By Len Souza
Last week I had an opportunity to drive a new Country Coach Intrigue motor home across the country for six days over a distance of 3,200 miles. The trip originated at the Country Coach factory in Junction City, Oregon and it ended in Perry, Georgia at the site of the FMCA National Winter Rally.
Prior to this I had never driven a High Line diesel pusher more than 10 or 20 miles during various test drives. This trip would be a new experience for me and it would test of my fortitude, as the schedule required that I drive 500 miles each day and deliver the coach in 6 days. This would require me to drive 9 to 10 hours each day. I normally drive no more than 5 or 6 hours each day when I travel in my own gas powered motor home.
This driving experience was a real eye opener for me; it taught me some valuable lessons. The people who have experienced a High Line diesel motor home will tell you that you are much more rested at the end of the day and they state that “getting there” is over half of the enjoyment of traveling by motor home. After this trip, I am a believer!
My overall impression can be summarized with two (2) words, Confidence and Comfort. The Confidence came about because of the superb road manners that this coach exhibited; it tracked between the lines exactly where I pointed it and with no effort on my part. The road conditions didn’t seem to deter or challenge this coach; I encountered crosswinds of over 30 MPH at one point and very rough roadbeds at several points along the 3,200 miles. None of these conditions affected this motor home, it just kept moving along in the exact direction that I pointed it in. The powerful ISL 400 Cummins propelled the coach along effortlessly, even up steep grades.
The Comfort associated with driving this motor home was not only enjoyable but it afforded me one very important benefit, it did not fatigue me. At the end of each day I felt great after having driven for 9 or 10 hours; I was a bit astonished, as I hadn’t expected this outcome. The chassis, with its air suspension ride and precise power steering with the great tactile feel--help this Country Coach earn the title of “High Line” motor coach. I also had the opportunity to get intimately familiar with the coach as I inspected it very closely twice each day out on the road. The quality that I saw in the chassis-joint welds, the cabling and the inside and outside hull construction was very impressive. The coach displayed a very high degree of “Fit and Finish” excellence.
After this driving experience I have a much better realization and appreciation for the value that a High Line diesel motor home affords its owners.
Ed Note: Len Souza is a regular contributor to our "Guest Editorial" Section.