It is 'luxury with lineage' and a fitting flagship for the Winnebago Class A motorhome line
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Preston Gratiot
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MotorHome, March 2008
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Fifty years ago, Winnebago rolled off its first RV. It was pretty Spartan by today's standards, but it offered a lot of features for its time. Throughout its history, the company has broadened its lines with a number of models on both ends of the price spectrum. In the last few years, Winnebago has reached deeper into the luxury market and today, its Vectra gets top billing. The feature-rich Vectra 40TD floorplan is a holdover from 2007, but the 2008 model offers a number of refinements that make its 40-foot stature very appealing.
Driving down the California coast near Los Angeles, our shakedown cruise in this Class A diesel-pusher was uneventful until the gale-force winds broke the serenity of the trip. Sitting in the driver's seat, the pilot has a good command of the road, and the Maxum chassis -- a cooperative effort of Freightliner and Winnebago -- proved to be masterful on the highway. The 425-hp Cummins propels this rig with spirited energy, and logging almost 10 mpg while cruising the highway at maximum legal speeds was quite enlightening.
The 40TD features two slideouts. One is 16 feet and stretches from just behind the driver's seat to the rear of the main living room. The refrigerator, dinette and one of the two ultraleather power couches reside in this streetside slide. The curbside slide houses the forward galley, the second couch, a structure that houses the entertainment electronics, an optional 37-inch LCD TV, hallway closet, rear bed and adjoining cabinetry.
Corian countertops grace a well-equipped galley, including a dishwasher that slides out like a drawer. The brushed-steel appliance fronts are very appealing, and the sink fixtures are top-notch. My only complaint is the lack of counter space when the three-burner stove and double stainless-steel sink are in use.
A generous amount of space makes the bathroom nearly perfect. The shower is huge, the fixtures are luxurious, and there is plenty of lavatory counter space supported by a large sink and enough cabinets to handle almost anything most owners want to store.
Surrounding the coach are large exterior compartments, all with side hinges, which eases access, even when the slides are out. The lowered-rail chassis design enhances the basement area, providing more than 23 inches of pass-through storage height. The compartments and other intrusions into the side walls blend nicely with the full-body paint scheme. A 10,000-pound-rated hitch receiver is standard.
The Maxum chassis with its independent front suspension delivers responsive handling and a smooth, almost bus-like ride, and the 60-degree wheel cut provides a shorter turning radius and enhanced maneuvering capabilities making tighter campground access roads easier to navigate.
There's not much missing in Winnebago's flagship Class A. Off the top of my head, I'd opt for a washer/dryer and upgrade the flat-screen TV in the bedroom to be on par with the one in the living room. Winnebago continues to be a household name in the RV industry; the Vectra is sure to be a nameplate that will be easily recognized by those seeking luxury motorhomes.
For more details about Winnebago's Vectra 40 TD "Luxury With Lineage," pick up the April 2008 issue of MotorHome on the newsstand -- then subscribe to MotorHome so you can stay informed on the latest motorhome tests, previews, technical information, products, travel destinations and more. MotorHome also is available as a digital issue.
Winnebago Industries, (641) 585-3535, www.winnebagoind.com
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With the slides extended, the main living quarters offer plenty of room for entertaining.
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Photos: Rich Cox/Slide Action
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(click on images to enlarge)
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