2018 Forest River RV Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e Specs
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Safe Towing Capacity
80%
Under capacity
Safe zone
Max rating
Essential Upgrades for the 2018 Forest River RV Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e
Towing & Dimensions
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVWR | 17722 lbs | - | - | - |
| Dry Weight | 13574 lbs | - | - | - |
| Hitch Weight | 2575 lbs | - | - | - |
| Payload Capacity | 3375 lbs | Coil SumoSprings | Shop Suspension Kits | - |
| Length | 474 in | Furrion Backup Camera | Shop Cameras | - |
| Width | 100 in | Clip On Mirrors | Shop Mirrors | - |
| Exterior Height | 162 in | Telescoping Ladder | Shop Ladders | - |
| Interior Height | 105 in | - | - | - |
Specs
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GVWR
17722 lbs
Dry Weight
13574 lbs
Hitch Weight
2575 lbs
Payload Capacity
3375 lbs
Length
474 in
Width
100 in
Exterior Height
162 in
Interior Height
105 in
Towing & Dimensions Best Sellers
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Electrical & Solar
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Converter Amps | 70 | - | - | - |
| 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
70
Shore Power
30 Amps
Battery Type
12V Lead-Acid
Solar Pre-Wired
Optional
Inverter
Optional
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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 | 64 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
64 gal
Gray Water Tank Capacity
80 gal
Black Water Tank Capacity
40 gal
Number Of Propane Tanks
2
Propane Tank Capacity
60 lbs
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Tires & Wheels
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spare Tire Location | Interior Mounted | - | - | - |
| Rear Wheel Diameter | 16 | - | - | - |
| Front Brake Type | Not Applicable | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Aspect Ratio | 85 | - | - | - |
| Wheels Composition | Aluminum | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire | Goodyear® ST235/85R16G Full Spec | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Width | 235 | - | - | - |
| Tire Brand | Goodyear® | - | - | - |
| Rear Brake Type | Electric Drum | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Speed Rating | G | - | - | - |
Specs
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Spare Tire Location
Interior Mounted
Rear Wheel Diameter
16
Front Brake Type
Not Applicable
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio
85
Wheels Composition
Aluminum
Rear Tire
Goodyear® ST235/85R16G Full Spec
Rear Tire Width
235
Tire Brand
Goodyear®
Rear Brake Type
Electric Drum
Rear Tire Speed Rating
G
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Bathrooms | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Sofas | 1 | Tri-Fold Sofa | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Door Style | Conventional Door | - | - | - |
| Reclining Sofa | No | RV Loveseat Recliner Sofa | Shop Sofa | - |
| Full Size Master Bedroom Closet | Yes | - | - | - |
| Number Of King Size Beds | 1 | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Location | Front | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains | Yes | - | - | - |
| Number Of Recliner / Rockers | 2 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds | 1 | - | - | - |
| Sofa Material | Leather | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Flooring Type | Carpet | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Mirror Doors | Yes | - | - | - |
| Living Area Location | Rear | - | - | - |
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Number Of Bathrooms
1
Number Of Sofas
1
Master Bedroom Door Style
Conventional Door
Reclining Sofa
No
Full Size Master Bedroom Closet
Yes
Number Of King Size Beds
1
Master Bedroom Location
Front
Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains
Yes
Number Of Recliner / Rockers
2
Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds
1
Sofa Material
Leather
Master Bedroom Flooring Type
Carpet
Master Bedroom Mirror Doors
Yes
Living Area Location
Rear
Living Room / Bedroom(s) Best Sellers
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Kitchen / Dining
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Location | Center | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Size | Full-Size | - | - | - |
| Number Of Oven Burners | 2 | - | - | - |
| Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type | Carpet / Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Power Mode | Electric / Propane | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Table Configuration | Chairs | - | - | - |
| Oven Depth | 22 / 558.8 in | - | - | - |
Specs
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Kitchen Location
Center
Refrigerator Size
Full-Size
Number Of Oven Burners
2
Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type
Carpet / Vinyl
Refrigerator Power Mode
Electric / Propane
Kitchen Table Configuration
Chairs
Oven Depth
22 / 558.8 in
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Length | 19 ft/m | Awning Fabric Replacement | All Awnings | - |
| 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 Emergency Exits | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number of Doors | 1 | - | - | - |
