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Fleetwood Terry Quantum AX6 Overr the past few years fifth wheels have been gaining in popularity among seasoned RVers, and a walk through Fleetwood’s new Terry Quantum AX 6 explains why. With luxurious appointments and mountains of space, it’s easy to understand our growing love affair with big, tall trailers. We viewed the quad-slide model 365BSQS, with the assistance of Sicard’s Holiday Campers in Smithville, Ontario. Vice president Gary Sicard noted that depending on options selected, this model sells in the $65,000 to $75,000 range. Built on I-beam framed, welded main rails, the AX 6 uses Fleetwood’s bonded wall construction, a process that provides a very light weight structure with tremendous strength. The AX 6 designation refers to aluminum construction on all six sides – meaning the four walls, roof and floor. A substantial folding assist handle reinforces this overall sense of security as you mount the triple retractable steps to enter the unit. The three-section layout – bedroom up front, kitchen and dinette center, with the main living quarters to the rear – works very well, particularly with the quad-slide floor plan. The kitchen centers around a long, peninsular countertop which provides the maximum food preparation space possible without intruding into the main living area. The counter also offers a generous amount of storage space, despite housing a substantial double sink, complete with a residential-style Moen faucet with pull-out sprayer. A three-burner stove and oven are situated adjacent to the main counter, finished with a stylish and functional overhead range hood. The beautiful wooden cabinetry features framed doors with frosted glass inserts and neatly sculpted hardware. A large microwave sits conveniently above the range hood. The street-side wall houses a large Dometic refrigerator with overhead freezer, kitchen cabinets and a pantry in a slide-out section. Residential-style finishing touches, such as fully adjustable shelves, metal roller drawer glides, an under sink storage tray, convenient spice rack, sink cover, knife rack, paper towel holder and accent lighting complete the kitchen area. Opposite the kitchen is a comfortable, free-standing dinette with four chairs, also situated in a slide-out for maximum use of space. Overhead storage compartments that pick up on the kitchen cabinetry, complete with tasteful lighting, effectively blend form with function. To the rear of the dinette, two large comfortable easy chairs also sit in the curb-side slide out, with a large sofa opposite in the driver’s-side slide. A magnificent wooden wall unit with integral lighting and the same attractive, frosted glass doors covers the entire rear wall, providing attractive storage for knick-knacks, stereo equipment, and a full-size, flat screen television. Below the TV is a gorgeous fireplace. Overhead, two Fantastic vents and a beautiful ceiling fan provide plenty of fresh air. Fleetwood’s designers have picked a lovely choice of décor for this unit. Plush carpeting with hard-wearing, wood-finished laminate in the main entrance, works very well with the wooden cabinetry and wall unit. Thoughtful touches – such as the neat storage shelves along the end of the kitchen counter and the attractive spotlights along each of the slide outs – abound and give the unit an exceptionally homey feel. The washroom is located just forward of the kitchen, opposite the entrance door. Fleetwood’s attention to detail is definitely evident here with attractive cabinetry, wall coverings and flooring combining to provide a beautiful décor. The standup shower features a beautiful frosted glass enclosure with an overhead skylight and Fantastic vent. The residential-style sink and faucet blend perfectly with the mirrored medicine cabinet and pewter lighting fixtures. The large bedroom can only be described as magnificent, with a street-side slide affording tremendous space for the queen bed with its overhead cabinet and pewter spot lights. As you relax on the plush mattress, you face a beautiful fireplace set in an attractive wooden entertainment center, with enough space above to accommodate a full-sized TV. This unit sits in a fourth slide-out, along with a huge wardrobe closet. Opposite, a large dressing table is situated beside the bed. The desktop neatly extends around the bedroom corner to house a small sink with overhead mirror. It’s just another of those thoughtful touches that make this unit stand out. The Terry Quantum AX 6 is a really nice fifth wheel. Its solid construction, thoughtful quad-slide layout and luxurious appointments make it a delightful RV that’s certain to please even the most discriminating buyer. (Page Top) SPECIFICATIONS Length 37' 11" Height 12' 6" Dry Weight 11,098 lbs GVWR 14,100 lbs Pin Weight 2,143 lbs Fresh Water 40 gal Gray Water 40 gal Black Water 40 gal LP 60 gal Kodiak XVL 2200 B+ Class B-Plus motorhomes are popular with RVers who appreciate the drivability of a Class B unit, yet value having a little more space. One of the better-known RVs of this type is the Kodiak VXL 2200, which neatly packs big-unit features into a compact package. The Kodiak makes an impression even before you step aboard, with its attractive styling and tasteful exterior graphics. Stretching 22 feet, six inches in overall length, it is built on a Ford E350 Super Duty chassis powered by a V10 Trition engine offering 305 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque. The unit I viewed, with the assistance of Heidi Stoate at The Hitch House, was the VXL 2200 DS, one of three floor plans available. All feature a full-length curb-side awning, retractable entry steps and