Roadtrek Ranger RT
Roadtrek Motorhomes has introduced a new mid-size camper van with a lighter chassis, lower weight and smaller engine to improve fuel efficiency and reduce cost.
The new Ranger RT comes with a 110V generator that is portable, so you can reduce the vehicle’s weight by removing the generator when you don’t plan to use it. A built-in generator is available for those who want a generator onboard all the time.
The Ranger RT simplifies things by excluding propane, except as an option. The refrigerator, stove, microwave oven and water heater can be run with dual large-capacity auxiliary batteries through an electrical system that includes a 1250-watt power inverter. The Norcold refrigerator is compressor-driven and thermostatically controlled.
There is a propane option for the tank, stove and furnace for those who plan on extensive stove use while dry camping or need extra heating.
This Class B motorhome sleeps two in either a king-size bed or twin beds, and can seat four with the front captain seats and a rear sofa. The front seats swivel so that the cab can becomes part of the living area when the motorhome is parked. A galley is located near the front; the mid-section houses the bathroom.
The Ranger RT is Roadtrek’s lowest priced fully equipped camper van, with a suggested retail price starting at $72,800. For information, visit roadtrek.com.
Winnebago Vista
Winnebago has increased the number of items that are standard features on its Vista motorhome. A powered patio awning, automatic hydraulic leveling jacks, Ultraleather cab seats and a rearview monitor system with color camera, one-way audio and color LCD monitor are all part of the standard package.
The Vista is available in five floor plans, three of them new for 2013. The new 35B floor plan is a triple slide with features that include a master bath with a 36-inch by 36-inch shower that is the largest in the industry, a mid-coach half-bath, and bunk beds that raise the sleeping capacity to seven. The bunk beds have optional DVD/LCD monitors that are sure to appeal to children.
The lounge area includes a sofa bed that can be upgraded to an Ultraleather Comfort sofa sleeper. The sofa is perfectly positioned for watching a 42-inch TV at mid-coach. The fully equipped galley features a spacious pantry and an angled sink.
If you don’t require the extra space of a triple slide, there is the new 26HE floor plan that may hold special appeal for those just entering the RV lifestyle. It has a single slideout that holds the dinette, and the bedroom features a walk-around queen bed with a shirt closet/wardrobe on each side of the bed. The bathroom is at mid-coach opposite the shower. The cab seats swivel to provide seating, and there is a fully equipped kitchen. Winnebago offers this model as one of its best values, with a retail price as low as $69,999.
For information, visit winnebagoind.com.
Cruiser Aire Fifth-Wheel
CrossRoads RV has added fifth-wheels to its lineup of Cruiser Aire ultra-lightweight travel trailers.
The fifth-wheels, with a dry weight of less than 7,000 pounds, are designed for use with half-ton trucks. They are currently available in three floor plans, with two more being developed.
“Our new fifth-wheel floor plans offer the improved towability that fifth-wheels are famous for, but with more livable space than other lightweights,” said Rudy Boals, product manager. He noted that the Cruiser line has been popular for more than 10 years.
Two of the floor plans have double slideouts for extra space and include a kitchen island and double-door refrigerator. One plan has a queen bed at one end, and bunk beds at the other, with a pack-and-play door to the bunkroom. The bathroom includes a large 54-inch by 27-inch shower. This floor plan sleeps six.
The Cruiser Aire fifth-wheels have an average suggested retail price of $32,995. For information, visit crossroadsrv.com.
EverGreen Ever-Lite
EverGreen has added two new floor plans to its 2013 lineup of Ever-Lite travel trailers, bringing the total of floor plans to ten.
The Ever-Lite is EverGreen’s flagship brand, which was introduced when the company was created in 2008 to produce RVs that use composite materials instead of wood. The composites keep the trailers light in weight and reduce the risk of rot, mold and mildew.
One of the new floor plans offers a kitchen island. A slideout dinette on one side and a slideout kitchen on the other create room in the middle for groups to mingle around the kitchen island, making it ideal for entertaining. This model has an estimated dry weight of 6,200 pounds.
