A motorhome for those seeking a vehicle with versatility.
By Lazelle Jones
May 2022
The mantra for Roadtrek’s entry-level Type B motorhome, the Play SRT, could be “Keep it simple and reliable.” The base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of this model is listed at $130,060, and the price of a totally equipped Play SRT is also $130,060. So, the question begs to be asked: “How can these prices be the same?” That’s because the Play SRT comes with no factory options. Roadtrek equips the coach with the essentials, such as air conditioning, a power awning, a microwave, etc. This unit comes ready for RVers to enjoy immediately.
Actually, one original-equipment option is offered. It’s a portable bunk that converts the two cockpit seats into a sleeping quarter that will comfortably accommodate a child or a small adult. Otherwise, all the features discussed in this review are standard factory-installed equipment.
The rear lounge in the Roadtrek Play SRT motorhome converts to a queen-size bed or can be configured as twin beds if desired.
Roadtrek does prewire the Play SRT so it is ready to accept aftermarket add-ons such as solar panels, interior audiovisual equipment, etc.
Many of today’s motorized-RV enthusiasts put a premium on being as stealth as possible when it comes to the exterior appearance of their vehicle (i.e., not looking like an RV), possibly because of restrictive homeowners association rules and regulations, or city parking ordinances. This alone makes the Play SRT an attractive choice. A couple of things have been done to arrive at this.
First, the exterior lines and surfaces are clean and uncluttered, much like those on a conventional passenger van, and will draw little attention when the coach is parked on a driveway. This unit’s overall exterior length is just under 20 feet, making it possible to park it on many residential driveways. From front to rear, its limousine-style windows are made of thick, black-tinted automotive-style glass. The dark tint makes it difficult for anyone walking by to look inside and realize the vehicle is a motorhome.
Exterior graphics are another giveaway that a unit may be a motorized RV. These are absent on the Play SRT; in fact, they are not offered. Four exterior paint choices are available, however.
Being a motorized RV does not detract from this unit’s automotive utility. The Play SRT measures 19 feet 7 inches long, with an overall width of 83 inches and an overall height of 9 feet 5 inches (including the roof-mounted air conditioner). It is a convenient size to use for running around town, hauling kids to a soccer game, and so forth. Furthermore, these smaller dimensions make it easy to drive and navigate, including in stop-and-go urban traffic.
The Play SRT is built on the Ram ProMaster 3500 chassis, a platform that has become a workhorse in the commercial delivery world. Its 3.6-liter V-6 24-valve engine is more than sufficient for merging into traffic on those quick freeway entries. The engine develops 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet torque at 6,400 rpm as it powers the coach down the road.
For passing other vehicles on mountain roads, the engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. For towing, the Play SRT, which is rated to tow 2,100 pounds, comes with a factory-installed Class IV receiver hitch.
The Play SRT works well as a passenger van also; it includes a bench-style rear seat that comes with three seatbelts. As for cargo, a sliding curbside entry door and a pair of center-open rear doors provide access for stowing and retrieving bulky items, either while camping or when bringing home those odd-size purchases from the hardware store.
The Play SRT has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 9,350 pounds. Its occupant and cargo carrying capacity (OCCC) is 2,100 pounds. The fresh-water capacity is 37 gallons — impressive for supporting off-the-grid, primitive RV camping. Roadtrek engineers achieved this volume by incorporating two fresh-water holding tanks, with a gravity feed between them. One tank holds 20 gallons; the second, 17 gallons.
The rear serves as a lounge/dining area with the stowable table in place.
The gray-water and black-water tanks hold 14 gallons and 8.5 gallons, respectively. These tanks utilize a conventional dump setup with pull-out valves. The waste holding tanks also can be dumped using the standard 12-volt macerator. A propane tank holds just under 6 gallons and serves as the fuel source for the 16,000-Btu forced-air furnace, the two-burner galley cooktop, and the on-demand tankless water heater.
When you look at the needs of those who enjoy primitive RV camping, Roadtrek has attended to these very well. One example is the coach’s electrical system. Its heart and soul is a 400-watt AGM house battery system, a 3,000-watt true sine wave inverter, and a second 280-amp auxiliary alternator (under-hood generator) that is driven by the engine. This under-hood generator is dedicated specifically to charging the house battery pack. Everything that operates on 120-volt AC power is powered off these house batteries via the inverter. And that includes the 11,000-Btu roof-mounted air conditioner.
When the Play SRT house batteries need charging, the engine is started and run until they are brought back up to the proper level. The engine is an efficient, quiet power source for this purpose. This charging feature will be especially appreciated when you’re spending the night, say, in a national park, where auxiliary generators on RVs must be shut down at 10:00 p.m. While everyone else may have to deal with high ambient temperatures, the Play SRT remains cool and temperate inside, because the air conditioner is in full operation using the house batteries.
The batteries provide power through the 3,000-watt inverter/converter as the source for 120-volt electrical receptacles, the microwave oven, and air conditioner. An additional power source becomes available for use and system charging when the vehicle is connected to 30-amp shore power.
