2009 Forest River RV Cardinal 3000-rl Specs
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Safe Towing Capacity
80%
Under capacity
Safe zone
Max rating
Essential Upgrades for the 2009 Forest River RV Cardinal 3000-rl
Towing & Dimensions
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVWR | 14175 lbs | - | - | - |
| Dry Weight | 10480 lbs | - | - | - |
| Hitch Weight | 2175 lbs | - | - | - |
| Length | 420 in | Furrion Backup Camera | Shop Cameras | - |
| Exterior Height | 152 in | Telescoping Ladder | Shop Ladders | - |
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GVWR
14175 lbs
Dry Weight
10480 lbs
Hitch Weight
2175 lbs
Length
420 in
Exterior Height
152 in
Towing & Dimensions Best Sellers
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Electrical & Solar
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Converter Amps | 55 | - | - | - |
| Shore Power | 30 Amps | - | - | - |
| Battery Type | 12V Lead-Acid | Renogy 100Ah LiFePO4 | RV Batteries | Top 5 |
| Solar Pre-Wired | Optional | - | - | - |
| Inverter | Optional | - | - | - |
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Battery Converter Amps
55
Shore Power
30 Amps
Battery Type
12V Lead-Acid
Solar Pre-Wired
Optional
Inverter
Optional
Electrical & Solar Best Sellers
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Tank Capacities
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Gray Water Holding Tanks | 2 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks | 1 | - | - | - |
| Fresh Water Tank Capacity | 77 gal | - | Fresh Water Tanks | - |
| Gray Water Tank Capacity | 80 gal | - | - | - |
| Black Water Tank Capacity | 40 gal | - | Back Water Tanks | - |
| Number Of Propane Tanks | 2 | - | - | - |
| Propane Tank Capacity | 60 lbs | 30Lb Propane Tank | Propane Tank Capacity | - |
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Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks
1
Number Of Gray Water Holding Tanks
2
Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks
1
Fresh Water Tank Capacity
77 gal
Gray Water Tank Capacity
80 gal
Black Water Tank Capacity
40 gal
Number Of Propane Tanks
2
Propane Tank Capacity
60 lbs
Tank Capacities Best Sellers
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Tires & Wheels
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels Composition | Aluminum | - | - | - |
| Rear Wheel Diameter | 16 | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Aspect Ratio | 80 | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire | ST235/80R16E Full Spec | - | - | - |
| Tire Brand | Goodyear® | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Width | 235 | - | - | - |
| Rear Brake Type | Electric Drum | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Speed Rating | E | - | - | - |
| Spare Tire Location | Exterior Mounted | - | - | - |
Specs
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Wheels Composition
Aluminum
Rear Wheel Diameter
16
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio
80
Rear Tire
ST235/80R16E Full Spec
Tire Brand
Goodyear®
Rear Tire Width
235
Rear Brake Type
Electric Drum
Rear Tire Speed Rating
E
Spare Tire Location
Exterior Mounted
Heating & Cooling
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning Type | Automatic | Dometic 13.5K Air Conditioner | Shop All RV AC | - |
| Water Heater Tank Capacity | 12 g | RV Tank Water Heater | RV Water Heaters | - |
| Heater Type | Automatic | - | - | - |
| Water Heater Pump Power Mode | Electrical / Propane | - | - | - |
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Air Conditioning Type
Automatic
Water Heater Tank Capacity
12 g
Heater Type
Automatic
Water Heater Pump Power Mode
Electrical / Propane
Heating & Cooling Best Sellers
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Living Room / Bedroom(s)
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Area Location | Rear | - | - | - |
| Full Size Master Bedroom Closet | Yes | - | - | - |
| Number Of Queen Size Beds | 1 | Queen RV Mattress | Shop Mattresses | - |
| Master Bedroom Location | Front | - | - | - |
| Number Of Sofas | 1 | Tri-Fold Sofa | - | - |
| Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds | 2 | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains | Yes | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Flooring Type | Carpet | - | - | - |
| Number Of Recliner / Rockers | 2 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Bathrooms | 1 | - | - | - |
| Sofa Material | Cloth | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Mirror Doors | Yes | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Door Style | Full Sliding Door | - | - | - |
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Living Area Location
Rear
Full Size Master Bedroom Closet
Yes
Number Of Queen Size Beds
1
Master Bedroom Location
Front
Number Of Sofas
1
Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds
2
Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains
Yes
Master Bedroom Flooring Type
Carpet
Number Of Recliner / Rockers
2
Number Of Bathrooms
1
Sofa Material
Cloth
Master Bedroom Mirror Doors
Yes
Master Bedroom Door Style
Full Sliding Door
Living Room / Bedroom(s) Best Sellers
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Kitchen / Dining
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oven Depth | 22 / 558.8 in | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Location | Center | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Size | Full-Size | - | - | - |
| Number Of Oven Burners | 3 | - | - | - |
| Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type | Carpet / Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Power Mode | Electric / Propane | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Table Configuration | Bench Seats | - | - | - |
Specs
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Oven Depth
22 / 558.8 in
Kitchen Location
Center
Refrigerator Size
Full-Size
Number Of Oven Burners
3
Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type
Carpet / Vinyl
Refrigerator Power Mode
Electric / Propane
Kitchen Table Configuration
Bench Seats
Bathroom
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Toilet Type | Porcelain | RV Toilet with Sprayer Attachment | Toilets | Top 5 |
| Bathroom Location | Center | - | - | - |
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Bathroom Flooring Type
