Ok, so maybe that is a long connection, nonetheless, why not? Well we can. Ask Open Range, they build one and it’s nice. Open Range is a new company that is thinking a little more outside the box then most RV companies. Their idea is to build something light, that people can tow easily, but still give it some luxuries. The light weight features aren’t mind blowing, it’s very obvious. For example, a standard slide out has a large motor, one or two drive pistons and extra framing. The Open Range doesn’t use drive pistons, they use steel cables and pulleys to operate their slides and since there isn’t as much weight hanging out there, the slides are deeper. Another example is the roof rafters, they are bevelled cutouts, not wood trusses. They also use a special Plylite plywood for the floors that is more porous then standard plywood. These are all simple things that pick up a few pounds here and there that really add up. That stuff is all nice and good, but it’s more fun to talk about the bells and whistles.

Where do I begin? Well the Open Range is an incredible four season unit. Thermal pane windows are an options. There is a Four Season Living Package. The slide outs are insulated with flex foil insulation. Flex foil is a reflective corrugated foil that is thin and weighs about as much as cardboard, but it provides an additional R-14 rating of insulation, that is substantial considering just how little it weighs. Also the pass through storage compartment is designed with an air return and furnace register, so air circulates throughout that compartment, just like the interior of the camper. The plumbing connections are enclosed in that compartment as well. The bedroom floor is insulated, you say, big deal, who’s isn’t? You’d be surprised if you knew how many companies don’t insulate their bedroom floors.

The interior is well designed and ascetically pleasing. The colors are all matched very well with the two tone wood decor. Open Range uses residential curtains, this is the first RV I have seen that actually uses real curtain rods instead of wood and fabric stapled together. Residential is a word thrown around way too much in this industry without actually thinking about what it means. The dining chairs look like actual dining room chairs, not miniature RV chairs. The kitchen is well appointed with a wine rack and spice rack under the sink. The counter tops are a solid surface that is as durable as Corian, but lighter. The floor plans available so far are all enclosed bathroom layouts, which is ideal. Does your house have the shower in the bedroom? I think we can call that a residential feature.

Open Range was also smart enough to realize that when you buy an RV you should be able to get what you need without having to go to Camping World a dozen times. The Open Range is the only fifth wheel to offer a built in King Pin Stabilizer that folds up underneath the bedroom to save storage space. What is an outside cook top? A stove outside? How about a real grill? I can’t cook a cheeseburger on a stove! Open Range has a slick slide out LP grill. How about a max air cover? Now you can leave that overhead vent open and get that cheeseburger smell out of your kitchen without worrying about rain. The gutter spouts keep those black streaks off your brand new, shiny Open Range. The power awning is quick and easy to setup, that just means you can start your vacation faster.

The Open Range offers a great selection of features that work for you, the RVer. It truly is a new product in a traditionally old fashion business, check it out. Now I’ve got to go make some burgers, I made myself hungry!

When we got the brochures for the Hurricane I was immediately taken back by how many floor plans they had. 10 floor plans is a lot for an RV company, but motorized when you have to deal with chassis sizes it becomes more complicated. The Hurricane offers floor plans of 30′ to 35′, which is a good range in size. They even have bunk house model (34B), that is a rarity in motor homes, not with the Hurricane. At Tiara RV Sales we are pretty proud of our reputation for being toy hauler specialists. Well Hurricane has a toy hauler (34Y). It has two slides, good storage, bunk bed in the garage and it is priced right. So choices, Four Winds gives you lots of choices with Hurricane. Who doesn’t like choice? They have three different wood colors too. More choice. There is an extremely usable options called Mega Storage that they offer in three different layouts. It is a massive storage compartment in the back, it’s tall and is a pass through compartment as wide as the Hurricane. You can put all kinds of stuff in there. Fifth wheels don’t offer this much storage.

There is a lot of eye appeal to the Hurricanes. The fiberglass front and back caps have good, smooth lines that look good with the paint packages. For a lot of people the looks are the important part, and I don’t blame them, when your spending this kind of money you want it to look sharp. Four Winds puts some real gut features into play on their motor homes that really separate themselves from the pack. The frame rails on the chassis that hold the actual camper box are fully extended, most manufacturers have an overhang. The TV over the dash is secured with a steal frame and bolted in, in case you survive an accident the TV won’t knock you out. They use an inter-locking roof system that all their roof components are joined together, almost like puzzle pieces. Those are the guts, you might never see any of those features. But you will see the day/night shades instead of just a single blind. How about a pull out battery tray? Have you ever tried to unload a couple 12V batteries, it isn’t always easy. A simple slide out battery tray will fix that. The drawer guides are steal with ball bearings and fully extended so it is easy to get to the back of them. There are soft touch ceilings, which are traditionally used in only the highest end RVs.

The Four Winds Hurricane is a good motor home, built by a reputable company. They offer a lot of value for your money, who doesn’t like that?

Then came the Inferno.

I went over to the factory to take some initial pictures of the first prototype. It was impressive to say the least. The front cap struck me at first. There is a silver Inferno logo insert that is attached to the front cap. Behind that logo is a neon light that can be turned on the light up the Inferno logo. At night it is such an eye catcher, it almost looks like it’s on fire. I can only imagine what it’d look like out in the desert some night.

On the outside the graphics are outstanding. The decals are huge on the Inferno, some stretch half way across the unit. Another neat feature is some of graphics have a sparkle finish, so in the sun it really shines, it really must be seen to believe. Another unique feature that I suspect will eventually be on more and more campers is hydraulic landing gear. They move extremely fast and are exceptional to level the RV.

The biggest plus of the Inferno that I’ve seen so far is the floor plan. (4012SL)

It provides so much flexibility for customers. It can be a great trailer for groups of people of for just a couple that needs lots of storage space. There is good sleeping space in the loft with the stair case. The bedroom and bathroom has good privacy, but is functional for guests. So many toy haulers have terrible TV locations, but the Inferno has a good location with a nice a entertainment center. The dinette seats plenty of people as well. The Inferno garage is 12′ long, and there is an option for electric bunk beds. Also under the steps KZ made room for either a washer and dryer or a keg refrigerator. If you don’t want either it comes as a cabinet. But the garage has enough usable space, it isn’t broken up by wheel wells framing obstructions, it is just a nice, well polished coach.

If your familiar with KZ products like the New Vision and the Sportsmen, then you’ll understand when I say the Inferno looks nothing like any other KZ product, but it is built by the same workers. you know it’s going to be well built and have a good warranty that is backed by a good company.

KZ is working on more floor plans a 3912 and a 3812 and I suspect it to be introduced sometime in the near future. The Inferno looks like it’s going to be a hit with RVers. It’s a very nice mix of features, but it is still affordable.