2014 American Coach Revolution 42W
Setting New Limits in Design
Article Date: September, 2012
Article and Photography by Mark Quasius
The Revolution is an aptly named motorhome. When initially launched by Fleetwood, it featured a cutting-edge
design that still impresses to this day. Recently moved to Fleetwood's high-end American Coach line as its entry-level model, the
Revolution is available in a 38-foot double axle or a 42-foot triple/tag axle floor plan. The particular coach that we chose for
this review was the 42W model.
Traditional raised rail chassis place the fuel tank immediately behind the front axle. The bridged design
of the Liberty chassis allows the fuel tank to be relocated to a mid ship location for better weight distribution which is a huge
plus on any tag axle diesel pusher. The 14,600-pound capacity front axle is equipped with 305/80R 22.5 LRH tires while the drive
and tag axles were equipped with 295/80R 22.5 LRH tires.
Exterior
American Coach uses a vacu-bonded sidewall, floor and roof construction. The sidewalls lock into the roof
and floor with an aluminum interlocking channel design. Flush mounted windows provide a streamlined appearance and minimize wind
noise. Side mounted patio and window awnings as well as enclosed slide toppers are standard equipment.
This particular coach was done in the Gold Starfire paint scheme, using DuPont paints with three clear coats
that provide an attractive glossy finish.
The Revolution breaks ground with a unique instrument cluster that attaches to, and moves with, the steering column so that
it always remains in plain view of the driver.
Cockpit Area
|
The modern cockpit breaks traditional design, most notably in the instrument cluster. The cluster is
mounted to the steering column and moves with the steering column if it is tilted or extended so that the gauges are always
easy to see. Its center console is filled with a circular array of rocker switches while a rear view camera monitor and
navigation/entertainment system finish out the dash area. A cabinet located over the entry door houses all of the control
panels for the inverters, automatic generator start, leveling system, energy management system, slide outs and a host of
other functions.
|
A comprehensive control panel is located immediately over the entry door and serves as a central location for the
various electronic components.
|
|
The stylish center console contains a number of rocker switches that can easily be accessed from either front seat to
operate the various accessories.
|
The side view cameras are located in the mirror housings rather than attached to pods on the bodywork. This makes for a
cleaner look but also offers a better three dimensional perspective with more depth of view.
|
The solid surface covered entry steps are hinged to provide additional storage for small items.
|
Main Living Area
The full wall slide really opens up the coach and the view all the way back to the bedroom makes it seem larger than it is.
The first thing you'll notice when entering an American Coach is the huge amount of room in the living area.
American Coach uses slide outs with a full 30-inch depth rather than the narrower curbside slide outs used by other brands. This
gives you more floor space when extended but the drawback is that when in transport mode, the aisle is very narrow and, when seated
on the sofa, your knees will touch the opposite sofa. The full wall slide gives an impression of more length than is actually there
because you can stand at the front of the coach and look straight back into the bedroom. An 84-inch ceiling height separates the
polished ceramic floor tile from the dimmer controlled halogen ceiling lighting recessed into the padded ceiling.
This coach was outfitted with the Golden Suede interior with Regency Cherry hardwood. Comfortable Villa furniture
covered with Ultra Leather is also found throughout the coach. Four Sony LCD televisions are located throughout the coach, including one
in the patio sidewall in a covered compartment, while ducted ceiling registers provide quiet airflow from the three rooftop air
conditioners. A 78-inch sofa with air mattress can be found installed in the massive full wall slide, opposite a 71-inch sofa.
|
The curbside main slide out contains the galley work area, a drawer style dishwasher and a Villa
Ultra leather sofa.
|
The full-wall, driver-side slide holds a 78-inch Villa
Ultra leather sofa with air mattress, a dinette set with built-in
computer desk, large residential refrigerator, a pull-out pantry, stackable washer-dryer, and the bedroom TV and cabinetry.
|
Dinette and Galley
The dinette consists of a buffet with an extendable free-standing table and is equipped with shelving and
compartments suitable for use as a computer workstation. Immediately opposite the dinette is the solid surfaced galley area which
includes a recessed sink and cooktop. Spacious overhead cabinets flank a GE convection microwave oven with built-in range hood while
a Fisher-Paykel dishwasher is located beneath the galley counter. A large side by side residential refrigerator with in-door ice maker
and water dispenser is located in the full wall slide and directly next to a pull-out pantry. A buffet cabinet also houses a 40-inch
LCD television.
Bedroom
While a queen bed is standard, this coach was equipped with an optional King bed with memory foam mattress.
The lavishly appointed bedroom contained a king bed flanked by nightstands and side windows to provide
flow-through ventilation. On the opposite side, a large dresser houses plenty of storage cabinetry as well as a 32-inch LCD TV
and DVD player.
