Monday, May 4, 2009

I have never seen a motor home this luxurious before!

I've been in some really nice motor homes, like the 2007 Fleetwood Revolution we used to rent out. But this 40' Tiffin Phaeton takes the cake! We took it in as a consignment to sell (and to rent VERY selectively, for about $400 a night!).

Where do I start? Push a button and the jacks come down and automatically level the coach. Push a button to open the electric awnings. Open the 4 slides and you see tile floor, granite counters, beautiful hardwood cabinets and leather upholstery. There is a 40" flat screen TV in the front. A huge backup camera monitor is bigger than my computer screen. But wait! Not only do you see a view behind you, but when you use the blinkers, you see the view from the two side cameras. It's also a GPS navigation system and, if you buy wireless broadband, a full PC computer with Windows. Update your MySpace page or play a game while your spouse drives. Or you could fire up the in-motion satellite and watch some sports. Some satellite services come with wireless internet nowadays, so you could use that for the built-in computer. Push a button and the passenger chair turns into a recliner.

The sofa bed is not the usual small fold-flat RV sofa. You open it up like a real sofa bed, but the mattress is an air mattress. You blow it up with the electric air pump. Way more comfortable than any RV sofa or sofa bed! In the kitchen, there are tons of cupboards, but if you want more counter space, you can pull out one row of cupboards, to reveal a granite-topped counter. There is a microwave/convection combo and a 4-door refrigerator with ice maker.

In the bedroom, there is a king-sized Magic bed (like a Select Comfort with controls for the firmness on each side) and a washer/dryer unit in the closet.

Driving this thing is like driving a giant Mercedes. The 350 Caterpillar engine is 40 feet behind you, so you barely hear it. The transmission, braking and suspension systems are smooth and powerful. The windshield is all one piece, so you don't have a line down the center blocking your view.

If only we had some time off so we could borrow this and take it to a luxury RV resort for a weekend of pretending we are rich!

How much to own this little gem? It's a steal at $159,000. It cost $230,000 new in 2007 and it is still in perfect condition.