Forest River’s midsize off-grid travel trailer is available in an exclusive West Coast offering.
By Bruce W. Smith
July 2023
Elkhart, Indiana-based Forest River Inc. is one of the largest RV manufacturers in the world, offering a wide range of products — from motorhomes to conventional travel trailers and fifth-wheels, as well as toy haulers, pop-up campers, and park models.
The 19.5 Rogue River Edition is well equipped for exploring and off-grid camping.
Among the 40-plus RV brands under the Forest River corporate umbrella is one that’s become especially well-known in the Pacific Northwest. No Boundaries — nicknamed NOBO — is a line of smaller “overlanding” trailers that debuted in 2017. The early trailers were light enough to be towed by four- and six-cylinder vehicles, yet robust enough for camping off-grid, off-pavement. They became an immediate hit in the western United States.
Today, the NOBO line has grown from just a couple models to more than a dozen in lengths from 13 to 26 feet, with unloaded vehicle weights (UVW) from 2,255 to 5,300 pounds. One is the 2023 NOBO 19.5 Rogue River Edition, a newer offering that has struck the fancy of many who love to take the family RVing in the Pacific Northwest and desert Southwest. This premium version of the NB19.5 incorporates the Overlander and Back Country equipment packages, along with all the other optional equipment offered for the 19 series NOBO, plus custom graphics.
SPECIAL WEST COAST EDITION
Forest River says the Rogue River Edition is a fully optioned camper package built in the Pacific Northwest and available only through dealers in that area that carry the No Boundaries product line. According to the company, the Rogue River Edition is one of two sub-brands in the No Boundaries line; the other is Essentials Only, which incorporates all the current construction features and basic amenities at a more value-based price.
Features include a Curt independent suspension and 29-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires.
I had the opportunity to take a close look at a NOBO 19.5 Rogue River Edition while visiting Sutton RV in Eugene, Oregon. RVers who enjoy boondocking and tow with a midsize pickup, full-size pickup, or properly equipped SUV will see the value in both build quality and special features of this 23-foot, 5,300-pound-GVWR travel trailer.
“The NOBO 19.5 Rogue River Edition is our way of tipping our hat to the West Coast customer who loves their RVing adventures as much as we do,” said Jacob Singleton, Forest River Inc.’s marketing manager. “Anytime you see a Rogue
River [Edition] NOBO, you know it was built in the West.”
A STATE-OF-THE-ART SUSPENSION
One of the first things I noticed about the NOBO 19.5 Rogue River Edition is its high stance. It sits atop meaty, 29-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac LT225/75R16 mud tires. They roll along on a Curt “Beast Mode” independent suspension to soften the effects of towing a trailer over rougher roads and terrain. The suspension system’s robust, state-of-the-art axleless design smooths out the harsher road conditions, lessening the impact on the trailer and what’s inside. It also provides more than 13 inches of ground clearance, so RVers needn’t be too concerned about damaging the underbelly or the holding tanks when trailering over rocky and rutted back roads.
The robust steel frame is also fitted with a power jack, which simplifies the process of attaching the NOBO to the tow vehicle’s hitch. The trailer tongue supports the single 20-pound propane tank that feeds the 20,000-Btu furnace, 6-gallon water heater, fridge, and cooktop.
A two-burner cooktop is included.
CONVENIENT EXTERIOR CAMP FEATURES
Forest River’s designers did a commendable job with the NOBO exterior, too. I liked the way they incorporated the steel lip along the curb side to hold the table for the outdoor propane grill. The designers also made sure the pass-through storage compartment at the front was large enough to store the grill along with other bulky or long items, such as paddles, fishing rods, snowboards, or extra camping equipment.
Up top of the aluminum-framed Azdel fiberglass composite body is a walkable PVC roof and a 13,500-Btu air-conditioning unit. The Rogue River Edition roof also has a J-cradle rack for a kayak, as well as Rhino Rack RVT tracks with crossbars so you can securely carry a canoe or other outdoor gear. It also comes with a 14-foot power awning and multiple LED lights around the exterior, plus a “scare light” that illuminates in bright white or amber.
