2025 Palomino Columbus 388FKH Review

Unconventional as it may be, I often suggest that a buyer shop with X-ray vision when choosing an RV. (Tall order, huh?) But here’s what I mean. Looking at how an RV is built — and the kinds of decisions that RV decision makers make — gives you a better picture of an RV’s long-term value. And those gifted with that kind of Man of Steel sight will find a lot to like in the Columbus fifth wheel line — of which 2025 Palomino Columbus 388FKH  is no exception. 

As Palomino’s best-selling model, the Columbus 388FKH makes its mark in its own way. All across the board (and we’ll get into the details), this fifth wheel gets the fundamentals right in about every rated category. 

 

At a Glance: Columbus 388FKH

Of the many RVs that I have reviewed, this is certainly one of the highest ratings I’ve given at 8.6 out of 10. The Columbus 388FKH is a fifth wheel that isn’t necessarily showy, but it is very well built. (And even with X-ray vision, it shows.) To my eyes, it’s clear that many of the decisions made in putting this model together are intended to serve an owner well for years to come. That in itself makes the Columbus 388FKH stand out among fifth wheels.

[review_summary class=”custom-class” title=”2025 Palomino Columbus 388FKH” description=”This score is awarded by an expert reviewer conducting an independent assessment of the RV.”]

Check the Specs

• Sleeping capacity: 6
• Hitch weight: 2,685 pounds
• UVW: 14,414 pounds 
• CCC: 2,271 pounds.
• Exterior length: 42 feet 10 inches
• Exterior height 13 feet 6 inches
• Exterior width: 8 feet 5 inches
• Fresh/Gray/Black: 75/117/78 gallons
• Propane: 2 x 30-pound tanks
• Awning: 12 feet and 18 feet (two awnings)
• MSRP: $114,625

 

Features We Love

• Sprayed-in insulation under the nose cap
• Anti-lock brakes and tire safety systems
• MORryde CRE 3000 suspension dampener
• Huge storage in the back
• Easily accessed transfer switch
• Roof construction
• Ceiling height in upper deck (83 inches)
• Whole-house water filtration system
• All slides are rack-and-pinion or thin rack
• Wall construction
• Kitchen space and features
• Day and night shades
• Buttons and app control

 

 

Benefits

What Touches the Road

• Braking system. Anti-lock braking has been standard in vehicles for decades now and a few foresighted trailer companies are finally adding it to their offerings. This represents a significant safety advance. I got to test anti-lock brakes on a Columbus fifth wheel. Further, this rides on high quality tires that incorporate a built-in tire pressure monitor system. 
• Suspension upgrade. The better the suspension on any RV or vehicle, the less vibration and harshness is transmitted to the vehicle itself and that means the less susceptible it is to road damage. So, I like that Columbus adds the MORryde CRE3000 suspension upgrade to this trailer which is something many owners of other trailers do. 

Exterior Build 

• Quality insulation and walls. Columbus hires a contractor to come in and spray insulation into the nose caps of their fifth wheels which results in very good insulation that also is consistent and holds up over time. The walls in these fifth wheels are built of welded aluminum studs with block foam insulation and additional backers where things like cabinets will be installed. In addition, the walls are vacuum laminate using Azdel, a man-made waterproof product, as the substrate. Vacuum lamination offers a better adhesion and longer life than some other processes. 
• Prepped for an onboard generator. For those who would install an on-board generator, the “brains” of this system, a transfer switch, is readily available. So, the installer wouldn’t have to dig through wiring and cabinets to do the installation properly. 
• Roof for a lifetime. The roof on the Columbus 388FKH has a better construction process with large wooden trusses but also multiple attachment components that form a strong bond between the sidewall and the roof itself. The two-and-a-half-inch trusses are set 16 inches on center, and the whole roof is covered in a product called Alpha Ply which is a rubber-like membrane that carries a lifetime warranty.

Enhanced Living and Control

• Ample head room. The ceiling height on the upper deck of these fifth wheels is taller at 83 inches than typical, and Columbus actually has a patent on the process that created this. 
• Exceptional water filtration. A whole-house water filtration system with the filter in the wet bay of the trailer means that the water from the campground is filtered but so, too, is the water from the fresh water holding tank. 
• Reliable slides. All the slide-room mechanisms in these trailers are either traditional rack-and-pinion slides or Lippert thin rack systems which are favored within the industry for better reliability. 
• Natural light control. There are day and night roller shades on all the windows. The day shades block some of the light but still enable you to see out of the window. The night shades block the light completely. 
• Master control options. Many RV builders have eliminated the ability to control their RVs via an app on the smart phone, but Columbus continues with this feature. This allows you to use your smart phone or tablet to monitor tanks and control most of the features in the RV. For those who favor traditional buttons, they’re there too. 

 

Challenges

• Stove vent. No RV is perfect and one of the annoyances of a lot of fifth wheels is that the stove vent is so high that the only way to open and close it is with a ladder. I wish someone would bring back a stove vent with a lever to open it from the inside like my 1970 vintage trailer had. 
• Weight. With a fifth wheel the size of the Columbus 388FKH, you’re simply going to need a heavy-duty truck, which for some prospective buyers might mean upgrading your tow vehicle as well as your RV.

 

Best For

• Social butterflies. For people who enjoy entertaining, this could be a terrific choice. With plenty of seating and a huge and very usable kitchen, this fifth wheel offers a lot of space and seating to host others. 
• Owners looking for a storage upgrade. For RVers who want a unit with a lot of storage and a very functional kitchen and living room, I haven’t seen a better choice than this model. There is a huge amount of storage in this RV plus a first-rate kitchen. 
• Long-term full timers. As mentioned early and often in this review, the superior build quality behind the Columbus 388FKH means that it’s built for the long haul. So, if you’re looking for a fifth wheel that focuses on aging well, this RV deserves a long look.