Rear Bathroom
The rear bath area features a solid surface vanity with recessed bowl and a macerator toilet. A modular circular
shower ensemble with rain effect glass and molded sitting bench is illuminated by a large frosted skylight to provide daylight
illumination for the bath area. A cedar lined, full width, rear wardrobe closet provides plenty of room for your clothing.
|
The guest bath is located mid-ship and features a china bowl toilet, vanity and mirrored medicine cabinet.
|
The rear bath also features a modular shower with circular doors to eliminate water dripping on the floor when opened.
|
The spacious rear bath area contains a macerator style toilet, a solid surfaced vanity, and overhead medicine cabinet
and a full width rear wardrobe.
|
Utilities
The Onan 8,000-watt generator mounted on a powered slide out system enables the lower portion of the
front cap to extend with the generator for ease of access. An Onan EC-30 automatic generator start module will auto-start the
generator should the battery voltage fall to a preset level or if the thermostat calls for cooling when shore power is not
available. A Precision Circuits energy management system sheds loads as needed to prevent tripping the pedestal breaker when
on 30 amp shore power and also interfaces with the dual 2,000-watt Magnum true sine wave inverters to provide additional
capacity. A 50-amp power cord reel is located in the basement for ease in connecting to shore power while a Surge Guard power
monitor watches over your valuable electrical components. A bank of eight, six-volt AGM batteries provides ample power to easily
meet the coach's 12-volt needs.
The plumbing service bay is equipped with a whole house water filter, a waste management pump, an
integrated black tank flush attachment and outside sprayer as well as the usual assortment of valves and controls.
Coach heating and domestic hot water is provided by the Aqua-Hot hydronic heating system which uses either
diesel fuel or electricity to heat the boiler to provide comfortable heating and unlimited hot water for long showers. The burner's
exhaust is routed to the rear of the coach rather than to the side due to the full wall slide out. The Aqua-Hot boiler is placed
at a right angle to the usual installation because the 150-gallon mid-ship fuel tank location doesn't permit a lateral installation,
which makes it a bit harder to access for service work.
Our coach was optioned with a 90-inch dual acting cargo slide tray in the first full storage bay that could
be accessed from either side. The second bay held a pair of 36-inch and 54-inch cargo slide trays so that one tray could be accessed
from one side without affecting the other side, allowing taller cargo to be placed there without worries about hanging up on the
frame rails. Although, with a 22.5-inch clearance between the bottom of the I-beam frame rails and the floor, there's plenty of room
for most large items.
|
The 8,000-watt Onan generator is mounted on electric powered slide rails. The lower portion of the front cap is mounted
to this framework to afford maximum access.
|
This coach was equipped with a 90-inch double acting full width cargo tray in the front bay and a pair of split
cargo trays in the second bay that can be accessed independently of each other. Side hinged doors with power locks
provide ease of access to any basement cargo.
|
The last curbside compartment places the air dryer, fuel filters, batteries, DEF tank and other service related items in
one common, easy to access location.
|
Driving the Revolution
Driving the Revolution was similar to most tag axle diesel pushers, which are known for excellent road manners.
The Liberty chassis is rock solid and squarely supports the interlocking superstructure to prevent the body from racking back and forth
in turns, which will minimize those squeaks and groans that typically occur once a coach has a number of miles on it. The front disc
brakes and engine exhaust brake performed well in bringing the coach down to a stop in short order while the 450hp Cummins brought it
right back up to speed with ease. Overall it looks like the Revolution is a winner.
Specifications
2014 American Coach Revolution 42W
Standard Features:
- Three 15,000 BTU ducted air conditioners
- Double door residential refrigerator
- Surround sound system with DVD player
- 32" LCD front overhead TV, 40" LCD mid-coach TV
- Leather six-way cockpit seats with integral belts
- Villa Ultra Leather interior furniture
- KVH in-motion satellite dome
- Dual 2,000 watt pure sine wave inverters
- In-dash GPS navigation system
- Built-in central vacuum cleaner with dust pan
- Power patio and door awnings
- Keyless entry system and baggage door locks
- Waster management pump
- AGM maintenance free batteries
- Aqua Hot 450 hydronic heating system
- Onan 10,000 watt Quiet Diesel generator
- Fisher-Paykel dishwasher drawer
- Stackable washer and dryer
- 90" slide out cargo tray in first full bay
- 36"/54" split cargo trays in second full bay
- King bed with memory foam mattress
Price as Tested $384,265 (MSRP)
Specifications:
Gross Vehicle Weight: 44,700 lbs.
Gross Combined Weight Rating: 59,600 lbs.
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 8,340 lbs.
Trailer Hitch Capacity: 15,000 lbs.
Wheelbase: 302 inches
Overall Length: 42 feet 11.5 inches
Overall Width: 102 inches
Overall Height: 12 feet 11.75 inches
Fresh Water: 100 gallons
Gray Water: 60 gallons
Black Water: 40 gallons
Chassis: Freightliner rear engine diesel
Suspension: Air-ride suspension
Brakes: Front ABS air disc, rear drum
Fuel Tank: 150 gallons
Trailer Hitch Capacity: 15,000 lbs.
Engine: Cummins ISL9
Horsepower: 450 HP at 2,100 RPM
Torque: 1,250 lb-ft at 1,300 RPM
Transmission: Allison 3000 series 6 speed automatic
Source
American Coach, Inc
(800) 435-7345
www.americancoach.com
Return to Home Page
If you enjoyed this article be sure to recommend RVtechMag.com to your friends, like us on Facebook or Twitter
or subscribe to our RSS feed.
|
