When you delve into the inner workings of a coach the caliber of Winnebago’s 2013 Tour, the question changes from “What are the features?” to “What is missing?” The answer to the latter is simply, “nothing.” The iconic company’s flagship motorhome, outfitted with four slides and a new floorplan that makes up the 42GD model, is loaded with all the goodies expected of a coach that tops $375,000 on its window sticker. The addition of numerous proprietary features raises the bar in livability and convenience, and zeros-in on a new owner’s comfort zone when the deal is about to be consummated.
Winnebago’s 42GD is almost 43 feet long and offers a lot of square footage when the slides are pushed out. The size suggests it’s a perfect candidate for two baths, catering to strong interest for such amenities in today’s market. But the additional bath feature is relegated to its sister model, the 42QD. Instead, the designers took advantage of the space and created an environment that exudes extreme comfort in each of the four major zones of the coach.
A view of the Tour’s galley shows its country-style kitchen, curbside dinette, L-shaped extendable sectional sofa and 55-inch TV.
When you walk in the front door, you’ll likely stroll right past the galley and dining area as your senses go wild for the TV-centric living room. Surrounded by beautiful mosaic tile and diffused lighting is a 55-inch TV that can be viewed by stretching out and sinking into the company’s own Rest Easy extendable sectional sofa. Here the end section of the L-shaped couch expands for additional lounging on the Ultraleather upholstery. Across the aisle is a matching two-person couch that can be substituted with a Euro chair and cabinet/pullout-table arrangement. When you factor in the Blu-ray-equipped home theater sound system, it’s hard to give up the life of a couch potato. If you like TV, you can also view programming from flat screens placed above the cab, in the bedroom and/or outside under the awning. The system is all part of the HDMI 4×4 Matrix video componentry that lets occupants watch from multiple locations at the same time.
The country-style kitchen starts directly behind the big sofa and extends to the driver’s seat. Naturally the kitchen is fully equipped, and with the Electric Coach option (no LP-gas), the cooktop is flush mounted into the gorgeous Corian countertop, complemented by a matching backsplash and sink covers. Above the cooktop is a stainless steel microwave/convection oven and below is a drawer-style dishwasher clad in matching stainless steel. Surrounding this central service area is plenty of countertop space for spreading out during meal preparation. The sinks are built into the section immediately behind the couch and a pullout island augments counter space.
Navigate the road from the Ultraleather heated captain’s seat of the Tour’s cockpit, which also has a rearview monitor system, sideview camera, and optional GPS voice navigation and Sirius satellite radio.
Mosaic tile adds decorative contrast to the kitchen, which is floored with handsome tile that runs throughout the motorhome (optional in the bedroom). Opposite the galley and behind the passenger seat in the cockpit is the home-style refrigerator with French doors and water and ice dispensers, and freezer drawer below. The refrigerator also has a stainless steel exterior. Six AGM (sealed) batteries tied to a 2,800-watt inverter/charger handle the power needs of the refrigerator on the road and when hookups are not available. There’s also a 10,000-watt diesel generator with auto start, should the batteries become discharged.
As you leave the living room, an aisle on the right side of the coach passes the bathroom and terminates in the rear bedroom. The bathroom is huge, allowing plenty of square footage for a large corner shower, a generously configured lavatory and a storage closet that can be fitted with an optional stackable washer/dryer. Plenty of cabinets offer stowage for lots of towels and toiletries. A door in the hallway provides access to the bathroom from the living room while a sliding door can be used to enter the bathroom from the bedroom.
A digitally adjusted Ideal Rest Natural Reserve mattress provides sleeping comfort in the bedroom and is surrounded by handsome woodwork.
Two of the four slideouts help create a suite-type atmosphere in the rear of the motorhome. The larger slide on the driver’s side expands the bathroom/bedroom and moves the king bed and nightstands into a very livable position. The Ideal Rest Natural Reserve mattress is digitally adjusted for comfort via remote controls.
An opposing chest of drawers with a 32-inch TV tucked in the corner moves out with the second slide, which is employed exclusively for this purpose. It’s easy to feel at home in this bedroom. Stunning woodwork complements the headboard, bedspread, pillows, shams and the nightstands. The back wall of the coach is allocated to the wardrobe, which has ample hang-up space and places to store more bulky items – or lots of shoes. Sliding doors blend nicely into the décor, making the wardrobe look more like the back wall than a closet.
