2025 Forest River RV Cardinal 36mb Specs
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Can Your Vehicle Tow This?
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Get Your Real Numbers
Tow rating is one limit — payload is what overloads first
The full calculator factors in:
Tongue weight vs payload
Water tanks (50 gal = 417 lbs)
Propane (40 lbs full)
Passengers in truck
Gear, bikes, coolers, tools
Cargo weight distribution
Your truck's payload limit carries tongue weight, passengers, and everything in the bed — that's the number that overloads first. The calculator checks both tow and payload with real gear weights.
Towing & Dimensions
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVWR | 14335 lbs | - | - | - |
| Dry Weight | 11538 lbs | - | - | - |
| Hitch Weight | 2335 lbs | - | - | - |
| Payload Capacity | 2797 lbs | - | ||
| Length | 511 in | - | ||
| Width | 96 in | - | ||
| Exterior Height | 158 in | - |
Specs
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GVWR
14335 lbs
Dry Weight
11538 lbs
Hitch Weight
2335 lbs
Payload Capacity
2797 lbs
Length
511 in
Width
96 in
Exterior Height
158 in
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Electrical & Solar
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore Power | 30 Amps | - | ||
| Battery Type | 12V Lead-Acid | Top 5 | ||
| Solar Pre-Wired | Optional | - | ||
| Inverter | Optional | - |
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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 | 1 | - | ||
| Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks | 1 | - | ||
| Fresh Water Tank Capacity | 60 gal | - | - | |
| Gray Water Tank Capacity | 45 gal | - | - | - |
| Black Water Tank Capacity | 45 gal | - | - | |
| Number Of Propane Tanks | 2 | - | ||
| Propane Tank Capacity | 40 lbs | - | - |
Specs
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Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks
1
Number Of Gray Water Holding Tanks
1
Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks
1
Fresh Water Tank Capacity
60 gal
Gray Water Tank Capacity
45 gal
Black Water Tank Capacity
45 gal
Number Of Propane Tanks
2
Propane Tank Capacity
40 lbs
Tank Capacities Best Sellers
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Tires & Wheels
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Brake Type | Not Applicable | - | - | - |
| Rear Brake Type | Electric Drum | - | ||
| Wheels Composition | Aluminum | - | - | - |
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Front Brake Type
Not Applicable
Rear Brake Type
Electric Drum
Wheels Composition
Aluminum
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Heating & Cooling
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning Type | Automatic | - | ||
| Heater Type | Automatic | - | ||
| Water Heater Pump Power Mode | Electrical / Propane | - | - | - |
Specs
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Air Conditioning Type
Automatic
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Size Master Bedroom Closet | Yes | - | - | - |
| Living Area Location | Rear | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Door Style | Conventional Door | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Location | Front / Center | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Mirror Doors | No | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains | Yes | - | - | - |
| Number Of Bunk Beds | 3 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Double Beds | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of King Size Beds | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Recliner / Rockers | 2 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Sofas | 1 | - | - | |
| Reclining Sofa | No | - | ||
| Sofa Material | Cloth | - | - | - |
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Full Size Master Bedroom Closet
Yes
Living Area Location
Rear
Master Bedroom Door Style
Conventional Door
Master Bedroom Flooring Type
Vinyl
Master Bedroom Location
Front / Center
Master Bedroom Mirror Doors
No
Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains
Yes
Number Of Bunk Beds
3
Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds
1
Number Of Double Beds
1
Number Of King Size Beds
1
Number Of Recliner / Rockers
2
Number Of Sofas
1
Reclining Sofa
No
Sofa Material
Cloth
Living Room / Bedroom(s) Best Sellers
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Kitchen / Dining
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Location | Center | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Table Configuration | Chairs | - | - | - |
| Number Of Oven Burners | 4 | - | - | - |
| Oven Size | 21 BTU | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Power Mode | Electric | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Size | Full-Size | - | - | - |
Specs
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Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type
Vinyl
Kitchen Location
Center
