This new diesel pusher expands traditional Type A motorhome thinking with its sleek, contemporary styling and innovations.
By Mark Quasius, F333630
May 2018
Readers may remember Winnebago Industries’ iconic Itasca motorhome brand. Itasca’s flagship was the Horizon. Although the Itasca brand itself is no longer being produced, the Horizon name has been resurrected for Winnebago’s new diesel-pusher coach. Priced between the Journey and Grand Tour models, it boasts a completely new design, rather than a rehash of any existing styles. In fact, the Horizon brings a bold look with a clean, contemporary flair. It’s a fresh departure from traditional Type A motorhomes, with modern amenities and décor.
Chassis
We chose a 40A floor plan for this review, one of two available floor plans displayed during the RV Open House in Elkhart, Indiana, last fall; a 43-foot tag-axle, rear-bath model, the 42Q, also is available. The 40A is built on Winnebago’s exclusive Maxum chassis, a joint venture with Freightliner Custom Chassis. Power is supplied by a 400-horsepower Cummins ISL engine with a rear radiator and an exhaust brake.
The 40A has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 38,700 pounds, a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 53,700 pounds, and an unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) of 33,100 pounds. A 15,000-pound-rated trailer hitch is standard, as is a 100-gallon fuel tank. The 42Q tag-axle chassis has a 450-horsepower Cummins ISL engine, a 150-gallon fuel tank, and a larger GVWR.
Michelin XZA2 series 295/80R22.5 load range H tires are mounted on aluminum wheels. HWH automatic leveling jacks also are standard.
Construction And Exterior
The Horizon uses the same construction methods employed in Winnebago’s other motorhomes, such as a seamless fiberglass roof, vacubond laminated sidewalls, and aluminum framing. But that’s where the similarities stop. Take a close look at a Horizon and you instantly notice its departure from traditional styling. Two paint styles are available: traditional swoops-and-swirls full-body paint in four color selections, and four contemporary full-body paint schemes. Our subject coach was done in the Harvest Frost contemporary scheme, for a sleek and sporty appearance. Dual-pane tinted, frameless windows add to the sleek look.
LED lighting adorns the exterior, from the 21-foot power awning to the headlights, taillights, and marker lights. Multicolor ground-effects LED lighting is placed beneath the coach and can be controlled via Bluetooth from a smartphone.
Interior
High-gloss laminate surfaces, stainless-steel trim, and LED lighting behind sleek ceiling panels give the Winnebago Horizon a contemporary feel.
Walking into the interior of the Horizon is a unique experience. Gone are the traditional woodwork and cabinets. Instead, the motorhome displays high-gloss laminate surfaces and extensive use of stainless-steel trim. Winnebago designers have incorporated vibrant colors and precision-manufactured cabinet components from Italy. This coach was finished in the Gypsum interior décor scheme, with Cappuccino high-gloss woodwork. Stainless-steel trim, bright LED lighting, and light-colored high-gloss cabinetry, combined with lots of windows, provide a bright and cheerful living space. The slate-colored porcelain flooring and medium-gray furniture add just enough visual contrast to liven up the area. A stainless-steel ceiling centerpiece with embedded LED light strips further reinforces the contemporary styling.
The cockpit is functional, although I found the dash HVAC controls a bit low for the driver to see easily. A styled stainless-steel accent piece adorns the instrument panel. A 10.4-inch touch-screen infotainment center also displays the optional Rand McNally GPS navigation system. Stainless-steel trim accents are carried through to the illuminated cup holders.
The six-way power cockpit chairs are comfortable and include lumbar support and footrests. MCD privacy and solar shades for the windshield (powered) and cockpit side windows (manual) are standard.
The dash area in front of the copilot’s seat has a tray capable of holding a laptop computer. Below the removable tray is a storage area, as well as USB and 12-volt power receptacles. A second monitor recessed into the dash enables the passenger to help with navigation or switch between music sources.
The lounge area in the 40A contains Winnebago’s own Rest Easy sofa, which makes into a 79-inch-by-74-inch bed for additional sleeping accommodations. (An extendable sectional sofa comes in the 42Q floor plan.) The sofa is positioned opposite a 50-inch TV on a power lift. The lift allows the TV to extend from behind the dining area or to retract for unencumbered views out the dinette window. The Glide & Dine dining table — a Winnebago creation — actually slides. The table features a wall-mounted track that allows it to be slid off to one side to provide more floor space.
Next to the sofa is a comfortable reclining lounge chair. The end table beside it is fitted with a pull-out table that can be used as a desk or stored when not in use. A wide electric fireplace is located midships and becomes a focal point. Trim accents on the wall above it give this spot a residential feel.
The wall-mounted OnePlace systems center, another Winnebago creation, contains controls for the multiplex lighting, slideouts, climate control, and energy management systems.
