Opinions on Forest River IBEX and No Boundaries

[Mister Bevilaqua]

I wouldn't buy anything from Forest River but lets be honest here, 95% of the trailer/RV industry cuts corners when it comes to craftsmanship and materials used leading to absolutely appalling quality control and subsequent warranty claims and premature failures.

We went the FGRV route in order to cut out the stick and staple issues altogether but if you need larger floor plans and/or slide outs then a FGRV won't work for you.

 

[KevinLK]

FWIW, my son bought a NoBo three years or so ago, and I've never seen a bigger POS. The most "off-roading" he's done is to take it down a gravel road a few miles. The interior is pretty much falling apart. Cabinets are coming apart. The interior walls are coming loose. There's no way I would want one for free, let alone pay for one. We owned a Forrest River 5th wheel a few years ago and it was decent, so who knows.

 

[DDD]

I’d give Thompson RV in Pendleton a call or a visit. They’re just west of La Grande where Outdoors RV’s are made and the largest ORV dealer. They mostly keep the Titanium versions of ORV in stock and usually have solar in various configurations installed at the factory for their units. We bought a 22’ model from them in 2022 and are considering trading for a bit longer model soon. Good people, family owned for over 50 years, and they know a ton of stuff about trailers, campers, etc. because they live the life themselves with their families. Nice folks too and no, I don’t get a commission!

 

[Apples]

With the intro out of the way, wanted to get people's opinions on these two offerings? Anyone on here own either of these and have good/bad experiences to offer? What other options are out there that fill a similar niche

The Ember looks really nice, I like all the options for storage/access but looks like I’d need to step up to a 27-28ft model to get the floor plan I’d want

Since a $200,000 Bruder isn't in the cards, an Ember is a great blue collar alternative.

That said, I'm looking at a new 2026 Forest River No Boundaries "Beast Mode" (hang on, take it easy. I don't like the gimmicky name either) for it's Curt independent trailing arm/coil spring/dual shocks suspension.

it's not sealed well at all. Tons of dust comes in it when towing.

All trailers can have very fine gaps here and there. The way to combat dust intrustion (and this works, by the way) is to introduce positive cabin pressure by way of ducting near or on the roof, away from the tow vehicle's and the trailer's dust trail. I can offer video proof of this using my own ducted setup on a small 5' X 10' cargo "squaredrop" camper I made. I just don't know where to upload it for viewing here.

last time I was there I asked the service manager what they see the least of for warranty and/or repair and he said Forest River.

A feller I'm familiar with has a 2024 No Bo 19.6 (model nomenclature, a dual-axle, 20' box, independent suspension affair) and he has had ZERO issues with his in the just over two years' time he's owned it. He and his wife have taken it out camping more than they are at home. It's nuts. I think the reason is twofold: 1. We are past most of the horrible conditions created within the Covid outbreak and scare.
2. The Curt (borrowed from an OG Australian off road "caravan" design) independent suspension is a GAME CHANGER and drasctically reduces the vibration and road shock that create RV trailers "rolling (road) earthquakes".

FWIW, my son bought a NoBo three years or so ago, and I've never seen a bigger POS

Boom. Made right smack at the beginning of labor and supply chain shutdowns during those years.


Here's what I'm looking at. It's a big, small trailer. I had wanted a shorter box but this floorplan is about perfect for 2 people, and the "Beast Mode" includes not only the great suspension system (it's not Carli-level materials quality, so no "g-moon"ing it airborne in Baja or BLACKCHERRY 80 MPH through desert whoops) but treated with some mechanical sympathy I am confident it will go anywhere my fullsize Super Duty Tremor w/ it's longer wheelbase will go.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB19.6/11769

Here's a one minute, eleven seconds video peek at the suspension as well as the rest of the Beast Mode package items such as solar, etc.

Cheers!

 

[Blade420Play🔪🏆]

Since a $200,000 Bruder isn't in the cards, an Ember is a great blue collar alternative.

That said, I'm looking at a new 2026 Forest River No Boundaries "Beast Mode" (hang on, take it easy. I don't like the gimmicky name either) for it's Curt independent trailing arm/coil spring/dual shocks suspension.








All trailers can have very fine gaps here and there. The way to combat dust intrustion (and this works, by the way) is to introduce positive cabin pressure by way of ducting near or on the roof, away from the tow vehicle's and the trailer's dust trail. I can offer video proof of this using my own ducted setup on a small 5' X 10' cargo "squaredrop" camper I made. I just don't know where to upload it for viewing here.