The other new floor plan has two entry doors and a deep slideout lounge and dinette. It features captain-style lounge chair seating at the rear of the coach. The sleeping area is at the front, separated from the rest of the coach with its own entry door. Its dry weight is listed at 6,742 pounds.
For information on EverGreen travel trailers, visit GoEverGreenRV.com.
Pleasure-Way Pursuit
If you want a motorhome that is a little bigger than the traditional Class B, you might be ready for the B Plus, which is what Pleasure-Way is offering in its new Pursuit. It is a 22-foot motorhome built on the Ford E350 dual-rear-wheel cutaway chassis.
Dean Rumpel, CEO of Pleasure-Way, said, “The Pursuit is going to meet the needs of the consumer who doesn’t want to go up to a 24-foot motorhome, but wants a little more than the traditional Class B.”
The Pursuit interior has a hard-wood maple interior with solid maple cabinet doors and hand-fitted crown moldings. Multiplex wiring simplifies the electrical switches to three panels. Standard equipment includes an Onan 4kw generator, a 13,500-btu roof air conditioner, Clarion in-dash navigation with Bluetooth, iPod and USB connections, a back-up camera, LED lighting, power day and night roller shades and a 12-foot power awning.
Other standard features include a 32-inch TV, a Blu-ray player with built-in Wi-Fi, a six-cubic-foot double-door refrigerator, and a computer work station, The bathroom has a Corian and glass curved corner shower, a skylight and a stainless-steel sink with a waterfall single lever faucet.
The Pursuit claims an estimated 13 to 15 miles per gallon on the highway. Fully loaded, the motorhome retails at $103,870. For information, visit pleasureway.com.
Thor Challenger
An island kitchen is the key feature in a new floor plan in the Challenger line of Class A gas-powered motorhomes from Thor Motor Coach. The 37GT floor plan includes an abundance of counter space, an island with a sink and hidden trash receptacle, and cabinets that include a wine rack with hanging storage for glasses. There is a large panoramic window across from the kitchen.
“The size of the kitchen sets the floor plan apart,” said Joel Grimm, Thor’s national sales manager for gas motorhomes. “It feels big and if you like to entertain, this is the coach for you.”
The coach includes a free-standing dinette, a hide-a-bed sofa with air mattress, a recliner, and a retractable 32-inch LCD TV. The captain’s chairs swivel to provide additional seating in the living area.
The bedroom of this 2013 model has a queen bed, his and her vanities and a 19-inch TV. The large adjoining bathroom includes a 34-inch by 34-inch shower and a full length mirror. You can add a stackable washer and dryer.
The base price of the Challenger is about $150,000. Options you can add include an exterior entertainment center with a 32-inch LCD TV and speakers. For information, visit ChallengerMotorhome.com.
Fleetwood Excursion
For 2013, Fleetwood RV has added two new floor plans to its Class A diesel pusher, the Excursion, and both feature a spacious galley design with solid-surface countertops, a vertical pullout pantry and an 18-cubic-foot residential refrigerator.
The motorhomes are just under 37 feet in length and built on a Freightliner XCS series chassis with a 300-horsepower Cummins ISB 6.7L engine.
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The 35B Excursion has an open floor plan that offers plenty of room to entertain family and friends. There is a breakfast bar with two swivel chairs and a hide-away dinette table and chairs. Seating also includes an L-shaped sofa and a separate recliner
The 35C Excursion has a dinette and a deep credenza that doubles as a computer workspace. An oversized flip-up countertop adds to the counter space in the kitchen. A sofa bed is included for extra sleeping capacity.
Both floor plans include a bedroom with a queen bed, and a bedroom slideout that offers increased wardrobe storage. Both plans also include an unusually large amount of interior storage—170 cubic feet—and a 40-inch LCD TV.
Excursions with the new floor plans carry a suggested retail price of $188,045. For information, visit FleetwoodRV.com
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Nikki is a writer and editor for Do It Yourself RV, RV LIFE, and Camper Report. She is based on the Oregon Coast and has traveled all over the Pacific Northwest.
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