The Play SRT is not designed as a four-season coach. The unit is not equipped to keep the holding tanks heated. However, winterizing the water system and enjoying the RV while utilizing travel stop facilities extends the true camping season for the RV owner. A higher-capacity furnace and good insulation help to provide cool-season comfort.
The roof A/C is directly ducted into the rear of the coach, and the forced-air furnace is ducted in the center area of the cabin. A single high-velocity power roof vent is positioned to exhaust stale, hot, or moist air from inside the coach. This includes ventilating the galley of cooking odors, as well as removing moisture that can originate in the permanent wet bath that’s located immediately aft of the driver’s seat. The wet bath features a marine toilet, shower, vanity, and light.
In the Play SRT, the ebb and flow between livability and functionality create a habitat on wheels that is inviting and comfortable. Factor into this the interior décor, which includes cherry finishes, along with wall surfaces, flooring, and upholstery that blend together in one interior décor package called California Grey. It is a visually pleasing combination.
Floor Plan Features
Livability begins with the floor plan and the way the appointments are configured and placed. At the touch of a button, the forward-facing power sofa, which stretches horizontally across the rear of the coach, instantly converts into a bedroom with a queen-size bed; it also can be configured as a sleeping quarter with twin beds. The queen bed arrangement is made possible by positioning the stowable tabletop where required and adding a cushion on top for support.
The wet bath and the galley are divided by a center aisle, with the refrigerator unobtrusively located at the foot of the bed area on the street side. At the foot of the curbside sleeping quarter, a hanging half-length wardrobe holds several garments.
The galley includes a two-burner cooktop and a stainless-steel sink, both with covers.
The full-service galley includes a two-burner cooktop, as noted. Its fold-down glass cover provides additional countertop surface when the cooktop is not in service. The solid-surface counter has a hinged extension that folds flat against the end of the countertop when not needed; it can be put into service quickly by lifting it up and locking it in place.
In the rear of the vehicle, the great outdoors can be enjoyed via a heavy-duty screen that rolls down; a zipper secures it to create a screened barrier across the back. A few handy storage pockets are stitched into the poly-mesh design.
In addition to the wardrobe, roll-out drawers and storage cabinets are located overhead and below the countertop. A roll-out drawer sized for stowing pots and pans is positioned beneath the refrigerator. The 700-watt microwave oven is located above the cooktop. Not only for aesthetics but for maintenance and ease of cleanup, the vertical surfaces behind and to the side of the cooktop are dressed in stainless steel.
Dining can be enjoyed in the rear of the motorhome, where a movable pole hosts the stowable tabletop. Or, up front in the cab, the two captains chairs turn to face aft, and the post and tabletop can be installed next to them. This setup also lends itself to using a laptop, sketching out trip plans, or enjoying a cup of tea or a latte without interrupting another occupant who may be using the rear salon.
For those who enjoy patio life, the Play SRT comes with an 11-foot power awning as well as an outdoor shower for rinsing off. The side sliding entry door features a heavy-duty roll-away bug screen.
Indoors and outdoors, for errands or getaways, the Play SRT deserves consideration for those interested in an entry-level Type B motorhome.
SPECIFICATIONS | ROADTREK PLAY SRT
MANUFACTURER
Roadtrek Inc., 20 Tyler St., Cambridge, ON N1T 0E4; www.roadtrek.com; (800) 762-3873, (519) 745-1160; www.roadtrek.com
MODEL
Play SRT
FLOOR PLANS
(1)
CHASSIS
Ram ProMaster 3500
ENGINE
3.6-liter V-6, 24-valve; 280 horsepower, 260 pound-feet torque at 6,400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
AXLE RATIO
3.86 to 1
TIRES
LT225/75R16E
WHEELBASE
159 inches
BRAKES
disc, antilock
STEERING
telescopic
ALTERNATOR
(1) 220 amps; (1) 280 amps, engine-driven coach under-hood generator
BATTERIES
chassis — 95 amps, 800 amps cca; house — 400-amp AGM battery system
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
30 amps
INVERTER
3,000-watt pure sine wave
EXTERIOR LENGTH
19 feet 7 inches
EXTERIOR WIDTH
83 inches
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
9 feet 5 inches (with A/C)
INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 2 inches
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
9,350 pounds
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
11,450 pounds
OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (OCCC)
2,100 pounds
FRESH WATER CAPACITY
37 gallons
HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 14 gallons; black water — 8.5 gallons
FUEL CAPACITY
24 gallons
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
low-octane gasoline
WATER HEATER
propane, tankless, on demand
HEATING SYSTEM
16,000-Btu forced-air
AIR-CONDITIONING
(1) 11,000-Btu
REFRIGERATOR
5-cubic-foot, 2-way (12-volt DC, 120-volt AC)
TOILET
marine style
WARRANTY
coach — 2 years, comprehensive/no mileage limit; powertrain — 5 years/60,000 miles, limited; chassis — 3 years/36,000 miles, limited
MANUFACTURER’S BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$130,060
PRICE AS REVIEWED
$130,060