Kitchen Table Configuration
Chairs
Number Of Oven Burners
4
Oven Size
21 BTU
Refrigerator Power Mode
Electric
Refrigerator Size
Full-Size
Bathroom
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Bathroom Location | Center | - | - | - |
| Number Of Bathrooms | 1 | - | - | - |
| Toilet Type | Porcelain | Top 5 |
Specs
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Bathroom Flooring Type
Vinyl
Bathroom Location
Center
Number Of Bathrooms
1
Toilet Type
Porcelain
Bathroom Best Sellers
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Exterior
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | - | ||
| Body Material | Aluminum | - | - | - |
Specs
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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
Body Material
Aluminum
Exterior Best Sellers
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Options
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning Prewiring | Yes | - | ||
| Battery Power Converter | Yes | - | - | - |
| Bunkhouse | Yes | - | - | - |
| Cable Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Heat Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Interior Wood Finish | Yes | - | - | - |
| Overhead Fan | Yes | - | - | |
| Phone Prewiring | No | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Awning | Yes | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Slideout | Yes | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator | Standard | - | - | - |
| Satellite | No | - | - | - |
| Satellite Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Screened Room | No | - | - | - |
| Sliding Glass Door | No | - | - | - |
| Surround Sound | No | - | - | - |
| TV Antenna Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Wallpaper | Yes | - | - | - |
| Washer / Dryer Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Water Heater Tank Bypass | Yes | - | - | - |
Specs
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Air Conditioning Prewiring
Yes
Battery Power Converter
Yes
Bunkhouse
Yes
Cable Prewiring
Yes
Heat Prewiring
Yes
Interior Wood Finish
Yes
Overhead Fan
Yes
Phone Prewiring
No
Power Retractable Awning
Yes
Power Retractable Slideout
Yes
Refrigerator
Standard
Satellite
No
Satellite Prewiring
Yes
Screened Room
No
Sliding Glass Door
No
Surround Sound
No
TV Antenna Prewiring
Yes
Wallpaper
Yes
Washer / Dryer Prewiring
Yes
Water Heater Tank Bypass
Yes
Entertainment
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Televisions | 1 | - | ||
| Speaker Location | Interior | - | - |
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Number Of Televisions
1
Speaker Location
Interior
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 | 2025 | - | - | - |
| Make | Forest River | - | - | - |
| Display Name | Cardinal 36MB | - | - | - |
| Class | Fifth Wheel | - | - | - |
| Max Sleeping Count | 9 | - | - | - |
| Number of Slideouts | 4 | - | - | - |
| Introduction Year | 2024 | - | - | - |
Specs
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Parent Company
Forest River Inc.
Year
2025
Make
Forest River
Display Name
Cardinal 36MB
Class
Fifth Wheel
Max Sleeping Count
9
Number of Slideouts
4
Introduction Year
2024
Essential Upgrades for the 2025 Forest River RV Cardinal 36mb
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
5.5/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+0.5
Final Tow-Ready Score
5.5
Living Space & Layout
5.8/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+0.8
Final Living Space & Layout
5.8
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
6.0/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+1.0
Final Storage Space
6.0
Off-Grid & Campsites
5.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Fifth Wheel class averages
+0.3
Final Off-Grid & Campsites
5.3
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 2025 Forest River RV Cardinal 36mb, ensure your vehicle's rated tow capacity exceeds its GVWR of 14335 lbs. With a dry weight of 11538 lbs and hitch weight of 2335 lbs, most midsize trucks and SUVs can tow it comfortably with a 10-20% safety margin.
This Fifth Wheel has a dry weight of 11538 lbs and a GVWR of 14335 lbs, giving a payload capacity of 2797 lbs for gear, water, and supplies.
The approximate dimensions are length 511 in., width 96 in., and height 158 in. Always confirm clearances for garages, storage, and campsites.
The Cardinal 36mb includes a fresh water capacity of gallons, black water tank(s), and lbs of propane capacity-ideal for off-grid weekends.
Many Cardinal 36mb 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 14335 lbs and dry weight of 11538 lbs, the Cardinal 36mb 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 9 people comfortably - perfect for couples or small families seeking a lightweight, easy-tow Fifth Wheel.
The Cardinal 36mb features body construction with sidewalls and 2 axle(s). Its GVWR of 14335 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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