 

Key Areas We Evaluate for RV Buyers

Sleeping Space

The main sleeping area in the Columbus 388FKH is the bedroom at the back, which is on a raised deck above an enormous storage bay. The bedroom has good space with a king-size bed in a slide room.  And that bed is built of welded aluminum rather than the typical wood. This makes it lighter and stronger. There is also a decently large closet at the front of the bedroom and storage under the bed. 

There are drawers over on the camp side of the bedroom, plus a flip-out cabinet that incorporates a wire laundry basket. (A nice touch.)

For guests, there are two couches on the main deck of this trailer that fold out for additional sleeping space. 

 

 

Bathroom

There are actually two bathrooms in this trailer — a guest bathroom on the main deck and one behind the bedroom on an upper deck. 

The guest bathroom is simply a half bath with a toilet and sink. Even so, there is a closet in here with provisions for a washer and dryer, which had been outfitted to the unit I saw. This bathroom is certainly sized nicely enough for a half bath, and the door is a full door. (Unlike the doors that have big gaps at the top or bottom as some RV bathroom doors have.) That way your guests are less likely to hear you singing or reciting poetry or whatever sounds you’re making. 

 

The Second Bathroom

The second, and much larger, bathroom is all the way at the back of this fifth wheel behind the bedroom. This bathroom spans the full width of the trailer and also has good storage along with a vanity that features two sinks. I’m not sure who two sinks are for. (Perhaps those who wish to get into competitive tooth brushing and flossing.) But they’re there along with dual medicine cabinets. 

There’s also a large walk-in shower that has a seat, but I was surprised that the Columbus 388FKH didn’t follow the trend of one of those spa-style shower heads. Both bathrooms feature high-performance vent fans. 

Water Heating

I also like that Columbus is still using a propane and electric water heater but with a 12-gallon tank. While many RV builders are moving to tankless water heaters, those have met with a lot of complaints. Further, they can only operate on propane. The water heater in this RV can take advantage of shore power and operate on electricity or use propane off the grid. 

 

 

Living Area

The main living area in the Columbus 388FKH features two opposing couches, each in their own slide room, plus a theater seat with heat and reclining function. There’s also a large TV and a space heating electric fireplace. 

This would be a great place for those who like to entertain because the couches are arranged such that they enable conversation. (Perhaps — who knows — this would be a great place to exchange opinions of favorite RV reviews on RV Trader.) 

Because this space is on the main deck of this rig, the ceiling spans the width of the upper deck it makes this space just feel enormous. (Always a plus in an RV.)

 

 

Kitchen

Apparently, the reason this is the most popular fifth wheel in the Columbus line is the kitchen — and I can see why. The kitchen occupies the upper deck over the pin box of this RV. And since it lords over the main living space (and the Columbus has that higher ceiling height), it just feels huge. 

There is a long counter that spans the width of the front of the kitchen and then a second counter on the camp side of the space. That’s where you’ll find the four-burner propane stove and large oven with a large microwave overhead as well. There are a lot of cabinets and drawers in the kitchen overall, but I really like that there’s one cabinet with a trash can in it that also has a cutting board drawer. You can cut your veggies and simply dump them right into the trash can. This is a nice detail.

 

More About That Kitchen Space

There is also a pantry with adjustable shelves and more drawers over on the road side. The higher ceiling height and taller slide box also allow Columbus to put a large French door refrigerator up here. 

At the back of the kitchen facing the main living space is another counter that doubles as the only dining space in this fifth wheel. That counter comes with two seats so those enjoying the meals can lord over their minions down below in the main living space. Anybody who buys one of these just has to get goblets studded with gems just so lording over those below can be a full image. 

 

 

Four-Season Capabilities

The Columbus 388FKH essentially has all the components one would want for camping in colder climates including an enclosed and heated underbelly as well as heating pads on the holding tanks. 

 

Storage Space

As much as the interior of this fifth wheel is spacious, the storage is tremendous. The rear of the trailer’s interior is raised over a tremendous storage bay with access doors on the road side, camp side, and at the back. There is an incredible amount of storage provided by this type of floor plan, and this is well organized. 

 

 

Closing Notes on the Columbus 388FKH

To me the Columbus line, of which the 388FKH is the most popular, isn’t particularly showy. It doesn’t take advantage of some of the latest feature fads — and in my eyes that’s a good thing. These are well-made fifth wheels that are well thought-out. The things that are here are features that play out well over time like high-performance vent fans and traditional gas-electric water heaters. Additionally, there are advances in areas that really matter, like anti-lock brakes and tire pressure monitor systems. 

There are absolutely brands that are making a big splash in the market, but I prefer the kind of quiet, solid decision making reflected in this product line. I’m sure it’s evident by the rating I gave this, and the details provided here that Columbus might be a brand that should be on more shopping lists. 

 

A Note on the RV Trader Review Process

RV Trader asked RV shoppers what was most important to them in their RV buying process. Potential buyers — like you — helped us to identify a list of six key areas that camping and travel enthusiasts always look at when they’re searching for the perfect RV: sleeping space, bathroom, living area, four-season capabilities, and storage space.

The RV Trader team then got to work providing you with honest and unbiased evaluations. If you’re wondering, that’s where I came in. As an RV expert and enthusiast, I provide an honest look at RVs from an RV industry insider perspective.