| Door Type | Plastic / Glass | - | - | - |
| Brand Name | Furrion | - | - | - |
| Body Material | Aluminum | - | - | - |
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Awning Length
19 ft/m
Number of Awnings
1
Leveling Jack Type
Front Power / Rear Power
Number Of Axles
2
Sidewall Construction
Fiberglass
Number Of Emergency Exits
1
Number of Doors
1
Door Type
Plastic / Glass
Brand Name
Furrion
Body Material
Aluminum
Exterior Best Sellers
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Options
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screened Room | No | - | - | - |
| Bunkhouse | No | - | - | - |
| Metallic | No | - | - | - |
| Washer / Dryer Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Interior Wood Finish | Yes | - | - | - |
| Surround Sound | Yes | - | - | - |
| Phone Prewiring | No | - | - | - |
| Battery Power Converter | Yes | - | - | - |
| Satellite Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Wallpaper | Yes | - | - | - |
| Heated | No | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Slideout | Yes | - | - | - |
| Sliding Glass Door | No | - | - | - |
| Cable Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Overhead Fan | Yes | Overhead Fan | - | - |
| Air Conditioning Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Water Heater Tank Bypass | Yes | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator | Standard | - | - | - |
| TV Antenna Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Heat Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Awning | Yes | - | - | - |
Specs
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Screened Room
No
Bunkhouse
No
Metallic
No
Washer / Dryer Prewiring
Yes
Interior Wood Finish
Yes
Surround Sound
Yes
Phone Prewiring
No
Battery Power Converter
Yes
Satellite Prewiring
Yes
Wallpaper
Yes
Heated
No
Power Retractable Slideout
Yes
Sliding Glass Door
No
Cable Prewiring
Yes
Overhead Fan
Yes
Air Conditioning Prewiring
Yes
Water Heater Tank Bypass
Yes
Refrigerator
Standard
TV Antenna Prewiring
Yes
Heat Prewiring
Yes
Power Retractable Awning
Yes
Cargo
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 150 / 964.3 / 4247.4 cuft/gal/l | - | - | - |
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Storage Capacity
150 / 964.3 / 4247.4 cuft/gal/l
Entertainment
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Discs | 1 | - | - | - |
| Speaker Location | Interior / Exterior | RecPro Exterior Speakers | - | - |
| Number Of Televisions | 2 | Insignia LED HD Alexa TV | Shop RV TV's | - |
Specs
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Number Of Discs
1
Speaker Location
Interior / Exterior
Number Of Televisions
2
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 | Leather | - | - | - |
Specs
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Material
Leather
Quick Overview
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Forest River Inc. | - | - | - |
| Year | 2018 | - | - | - |
| Make | Forest River | - | - | - |
| Display Name | Cardinal Estate 3850RL-E | - | - | - |
| Class | Fifth Wheel | - | - | - |
| Max Sleeping Count | 4 | - | - | - |
| Number of Slideouts | 3 | - | - | - |
| Introduction Year | 2017 | - | - | - |
Specs
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Parent Company
Forest River Inc.
Year
2018
Make
Forest River
Display Name
Cardinal Estate 3850RL-E
Class
Fifth Wheel
Max Sleeping Count
4
Number of Slideouts
3
Introduction Year
2017
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
5.8/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+0.8
Final Tow-Ready Score
5.8
Living Space & Layout
7.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+2.3
Final Living Space & Layout
7.3
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
5.5/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+0.5
Final Storage Space
5.5
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 2018 Forest River RV Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e, ensure your vehicle's rated tow capacity exceeds its GVWR of 17722 lbs. With a dry weight of 13574 lbs and hitch weight of 2575 lbs, most midsize trucks and SUVs can tow it comfortably with a 10-20% safety margin.
This Fifth Wheel has a dry weight of 13574 lbs and a GVWR of 17722 lbs, giving a payload capacity of 3375 lbs for gear, water, and supplies.
The approximate dimensions are length 474 in., width 100 in., and height 162 in. Always confirm clearances for garages, storage, and campsites.
The Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e includes a fresh water capacity of gallons, black water tank(s), and lbs of propane capacity-ideal for off-grid weekends.
Many Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e 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 17722 lbs and dry weight of 13574 lbs, the Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e 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 4 people comfortably - perfect for couples or small families seeking a lightweight, easy-tow Fifth Wheel.
The Cardinal Estate 3850rl-e features body construction with sidewalls and 2 axle(s). Its GVWR of 17722 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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