A feller I'm familiar with has a 2024 No Bo 19.6 (model nomenclature, a dual-axle, 20' box, independent suspension affair) and he has had ZERO issues with his in the just over two years' time he's owned it. He and his wife have taken it out camping more than they are at home. It's nuts. I think the reason is twofold: 1. We are past most of the horrible conditions created within the Covid outbreak and scare.
2. The Curt (borrowed from an OG Australian off road "caravan" design) independent suspension is a GAME CHANGER and drasctically reduces the vibration and road shock that create RV trailers "rolling (road) earthquakes".





Boom. Made right smack at the beginning of labor and supply chain shutdowns during those years.


Here's what I'm looking at. It's a big, small trailer. I had wanted a shorter box but this floorplan is about perfect for 2 people, and the "Beast Mode" includes not only the great suspension system (it's not Carli-level materials quality, so no "g-moon"ing it airborne in Baja or BLACKCHERRY 80 MPH through desert whoops) but treated with some mechanical sympathy I am confident it will go anywhere my fullsize Super Duty Tremor w/ it's longer wheelbase will go.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB19.6/11769

Here's a one minute, eleven seconds video peek at the suspension as well as the rest of the Beast Mode package items such as solar, etc.

Cheers!

Just put it on YouTube
....

 

[Utah Ford]

I've got a 2025 NoBo 20.3 with the beast mode package. Probably have north of 100 nights in it and around 8k miles of towing.

The curt suspension is really nice and the ground clearance is amazing. But it is still a traditionally built camper with the same issues that plague any brand.

After a hard rain this week and my entire floor of the camper turning in to a swimming pool I was ready to push it off a cliff. Here's some of the issues I've had on mine.

1. Front cap had to be replaced after it de-laminated from the roof and was leaking.
2. Front glass delaminated from the metal frame
3. Slide has leaked several times due to gaps in the sealant from the factory
4. Solar wiring had a nail thru it from the factory and melted/burned inside of a wall
5. Interior trim and shades have fallen off several times because the factory uses tiny screws/staples

If money is no object look at the Palomino Pause Reboot campers in the $100k neighborhood. Slightly more budget friendly line-up is these that have piqued my interest lately which seem to be heavier built of the "traditional" campers" https://outdoorsrvmfg.com/back-country-class/

 

[WVMoose]

I’ve had 8 campers, last two were Embers. I think if I got another camper, it would have to be an Ember Overland Series. I went from a 221MSL to a 22ETS and it’s just two different worlds. My neighbor just got a Salem Cruise made by Fr and it’s crazy the differences.

I’ve never camped in a NOBO and have had issues with Embers…but man, after having quite a few, the build quality, especially on the Overland, was crazy good in comparison

 

[jjfred2112]

Going to resurrect this post and slightly hijack it. My apologies.

Looking at a camper for the family. We have been using a rooftop tent on a 5x8ft utility trailer. Did legit ground camping before that to get my kids trained up on "embracing the suck." The RTT was an upgrade.

3 weeks ago we welcomed our 3rd child, a baby girl named Autumn. Time to move up in this world regarding camping. To make life slightly easier and more enjoyable for the kids we are looking at a travel trailer. No fifth wheel or gooseneck. Just bumper bull.

Went to an RV expo and searched a few dealerships to get some ideas. The trailers catching my eye are the following: Forest River No Boundaries 20.9 with beast mode, Ember E Series 26ETS, and a Lance Evolve 1965.

Been reading good stuff about these, but would like some real world experience or other recommendations.

I prefer quality over quantity. I know I can get a bigger trailer with more tickle me features, but those usually come with the headaches I've read online (certain all manufacturers are guilty of this).

Love the idea of double bunks for the kids. Queen bed for the parents. Little bit of square footage in case of inclement weather and we have to stay inside. Love the Curt suspension on the NoBo. Solar is nice but not a priority. A slide out is a must. Will be doing campground visits mostly and want to keep it at 30feet -ish, since this opens up more sites. Any bigger and we become limited.

I've been watching YouTube videos from Josh the RV guy and the RV Repair guy. Using AI to help compare models.

Help me out Tremor family.

 

[WVMoose]

Going to resurrect this post and slightly hijack it. My apologies.

Looking at a camper for the family. We have been using a rooftop tent on a 5x8ft utility trailer. Did legit ground camping before that to get my kids trained up on "embracing the suck." The RTT was an upgrade.

