optional upgrades that makes it an ideal choice for families.


There are plenty of floorplans to choose from – 13 in total. We’re going to take a closer look at the 309BHL, one of the larger models in the series. It has an exterior length of 33′ 3″, exterior height of 133″, and interior height of 81″. The Autumn Ridge has an unloaded vehicle weight of 7,065 lbs, hitch weight of 795 lbs, gross vehicle weight rating of 9,250 lbs, and cargo carrying capacity of 2,185 lbs. For water, this travel trailer has a fresh water capacity of 86 gallons, gray waste water capacity of 32.5 gallons, black wastewater capacity of 32.5 gallons, and a 6-gallon gas/electric water heater. As well, it has a 13,500 BTU air conditioner and auto-ignition furnace with wall thermostat.


Built on an I-class cambered structural-steel I-beam frame, the Autumn Ridge features quality construction that ensures it will provide many happy camping memories for years to come. On the floor, the Autumn Ridge has tongue and groove plywood decking on 2”x3” floor joists and R-7 fiberglass insulation to create a durable floor. The walls are built with 2”x2” wooden studs, .024” aluminum exterior siding and R-7 fiberglass insulation. The one-piece seamless rubber roof features wooden rafters with 4.5” arched trusses, 3/8” plywood decking, a one-piece seamless rubber membrane and R-7 fiberglass.

The trip to your destination is made smooth thanks to 15″ Goodyear radial tires and E-Z Lube axles. Making it easy to set up, this Starcraft travel trailer comes equipped with a Fastway Flip automatic jack foot and four stabilizer jacks. If you need to bring lots of stuff along, no worries – the Autumn Ridge has STARMAXX pass-through storage. And if you’re looking to really make the most of your time outside, the 309BHL has an outside kitchen with microwave, sink, two-burner stove and TV prep.


Other exterior features of note include 30″ x 72″ main entry door, Carefree patio awning, spare tire with tire carrier, chrome hub caps, propane gas bottle cover made of molded ABS, roof ladder, outside shower, outside speakers, and galvanized steel wheel wells.

Inside the Autumn Ridge travel trailer, you’ll find that it’s been designed for comfortable living. Made to ensure you won’t be homesick, the Autumn Ridge comes with amenities such as Bourbon Glaze beech wood doors and drawers, pleated night shades, cable and satellite TV prep and ball bearing drawer guides with a 50-lb. capacity and full-drawer extension.


Let’s start off our walk through in the Autumn Ridge in the living area. Have a seat on the J-Steel sofa, while watching the game on the optional 32″ LCD TV, CD/DVD player with MP3 input jack (found in the entertainment center). There’s also overhead cabinetry in the slideout above the sofa for extra storage.


In the kitchen, cooking is made easy no matter where you decide to roam. It’s fully equipped with a three-burner range with a 9,000-BTU SuperBurner cooktop, 6 cu. ft. flush-mount refrigerator, oversized oven, and a range hood with light and exhaust fan. Giving it a touch of hominess is an elegant backsplash, and there’s an extra-large picture window at the dinette so you can enjoy the view while eating. An acrylic deep-bowl sink, high-rise faucet with pullout sprayer, sink cover with integrated dry rack and a storable cutting board give you plenty of options for food prep and clean up.

In the master bedroom, you’re greeted with a queen-sized bed with 312-coil innerspring bedroom mattress and 1″ padding. On both sides of the bed are bedside tables, and overhead you’ll find extra cabinets.


On the other end of the trailer is even more sleeping space. Invite the whole gang along, as the Autumn Ridge comes with two futons and two bunk beds. This area also comes with an added wardrobe.


Finally, our tour comes to an end in the Autumn Ridge’s bathroom. This room comes complete with a Porcelain toilet with foot flush, a bath/shower combo and a lav sink.


If you want to add on some extras, you can choose to upgrade with a Ledgestone fireplace, electric patio awning, electric tongue jack, large folding grab handle, raised panel cabinetry and raised panel refrigerator doors.


The 2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 309BHL Travel Trailer retails for $26,136. For more information, visit http://www.starcraftrv.com/.


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