Vinyl
Toilet Type
Porcelain
Bathroom Location
Center
Exterior
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Awnings | 1 | Motorized RV Awning Set | Shop Awnings | - |
| Leveling Jack Type | Front Power / Rear Power | - | - | - |
| Number Of Axles | 2 | - | - | - |
| Sidewall Construction | Fiberglass | - | - | - |
| Number of Doors | 1 | - | - | - |
| Door Type | Plastic / Glass | - | - | - |
| Body Material | Aluminum | - | - | - |
Specs
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Number of Awnings
1
Leveling Jack Type
Front Power / Rear Power
Number Of Axles
2
Sidewall Construction
Fiberglass
Number of Doors
1
Door Type
Plastic / Glass
Body Material
Aluminum
Exterior Best Sellers
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Options
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper | Yes | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Slideout | Yes | - | - | - |
| Sliding Glass Door | No | - | - | - |
| Air Conditioning Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Overhead Fan | Yes | Overhead Fan | - | - |
| Satellite | No | - | - | - |
| Water Heater Tank Bypass | Yes | - | - | - |
| Interior Wood Finish | Yes | - | - | - |
| TV Antenna Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Cable Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Awning | Yes | - | - | - |
| Screened Room | No | - | - | - |
| Washer / Dryer Prewiring | No | - | - | - |
| Heat Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator | Standard | - | - | - |
| Surround Sound | Yes | - | - | - |
| Battery Power Converter | Yes | - | - | - |
| Phone Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Satellite Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
Specs
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Wallpaper
Yes
Power Retractable Slideout
Yes
Sliding Glass Door
No
Air Conditioning Prewiring
Yes
Overhead Fan
Yes
Satellite
No
Water Heater Tank Bypass
Yes
Interior Wood Finish
Yes
TV Antenna Prewiring
Yes
Cable Prewiring
Yes
Power Retractable Awning
Yes
Screened Room
No
Washer / Dryer Prewiring
No
Heat Prewiring
Yes
Refrigerator
Standard
Surround Sound
Yes
Battery Power Converter
Yes
Phone Prewiring
Yes
Satellite Prewiring
Yes
Entertainment
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Discs | 1 | - | - | - |
| Speaker Location | Interior | RecPro Exterior Speakers | - | - |
| Number Of Televisions | 1 | Insignia LED HD Alexa TV | Shop RV TV's | - |
Specs
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Number Of Discs
1
Speaker Location
Interior
Number Of Televisions
1
Entertainment Best Sellers
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Instrumentation
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Radios | 1 | - | - | - |
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Number Of Radios
1
Interior
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Cloth | - | - | - |
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Material
Cloth
Quick Overview
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Forest River Inc. | - | - | - |
| Year | 2009 | - | - | - |
| Make | Forest River | - | - | - |
| Display Name | Cardinal 3000 RL | - | - | - |
| Class | Fifth Wheel | - | - | - |
| Max Sleeping Count | 6 | - | - | - |
| Number of Slideouts | 2 | - | - | - |
| Introduction Year | 2009 | - | - | - |
Specs
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Parent Company
Forest River Inc.
Year
2009
Make
Forest River
Display Name
Cardinal 3000 RL
Class
Fifth Wheel
Max Sleeping Count
6
Number of Slideouts
2
Introduction Year
2009
How We Scored This RV
Our MintRV Rating analyzes over 50 specifications across 5 key dimensions. Each dimension starts at 5.0 points and adjusts based on how this RV's specs compare to others in its class. Below is exactly how we calculated each score for this fifth wheel.
Tow-Ready Score
6.0/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+1.0
Final Tow-Ready Score
6.0
Living Space & Layout
6.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+1.3
Final Living Space & Layout
6.3
Comfort & Features
6.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+1.3
Final Comfort & Features
6.3
Storage Space
5.0/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+0.0
Final Storage Space
5.0
Off-Grid & Campsites
6.8/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+1.8
Final Off-Grid & Campsites
6.8
About Our Rating Methodology
MintRV Ratings are calculated using verified manufacturer specifications. We compare each RV against others in its class type and weight category. Scores are updated when new specs become available. Learn more about our methodology →
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Frequently Asked Questions
To safely tow the 2009 Forest River RV Cardinal 3000-rl, ensure your vehicle's rated tow capacity exceeds its GVWR of 14175 lbs. With a dry weight of 10480 lbs and hitch weight of 2175 lbs, most midsize trucks and SUVs can tow it comfortably with a 10-20% safety margin.
This Fifth Wheel has a dry weight of 10480 lbs and a GVWR of 14175 lbs, giving a payload capacity of lbs for gear, water, and supplies.
The approximate dimensions are length 420 in., width in., and height 152 in. Always confirm clearances for garages, storage, and campsites.
The Cardinal 3000-rl includes a fresh water capacity of gallons, black water tank(s), and lbs of propane capacity-ideal for off-grid weekends.
Many Cardinal 3000-rl owners add a weight-distribution hitch, brake controller, leveling system, and portable generator to improve towing comfort. Solar kits, backup cameras, and upgraded tires are also popular upgrades.
With a GVWR of 14175 lbs and dry weight of 10480 lbs, the Cardinal 3000-rl is light enough for smaller tow vehicles yet rugged enough for light off-road travel. Add solar, extra propane, and a generator for extended off-grid stays.
This floorplan sleeps up to 6 people comfortably - perfect for couples or small families seeking a lightweight, easy-tow Fifth Wheel.
The Cardinal 3000-rl features body construction with sidewalls and 2 axle(s). Its GVWR of 14175 lbs ensures strength without excessive towing weight.
?? Tip: Always check your vehicle's specific towing capacity in the owner's manual. Consider payload and tongue weight too!
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