Discovery 39V

The newest trend in innovative floorplans, full-wall slideouts, has provided an amazing
level of livability. While the lengths of larger Class A coaches are fairly standardized,
floorplans are perhaps the single most important factor influencing buying decisions — and
Fleetwood’s popular mid-line Discovery series is the latest to raise the luxury and comfort
bar another notch with the addition of a full-wall slide. At a distance, the exterior of
the Discovery’s driver’s side appears to be unbroken — until your eyes finally focus on
the body’s slide seams, separated by a distance longer than some coaches! The Discovery 39V
utilizes a 27-foot-long, 32-inch-deep, streetside slide to maximize residential
spaciousness and provide floorplan amenities not always found in multi-slide plans.
Fleetwood has ingeniously created an entertainer’s dream-coach, eliminating traditional
traffic aisles and opening up the interior to comfortably seat and entertain friends and
family. Driving the Discovery was effortless, thanks in part to the Freightliner XC Series
chassis with the Cat 7.2-l diesel and Allison 3000MH 6-speed pushbutton-controlled
automatic transmission. Developing 330 hp, it pushed the nearly 13-ton Discovery over
several 7-percent grades at 46 mph in fourth gear (1,950 rpm) without problems. Passing
times (40 to 60 mph) averaged 17-1/2 seconds, while the air-assisted drum brakes and engine
brake kept speed in check when returning down extended grades. Rarely do we get to review a
product in inclement conditions, but as luck would have it, we encountered every type of
weather — sun to rain to sleet and snow — due to an unexpected storm during our trip into
Southern California’s high-desert communities. The Discovery handled the inclement weather
on the road and in camp without hesitation or complaint — and, most importantly, without
leaks. The dual-paned windows and furnaces maintained even, quiet heat throughout the coach
without annoying drafts or cold spots, and the ducted dual air-conditioning kept things
comfortable when temperatures got warmer. Adding the full-wall slide floorplan to the
diesel platform will undoubtedly boost the Fleetwood’s popularity to higher levels as RVers
realize the full potential and appeal of this new, open design. With flexibility for
entertaining, large families or empty nesters, the Fleetwood Discovery 39V is a tough act
to follow — even in inclement conditions. For complete details and full test impressions
on Fleetwood’s Discovery 39V, pick up the September 2006 issue of MotorHome magazine on the
newsstand — then subscribe to
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