So, I think I've narrowed my fifth wheel choice down to this one. I was stuck on the Keystone Mountaineer 356TBF bunkhouse but I think I like the Colunbus floor plan better. The mountaineer line is no more and I'm reading good stuff about the Palimino.A local dealer has one but it looks like I will have to order one to get everything I want like the king bed, 6 point levelng...Palimino is owned by Forest River but you won't find it on their website. It looks like maybe it was a Forest River acquisition and they left them to stay by themself. So far lot's of good reports, looking for any input on this brand. Thanks, Jeff

You want to look at palomino rv.com.We have a 34RK and love it

I've got two Columbus 5th wheels next to me here where I'm staying in SoCal right now. I have not talked to the guy right next to me, but I know that his TV can be easily heard outside his rig. I'm sure he is probably blasting it, but I put a blu-ray in mine and played it on HIGH and went outside. I could hear the sub-woofer right next to my slide, but standing behind MY rig all I could hear is my neighbors television not mine. Not good!The guy with the other Columbus, on the other side of him have become friends of ours. Nice looking rig, but as he said, sitting in our rig even with our door open, ours was MUCH quieter inside then his even with his door closed. (road noise etc..)He also said that in just 40 degree weather the fireplace is not enough to keep the rig warm. He is very dissatisfied. Ours will stay toasty with the fireplace down to about 30 degrees. His is a 2014 although he loves his floorplan he is very disapointed with the insolation. If he wouldn't lose so much money he would trade it in for something with more R factor.Brian

We have attended the FROG rally 2 years in a row and there have been a lot of Columbus 5th wheels there and all seem very happy with them, some have had problems, like most rv's have but Forest River & Prime Time have been very good working with them. At the rally I would say that the Cedar Creek's where the largest group then Cardinal followed by Columbus. Good luck on your choice

huntram wrote:I've got two Columbus 5th wheels next to me here where I'm staying in SoCal right now. I have not talked to the guy right next to me, but I know that his TV can be easily heard outside his rig. I'm sure he is probably blasting it, but I put a blu-ray in mine and played it on HIGH and went outside. I could hear the sub-woofer right next to my slide, but standing behind MY rig all I could hear is my neighbors television not mine. Not good!The guy with the other Columbus, on the other side of him have become friends of ours. Nice looking rig, but as he said, sitting in our rig even with our door open, ours was MUCH quieter inside then his even with his door closed. (road noise etc..)He also said that in just 40 degree weather the fireplace is not enough to keep the rig warm. He is very dissatisfied. Ours will stay toasty with the fireplace down to about 30 degrees. His is a 2014 although he loves his floorplan he is very disapointed with the insolation. If he wouldn't lose so much money he would trade it in for something with more R factor.BrianLooks like the Columbus has R9 in the walls which is on the lower end compared to others. Grand Design has R11 but in my checking many in that price range have R9. I don't full time and maybe once or twice I'm out when it's below freezing. In the summer I don't boon-dock so with paid full hookups the ac stays set low. Thanks for the info and it's something I might ask about ( r9 to r11) but it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

abc40kids wrote:huntram wrote:I've got two Columbus 5th wheels next to me here where I'm staying in SoCal right now. I have not talked to the guy right next to me, but I know that his TV can be easily heard outside his rig. I'm sure he is probably blasting it, but I put a blu-ray in mine and played it on HIGH and went outside. I could hear the sub-woofer right next to my slide, but standing behind MY rig all I could hear is my neighbors television not mine. Not good!The guy with the other Columbus, on the other side of him have become friends of ours. Nice looking rig, but as he said, sitting in our rig even with our door open, ours was MUCH quieter inside then his even with his door closed. (road noise etc..)He also said that in just 40 degree weather the fireplace is not enough to keep the rig warm. He is very dissatisfied. Ours will stay toasty with the fireplace down to about 30 degrees. His is a 2014 although he loves his floorplan he is very disapointed with the insolation. If he wouldn't lose so much money he would trade it in for something with more R factor.BrianLooks like the Columbus has R9 in the walls which is on the lower end compared to others. Grand Design has R11 but in my checking many in that price range have R9. I don't full time and maybe once or twice I'm out when it's below freezing. In the summer I don't boon-dock so with paid full hookups the ac stays set low. Thanks for the info and it's something I might ask about ( r9 to r11) but it wouldn't be a deal breaker.That's a great point. What are you going to be doing with it! Both of them are full timing. If you are just traveling it should be fine.Enjoy your new rig!Blessings,Brian

