Hosting the ultimate tailgating party is easy when you own one of these entertainment-friendly motorhomes
If getting there really is half the fun, that still leaves quite a bit of room for partying once you’ve arrived. As motorhome owners, we tend to be a sociable bunch who enjoy the company of others, be it family, friends or even fellow campers we’ve just met. Campsite gatherings are a regular occurrence in the RV lifestyle, and become even more enjoyable when the outside becomes an extension of the motorhome. That’s what makes motorhomes with exterior entertainment centers and galley areas so special; they allow us to combine the luxury of high-end appointments with the splendor of the great outdoors. And, if you can add the kinship and camaraderie of being a sports fan to the mix, you have the ingredients for the perfect afternoon. Rallying the troops outside and watching the big game – whether it’s played on the gridiron, the diamond, the court or on the ice – is easier than ever thanks to the continually evolving technology of electronics and kitchen appointments. That’s why we’ve gathered the following all-star team of top Class A motorhomes for tailgating bliss. These rigs are designed with the mindset of bringing the indoors out, so that we may enjoy all the benefits of the RV lifestyle together, breathing in the fresh air under the bright midday sun or beneath a dazzling canopy of stars.
Coachmen Pursuit
Coachmen’s 30-footer packs quite a bit of tailgating punch for barbecue connoisseurs and sports fans alike. The 30FW features an exterior kitchen with a fridge for snacks and cold drinks, in addition to a sink and additional counterspace the cook is sure to appreciate. The included portable grill can be connected to LP-gas in seconds and collapses for easy storage once the game’s over. The available exterior entertainment center with a 32-inch TV and DVD player allows tailgaters to enjoy every second of the game, while a large 20-foot awning helps keep the crowd protected from the elements. Inside, the open floorplan offers a great space for socializing, and additional 32-inch TVs in the living area and the bedroom make it easy to catch every highlight.
Coachmen RV
574-825-8212
www.coachmenrv.com
Entegra Insignia
Who says tailgating can’t be a luxurious affair? The 2017 Insignia 44B from Entegra Coach combines upscale styling with high-end
entertainment options perfect for die-hard and casual fans. An exterior entertainment center with a 40-inch LED TV on a swivel mount is standard, and the powered patio awning will help reduce the midday glare. Those who choose to watch the game indoors are treated to an impressive 50-inch LED TV, and available cabover 32-inch LED TV and optional fireplace. A 20-cubic-foot refrigerator, induction cooktop and microwave convection oven will handle the snacks, and the LED-lit solid-surface countertops allow cooks to prepare in style. The extra half bathroom located amidships is an ideal setup for partygoers, while the master bedroom is outfitted with a 32-inch LED TV and affords easy access to the full rear bath for fans who prefer to avoid the masses.
Entegra Coach
800-517-9137
www.entegracoach.com
Fleetwood Storm
Tailgating is frequently a family affair, but sometimes the little ones aren’t interested in watching the entire game. Fleetwood’s 2017 Storm 36D offers an oasis inside for eager kiddos with two 26-by-74-inch bunk beds that quickly convert to a full-length wardrobe or seating area, where the smaller fans can get comfortable playing their favorite sports video game in the integrated game center with fold-down shelf and A/V inputs on the opposing wall. Other interior details like the stainless-steel residential refrigerator, large sofa and 40-inch LED TV are sure to be appreciated by those indoors. Outside, the standard exterior entertainment center with CD/DVD and speakers is sure to delight, as is the standard exterior kitchen that houses a sink, refrigerator and microwave, perfect for stadium snacks like nachos and hot dogs. Storage space is provided via a cabinet with a handy pull-out countertop extension.
Fleetwood RV
800-854-1344
www.fleetwoodrv.com
Forest River Berkshire XLT
When the game goes down to the wire, some fans (including myself) simply can’t sit still and tend to pace the area. Worrisome wanderers need not worry about missing a second of the action because the Berkshire XLT 43A offers a virtual grand slam of TVs: a 40-incher in the exterior entertainment center with stereo and auxiliary input; a 47-incher in the living room with a soundbar and Bluetooth capabilities; and a pair of 32-inch TVs, one across from the king bed in the rear and one over the cockpit. There’s plenty of seating in the living area, and buyers have the option of an expandable L-shaped sofa and freestanding dinette for even more flexible seating arrangements. And, if things get heated and somebody spills pizza on their favorite jersey, the available washer/dryer in the master bedroom can get their wardrobe looking like new before the final whistle.
Forest River
574-522-3693
www.forestriverinc.com
Holiday Rambler Vacationer
The aptly named 2017 Vacationer XE 36D from Holiday Rambler is a great way to enjoy tailgating, at the RV park or even in the stadium parking lot. Its just-north-of 36-foot length means it’s easy to maneuver. But once you set up camp to cheer on the home team, that’s where the motorhome really shines. An outdoor kitchen with a sink, microwave, refrigerator, and additional storage and counterspace makes it easy to whip up ballpark treats, and the standard exterior entertainment center with TV and CD/DVD/stereo and speakers should really get the point across to the crowd. Inside, there are bunk beds for the little ones that convert to a seating area, and a “gaming station” with a flip-down cabinet and A/V inputs for the 24-inch LED TV. The large, open floorplan also offers a generous amount of storage for your sports memorabilia collection.