3 weeks ago we welcomed our 3rd child, a baby girl named Autumn. Time to move up in this world regarding camping. To make life slightly easier and more enjoyable for the kids we are looking at a travel trailer. No fifth wheel or gooseneck. Just bumper bull.

Went to an RV expo and searched a few dealerships to get some ideas. The trailers catching my eye are the following: Forest River No Boundaries 20.9 with beast mode, Ember E Series 26ETS, and a Lance Evolve 1965.

Been reading good stuff about these, but would like some real world experience or other recommendations.

I prefer quality over quantity. I know I can get a bigger trailer with more tickle me features, but those usually come with the headaches I've read online (certain all manufacturers are guilty of this).

Love the idea of double bunks for the kids. Queen bed for the parents. Little bit of square footage in case of inclement weather and we have to stay inside. Love the Curt suspension on the NoBo. Solar is nice but not a priority. A slide out is a must. Will be doing campground visits mostly and want to keep it at 30feet -ish, since this opens up more sites. Any bigger and we become limited.

I've been watching YouTube videos from Josh the RV guy and the RV Repair guy. Using AI to help compare models.

Help me out Tremor family.

I’ve had a pop up, Aliner, intech, coachmen apex nano 208bhs, ember overland 221MSL and an ember 22ets.

While the ember 22 ETs was built better then most campers I’ve seen or owned, I’d still pay more for the overland edition from ember. Thing was built like a tank.

The difference is wild but the price jump is up there. We didn’t use a lot of overland stuff but was nice to have

 

[jjfred2112]

I’ve had a pop up, Aliner, intech, coachmen apex nano 208bhs, ember overland 221MSL and an ember 22ets.

While the ember 22 ETs was built better then most campers I’ve seen or owned, I’d still pay more for the overland edition from ember. Thing was built like a tank.

The difference is wild but the price jump is up there. We didn’t use a lot of overland stuff but was nice to have

The overland ones are sick, but trying to keep the price below $50k. Ideally in the $45k area.

That NoBo seemed pretty well built

 

[mrmag00]

We are looking at an Ibex 20MKB with beast mode to tow behind the Tremor.

 

[Utah Ford]

I have a 2025 NoBo 20.3 beast mode that I've towed around 9k miles and have easily 100 nights in with my wife, 2yr old, 4yr old, and 2 dogs.

Honestly I like it but it has plenty of issues that I had to deal with myself out of warranty.
Resealing leaking windows, slide-out I finally got to stop leaking after the dealer tried to seal it up twice, front cap had to be replaced (warranty), nail through the wiring caused an electrical fire (FR wanted me to send it to Indiana to inspect it, but I fixed myself).

I think i had it at the dealer about 3 months out of my first year of ownership.

If you understand it is a cheaply built unit and you WILL need to constantly inspect and keep up with maintenance/repairs then I think the beast mode features make it well worth it. They do build them quick and dirty and a lot of things on the interior and in the electrical system are just done stupidly and drove my OCD crazy but I've been slowing upgrading and making things "right"

That being said - I'm strongly considering trading in on the new Ember Overland 220MSL when they start hitting dealer lots. The draw of a robust solar system, better insulation, better overall build are a draw for me.

 

[Phillbo]

I like the outdoor RV but price and floorplans turned me off.

 

[jjfred2112]

I have a 2025 NoBo 20.3 beast mode that I've towed around 9k miles and have easily 100 nights in with my wife, 2yr old, 4yr old, and 2 dogs.

Honestly I like it but it has plenty of issues that I had to deal with myself out of warranty.
Resealing leaking windows, slide-out I finally got to stop leaking after the dealer tried to seal it up twice, front cap had to be replaced (warranty), nail through the wiring caused an electrical fire (FR wanted me to send it to Indiana to inspect it, but I fixed myself).

I think i had it at the dealer about 3 months out of my first year of ownership.

If you understand it is a cheaply built unit and you WILL need to constantly inspect and keep up with maintenance/repairs then I think the beast mode features make it well worth it. They do build them quick and dirty and a lot of things on the interior and in the electrical system are just done stupidly and drove my OCD crazy but I've been slowing upgrading and making things "right"

That being said - I'm strongly considering trading in on the new Ember Overland 220MSL when they start hitting dealer lots. The draw of a robust solar system, better insulation, better overall build are a draw for me.

I think I saw this post of yours. I haven't seen many others online with this issue but doesn't mean it ain't happening. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Wroeboat]

I like the outdoor RV but price and floorplans turned me off.

The floor plans are brutal.