BRIGHT, ROOMY INTERIOR DESIGN
One of the first things I noticed when stepping inside this special-edition NOBO 19.5 was how bright and roomy it felt. Much of that is because of the large panoramic window over the queen bed in the front, which offers a great view of the surroundings while spilling light inside.
A look at the NOBO’s chaise-style dinette.
Other windows contribute to the NOBO’s feeling of airiness: smaller sliders that flank the head of the bed, a large window above the jackknife sofa, and another along the galley counter. Further brightening the unit is the use of all LED lighting throughout the interior.
Interior storage is plentiful in the NOBO. It consists of several overhead cabinets on both sides, a two-door cabinet under the galley, small nightstands on either side of the bed, and a deep storage space under the bed.
EQUIPPED FOR MULTIDAY OUTINGS
The NOBO 19.5 is typical of most small camp trailers today, with a galley that incorporates a deep, round stainless-steel sink and a two-burner recessed propane cooktop (the cooktop isn’t auto-ignition, so you do have to use a lighter to fire it up). A microwave-convention oven is positioned under the counter. It’s just large enough to handle most needs while dry camping off-grid for a few days.
Likewise, the NOBO’s stainless-steel 8-cubic-foot propane/electric fridge, on the left inside the entry door, has a separate top freezer to keep premade meals, veggies, and meats frozen until needed.
On the opposite corner of this No Boundaries floor plan is an adult-friendly bathroom with a 32-inch-radius shower. The shower is equipped with the popular Watermiser system, designed to minimize water usage — an important concern when dry camping for more than a couple days at a shot, as the fresh-water tank is only 30 gallons.
Speaking of camping off-grid, a nice feature in the Rogue River Edition is the central vacuum system located at the base of the galley. Sweep dirt to the floor-level plastic door, use your toe to flip the intake open, and the system instantly powers up, sucking the sweepings into a bag located under the counter.
A queen-size bed in the front nestles up to a large panoramic window.
NOBO ROGUE RIVER MODEL OVERVIEW
There’s a lot to like about the 2023 Forest River No Boundaries 19.5 Rogue River Edition, with its special equipment and graphics. And if you’re looking for a 23-foot travel trailer that’s within the max towing range of properly equipped midsize pickups or SUVs, this would be one worth checking out.
The NOBO 19.5 Rogue River Edition is a good couple’s camper designed for multiday boondocking trips. It has all the popular equipment sought by those who love camping off the grid, including a solar package (heavy-duty solar panel, inverter, and charge controller). You just need to add your gear, water, fuel, and food to enjoy camping comfortably wherever the road leads.
SPECIFICATIONS | NO BOUNDARIES
MANUFACTURER
Forest River Inc., 900 County Road 1, Elkhart, IN 46561; (937) 596-6111; www.forestriverinc.com
MODEL
2023 No Boundaries
FLOOR PLAN
19.5 Rogue River Edition
EXTERIOR LENGTH
23 feet
EXTERIOR WIDTH
100 inches
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
10 feet 6 inches (with A/C)
INTERIOR HEIGHT
78 inches
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
5,342 pounds
DRY WEIGHT
4,161 pounds
HITCH WEIGHT
472 pounds
CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY
1,181 pounds
TIRES
Goodyear all-terrain LT225/75R16
BRAKES
electric
FRESH WATER CAPACITY
30 gallons
HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 30 gallons;
black water — 30 gallons
PROPANE CAPACITY
20 pounds
WATER HEATER
6-gallon
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
30 amps
HEATING SYSTEM
20,000-Btu furnace
AIR CONDITIONING
(1) 13,500-Btu, standard; 15,000-Btu upgrade available
REFRIGERATOR
stainless-steel 8-cubic-foot propane/electric
TOILET
foot flush
WARRANTY
1 year limited
MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE AS REVIEWED
$49,138