an illuminated entrance grab handle. Two exterior compartments provide convenient storage, while additional storage and an exterior shower can be found on the driver’s side. With a one-piece molded fiberglass roof, fiberglass front and rear caps, and large Solar-flex windows, the Kodiak is a highly attractive RV that will pull 5,500 pounds while fully loaded. You step inside straight into the kitchen, with a counter stretching across the back wall. A large rear window overlooks the double sink with its residential-style faucet and, to the right, the three-burner stove with overhead range hood and Dometic microwave. The kitchen cabinetry is a very tasteful beech finish with brass hardware. To the left of the sink is a handy and pretty spice rack. Raised-panel cabinet doors provide an upscale look to the neatly laid-out cooking area. A flip-up panel by the door provides additional counter space if needed. A Dometic Royale refrigerator with freezer is located on the curb side immediately forward of the entrance door, along with a spacious pantry cupboard. The kitchen floor is an attractive linoleum for easy cleaning. There is a surprising amount of cupboard storage in the base cabinets and in an overhead cupboard stretching across the rear wall, which houses a fluorescent lighting fixture over the sink. Immediately to the right of the kitchen is the washroom with integral shower and overhead vent. One step up takes you up onto the plush carpeting of the main living area. A large storage closet and wardrobe is immediately to the left. Cabinetry matches the deep beech with brass hardware of the kitchen, giving the coach a warm and inviting feel. Just ahead of the wardrobe on the driver’s side is a comfortable fabric sofa, with two attractive brass spotlights overhead to provide just the right lighting when you want to curl up with a good book. Overhead cabinetry provides still more storage, while a large window with shade sits behind. A neat wooden magazine rack on the front-facing wall provides convenient and secure storage for reading materials. Opposite the sofa is a comfortable booth-style dinette, adjacent to a large side window. Once again, overhead cabinetry provides storage while twin brass spotlights provide dramatic lighting. The cab-over area houses a color TV/VCR combination and two more storage compartments in an attractive beech cabinet, optimally positioned so it may be viewed from anywhere onboard. An overhead Fantastic vent in the living area provides excellent air flow, while an air conditioner/heat pump (along with insulated and heated holding tanks) allows multi-season use. Additional features in this coach include an in-dash Panasonic CD player, Attwood CO alarm and Onan generator. The RV that Heidi Stoate was kind enough to walk me through was sale priced at a very reasonable $86,024. Depending on optional equipment selected, the final retail price of the VXL 2200 DS can range from about $85,000 to just over $100,000. But you certainly get what you pay for. The combination of quality construction and innovative design make this a highly attractive motorhome. (Page Top) SPECIFICATIONS Length: 22’6” Width: 7’11” Height: 9’11” Weight (dry): 8,780 lbs GVWR: 10,667 lbs Wheelbase: 138” Water tanks: 36.5 gal Holding tanks: (grey): 24.8 gal (black): 23.8 gal Furnace: 25,000 BTU Water heater: 6 gal LP: 60 lbs Microwave: std Roof air: std Sleeps: 4 Chassis: Ford E350 Engine: V10 Triton Engine displacement/horsepower: 305 hp, 420 ft lbs torque Fuel capacity: 208 L Taylor Coach Bobbie Stretching just 12 feet in length and weighing in at a mere 1,150 pounds with a 110 pound tongue weight, the Bobbie by Taylor Coach is the answer for RVers with smaller tow vehicles. It’s also ideal for reaching those beautiful, remote sites at the end of narrow, winding roads. As you enter through the rear door, the first impression is that this trailer seems a whole lot bigger inside than out. A well equipped kitchen sits immediately to the right, featuring a Wedgewood Vision double-burner stove on a white countertop, flanked by a stainless steel sink and faucet. Both the base cabinet and the overhead cabinetry are in an attractive beech finish, highlighted with durable gold-finished hardware. A Norcold refrigerator occupies about one-third of the base cabinet, while the balance is available for storage. On the street side is a fully-equipped washroom with a sit-down shower. There’s also a large storage cabinet that would serve as an excellent panty. An overhead vent provides fresh air, while the flooring is an attractive and hard-wearing laminate compound. The front half of the trailer is dominated by a laterally-mounted dinette with bench seating on each side. The dinette quickly converts to a full-size double bed, while an overhead cabinet neatly converts to an additional double bunk for the kids. The overall décor is simple yet attractive, with bright, motif wall coverings and upholstery complemented by wooden cabinetry and accents. Fit and finish are excellent, and the trailer has a solid feel as you open doors and simply walk about inside. Hand-crafted in Flamborough, Ontario, the Taylor Bobbie boasts a long list of standard features including a retractable entrance step, leveling jacks, spare tire and carrier, porch light, R7 insulation and electric brakes. A variety of options are available; this particular unit included a front window with rock guard, a 30 amp converter, hot water heater and twin propane tanks, giving it a retail price of $12,075. There’s a lot to like about the Bobbie. For people who tow with a small car, who need a smaller trailer or who are just starting out in the RV lifestyle, it has a lot to offer. (Page Top)