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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Vehicle Reviews
So what's it like, driving around with a house on your back? We got the chance to find out when the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) loaned us a Home and Park Roadtrek RS so we could experience a nomadic lifestyle for a few days.
Unless you've a
recreational vehicle fan, you might not have heard of Home and Park.
They're not as much of a household name as Winnebago or Airstream, but
this Canadian manufacturer has been building the best-selling Type B
motorhomes for over a decade. As a Type B motorhome, Home and Park's
Roadtrek is a member of the smallest and easiest-to-drive class of RVs.
You wouldn't know it to look at it though. Type B RVs are van-based,
without specially widened bodies--but what a van! Our Roadtrek rode
inside of a capacious Mercedes-based Freightliner Sprinter. These
high-roofed, long-wheelbase vans are commonly seen in FedEx or UPS
livery. Equipping this spacious vehicle with the trappings of a small
apartment doesn't impair its functionality or driveability in the
least. At 21 feet long, it's big enough for a couple or small family to
live in, yet still able to fit in a regular parking space.
We prefer the
high-bodied, easy-to-drive Sprinter chassis to the more conventional
Chevrolet or GMC platforms that Home and Park also uses, but any type B
RV makes excellent lodging for one or two. At a glance, it doesn't look
all that big; it's tall and long, but not much bigger than the average
FedEx delivery van. The slope-nosed silhouette gives the Roadtrek the
illusion of being the world's largest minivan. Dummy windows painted
above the windshield give the front end a bit of visual interest. The
rest of the Roadtrek is more businesslike, with large windows letting
light in, an exposed air conditioning unit on the roof, and side vents
for the stove and refrigerator units. An available thirteen-foot awning
folds into a compact unit along the right side, and shades both doors
from rain or sun when extended. Experienced RVers will appreciate the
Roadtrek's easy access to LP gas and holding tank dump valves, and
they're hidden under side skirts to keep things clean. Running boards
help ingress, but the Sprinter body doesn't allow many places for grab
handles in assisting passengers inside.
It
may look like a van on the outside, but inside the Roadtrek is more
like a small apartment. This oversized van has all the comforts of
home; a gas stove, convection oven/microwave, refrigerator, shower, hot
water heater and even a flat-screen TV with a DVD player. The on-board
generator can be used to power the appliances, or the Roadtrek can be
plugged in to an RV park's power source. Open the windows and doors and
zip the available bug screens into place and it's an instant cabin;
close everything up, turn on the air, and it's a quiet apartment with
whatever view you choose. All of this equipment is packed into a
compact space that's no more claustrophobic than the average studio
apartment. Versatility is the name of the game; up front there are four
captain's chairs that swivel to form a dining area around the removable
table. Our passengers found the shortish rear seats to be less well
suited for long-distance travel than the generous chairs provided in
larger campers. The bathroom and shower are located in an expandable
cabinet that keeps the facilities out of the way when they're not in
use, and the galley features a two-burner stove and full sink with
generous cupboard space for cooking supplies and food. At the rear, our
Roadtrek was equipped with the optional power-folding sofa which drops
down to form a surprisingly comfortable king-sized bed. For additional
sleeping space, the captain's chairs up front can be folded to form a
pair of twin beds, though the swivel and fold function falls victim to
the ergonomic vagueness typical to Mercedes products and can be hard to
figure out.
A
note to those endowed with generous height or girth; the author, at six
feet tall, is just about the right size for the Roadtrek. Taller
occupants will likely have to stoop to move around; big folks are going
to find the narrow rear compartment and even narrower bathroom an
uncomfortably tight squeeze.
The
Roadtrek's size masks an easy-to-drive nature. It looks big and
intimidating to first-time RV drivers, but thanks to a high seating
position and rack and pinion steering, this type B is easy to pilot
around town. The 2.7 liter five-cylinder Mercedes turbodiesel engine is
up to the task of moving the Roadtrek's 8500-pound bulk. On the road,
acceleration felt the same as in the last Sprinter we tested. This is
no waddling, wheezing RV that will hold up traffic struggling up hills.
Better yet, fuel economy is also not affected, so the Roadtrek will
routinely top twenty miles per gallon on the open road. We averaged
21.8 mpg over fifteen hundred miles of driving--better than the last
Toyota Sequoia or Ford Expedition that we drove. Shifting duties are
handled by a smooth five-speed automatic transmission with Mercedes'
handy manual shift function. The Roadtrek's Sprinter chassis is also
shared with several branches of DaimlerChrysler, so it can be serviced
at Dodge, Freightliner, or Mercedes dealers.
On
the road, new RV drivers will only have to get used to the myriad
rattles, clunks and sloshing sounds that come with having a kitchen and
bedroom along for the ride. The Roadtrek is no more difficult to drive
than a large SUV. The Sprinter's suspension is a stiff, strong
commercial affair, so the Roadtrek rides like a truck, but it's
comfortable enough on the freeway. Keeping up with traffic is not a
problem, or you can set the available cruise control and just relax.
This is a large and comparatively light vehicle, so you'll feel a bit
of a nudge when a big truck passes you, and gusty crosswinds will
affect the directional stability as well.
So, why are you
still cruising around town in that full-size SUV? Unless you have to go
off-road, we can't think of a reason, either. The base price of the
Roadtrek is $77,935, and includes a furnace, microwave oven, power
inverter for running appliances, refrigerator, full sewage system and
restroom facilities. Our tester was well-equipped, with the awning,
roof-mount air conditioner, coffee maker, TV and DVD, leather seats,
power-folding sofa and propane generator bringing the total price to
$89,283. Considering that we could have sold the Roadtrek to onlookers
three times during our week with it, that's a pretty reasonable rate
indeed.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Home & Park Roadtrek RS Adventurous.
Length: 21 ft. 11.0 in.
Width: 6 ft. 9.0 in.
Height: 9 ft. 5.0 in.
Wheelbase: 158 in.
Curb weight: 8550 lb.
Cargo space: 55 cu.ft.
Base price: $77,935
Price as tested: $89,283
Engine: 2.7 liter inline five-cylinder turbodiesel
Drivetrain: five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower: 154 @ 3800
Torque: 243 @ 1600-2400
Fuel capacity: 26.0 gal.
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