These Class C motorhomes offer features fit for the whole tribe … and then some
We are often bitten by the RVing bug at an early age, meaning many of us have most of our lives ahead when we decide to ditch the tent and take the motorhome plunge. So it’s little surprise that at some point or another, the majority of us will be looking for a motorhome that not only suits our needs but is an ideal fit for the entire family as well. Considering RVing is perhaps the perfect family-friendly activity, it makes sense that most motorhomes are geared toward multiple occupants rather than one or two. In fact, it’s tough to find a motorhome that doesn’t at least offer a tip of the cap toward the little folk, be it additional seating, high-traffic flooring, or even a bathtub.
Another important factor for family units is maneuverability. Because these motorhomes will often be used in smaller campgrounds that focus on junior rangers or even to transport little ones to soccer games or field trips, Class C is a smart choice. Class C’s are generally lauded for their nimbleness and represent an easy transition from the minivan, SUV, or truck that many families already have in the driveway, making them perhaps a bit more accessible to this segment than Class A coaches.
Taking that into consideration, some Class C manufacturers go above and beyond subtle family-friendly features and swing for the fences, offering things like bunk beds, removable game tables, and storage appointments you may not find in couples-oriented coaches. If that sounds like your cup of tea, we’ve gathered some of the more notable family-friendly floorplans and configurations to help begin your quest for family togetherness; the campfire songs and roasted s’mores are entirely up to you.
Coach House
The Platinum 272XL FS is a dual-slideout 27-foot motorhome that can sleep up to four RVers. Like all Platinum motorhomes, the 272XL FS is constructed using a one-piece molded fiberglass shell with carbon-fiber reinforcement.
The rear bedroom features a queen bed in its own slideout, offering extra space to move around, and easy access to the storage drawers and wardrobe closet. The power sofa up front folds down into a full-size bed that can sleep two little ones.
By day, two removable tables may be set up so that the sofa can be used for board and card games, dining or simply relaxing.
The full galley features everything you need to feed a hungry group, including a three-burner LP-gas stove, a stainless-steel sink with cover, a three-way 6-cubic-foot refrigerator-freezer, and a microwave convection oven. The private bathroom features residential appointments such as a full-size stand-up shower and porcelain toilet.
Coach House
800-235-0984
www.coachhouserv.com
Coachmen
If you’re in camp with children, chances are you’ll be spending most of your time outside, playing or hiking around the campsite, or maybe grilling some burgers and hot dogs for dinner. Coachmen’s Leprechaun 319MB makes it even easier to stay outside by bringing the inside out. Available options include an exterior camp table, sink, refrigerator, and even an exterior entertainment center, complete with 32-inch LCD TV, DVD player, and stereo. But the inside of the Leprechaun is quite family-friendly as well. There are plenty of sleeping positions thanks to the overhead bunk with child safety net and ladder, sofa bed, 45-by-82-inch U-shaped dinette, and the comfy queen bed in the master bedroom. Entertainment is provided via a 40-inch LCD TV/DVD player housed in a power lift, which keeps the TV out of sight when not in use. The Leprechaun utilizes composite Azdel construction in its sidewalls, which is lightweight, better insulating, and more durable than traditional wood.
Coachmen RV
574-825-8380
www.coachmenrv.com
Dynamax
Family time is fun time, and that means you need to have the space to let loose, and the ability to bring along some toys. The Dynamax Isata 5 combines diesel power with luxury living to house and entertain multiple guests and the power to tow up to 10,000 pounds. The 36DS floorplan can sleep up to six adults thanks to the king bed (with 66.5-by-75-inch mattress), sofa bed and a cab-over bunk. Amenities include a 39-inch LED TV in the living area, 2,000-watt pure sine-wave inverter, a 6-kW Onan diesel generator, soft-close full-extension ball-bearing drawer guides, whole-coach water purification system, a 16-cubic-foot stainless-steel residential refrigerator with icemaker, a three-burner gas cooktop and a microwave convection oven. The Isata 5 also includes premium Beauflor vinyl floors, solid-surface countertops and solid-hardwood raised-panel cabinet doors.
Exterior highlights include a one-piece crowned fiberglass roof, corrosion-resistant rotocast storage compartments and side-opening aluminum storage doors with metal paddle latches. The motorhome also features a Ram ESC Suspension and Stability package, an exhaust brake, a trailer-brake controller and four-wheel ABS.
Dynamax Corp.
888-295-7859
www.dynamaxcorp.com
Forest River
Recognizing the need for versatility when designing a family-friendly motorhome, Forest River offers the Sunseeker 3170, a bunkhouse model that can easily sleep as many as eight to 10 RVers. The standard footprint includes a single overhead 60-by-80-inch bunk (with a 42-inch LED TV), a sofa bed, a convertible dinette, a kid-size sofa bed with a flip-down bunk above and a queen bed for mom and dad. Buyers can also opt for the alternative floorplan, which swaps the single overhead bunk for two 26-by-62-inch bunks (for kids who want to sleep separate from their annoying siblings), along with additional storage and a smaller (but still 32-inch) TV. With either configuration, the rear bunk area includes its own TV for kid-friendly viewing, and the convenient location of the bunks near the bathroom isn’t lost on us. Other highlights include a gel-coated fiberglass exterior, a flip-up countertop extension in the galley, a porcelain toilet in the lav and options for an exterior TV and LP-gas quick-connect for a campside grill.
Forest River Inc.
