King-size beds, walk-in closets, marble floors, granite countertops, leather couches, fireplaces and 60-inch flat-screens. This is not a suite at the Ritz: It’s the ultra-luxe motorhome you’re stuck behind on the highway this summer.
Canadians spent $3-billion at Recreational Vehicle (RV) retailers in 2014, according to Statistics Canada results in a study by the Canadian Camping and RV Council. And it’s easy to see how, not to mention why, when you look at what status-seeking RVers are motoring around in.
“They are five-star hotels, for sure. The ensuite bathroom off the bedroom was new to me, even,” said Shane Devenish, executive director of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association and board member of GoRVing Canada, after touring this year’s crop of jaw-dropping motorhomes.
If you really want to road trip like a rock star, you can bling out customizable brands such as Prevost – these babies start at $1.5-million (U.S.). Or, you could drive one of these boutique hotels on wheels right off the lot. Just make sure to put aside a whack of cash for fuel: diesel-powered motorhomes such as these get about 10 to 12 mpg.
CORNERSTONE
Price: $669,408 (U.S.)
Manufacturer: Entegra, built in Indiana
Gearheads: 45 feet long; 600-hp diesel engine; 20,000-pound hitch; 1,950 lb-ft of torque; 150-gallon fuel tank.
Cockpit: Heated and air-cooled leather seats; leather-wrapped steering wheel; LED lit cup holders; USB dashboard ports; RandMcNally navigation.
Suite dreams: Tile floors; hardwood crown moulding; leather furniture; 50-inch UHDTV; Bose home theatre; electric fireplace; LED-lit quartz countertops; dishwasher; 23-cubic-foot fridge; king-size Tempur-Pedic mattress; cedar-lined, closet; tiled shower with glass door; two bathrooms; washer/dryer; central vac.
TVs: Four – two 32-inch flatscreens in bedroom and cockpit; a 50-inch UHDTV in the living room; and a 40-inch HDTV in the outside entertainment centre, with Bluetooth audio and satellite connection.
Upgrade: Amenity controls for your motorhome megaship can be centralized with a tablet: from awnings to battery life to temperature and TVs, it’ll even dim the lights and send your motorhome in theatre mode.
Lucky you: The Televator, which raises the 50-inch flatscreen from storage so you can watch, is included with purchase. It’s like being on Star Trek.
KING AIRE
Price: $881,346
Manufacturer: Newmar, made in Indiana
Gearheads: 45 feet long; 600 hp; 1,950 lb-ft of torque; 20,000-pound hitch; 200-gallon tank.
Cockpit: Heated, cooled reclining seats with lumbar support and massage.
Suite dreams: Tiled floors; Ralph Lauren-designed decor; Pompeii leather furniture; WiFi; Bose home theatre; electric fireplace; stainless steel Whirlpool fridge; hardwood cabinetry; king-size bed; USB chargers at bedside and dining area; walk-in cedar lined closet with recessed shoe storage; two bathrooms – vessel sinks in master; tiled shower with skylight; washer/dryer; central vac.
TVs: Three – 40-inch HDTV/BluRay in bedroom; 40-inch HD mounted outside on swivel arm; 49-inch 4K UHD Blu-ray in living room.
Optional: Upgrade by adding a massage function to the driver and passenger seats.
Lucky you: A Televator for the 48-inch TV in the living room, included with purchase.
ZEPHYR
Price: $624,750 (U.S.)
Manufacturer: Tiffin, made in Alabama
Gearheads: 45 feet long; 600 hp; 1,950 lb-ft of torque; 15,000-pound hitch; 150-gallon tank.
Suite dreams: Heated tile floors; Blu-ray home theatre; electric fireplace; hand-crafted hardwood cabinetry; stainless steel fridge; king-sized bed; Ralph Lauren interior design; walk-in closet; washer/dryer; tiled shower with skylight; two bathrooms.
TVs: Four – one in cockpit; one in living room; one in bedroom; and an exterior TV.
Optional: Upgrade to a memory-foam king mattress in the bedroom.
Lucky you: Rooftop solar panels if you can’t plug in, and a freezer in the “basement” (or under-bus storage area) for your cookout.
GRAND TOUR
Price: $467,670 (U.S.)
Manufacturer: Winnebago, made in Iowa
Gearheads: 44 feet long; 450 hp; 1,250 lb-ft of torque, 15,000 hitch; 150-gallon fuel tank.
Cockpit: Wide heated, massage seats with lumbar support; RandMcNally GPS.
Suite dreams: Tile floors; hardwood cabinets; electric fireplace; stainless steel appliances; quartz countertops; dishwasher; French-door fridge; skylights; Blue-ray home theatre; adjustable king-size mattress; Bose sound system in bedroom; built in wine rack; glass shower; two bathrooms; washer/dryer; central vac.
TVs: Three – 60-inch UHDTV in lounge; a 43-inch MagicMirror HDTV in the bedroom; 40-inch HDTV mounted on the exterior.
Optional: Upgrade the outdoor TV to a 55-inch HDTV with home theatre and subwoofer.
Lucky you: Comes tailgate-ready: a small range, mini fridge, bottle opener and more slide out of motorhome basement for outdoor parties.
AMERICAN EAGLE
Price: $657,613 (U.S.)
Manufacturer: American Coach, made in Indiana
Gearheads: 45 feet long; 600 hp; 1,950 lb-ft of torque; 150-gallon fuel tank.
Cockpit: Heated, cooled and massaging captain’s chairs; Rand McNallyGPS.
Suite dreams: Tiled floors; L-shaped sofas; Sony home theatre; French-door fridge; dishwasher; cedar-lined closet; walk-in wardrobe with shoe storage; adjustable mattress that massages; two bathrooms; teak-floored shower with rain-shower head and skylight; washer/dryer; central vac.
TVs: Three – 40-inch in cockpit; 32-inch in bedroom; 48-inch in living room.
Optional: Upgrade to a curved LED HDTV in the living area.
Lucky you: Pop-up electrical and USB outlets in key areas, included with purchase.
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