Where “aero” meets Class A in the motorhome world, infused with a European flair.
By Bruce W. Smith
June 2024
Seldom does anyone use the word “aerodynamic” when talking about a Class A motorhome. Although some RV manufacturers have started to give serious thought to the importance of vehicle fluid dynamics as it relates to Class A fuel efficiency, interior highway quietness, and overall aesthetics, the majority are still rolling out big, boxy wind pushers.
At Coachmen RV, the debut of the all-new 2024 Euro 25EU gas-powered motorhome suggests the company is kick-starting a new era of aerodynamic motorhomes. This 27-foot-9-inch Class A looks sleek, with its rounded nose, sloped windshield, and slightly canted sides that curve in ever so gradually toward the roof.
The Euro is a big departure from previous Coachmen motorized products. Yes, the Euro 25EU is built on the Ford F-53 RV chassis, as are Coachmen’s popular Miradas, Encores, and Pursuits. But it reflects a little different approach to overall design.
Occupants enjoy elegant seating and expansive window views.
The gas-powered Euro is built on Ford’s 178-inch F-53 chassis, which is one of the shortest of seven wheelbase options. Its overall height is 18 inches shorter and 3 inches narrower than traditional Class As; this results in better handling than its larger Class A brethren, according to Zach Eppers, national sales manager for Coachmen Class A gas motorhomes. This new coach is also loaded with all the driver safety and convenience features that Ford delivers with the F-53 platform, such as electronic stability control.
The motorhome’s European body design is also said to be quieter inside when moving down the road compared to its stablemates. That should be good news for family RVers who enjoy long road trips.
“The all-new Euro provides the compactness, look, and features of a European motorhome with North American creature comforts,” Eppers said. “Most of our inspiration for this unit came from European Class As. Overseas, the Class As are smaller, more narrow, and maximize all space. We took the same approach to not only size but also the décor and floor plans.” He added that Coachmen designers also wanted to incorporate some North American comforts, such as a larger bedroom and bathroom area.
ROOMY BEDROOM
The 25EU contains a rear bedroom with a king-size bed in the street-side slideout.
Coachmen’s Euro 25EU, and the soon-to-follow 25TB (the latter featuring twin beds and a living-room slideout), can sleep four. The 25EU’s bedroom is part of the rear slideout and incorporates a king-size bed that you can walk around. A trio of cabinets hangs overhead, and ports to charge electronic devices are located on each side of the bed.
At the foot of the bed is the wall shared with the adjoining bathroom, which contains a porcelain toilet with foot flush and a one-piece 24-inch-by-36-inch ABS shower with a glass door and skylight. The shower is adjacent to a vanity outfitted with a stainless-steel sink under one of the coach’s numerous flush-mounted square windows. The bathroom should be just the right size for a touring couple.
The Euro also comes plumbed for a stacked washer/dryer combo, also located in the rear of the coach. If there’s no washer/dryer, the space becomes a second closet like the one opposite it on the street side.
SMART-LOOKING GALLEY
While the bedroom and bathroom layouts are somewhat predictable, in my opinion, the Euro’s galley is more exciting and boasts a better layout than one finds in most small Class As. It could be called a “chef’s kitchen” for the way it’s arranged and equipped.
The galley includes a stainless-steel vent hood over an induction cooktop and a convection-microwave oven below the counter.
The most striking aspects of this galley are the big stainless-steel vent hood, the overhead cabinets, and the angled counter workspace that houses a deep stainless-steel sink. The solid-surface countertop contributes to the sleek look. