Rear-lounge, dual-entry T27RLSG travel trailer combines aggressive exterior styling with a fully appointed interior
Eclipse RV knows toy haulers. The Riverside, California-based manufacturer is perhaps best known for its Attitude line of SURVs, which is one of the top-selling toy-hauler lines on the market today. So, when I had the chance to check out the Eclipse Milan T27RLSG, I was particularly interested in seeing how the manufacturer’s success in SURVs has translated into the execution of a conventional travel trailer.
The solid-surface countertop and hardwood cabinet doors offer a touch of elegance. The location of the entertainment center means there’s no dedicated pantry area in the galley.
Outside, you can definitely see shades of the Milan’s toy-hauling cousins. The chrome rims, laminated fiberglass side walls and especially the large decals on its skin are exactly what you’d expect to see on a toy hauler. But Eclipse has managed to tone down the overall look to something more of a “refined” aggression. The trailer featured has the optional electric awning ($327), ladder with a walk-on roof ($363), a Swing-A-Way grab handle for the front entry ($95) and a spare tire/carrier ($210), all of which are smart upgrades for the money. Another smart upgrade is opting for a larger freshwater tank: $218 will almost double the tank’s capacity to 100 gallons, which is perfect for boon-docking and perhaps another nod to the trailer’s SURV heritage. I was pleasantly surprised to find a battery-disconnect switch near the A-frame; that’s a convenient feature that needs to catch on with more manufacturers.
For hooking up in camp, the shorepower cord and city-water hookups are located at the rear of the trailer, while the sewer connection/dump valve is located streetside near the front. This configuration takes some getting used to, as the hook-ups are far apart, meaning you need to plan the trailer’s positioning accordingly. The black-tank flush ($65) helps tremendously with clean-up duty.
The dual-entry bathroom is spacious enough; the skylight above the shower really opens things up for taller RVers.
Stepping up into the rear entry door of the Milan, the toy-hauler comparisons all but vanish, as this trailer definitely leans toward luxury rather than adventure. The walnut raised-panel cabinet doors look great with the brushed-aluminum hardware on the cabinets and drawers, and the darker, rustic vinyl flooring looks like posh wood planking at first glance. The rear lounge features two removable swivel-rockers with a small end table for magazines and the like. The large street-side slide houses a jackknife sofa for three and a spacious U-shaped dinette that easily accommodated our crew. Two cavernous drawers are located beneath the dinette, which is a great use of what is typically dead space.
The galley features a solid-surface countertop ($943), three-burner stove, microwave, dual-basin sink and, surprisingly, an entertainment center. The 26-inch LED TV ($363) and DVD/CD/AM/FM/MP3 head unit are located in a cabinet next to the refrigerator, a configuration that is necessary in a trailer this size, but unfortunately means there is no dedicated pantry. There are plenty of overhead cabinets and drawers in the galley, so stocking up on foodstuffs shouldn’t be a problem. All seating locations offer good viewing of the TV, but be sure not to lose the remote in the cushions because the mounting bracket for the TV makes it impossible to reach the manual controls. And, yes, we learned that the hard way.
There’s plenty of room for entertaining in the Milan, with a jackknife sofa, large U-shaped dinette and two swivel rockers in the rear lounge.
A few steps down the hall brings you to the bathroom. The room itself is a decent size, and again Eclipse has done a good job at maximizing space. Although the shower was a stretch for my frame, the skylight ($94) helped with headroom. The enclosure offers several shelves for soap, shampoo and other toiletries, which is much appreciated when traveling with a family of five. The porcelain toilet is properly positioned so users don’t get claustrophobic when heeding the call. There are two entry doors into the lav, one accessible from the hall and the other from the bedroom area. Communication is key to avoid any embarrassing mishaps.
The bedroom area can be sectioned off using an accordion fabric door. I’d definitely appreciate a better-quality divider, but it did the trick. The queen bed is flanked on each side by a mirrored, hanging wardrobe and drawer, and the integrated fabric headboard is a nice touch. There’s a good amount of storage space under the bed; I’d suggest filling it with an egg crate or additional padding for the mattress, which was downright flimsy and uncomfortable.
The decent-size bedroom has its own entry door and features mirrored, hanging wardrobes and an integrated fabric headboard.
By including a second entry door on the Milan, Eclipse has solved two common problems. One, owners don’t have to track dirt through the entire trailer to use the bathroom because it’s contained within the bedroom; and two, owners are afforded access to the lav when the slide isn’t deployed, making pit stops on the road much more enjoyable…and cleaner.
Overall, the Milan is familyfriendly and ready for entertaining; it has the features that cater to just about any type of RVer. And Eclipse managed to blend them all together successfully, with a variety of standard and optional features that make it apparent that the company knows conventional trailers as well.