Holiday Rambler
877-466-6226
www.holidayrambler.com
Jayco Alante
In sports, size doesn’t always matter, as smaller and quicker often vanquishes bigger and stronger. Jayco’s 2017 Alante 26X is a nimble motorhome with amenities that belie its 27½-foot length. The outside entertainment center features a 32-inch TV CD/DVD/stereo for viewing David versus Goliath athletic feats, and a 13-foot electric awning with LED lights helps protect tailgaters from the harsh elements. If rain or severe weather should interfere with the tailgating, it’s easy to bring the party inside. Entertainment-friendly features include a 39-inch LED TV in the living area, an 8-cubic-foot refrigerator, a large dinette and plenty of storage. There’s a cockpit table for added convenience, and a water-filtration system makes sure your drinks taste great. An optional front overhead bunk is perfect for overnight guests, and making them breakfast is easy thanks to the large, fully appointed galley.
Jayco
574-825-5861
www.jayco.com
Newmar Bay Star
Regardless of where the actual cooking occurs, most of the meal-prep work invariably happens in the galley, so it’s important to have the space for all your hungry tailgaters to convene and mingle. Newmar’s 2017 Bay Star 3333 achieves this feat by utilizing a slideout that’s nearly a first-down (10 yards) in length. The slide houses an 84-inch jackknife sofa and dinette booth, and continues rearward to house the galley before extending into the master bedroom and hosting a chest of drawers and cabinets. The main TV is a 48-inch LED, with numerous prime-viewing angles across the spacious living room. During timeouts, guests are sure to enjoy the spacious amidships lavatory, with a porcelain-bowl toilet and large radius shower. And once the food has been prepped and the team heads outside, they are greeted with the available 32-inch Sony LED TV in an integrated compartment, perfect for watching their favorite superstars.
Newmar Corp.
800-731-8300
www.newmarcorp.com
NeXus Maybach
As sports fans, many of us second-guess the decisions of our teams’ front offices. We question why they trade a particular player, or why the team was designed the way it is. Well, with the factory-direct 2017 NeXus Maybach 37M, buyers can act as the general manager and design their own dream motorhome. Buyers start with a basic, already well-appointed floorplan and add on their favorite features, including entertainment options from additional TVs and Blu-ray players to an exterior entertainment center perfect for tailgating fun. Add-ons such as a four-door refrigerator, water-filtration system and microwave convection oven enhance sideline snacking, while the standard bunks are a great spot for little sports to trade baseball cards or talk stats. And, the bath-and-a-half layout is always a bonus when hosting a gathering, as the line at the bathroom can get quite long after tailgaters have had a few.
NeXus RV
855-786-3987
www.nexusrv.com
Thor Windsport
The 2017 Windsport 29M from Thor Motor Coach goes long in terms of ways for family and friends to get outside and enjoy time together. For tailgaters, the 29M includes standard features like a 32-inch exterior LED TV; exterior kitchen with 2.6-cubic-foot refrigerator, sink and portable LP-gas grill; power patio awning with integrated LED lighting as well as awnings over the slideouts; and a Bluetooth-capable stereo system with exterior speakers. All this adds up to an immersive big-game experience. Inside, the drop-down bunk, 60-by-80-inch sofabed and 42-by-70-inch Dream Dinette team up with the master king bed for a lucky-number-seven sleeping positions, while two more 32-inch TVs inside (living area, bedroom), a double-door refrigerator and Onan RV QG 4000 generator ensure there are plenty of options for major-league entertainment.
Thor Motor Coach
800-860-5658
www.thormotorcoach.com
Tiffin Allegro Bus
When 50,000-plus people use the same bathroom facilities in a three-hour span, things can get a bit messy. On a much smaller scale, but to the same effect, 10-15 tailgating revelers can also wreak relative havoc on your motorhome’s facilities, so the more lavs, the merrier. The 2017 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40SP isn’t the only bath-and-a-half floorplan in our roundup, but with the amidships lavatory in addition to a master bath spanning the full rear of the coach, you’ll notice the difference after the final horn sounds. The Tiffin is built on the company’s proprietary PowerGlide chassis for a smooth ride to the RV park. Once you’re set up, the all-electric 40SP offers 7-foot ceilings, four slides and an open floorplan that could practically accommodate an entire NBA roster. The exterior 32-inch TV and available basement refrigerator/freezer mean the bench players can enjoy the outdoors, while the starters revel in the luxury of Villa furniture, porcelain tile flooring and an electric fireplace below the big-screen TV in the living area inside.
Tiffin Motorhomes Inc.
256-356-8661
www.tiffinmotorhomes.com
Winnebago Vista
When searching for a motorhome that’s a great choice for tailgating, a good place to start, obviously, is one that offers a “Tailgating Package.” Winnebago’s 2017 Vista 29VE does just that, with the add-ons amounting to a portable grill, refrigerator, three-drawer cabinet, stainless-steel sink and a few thoughtful appointments like an ice chest, silverware tray, bottle opener, and garbage-bag and paper-towel holders. Combine all that with the powered patio awning and the available 32-inch exterior TV and sound system and you can root for the home team in style. Inside, the large amidships bathroom, near full-wall living-area slide and plenty of galley counterspace will help ease your March Madness. And, with a spacious dinette, sofa bed and swiveling cab seats, the entire coaching staff is ensured a great view of the TV in the living area.
Winnebago Industries Inc.
641-585-3535
www.winnebagoind.com
