Well, it finally happened. Almost.
I didn’t get to physically test drive a motorhome — I’m still working on that piece of magic — but I did manage to walk through one and pretend.
The all-new Winnebago Intent is a re-imagined Class A motorhome that gives you and your family the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about for at a price that meets your budget.
From the moment you step inside, you’ll realize the Intent is different. Narrow corner pillars in the cab offer incredible views and enhance safety, thanks to better visibility while driving. Complete with an abundance of storage space and an attractive dining and lounge area, the Intent is available in four fresh floor plans ranging from $116,882 to $122,702: 26M, 29L, 30R and 31P. My tester was the 30R.
And Roy Robinson RV in Marysville has them all on its lot, ready for your inspection.
“The Intent is styled smartly, supremely functional and provides tremendous quality,” said Niles Whitehouse, Winnebago director of product management. “This product is the result of many hours of listening to Winnebago dealers and consumers in order to see what an ideal RV experience could be. We then collected that input and gathered the best engineers, designers and craftsmen to set a new standard for what a Class A gas motorhome should be.”
Frankly, I was sold before ever stepping inside.
A standard tailgate package under a large patio awning offers up a flat screen TV, refrigerator, countertop, sink/faucet, storage bin with drawer, pullout extension table, towel holder and bottle opener.
I didn’t have to be Walter Mitty to envision my lovely bride and myself on a late summer Saturday, parked on Montlake and taking part in some pre-game festivities with family and friends before watching another Husky blowout win.
Two family-room-cozy bucket seats are separated by a removable post table on which to rest cocktails. There are seatbelts for six, with latch anchors for child car seats on the forward-facing dinette.
Directly overhead is the push-button operated StudioLoft bed that can be deployed for extra sleeping space. The Intent sleeps anywhere from 5 to 7 people with the private master suite featuring a queen-size bed, and the dinette and sofa converting to more.
Living space is enhanced with two slide-outs, expanding the master bedroom and dinette eating area. Propane, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors are standard for safety. A Smart LP System provides two easily removable 20-pound propane tanks that can be refilled without driving the motorhome to a filling station.
In the Intent, your “roughing-it” will include a 13,500 BTU air conditioner, 30,000 BTU high-performance furnace, three-burner cooktop with pullout oven, overhead microwave, residential refrigerator with top-mount freezer, high-performance overhead fans and a double stainless steel sink.
Oh, and don’t forget the built-in speakers, LED lights, skylight, and two large flat-screen TVs — one in the living area and another in the bedroom.
The bathroom and shower are on opposite sides of the unit. The toilet includes an oval sink, medicine cabinets and linen storage. The shower is enclosed with a frosted glass door and features a skylight.
But let’s not forget totally about the driving side of the equation. The Intent is powered by a Ford Triton V-10 engine and mated to a TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission. Standard goodies include heated power mirrors, back-up camera, iPad and iPhone compatibility, automatic hydraulic electronic leveling jacks, Bluetooth and more.
There’s plenty more to yak about, but this weekend is your chance to see for yourself at the Evergreen Spring RV Show in Monroe.
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