From countless customer requests, Rugged Mountain is announcing a new recliner seating option for their Denali 3S. To make this possible, the camper has been extended and a new model designation has been created. Introducing the XL. Sit, recline, and read on.
In 2007, Bob Mehrer, founder of Interior RV Manufacturing, introduced “Command Seating” recliners as part of the SnowRiver Prestige Signature Series. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time a production truck camper manufacturer had offered factory-installed recliners. Prior to Bob’s announcement, this level of comfort simply wasn’t found in truck campers, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Nearly twenty years later, recliners and theater seating remain among the most sought-after features in full-size truck campers. For that, truck camper owners everywhere owe Bob a big tip of the hat.
This is what immediately came to mind when Rugged Mountain recently told us that the number one customer request for their triple-slide Denali 3S has been reclining theater seating. Having sat in dozens of recliners and theater seats in truck campers since Bob’s innovation, we understand why. When it comes to seated comfort in a truck camper, nothing beats a recliner. As I like to say to anyone brave enough to “try” a camper with a recliner, “Bring your checkbook. You’re going to need it.”
Rugged Mountain’s new recliner seating option was not a simple sofa-for-recliner swap. To accommodate the wall-hugger recliners, the company had to extend the Denali 3S six inches and deepen the slide. That means future owners will face a major decision during the custom ordering process—sofa or recliners.
Based on history and the undeniable popularity of recliners, it’s a safe bet that many buyers will opt for the latter. Once you experience the XL’s recliners, it will be tough to go back.
To learn more about the new Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL and its recliner seating, we talked to Jesse Collinsworth, Founder and CEO of Rugged Mountain RV.
The Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL is a hard side, triple-slide, dry bath truck camper made for Class 5 trucks. The interior floor length of the Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL is 13’6”, the interior height is 6’7”, and the center of gravity is 64.1” from the front.
The Denali 3S XL has an 80-gallon fresh tank, a 78-gallon grey tank, a 35-gallon black tank, and a Timberline 1.0 water heater and furnace. It comes with 314Ah of lithium standard. Optional is a full Victron solar package with 1200-watts of solar on the roof.
Rugged Mountain is reporting the dry weight of a base model at 5,603 pounds. The MSRP for the 2026 Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL is $102,900.
Click here for a Rugged Mountain brochure
Inside the Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL
We announced the Denali 3SC composite-panel triple-slide flatbed in March. Have you built and delivered a Denali 3SC composite yet?
Yes. The prototype sold and we currently have three Denali 3SCs on the production line. The first production 3SC models will be delivered in July.
Three months after debuting the Denali 3SC composite, you’re announcing the Denali 3S XL with reclining seats instead of a rear sofa. Where did this concept come from?
Before I answer that, I need to be clear that the Denali 3S XL uses our original wood framing, not the 3SC composite-panel construction. We’re aiming to debut a composite version in the future once the engineering and design are complete, but we’re launching the wood-frame version now.
The XL came about because the number one request we hear on the Denali 3S series is for recliner seats in the rear slide. Our customers do not want to lose the dinette slide for recliners, but they’re willing to give up the rear sofa.
Other than changing from a rear sofa slide to a rear recliner slide, did you need to make any changes to the Denali 3S to make the XL version?
Yes. The XL is 6-inches longer in total length. We needed the additional 6-inches to accommodate two wall hugger recliners. Wall hugger recliners are designed to fully recline while placed close to the wall.
The regular Denali 3S is 13-feet, and the Denali 3S XL is 13-feet 6-inches. The XL adds 6-inches of additional overhang, but it also adds 6-inches of additional storage. For folks who tow, you need a 24-inch extension hitch with the XL, if you have an 84” CA truck.
Did you need to change the slide mechanism you’re using?
No. We use Schwintek slide mechanisms for every slide we build.
We’ve mastered how Schwintek slides are installed and have had zero issues with the system. Schwintek sometimes has a bad reputation because of issues in the early 2010s that have long since been resolved. We don’t have issues with the Schwintek slides and stand behind the system one-hundred percent.
On that note, we’ve recently had customers ask about using Vroom slides out of Utah. Vroom retrofits Lippert slide mechanisms, including the Schwintek systems we use. Unfortunately, Vroom will not sell their retrofit to OEMs, but you could always take your camper to Vroom after the sale. Based on our positive experience with Schwintek slides, the Vroom retrofit is not necessary.
What does the longer floor length mean to the truck and flatbed requirements?
The larger slide and recliners added sixty pounds to the dry weight of the camper and moved the center of gravity back one-tenth of an inch. What that means is that you can mount the Denali 3S XL on the same Class 5 truck and flatbed as the standard Denali 3S.
For the record, this camper needs a Class 5 flatbed—specifically a Ford F-550 or RAM 5500 with a flatbed conversion. Do you help customers through the truck and flatbed selection process?
Yes. We welcome those calls and can often save our customers a lot of time and headaches.
Tell us about the seats. Do they fully recline and have extended footrests?
Yes, but they’re not motorized. That said, they have extended footrests, recline all the way back, have USB chargers, and even a wine glass option. The seats also come in three colors; light sand (tan), bisque (cream), and ash (grey).
Are the “XL” recliner seats simply a new option, or is this actually a new model?
We’re making the Denali 3S XL a new model for internal and external clarity, especially for purchasing and on our production line. The XL is different than a standard 3S in very important ways and we want to make sure that designation is not missed anywhere in the ordering and build process.
Do you lose or gain any interior or exterior storage with the XL version?
The only storage lost is the storage under the jackknife sofa that is replaced by the theater seats. The storage above the seats is the same.
Beyond the added weight, cost, floor length, and recliner seats, is every other specification and capacity of the XL version the same as the Denali 3S?
Yes.
Can someone with a Denali 3S or a 3SC come back and get the recliner seats?
Unfortunately, no. The only way that could change is if a company builds wall hugger recliners that fit in a 30-inch slide. If that happens, we’ll take a look at that possibility.
What is the dry base weight of the Denali 3S XL?
The Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL has a dry weight of 5,603 pounds. Even when fully wet and loaded, this is easily handled by a Class 5 truck like a Ford F-550 or RAM 5500.
What is the base MSRP of the Denali 3S XL?
The Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL has a $102,900 base MSRP. The XL is $3,500 more than a non-XL Denali 3S.
What warranty does Rugged Mountain offer on the Denali 3S XL?
All Rugged Mountain truck campers come with a two year warranty.
When will the Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL be available?
It’s available to order now. We are currently about six months out on our orders.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about the Rugged Mountain Denali 3S XL?
I recommend that anyone interested in a Denali 3S contact us to talk about trucks, flatbeds, and options. We’re here to help answer your questions, and steer you in the right direction for your truck camping lifestyle and requirements. We can also talk about the composite-panel versus wood-frame options, and which material is a better choice for you. As I often say, the earlier we can talk in your decision process, the better. We’re here to help.
For more information on Rugged Mountain, visit their website at ruggedmountaincustomrv.com. Click here to get a free Rugged Mountain brochure.