866-837-6044
www.forestriverinc.com
Jayco
Like all of Jayco’s new motorhomes, the Greyhawk 29ME is built with the company’s JRide Plus ride and handling package, which offers Hellwig helper springs, rubber isolation mounts, upgraded Bilstein shock absorbers, an oversized sway bar and a computer-balanced driveshaft. This all adds up to a smoother ride for the driver, meaning he/she will be more likely to toss a ball or go for a hike with the kiddos when the family arrives at camp. Once the playing is over, the family can retreat to the spacious interior to view the cabover entertainment center with optional 39-inch LED TV. A feature that’s sure to delight the little ones, the entertainment center also features a pullout bunk, for comfortable sleeping by night, and what will likely become a cool fort by day. Other highlights include a 1,000-watt inverter, frameless windows, electric awning with LED lighting and an 8-cubic-foot double-door refrigerator. The rear of the motorhome offers mom and dad a roomy retreat, with a queen bed, chest of drawers and a dresser. Outside, the seamless fiberglass front cap, one-piece roof and fiberglass running boards, plus a powered entry step and large pass-through storage, mean the Greyhawk not only looks good, but is a practical, family-friendly cruiser.
Jayco
574-825-5861
www.jayco.com
Nexus RV
Nexus is a factory-direct manufacturer offering stock floorplans with the ability to add upgrades. The Phantom 32P comes standard already loaded with family-friendly flourishes. Kids should love the built-in bunk beds, touch-screen radio with backup camera and the exterior TV cable jack. Mom and dad will love the fiberglass front cap, radius tinted windows and electric patio awning outside, and should delight in the raised-panel hardwood cabinetry, LED lighting, upgraded Beauflor flooring, soft-touch upholstery and double-door refrigerator inside. The stainless-steel sinks, deluxe innerspring mattress and heated and enclosed holding tanks are all standard and a nod toward the Phantom’s luxury. The list of options is impressive, and includes appliance and cabinetry upgrades, a solar power system, automatic leveling jacks, an exterior entertainment center and an on-demand water heater.
Nexus RV
855-786-3987
www.nexusrv.com
Phoenix Cruiser
Phoenix Cruiser, another factory-direct motorhome manufacturer, is providing potential buyers with a choice of nine floorplans and allowing them to decide the rest. From the chassis selection (Ford or Sprinter) to the body paint, and the flooring on up to the interior wall colors, Phoenix makes it easy to truly make this motorhome your own. Each unit features vacu-bonded laminated side walls, roof and floor, plus a smooth gel-coat exterior and one-piece fiberglass roof. Options include a slideout, a double-sofa floorplan which provides more sleeping space for the family, backup monitor, durable wood flooring and more. The 2350 floorplan (pictured above) is a popular selection, offering a rear bathroom, a streetside slide with an electric sofa and a swivel chair near the entry door for more seating options while watching the TV in the cabover entertainment center.
Phoenix Cruiser
877-754-8535
www.phoenixusarv.com
Renegade
OK, so maybe it isn’t exactly nimble or compact, but the joys of driving a Renegade Verona – built on Freightliner’s robust M2 HD Business Class chassis – are felt the second you get behind the wheel. The Cummins engine is capable of upwards of 350 horsepower and more than 1,000 lb-ft of peak torque, which are serious numbers for an engine in this class. And the fact that it’s rated to tow up to 20,000 pounds isn’t too shabby, either. But the Renegade is about more than brute strength; the VBH model pictured here is a family-friendly bunkhouse, with dual bunks in addition to a sofa bed and convertible dinette. The rear bedroom is appointed with a plush king bed, as well as dual closets, a dresser and washer/dryer prep. Stainless-steel appliances include an 18-cubic-foot residential French-door fridge with icemaker. Solid-maple cabinets and solid-surface countertops will help ensure the Verona lasts for all of your family adventures.
Renegade
888-522-1126
www.renegaderv.com
Thor Motor Coach
Thor’s Quantum WS31 makes room for the whole family with a full-wall slide to open up the living area. The opposing dinette and jackknife sofa offer sleeping comfort for the kids, while the cabover bunk houses a spacious 54-by-87-inch sleeping area, in addition to the standard 40-inch LED TV and DVD player; the built-in skylight with electric shade helps to illuminate the front end by day. A whole-coach water-filtration system keeps the late-night glasses of water tasting fresh, while Thor’s Rapid Camp wireless motorhome control system makes setup a snap, with touch-screen technology that controls things like leveling jacks, the slideout, the AC generator, the awnings and the patio lights. The WS31 also features a 16-cubic-foot residential refrigerator with icemaker, 30-inch stainless-steel microwave and solid-surface countertops and sink covers, making meal prep for the whole tribe easier than ever.
Thor Motor Coach
800-860-5658
www.thormotorcoach.com
Winnebago
When it comes to family adventures, getting a good night’s sleep is important in order to avoid a band of grumpy explorers the following morning. Winnebago’s Minnie Winnie 31K offers multiple sleeping spaces designed to accommodate the whole family. The large U-shaped dinette, sofa bed, overhead cab bed and walk-around queen bed in the master bedroom all ensure your tribe sleeps well. They can eat well, too, thanks to the fully equipped galley, which can be upgraded to include an optional four-door refrigerator and microwave convection oven. A large slide opens up the living area, making it a great place for entertaining, movie time or simply stretching out. Outside, the electric awning helps keep things cool around the campsite. The motorhome is also equipped with a large rear trunk storage compartment for lawn chairs, fishing rods, firewood and the like. All Winnebago motorhomes are built to meet the company’s SuperStructure standards, ensuring maximum durability for many years down the road.
Winnebago Industries Inc.
641-585-3535
www.winnebagoind.com
