Having the ability and accommodations to bring friends along on the family camping trip can add a new dimension of fun to the experience and the 2011 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds Class C provides that ability.
First on a long list of features are the lowered mid-coach entry steps. With the first step just 14 inches off the ground, the dropped threshold body line eliminates the need for an electric step.
In the entry, overhead cabinetry conveniently houses the coach’s systems monitor panel and controls for the (standard) 4-kW generator. The main cabin is split functionally with the Leatherette U-shaped dinette and fabric sofa bed/seating located on the streetside and the linear galley curbside.
The booth-style dinette allows everyone to join in at meals and other entertainment, later transforming to sleep two. The booth has seat belts for three and is a choice location for chatting while traveling. It shares the coach’s only slide with the sofa bed, which sits directly below the full-width queen cabover bunk and offers a clear view of the standard 32-inch LCD TV located next to the entry.If additional dining or work space is needed, the sofa bed also employs a handy armrest pullout laptop desk to work at or eat from. Overhead storage cabinetry is provided above the sofa bed with additional space for oversize items in the TV cabinets.
This galley design places the 6.3-cubic-foot two-door refrigerator behind the cockpit using the pantry cabinet to create clearance for the swiveling cockpit seats. A three-burner stove-and-oven combo handles cooking needs with help from a microwave in the upper cabinetry. Abbreviated countertop space is augmented with a fold-up extension as well as twin-basin sink covers. A bank of full-extension drawers is supplemented by under-sink storage; more storage is found in the upper cabinetry. The entire cabin is bathed in natural light from the (standard) moon roof with sliding shade.
Handsome cinnamon maple cabinetry surrounds the cabin and is complemented by the matching wood fridge door inserts, faux granite laminate countertops and the stone-patterned vinyl floor.
The split bath divides the cabin from the bedroom with an aisle shower that has a swirled-glass sectional shower door curbside, and an enclosed toilet room and vanity streetside. The shower accommodates 6-foot bathers comfortably with an additional 6 inches of headroom from the domed skylight. The vanity with its small oval stainless basin provides modest storage but the full-width medicine chest offers six generous shelves of storage with additional linen storage above the (standard) china commode.
High on the list for many is an easily accessible rear bed and this floorplan provides a walk-around queen with innerspring mattress that resides on the platform created by the cavernous exterior storage compartment below. Because of its design, Jack ’n’ Jill hanging wardrobes are used on either side of the bed and are connected by overhead storage cabinets. Jill gets the better deal with a slightly wider closet and an additional bedside drawer. Jack gets a recessed wall mount for the optional 19-inch LCD TV at the foot of the bed or at the exterior hookup point and both are equipped with cable connections.
Full-width exterior storage in this coach is a highlight with a lighted 4-foot by 8-foot by 27-inch rear garage accessible on three sides. A covered storage well in the floor protects the spare tire from the weather while three other draining wells with lids offer wet or dry storage, one using a 2-foot by 4-foot free-standing picnic table as a lid. Smaller Rotocast compartments complete the advertised 99 cubic feet of exterior storage.
Using Ford’s venerable V-10 Triton three-valve engine, five-speed TorqShift transmission, shift-altering “Tow-Haul” mode and 5,000-pound hitch receiver, this Four Winds should have no trouble transporting families to new landscapes in comfort while properly introducing friends to the RV lifestyle.
Our thanks to Sher Lyckman and the staff of Giant RV in Southern California for providing this motorhome for our review.
Chassis: Ford E-450
Engine: Triton 6.8L V-10
Fuel: 55 gal
GVWR: 14,500 lbs
Length: 32′ 7″
Width: 8′ 3″
Height with A/C: 10′ 10″
Interior height: 6′ 10″
Wheelbase: 223″
Freshwater cap: 40 gal
Gray-water cap: 29/22 gal (DUAL)
Black-water cap: 31 gal
LP-Gas cap: 10 gal
Base Price: $89,610
Thor Motor Coach
800-860-5658, www.thormotorcoach.com
