2018 Winnebago Sunstar 27PE

What denotes the prototypical RV? For simplicity we will exclude travel trailers and speak only of self-contained units. Even today’s new RVs are still old at heart; the ideology that is behind them is ancient. No matter what technological advancements, no matter how opulent, no matter what, any RV is just a mask placed upon the covered wagon. The beating heart of oxen that was at the core of the Oregon trail has transmogrified into the steady purr of V-10s and turbodiesels. Now you may ask “If the Oregon trail is the analogy you are going with wouldn’t a U-Haul be a more apt comparison?’’ Yes, but also no. As the covered wagon was a kind of moving truck that comparison is fine, but the RV is a cosplay of sorts, a costume; I mean this insofar as the sense of unincumbered freedom, endless opportunity, and the open road: these are the ideals which any RV is built upon. An RV is but the commodification of freedom.

The Winnebago Sunstar is a perfect example of this freedom; it is a compromise between the efficiency of a Class C and the complete comfort of a Class A, even to call it a compromise is somewhat incorrect as compromise implies, well, compromise, or the lack of something; to compromise means to give up certain benefits, a give and take. Not so here. Somehow this match just keeps the good of both classes without adding limitation. The shorter wheelbase, more common across the pond, makes the maneuverability second to none: you will be the jet ski in a sea of oil-tankers. The driver and passenger seat are impeccably comfortable, long hours were considered in their design. The exterior is incredibly stylish, but you already saw that in the photos.

The interior is quite large, two slide-outs aid in this obviously, but even more so is the painstakingly precise use of space. At the front of the unit is obviously your cockpit, but that is not all: with the flip of a switch a loft bed lowers from the ceiling, mirroring the cabover beds of Class Cs. This ingenious use of space ups the sleeping capacity by 2. The dinette has two cloth bench seats and the entire thing folds into a bed. So does the adjacent couch that looks upon the large TV. The kitchen is rather large and all of it is usable space. The three-burner stove and dual basin steel sink are notable highlights. The bedroom is separated by a sliding door and is also quite large. Included inside is a full-size mirror, TV, and a plethora of cabinets. The bed is a queen and incredibly comfortable. Attached to the bedroom is the bathroom, where the intelligent use of space continues. The backsplash matches the kitchen, and the sinks match as well. The toilet is out of the way and the shower is large and well lit.

The Winnebago Sunstar is an impeccable unit inside and out. It more than anything else represents the ideology of the RV: complete freedom. There comes a certain feeling, it comes on at about 80 mph, open road ahead, with just the right music on the radio; that is Nirvana, never mind what the spiritual leaders say, that moment, that feeling that emanates from so deep within: that is true spiritual enlightenment, and that is the feeling this RV is built around.