Winnebago no longer uses a basement air conditioning system, giving way to three 13,500-Btu roof air units (two with heat pumps). While roof air has its advantages over a basement unit, especially in extremely hot conditions, it was noisier than expected. Triple-digit temperatures kept all three running at a fast pace (the coach is equipped with an energy management system) and the inside comfortable. Proven insulation design using block foam with layers of fiberglass within an aluminum support structure, along with dual-pane windows and block-out shades, worked efficiently in concert with the cooling system. Heating is handled by the super-quiet Aqua-Hot hydronic, triple-zone system, with continuous hot water.
2013 Winnebago Tour 42GD
Outside, the coach is fitted with a long list of amenities commonly found in motorhomes of this stature. Side-swinging compartment doors lead to a number of storage bays capable of swallowing up the RV gear necessary to run this coach and make campsites relaxing. The utility center is well equipped and includes a reel for the water hose. A reeled 50-amp cable handles power and the generator slides out of the front, controlled by a switch in a nearby compartment housing the electrical components. And, of course, there’s the aforementioned TV poised for outside viewing, mounted high enough to entertain a patio full of folks without stretching their necks.
The Tour’s beautifully painted body is mounted on a Freightliner Maxum chassis with a lowered-rail design that’s less intrusive in the storage areas. The chassis is powered by a 450-hp Cummins ISL engine tied to an Allison six-speed transmission. The 60-degree wheel cut facilitates tight turning and the air ride suspension promotes ride comfort. A 15,000-pound-rated hitch receiver makes it easy to find a suitable dinghy vehicle.
The list of features that go into producing Winnebago’s flagship coach is extensive. Everywhere you look you’ll find high-end accessories and hardware – many outside the realm of the RV universe – that make life on the road more pleasurable. Add in the ability to produce proprietary components in a technically advanced facility and the Tour ranks right up there with the most notable coaches designed and built for discriminating motorhome enthusiasts.
Winnebago Tour 42GD Floorplan
Winnebago Tour 42GD Specifications
CHASSIS
MODEL: FREIGHTLINER MAXUM
ENGINE: CUMMINS ISL 8.9-L TURBODIESEL
SAE HP: 450 @ 2,100 RPM
TORQUE: 1,250 LB-FT @ 1,400 RPM
TRANSMISSION: 6-SPEED ALLISON 3000MH
AXLE RATIO: 4.63:1
FRONT TIRES: MICHELIN XZA2 ENERGY 295/80R22.5 LRH
REAR TIRES: MICHELIN XZA3+ 275/80R22.5 LRH
WHEELBASE: 279″
BRAKES: AIR WITH ABS
SUSPENSION, F/R: ZF IFS/NEWAY AIR
FUEL CAP: 150 GAL
WARRANTY: 3 YRs/36,000 MILES
COACH
EXT LENGTH: 42′ 10″
EXT WIDTH: 8′ 5.5″
EXT HEIGHT: 12′ 11″ WITH A/C
INT WIDTH: 8′ 0.5″
INT HEIGHT: 7′
CONSTRUCTION: STEEL/ALUMINUM FRAMEWORK WITH INTERLOCKING JOINTS, CROWNED FIBERGLASS ROOF AND FIBERGLASS SIDE WALLS
FRESHWATER CAP: 85 GAL
BLACK-WATER CAP: 51 GAL
GRAY-WATER CAP: 116 GAL
WATER-HEATER CAP: TANKLESS ON DEMAND
LP-GAS CAP: 28 GAL
AIR CONDITIONER (3): 13,500 BTU
FURNACE: 59,000 BTU
REFRIGERATOR: 20 CU-FT WHIRLPOOL
INVERTER/CHARGER: 2,800 WATTS/23 AMPS
BATTERIES: 2 12-VOLT CHASSIS GROUP 31, 6 AGM 12-VOLT COACH GROUP 31
AC GENERATOR: 10 KW
MSRP: $364,276
MSRP AS TESTED: $375,475
WARRANTY: 1 YR/15,000 MILES
CHASSIS RATINGS
GAWR, F/R: 14,600/30,000 LBS
GVWR/GCWR: 44,600/59,600 LBS
GAWR: GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING
GVWR: GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING
GCWR: GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES
641-585-3535
www.winnebagoind.com
