(Originally published at OnWheels, Inc.)

Say “Winnebago” and most folks will picture a motorhome before they think of the Native American tribe from which the company takes its name.  The recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturer’s name is almost as synonymous with its product as Xerox or Kleenex.  So naturally, when it came time to get a sense of the state of the Class A RV market, we turned first to Winnebago.  In the 1970s, the brand’s distinctive, angular Class A motorhomes practically defined the concept (this author still has a large-scale Tonka Winnebago Brave in the basement, a treasured childhood relic), and though the Brave has long been replaced by more conventionally styled vehicles, the name recognition hasn’t faded a bit.

These days, Winnebago’s Class A lineup consists of seven distinct models, of which the Adventurer is the middle child, as well as the top seller.  The Vista, Sightseer and Voyage are more affordably priced, and the Journey, Tour and Vectra are rear-engined diesel motorcoaches with rock-star-grade amenities.  The company also offers a line of smaller Class C recreational vehicles.

We spent a few weeks with the new 2007 Adventurer 33V, and at the end of our time, it was easy to think of this well-appointed Class A as the mid-size family sedan of the RV universe.  If it were a car, it would be a Ford Taurus or a Toyota Avalon.  With lengths ranging from 33 to 38 feet, it’s big enough to meet the needs of a good-sized family, and well-equipped as well, but it’s also comparatively affordable.  The Adventurer 33V we tested was equipped like a good hotel suite and stickered for just over $135,000.  That’s less than the price of any Bentley, Ferrari or Lamborghini, and chump change compared to the seven-figure price tags attached to some marble-floored, sauna- and Jacuzzi-equipped luxury coaches.  In fact, the Adventurer’s price is close to that of a working-class house (in most parts of the country, anyway)–and it does a reasonable job of standing in for one.

Like most Class A RV’s, the Adventurer features a full-size kitchen and bathroom.  The eighty-six gallon fresh water capacity is more than sufficient for showers for two.  Domestic amenities like a Sharp convection oven, Norcold refrigerator/freezer and Amana three-burner range are available, and there’s enough cabinet and pantry space for a full complement of groceries.  Need room for guests?  The sofa powers down into a full-size bed, and the dinette can be converted to sleeping space as well.  At full capacity the Adventurer 33V will sleep six.  Like the best luxury cars, Sirius satellite radio and a navigation system are available.  Unlike a luxury car, a washer and dryer can also be had.  A 27-inch television with DVD player is standard equipment, as is a lounge chair to watch television from.  There’s a second television in the bedroom as well.  The Adventurer is laid out just like a house, so living in it is no different than being at home.  Our only complaint was the sound system, whose fussy controls were difficult to decipher.  The Adventurer has seven foot, two-inch ceilings inside, so even taller passengers had no complaints about headroom.  A variety of slideout units in the living room and bedroom areas increase interior room substantially, and with the extensions open the Adventurer has about as much space inside as a small apartment.

Of course, the magic of this small apartment is that it can be located just about anywhere you want.  For site hookups, the fresh water, 55-amp electrical system, cable television and sewage connections are all easily plugged in, and Winnebago’s QuickPort system allows the rear bay doors to be closed without disconnecting.  Computer-controlled hydraulic levelling jacks take the sway out of camping.  A large awning offers a comfortable shaded patio area, and a waterproof AM/FM CD player mounted on the outside brings the tunes with, if you’re so inclined.  Most of the comforts of home are also available when dry-camping, thanks to the reasonably quiet 5500-watt generator with a 600-watt inverter that can power all of the Adventurer’s amenities.

As you’d expect a house on wheels to be, the Adventurer is definitely a home away from home.  We used it as a temporary vacation home during the annual Christmas family reunion, and it also did duty as OnWheels, Inc.’s mobile office during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  We can report that it’s more suited to camping than it is driving.

That isn’t to say that it’s terrible to drive, of course, but like most class A RVs, the Adventurer can be a handful on the freeway, especially in a crosswind.  Our Adventurer 33V rode a Ford-powered recreational vehicle chassis.  A Workhorse chassis with a choice of General Motors Vortec engines is also available.  The steering is vague compared to that of a car, and the suspension crashes over large bumps.  Like most Class As, the Adventurer has a high center of gravity and blind spots the size of Ohio.  A rear-view camera on the dash helps the driver to keep an eye on what’s behind.  Side-view cameras are also available.

The 6.8 liter Ford V10 that powers the Adventurer is powerful enough to get this big boy moving.  In spite of 362 horses of motivation, freeway acceleration is glacial–it’s still a ten-ton vehicle, after all.  We chose not to think of the Adventurer’s pace as “slow,” however; it’s “relaxed.”  Transmission shifts from the five-speed automatic transmission are smooth, and the gearbox includes Ford’s brake-saving grade speed control.  When climbing some steep grades, the V10 will drop into second gear, at which point it’s turning 4000 rpm and the noise is intrusive; experienced RV drivers will find that it’s easier to just slow down and let the Adventurer take the hills at its own pace.  During our drive, which included urban, rural, flat and mountainous terrain, the Adventurer averaged just over eight miles per gallon.  The alternative choice, Chevrolet’s 8.1-liter Vortec V8, is available with a six-speed Aliison automatic.  Properly equipped, the Adventurer will tow up to 5000 pounds.

We spent four days camping in the Adventurer, and could cheerfully have stayed longer.  This sensibly-priced motorhome is comfortable enough for a week or two away from it all.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 Winnebago Adventurer 33V.
Length:  33 ft. 7 in.
Width:  8.5 ft. 5 in.
Height:      12 ft. 2 in.
Wheelbase: 208 in.
GVWR:  22,000 lb.
Base price:  $132,985
Price as tested:  $135,000
Engine:  6.8 liter SOHC V10
Drivetrain:  five-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower:  362 @ 4750
Torque: 457@3,250
Fuel capacity:  75.0 gal.
Observed mileage:  8 mpg