RV
enthusiasts choose class B motorhomes mainly for their unique
combination of compact size and touring comfort. Ideally suited
for a couple or small family group, these vehicles present a
viable alternative to the family van for all-round use.
Great West Van of St. Andrews, Manitoba has created a model
with a Dodge Sprinter chassis powered by a Mercedes Benz 2.7-litre,
5-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine. With 154 hp and 243
lb ft of torque, this relatively small engine produces a delightful
amount of pep – it’s quiet, smooth and distinctively
different from power plants found in an RV of this type. “It’ll
get you 24 to 26 miles per gallon, and it has a tow rating of
5,000 pounds, so most boats will be fine behind it,” says
Wade Wilkin of Great West Van.
 The
big bonus, however, with this chassis, is its ability to create
more space. “We’ve come up with a two-zone floor
plan to offer more living area,” explains Wilkin. The
bathroom on the driver’s side is located further back
to allow room for the front seats to swivel around. There’s
space for a third seat, chest of drawers or hanging closet behind
the driver’s seat. “Couples who are travelling tend
to chose the closet or chest of drawers, but for people looking
to tour with friends or family, the option of adding a third
or fourth seat up front is appealing,” adds Wilkin.
The Legend rides with the smooth grace of a luxury touring sedan.
Rack-and-pinion steering delivers a relatively tight turning
radius while the compact overall dimensions make driving in
city traffic a breeze, and highway cruising a pleasure. With
independent front suspension, this vehicle soaks up irregularities
of country roads, always maintaining excellent control.
Standard features include a three-way refrigerator, two-burner
stove, coffee maker, microwave, flat-screen TV, DVD player,
Fantastic fan, an outside shower, plus ABS brakes and a stability
and traction control system. Notable are the parabolic side
mirrors, which include regular reflection on top, plus wide-angle
views on bottom. Optional features include air-conditioning,
a trailer hitch, crank-out awning, 25-kilowatt generator, and
a rear-view camera.
The combination of luxury features with simple trim levels follows
a European concept that includes all of the creature comforts,
minus superfluous glitter. It’s neat and clean to the
max, from the gleaming stainless-steel backsplash in the galley,
to the soft leather seats and authentic wood dashboard accents.
With interior space at a premium, every feature has a specific
purpose, and many serve double duty. The rear tri-fold sofa
bed is electrically operated, taking only seconds to transform
into a surprisingly spacious, comfortable sleeping area.
The rear bedroom area can be partitioned from the galley, and
the compact washroom is so ingenious, you have to explore various
nooks and crannies to appreciate the brilliant setup –
the vanity sink opens like a drawer, and the entire area is
integrated into the shower stall. Overhead cabinets are plentiful
and large enough for gear. The LCD TV is mounted on a swing
arm, so it can be viewed from a wide range of positions, and
it stows neatly against the wall.
If you plan to travel with few passengers, Legend’s superb
ergonomics and Mercedes heart make it an excellent choice.
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