The Horizon’s galley features a pull-out work area that is a variation on the usual cabinetry. The galley extension itself is stationary and mounted to the main floor. When the slideout opens, it exposes the galley extension; so, in this case, it’s the galley that moves, not the extension. The end result is the same in that it increases work space. Pocket doors on the large pantry open and disappear into the wall, exposing a microwave-convection oven, a dishwasher, and more workspace, all brushed stainless steel. A large stainless-steel, French door residential refrigerator is located just aft of the pantry; it features an in-door ice maker and water dispenser.
Opposite the refrigerator and pantry area is the bath. It contains a 30-inch-by-41-inch fiberglass shower stall enclosed by glass doors. The overhead skylight is surrounded by LED lighting. I noted storage space tucked everywhere in this bath. An electric-flush porcelain toilet, a Corian countertop with dual recessed sink basins, and a mirrored medicine cabinet complete the area.
The bedroom features a king-size bed, a 42-inch TV on a power lift, and a ceiling fan with recessed LED lighting.
The bedroom holds a 72-inch-by-80-inch king-size bed with an Ideal Rest air mattress that has individual digital controls. The bed also uses power to recline or incline the head end of the mattress so that occupants can comfortably watch the 40-inch HDTV across the room without having to stack up pillows for back support. The TV is mounted on a power lift that rises out of the cabinetry at the foot of the bed. A ceiling fan provides additional ventilation and is integrated with recessed LED lighting.
A wardrobe is located at the rear of the bedroom, hidden behind a pair of high-gloss laminate doors. Next to it is space for an optional stackable washer and dryer.
Utilities
AC power needs are met by 50-amp shore power or a 10-kw Onan Quiet Diesel generator operated through an automatic transfer switch. Six deep-cycle Group 31 marine batteries provide 12-volt power, while a Magnum 2,800-watt inverter/charger supplies 120-volt-AC to devices such as the refrigerator and certain receptacles while traveling or dry camping, without requiring the use of the generator. A 120-volt energy management system and an Onan Energy Command automatic generator start module finish off the power system.
HVAC needs are met by three 13,500-Btu rooftop air conditioners with heat pumps. An Aqua-Hot 400 hydronic heating system handles both interior heating zones and provides continuous domestic hot water.
The basement utility bay holds the usual selection of controls and valves for managing the plumbing system and includes a whole-house water filtration system, an on-demand water pump, and a winterization package. The fresh-water, black-water, and gray-water tanks hold 85, 57, and 89 gallons, respectively.
This coach has no propane-powered appliances, though a connection at the rear can accommodate a propane grill. Rather than dedicate a large, fixed propane tank, the Horizon has space for a removable 20-pound tank that feeds the outside grill connection. This tank can be removed easily for refilling or exchange without needing to move the coach.
Final Impressions
The Horizon’s clean design truly is a departure from the norm. Its contemporary styling sets it apart from the traditional decor prevalent in most coaches at this level, and I expect it will appeal to a younger crowd. It’s packed with features. The 40A is spacious, even with the slideouts retracted. Storage space is abundant throughout. Plus, the cockpit is comfortable, beckoning an enjoyable drive.
SPECS
Winnebago Horizon 40A
MANUFACTURER
Winnebago Industries Inc., 605 W. Crystal Lake Road, Forest City, IA 50436; (641) 585-3535; www.winnebagoind.com
MODEL
2018 Horizon
FLOOR PLAN
40A
CHASSIS
Freightliner Maxum
ENGINE
Cummins ISL 8.9-liter turbocharged diesel; 400 horsepower; 1,250 pound-feet torque
TRANSMISSION
Allison 3000 MH 6-speed automatic
AXLE RATIO
4.78
TIRES
Michelin XZA2 295/75R22.5
WHEELBASE
276 inches
BRAKES
full air brakes with ABS
SUSPENSION
front — air;
rear — FCCC V-Ride
ALTERNATOR
160 amps
BATTERIES
house — (6) deep-cycle Group 31;
chassis — 1,900 cca
INVERTER
Magnum 2,800-watt inverter/charger
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps
AUXILIARY GENERATOR
10-kw Onan Quiet Diesel
EXTERIOR LENGTH
41 feet 1 inch
EXTERIOR WIDTH
101.5 inches
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
12 feet 9 inches
INTERIOR HEIGHT
7 feet
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
38,700 pounds
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
53,700 pounds
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
front — 14,700 pounds;
rear — 24,000 pounds
OCCUPANT & CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (OCCC)
5,600 pounds
FRESH WATER CAPACITY
85 gallons
HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 57 gallons;
black water — 89 gallons
FUEL CAPACITY
100 gallons plus 10-gallon DEF
WATER HEATER
Aqua-Hot 400 hydronic heating system
HEATING SYSTEM
Aqua-Hot 400 hydronic
AIR-CONDITIONING
(3) 13,500-Btu units with heat pumps
REFRIGERATOR
residential
TOILET
porcelain; electric flush
WARRANTY
3 years/100,000 miles basic limited;
10 years limited parts and labor on fiberglass roof skin
BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$385,214
PRICE AS EQUIPPED
$392,089