Tour the 2015 Winnebago View and Navion motorhomes

Two out of three motorhomes built on a Sprinter chassis are made by Winnebago — the popular View and Navion models. In this 15-minute video, see how the 2015 models are built, beginning with the chassis and then working up. Then take a tour of the finished product to see what these RVs offer in amenities.

Winnebago Brave 31C motorhome is impressive

Take a tour of the brand 2015 retro-style Winnebago 31C Brave motorhome. It packs a lot of features into its relatively modest 31-foot length. This is impressive.

Fleetwood rolls out biggest Bounder floor plan yet -- three slides

While the old Fleetwood Bounder may not have quite the cache of an Airstream trailer in the collective memory of the Boomer generation, it's still up there. The original Fleetwood has come and gone, but the revamped company operating under that name continues to keep the old Bounder name – and fame – in front of us. Adding to the story, Fleetwood is now rolling out the Bounder with the biggest floor area ever.

The 34T floor plan is a triple-slide rig. If ever one of those original Bounder owners dreamed of more space, think of their eyes popping out now. According to a press release from Fleetwood, "the 34T floorplan is the perfect fit for the Bounder line-up. With supremely comfortable Flexsteel® furniture arranged in an opposing seating layout and a mid-ship Sony 40" LED TV, the 34T is both practical and comfortable."

Yep, this is definitely not your father's Bounder. "An optional electric fireplace provides warmth on cool nights, and energy efficient LED lighting throughout adds to the ambiance inside. Composite tile flooring with cabinet side heat ducting also enhance the style and comfort of the Bounder 34T. Also, the coach comes standard with dual-pane windows for additional comfort."

If memory serves, the original Bounder came out 'back in the day,' when "women were kept in the kitchen." Now don't start flaming us, we're only musing here, kids. The release goes on to say, " The spaciousness of the Bounder 34T continues into the galley with its ergonomic design and optional residential, French-door-style refrigerator." Nowadays both of the sexes should appreciate these upgrades to the galley.

An old RV salesman we knew used to joke about selling "Re-Bounders." Well, he probably never envisioned this take on the old classic. See more for yourself at visit http://fleetwoodrv.com/bounder

"Old" is "new" again: Winnebago rolls out retro Brave

For some of us, our minds can still clearly picture the classic Winnebago Brave motorhomes that plied the nations highways and campgrounds decades ago. If you like the retro look, here's a look at Winnebago's revitalization of the Brave -- coming to a highway or campground (again) near you.

Fleetwood's revamped Excursion may be the family "entry" Class A diesel rig

If you're in the market for a first-time Class A diesel pusher motorhome, Fleetwood would like you to look over their updated Excursion motorhome.

It's of particular interest to those with more than just solo RVers or couples – there's a bit of room for extra folks. No, this is not just a "flip the dining room table down to sleep" rig (although that's included, too), but bunks for the younger set. We're intrigued to see how the phrase, "optional hide-a-loft drop-down queen bed," plays out in the real world.

Here's a bit more "news release speak," to consider:

“Excursion appeals to both the first time diesel buyer, and veteran RVers looking for a better value and stronger feature set,” said John Draheim, President of Fleetwood RV. “The new 35E provides the additional sleeping capacity and storage space that families need with the value and durability they expect from a Fleetwood.”

As to that "storage space" promise. You'll find room to stash more stuff with a seating and storage bench in the bedroom, storage across the rear wall and pass-through storage in the exterior compartments. Should you dirty yourself up putting it all away, an optional washer/dryer gives owners the convenience of doing laundry as you scoot down the RV road of life.

For the 2015 model year, all Excursion models were upgraded to feature flush-mount windows, LED accent lights on the front headlights and new exterior graphics and colors.

For more information on Fleetwood RV, call 1-800-322-8216 or visit www.fleetwoodrv.com.

Winnebago introduces 2014 Solei diesel pusher motorhome

 Note: Take a video tour. See below.

Winnebago Industries has debuted its 2014 Solei diesel pusher motorhome. The RV is available in 34-foot and 38-foot models and rides atop a Freightliner XCS chassis with a 340-hp Cummins diesel engine with a six-speed Allison transmission. Its softer side comes through in the polished Corian galley countertops, coffee-glazed cabinetry, LED ceiling lights, and upscale entertainment features including a few that are innovative.

And, with Smart Storage as an integral part of its two floorplans, RVers will have ample of room to bring plenty of their belongings.

Its highlights, as noted in a Winnebago news release:

    •All-new Class A diesel pusher series
    •Two floorplans – the 34T and 38R
    •Attractive price
    •Loaded with standard features
    •Powered driver and passenger seats in leatherette
    •Radio/rearview color monitor system with 6" touch screen
    •Powered mirrors with defrost/side-view cameras
    •Powered MCD visor shade for the front windshield
    •MCD blackout shades in the coach area
    •Soft vinyl ceilings
    •LED ceiling lights
    •Vinyl tile flooring throughout
    •Polished Corian galley countertops and tiled backsplash
    •Home theater sound bar with DVD/CD player
    •Full-coach water filtration system
    •6,000-watt Cummins Onan® diesel generator
    •2,000-watt inverter/charger
    •Roof A/C with heat pump
    •Hydraulic leveling jacks
    •Dual-glazed coach windows
    •Heated holding tank compartment
    •Powered patio awning with LED lighting
    •Exterior wash station
    •Low profile allows unit to fit through 12-foot door opening while having amazing storage of up to 228 cubic feet (38R)
    •Available features:
    •Fireplace, +Lounger, powered StudioLoft (34T only), stackable washer/dryer, automatic HDTV satellite antenna system, satellite radio, and Ideal Rest® Noveau™ air sleep system
    •Duo Solar/Blackout roller shades

The suggested base retail price on the 38R is $216,068.

Accessibility meets luxury in Newmar coach

The new Canyon Star 3911 gas motor coach garnered many second glances at the Tampa RV Show in Florida in January, because instead of a regular second door near the back, it has a wheelchair lift.

While other RVs may be retrofitted to accommodate wheelchairs, this coach is designed to be fully accessible, not to mention luxurious.

Inside, all the light switches, the interior control panel, and the system monitor are placed lower for easier access. The kitchen counters are also lowered, the microwave is located below the cooktop, and the dinette is L-shaped.

“Even with the slideouts in, you can move a wheelchair throughout,” said Kevin Richardson, RV Consultant for the North Trail RV Center in Fort Meyers, Florida. “It’s fully accessible, right down to the roll-in shower. It’s very well insulated, so you can use it right down to 0° Farenheit. It’s a very nice unit. It’s like driving a real house down the road instead of a pre-fab home.”

The roll-in shower has a seat and a lowered showerhead. There are grab bars in the bathroom and a roll-under sink.

Wheelchair-bound RVers can stay safe in transit too. Wheelchair lock-down brackets are located behind the passenger seat.

This 40-foot coach sells for $198,000. This is a slightly higher price tag than similar coaches in the Canyon Star line, which Richardson said is due mostly to the Braun Century 2 powered wheelchair lift that has been turning so many heads.

“We have other 39-footers like this that are $185,000 or $190,000, but those have four slides and this only has two. But the ramp itself weighs 1,000, and is easily $10,000, and this coach is designed specifically to allow someone who’s in a wheelchair to be able to enjoy the RV lifestyle.”

For more information, visit www.newmarcorp.com.