Palomino Colunbus 385BH | Good Sam Community

lenr
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2015
Forestriverinc.com will show the brands that Forest River has purchased over the years. 5 I think.
crp461
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
I have a 2013 365RL and I've had it for almost a year and love it. We got this one because we liked the floor plan.
tomden2
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
I messed up on the previous post, but this is for huntram. I don't want to hi-jack the post, but since I'm also looking at the Columbus as a replacement unit, what do you have?
tomden2
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
huntram wrote:
I've got two Columbus 5th wheels next to me here where I'm staying in SoCal right now. I have not talked to the guy right next to me, but I know that his TV can be easily heard outside his rig. I'm sure he is probably blasting it, but I put a blu-ray in mine and played it on HIGH and went outside. I could hear the sub-woofer right next to my slide, but standing behind MY rig all I could hear is my neighbors television not mine. Not good!

The guy with the other Columbus, on the other side of him have become friends of ours. Nice looking rig, but as he said, sitting in our rig even with our door open, ours was MUCH quieter inside then his even with his door closed. (road noise etc..)
He also said that in just 40 degree weather the fireplace is not enough to keep the rig warm. He is very dissatisfied. Ours will stay toasty with the fireplace down to about 30 degrees. His is a 2014 although he loves his floorplan he is very disapointed with the insolation. If he wouldn't lose so much money he would trade it in for something with more R factor.

Brian
johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
Jan 04, 2015
Last fall Palomino made changes to the Columbus line. As was mentioned the walls are now R11. They also made changes to the floor including changing the spacing on the beams. As most know they have had flooring issues in the past.
I agree that double pane windows would make a difference in noise reduction
goducks10
Explorer
Jan 04, 2015
Palomino uses 5/8" OSB in their bedroom floor and dbl layer 1/8" Luan for the main. Not sure I'd be comfortable with either. Also I really doubt that going from 9 to 11R value will cut down on the noise. Dual pane windows would do more in terms of noise reduction.
anaro
Explorer
Jan 04, 2015
Forest river did purchase palomino but it is easier to go to www.palomino.com. You may want to check out the Forest river forums as there are lots of palomino owners there. One thing to point out is forest river does something no other rv manufacturer does. Every year at their factory rally they provide free repairs to attendees. It doesn't matter the age of the unit or the reason for the repair. If it us an upgrade to your trailer then you can get that installed for discounted rates. The other thing is forest river has an optional 2nd yr warranty for many of their brands. It was $150 for my sabre to get the second yr warranty. Well worth it in my book. Happy hunting.
jsr21
Explorer
Jan 04, 2015
huntram wrote:
I've got two Columbus 5th wheels next to me here where I'm staying in SoCal right now. I have not talked to the guy right next to me, but I know that his TV can be easily heard outside his rig. I'm sure he is probably blasting it, but I put a blu-ray in mine and played it on HIGH and went outside. I could hear the sub-woofer right next to my slide, but standing behind MY rig all I could hear is my neighbors television not mine. Not good!

The guy with the other Columbus, on the other side of him have become friends of ours. Nice looking rig, but as he said, sitting in our rig even with our door open, ours was MUCH quieter inside then his even with his door closed. (road noise etc..)
He also said that in just 40 degree weather the fireplace is not enough to keep the rig warm. He is very dissatisfied. Ours will stay toasty with the fireplace down to about 30 degrees. His is a 2014 although he loves his floorplan he is very disapointed with the insolation. If he wouldn't lose so much money he would trade it in for something with more R factor.

Brian

Yup..there's a world of difference between a Cameo and a Columbus
TT_Tim
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
I have the Columbus 295RL and I really like it. I too chose it for the floor plan and the amount of features per $. The insulation is probably a factor in heating and noise, but the 2015 models supposedly are being built with thicker walls. If you are seriously thinking of getting a Columbus you should check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColumbusRVGroup
LOTS of knowledgeable and experience there.
Racine96
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
Regardless of what brand you choose you will find happy campers and unhappy ones. Search the internet and you will see. I know what I have experienced. Wish you well.