By Brent Peterson

Those eager for that viable third party candidate, your wait is finally over. Holiday Rambler backs a strong challenger in the race for your consumer dollar in the reinvigorated 2001 Presidential, a fifth wheel packed with good looks, smart appointments and a vision to please the likes of every traveler. Sound familiar?

Sure, like many heads of state, the Presidential’s history has been wrought with ups and downs; a product line under the same name was previously discontinued. But the Presidential is back – redesigned, rested and ready.

Despite being the smallest and least expensive model in the product line (there are seven versions all together, ranging from 31 to 37+ feet), the Presidential's kitchen ranks among the finest we’ve seen in a towable this size – something accomplished without the aid of a kitchen slide-out. Let’s face it, as efficient as many RV kitchens are, few provide the kind of pleasing elbow room and storage space to accommodate anything but the most simplistic meals. The Presidential, with deep and wide countertops flanking each side of the sink, certainly bucks the trend of micro-sized galleys, giving cooks plenty of room to spread out and get messy. Just think, now you can have several cooking projects going on a once without the precarious balancing act that accompanies meal preparation in tight quarters. Covers for the double sink create even more user space.

No fewer than 14 drawers cabinets, many of them extremely spacious, surround the cooking area, granting easy access to jumbo-sized pots and culinary gadgets of all designs. Unless plagued by weight concerns, gourmets should have room for all but the most superfluous kitchen hardware. All cabinetry is distinctive and sturdy, and the deep, rich colors add to the overall classy look of the fifth wheel. A small pull-out pantry comes standard; however with the room’s configuration, the space is very limited and unusually low to the ground. I did certainly appreciate the plastic tip-out tray in the centermost cabinet for storing wet items such as sponges and soaps.

A large, double-door Norcold refrigerator delivers plenty of space and minor conveniences. This particular model featured plenty of sizable see-thru drawers, leaving strong-willed leftovers no place to hide. A microwave oven and three-burner range/oven comes standard. Resonant plank flooring separates the galley from the rest of the coach.

I certainly preferred this floorplan, with the living room occupying the rear end of the coach. This kind of layout almost always guarantees a large back bay window, which floods the RV with sunlight while adding a sense of roominess to the living space. This was certainly the case in the 29SKD model we reviewed. Overall, the interior had an extremely warm feeling, complimented by several large windows on each side of the room. Fabric and wall colors were cozy and inviting. Plush carpeting welcomed every step and the obvious quality and good looks of the deep hardwoods comprising the cabinetry, dinette table and tall living room armoire made for a splendid spot to entertain or relax. A large, comfortable sofa/bed lined the rear of the coach, bookended by two small tables, perfect for cups of coffee. Brass swivel lights affixed overhead illuminate the space. The star of the room is the cavernous dinette slide-out with reclining leather chair which incorporates even greater space and comforts. The towering interior height won’t disappoint either.

While I give Holiday Rambler credit for attempting a new form of entertainment center, I’m not sure if it succeeds given the dynamics of the room. The optional 20-inch television sits only a foot or two off the floor, nestled in a corner nook just off the sink. Those sitting in one of the four chairs around the table ultimately struggle with both its angle and height. However, those lucky dogs resting in horizontal fashion on the nearby couch enjoy a perfect view. Traffic in and out of the RV as well as kitchen noise are sure to detract from this ambitious, although flawed TV placement. A perfect spot for the VCR does rest in the glass-cabinet just below though. A wall-mounted CD/cassette stereo with surround-sound speakers, located in the entryway, maximizes this often nebulous space. I’m seeing this stereo placement more and more.

The bedroom, home to the Presidential’s second hefty slide-out, reflects the rest of the coach in terms of the amount storage, windows and well-chosen colors and fabrics. Although the interior height shrinks dramatically here (to approximately 6’2"), that doesn’t damper the room which boasts a comfortable and long-enough queen bed, easily-reached side lights and level views out yet another large side window. An unobtrusive pull-down TV stand (bedroom TV is optional) as well as a lengthy wardrobe closet mirror are nice touches. A second wardrobe closet and drawer elongate as the slide-out is activated, but it isn’t critical to deploy to enjoy the overall makeup of the bedroom.

The honest dimensions of the bathroom/shower are realistically sized for just about any user. The glass shower is tall and wide and should eliminate the sensation of squeezing in and out of a watery tomb. The sink is waist high and comes with a large, mirrored medicine cabinet. A trio of lights shine above. Unfortunately, several pipes mar valuable space within the large cabinet underneath the sink. Isn’t that just always the case?

The private toilet is sequestered in its own room, complete with another cabinet, window, magazine rack and towel bar. Yes, the smallish space makes for tight-going in there, but it’s a reasonable concession to make for more outside living space. A privacy curtain separates the bed and bath.

The outside appearance of the Presidential is fairly ordinary –nothing shocking or memorable about the look or chosen colors and graphics here. There are several large storage compartments, including a lighted pass-thru storage compartment.

I’ve always been impressed by the looks and pleasantries of Holiday Rambler’s high-end motorhomes and fifth wheels, and the latest incarnation of the Presidential should win towable enthusiasts in landslide fashion. In fact, the Presidential is nicer than most of the apartments I’ve lived in, which is both a testament to this unit’s offerings and as well as a sad commentary on my choice of accommodations. Walking into the unit, you’d never suspect the room was on wheels – it’s that residential feeling. And leaving me longing for nothing, I wonder why I didn’t consider full-timing years ago. If good looks and spirited accoutrements are important to you – and why wouldn’t they be? – one walk through the Presidential will have you feeling, well, Presidential.


Holiday Rambler Presidential
Model: 29SKD
Length: 30’9"
Exterior height: 12’4" (w/ A/C)
Exterior width: 98"
Gross vehicle weight rating: 12,500 lbs.
Hitch weight: 2,008 lbs.
Axel(s) weight: 5,200 lbs.
Unloaded vehicle weigh: 9,380 lbs.
Net carrying capacity: 3,120 lbs.
Tire size: 16"
Storage tanks (gallons):
Fresh water: 70
Black water: 40
Gray water: 40
LP gas (lbs.): 30
Water heater: 6

Standard features: AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette w/ four speakers, three telephone jacks, double-door refrigerator, three-burner range; clock, dressing mirror, medicine cabinet, hitch and trunk lights, outside shower, 30M BTU electronic ignition furnace, 13.5M BTU air conditioner, spare tire. The price of the vehicle used for this article was $55,653, which included options. For more information contact Holiday Rambler, 606 Nelson’s Pkwy., Wakarusa, IN 46573-0465; 219/862-7211.

Copyright 2003 by Out West Newspaper

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