Is it possible to relax when driving a 42-foot coach? Obviously, you
always need to be fully on task anytime you’re behind the wheel — but
is the concept of “relaxing” and enjoying the drive while piloting a
tandem-axle 42-foot motorhome an attainable goal?
Before setting out in Tiffin’s 2007 Allegro Bus, we might’ve hedged our
bets on a positive response — but we were still a long way from our
destination when it dawned on us that the drive time was proving to be
among the best parts of this road test. Of course, it helps if the rig
is well built and nicely balanced — a properly designed motor vehicle
is generally a good-driving one — but the 42-footer also proved
surprisingly easy to grow familiar with.
Tiffin added the Spartan-chassis-based model 42 QRP to its
Allegro Bus lineup to answer the needs of buyers who wanted a large,
full-featured coach with all the trimmings that was affordably priced,
relatively speaking. At $331,599 (msrp as tested), the
quad-slideout-equipped 42-footer is more than competitively priced,
especially considering its apparent build quality.
The 34,000-pound coach, with the 400-hp Cummins ISL 8.9-l
turbodiesel engine, does a decent job of moving the rig down the road.
Acceleration and maintaining cruise speed are par for a big coach: Our
hill climb test turned in 51 mph @ 2,200 rpm in fourth gear on a
6-percent grade, and that’s not bad.
Inside, with two large opposing slideouts up front, the lounge
area turns into a sizable dance hall of living space. Deploying the
curbside slideout exposes three more large pantry cabinets abutting the
aft wall next to the kitchen. To say this coach has adequate kitchen
storage is an understatement.
Our test rig was fitted with the optional Select Comfort
king-size bed ($1,750) which made for a terrific nights’ sleep.
Opposing-wall slideouts help make the king-size bed practical in an RV.
Overhead lamps provide enough reading light, but don’t intrude. Out
back, the aft wall includes a mirrored-door wardrobe and some cabinets,
while the curbside slideout houses a low credenza-style storage unit
plus an overhead 20-inch flat-screen TV, optional DVD player ($210) and
even more cabinets.
Great sleeping, a practical bath suite and wide-open living,
dining and entertaining space combine with fine driving and terrific
construction details in an attractive package. The Allegro Bus 42-footer
is a worthy addition to the stable of maxi-size motorhomes for those
with really big travel dreams.
For complete details and full test impressions on Tiffin’s
Allegro Bus 42 QRP, pick up the November 2006 issue of MotorHome
magazine 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.
