The term “residential style” is fast becoming a cliché in the recreational vehicle marketplace. Contemporary RVs are — across virtually every model line — head-and-shoulders above what was imaginable even five years ago. That holds true for everything from efficient use of space to build quality, value for the money and equipment. Far from being an unusual commodity, residential style is now as commonplace throughout today’s RV industry as microwave ovens.
That said, there still are manufacturers that continue to push the boundaries of the residential envelope. Elkhart, Ind.-based Heartland Recreational Vehicles’ newest model within its popular Cyclone toy hauler line, the 4100 King fifth-wheel, incorporates a number of unique twists that quite literally run from one end of its 43 feet to the other. It also underscores a go-big-or-go-home attitude sure to be appreciated by the sociable toy hauler crowd — everything about this model is oversized.
The front master bedroom offers a king-size bed, closet configuration including space for a washer/dryer, a six-drawer dresser, a nice sitting area, and an LCD TV.
“It’s meant to be ‘The King’ and we labeled it as such for a reason,” said A.J. Jones, general manager for Heartland’s Cyclone, Road Warrior and Torque divisions.
“There are a lot of features about this particular model that you won’t find in any other toy hauler,” Jones added. “For starters, it has a true king-sized bed in the front bedroom area, along with a very unique closet configuration along the forward wall that allows for the inclusion of a washer-dryer setup, wardrobe and sitting area.”
Heartland did stretch the length of the upper cabin to accommodate the full-size bed, but the impressive cabinet capacity was realized by using unique radius bends to maximize living area and improve aesthetics. The surprisingly spacious bedroom also boasts a large curbside six-drawer dresser topped by a solid-surface countertop and a nice sitting area integrated into the forward wall. There’s also an LCD TV mounted in the curbside wall, along with a window that, with windows fore and aft in the bedroom slideout, provides ventilation.
Extraordinary cabinet space and a vestibule-style sink are found in the bathroom.
But while a king-size bed would be impressive in any towable RV, the full scope of the 4100 King’s creature comforts doesn’t hit home until you walk into the forward bath — home to, among other niceties, a full-sized residential tub enclosure. While other manufacturers have tried adding full-size tubs, the 4100 King mounts it in an east-west configuration, thus preserving pass-though storage beneath the living quarters.
“The enclosure is one fiberglass unit, with the tub sunken into the main floor level,” Jones pointed out. “When you’re in the bathroom, you actually step down into the tub.” The recessed tub also contributes to the sense of space that permeates throughout the Heartland fifth-wheel. “I’m 6 feet, 2 inches in height,” said Jones, “and when I stand in the tub and put both arms straight up I can’t touch the skydome.”
That “bigger is better” philosophy prevails throughout the main cabin, where floor-to-ceiling woodwork in the forward wall is home to cabinets, an electric fireplace and a massive 55-inch LCD TV capable of being viewed from just about anywhere within the three living “zones” created on the main floor by virtue of a new three-seasons wall that can separate the ramp door/patio room from the garage. For those out back not interested in the 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound/Sony 1,000-watt-fueled theater-sized screen, the garage is pre-wired for an optional TV up to 32 inches.
High-end luxury fixtures and accommodations inside the Cyclone 4100 King are what make it more than just another toy hauler.
The couch will easily accommodate five to six adults comfortably at dinner, relying on a new Heartland-designed “mega-lounger” seating arrangement that incorporates three built-in recliners behind twin pedestal tables. “A lot of people have tried to incorporate tables, recliners and couches, but they never seem to hit that happy medium,” Jones said. “With our mega-lounger setup, you no longer have to fight that old battle: what’s more important — the couch, recliners or dining area?”
With a trailer of this size, extended vacations tend to be the rule rather than the exception, so the 4100 King was equipped with storage space wherever possible. That includes the galley, where a wraparound island countertop ties into extra glazed cherry cabinetry. And, while the 12-cubic-foot double-door refrigerator is optional, it looks right at home. The 30-inch microwave (convection is optional) is typically oversized, as well.
Maximizing all available space, the 4100 sports dual twin-sized overhead bunks between the main cabin and garage; one runs east-west, the other north-south, each with its own privacy curtains.
Cyclone 4100 King dinette
The garage itself is a full 12 feet long, although Jones notes that “we’re not even calling it a garage anymore — it’s more of an all-in-one space that just happens to accommodate motorized toys. We’re seeing people using it as a dining room or, with all the large windows in the area and the sliding middle screen in the three-seasons wall, you can convert the garage area itself into a screened-in patio.” The three-seasons wall effectively seals off the end of the garage from the ramp door — which itself can be transformed into a 64-square-foot patio deck. The garage also has its own access door, its own half-bath and its own rear awning. In fact, the King boasts three electric awnings with nearly 40 linear feet of shade available at the push of a button.
Available in base trim with white exterior walls, the 4100 also comes with copper, red or blue graphics to match a tow vehicle or full-body paint. The HD series (pictured) includes a vestibule sink in the full bath and gray exterior walls with a painted front cap.
“The gray is actually infused into the sidewall,” Jones pointed out. “It’s similar to a gelcoat, but the color is actually all the way through the sidewall material — it’s stained fiberglass. If you scratch it, you’ll see the scratch — but with the underlying material also gray it won’t stand out nearly as much. Considering the environment where you’ll take a toy hauler, that’s a big deal.”
Exterior Length 43′ 8″
Interior Floor Length (garage) 12′
Exterior Width 8′ 5″
Exterior Height 13′ 3″
Interior Height 8′ 4-5/8″
Freshwater Cap. 100 gal.
Black-/Gray-Water Cap. 82 gal. each
LP-Gas Cap. 14 gal.
GVWR 18,000 lb.
Dry Weight 14,800 lb.
MSRP Base Price $67,499
MSRP Price as Tested $89,884
Heartland Recreational Vehicles;
877-262-8032, www.heartlandrvs.com
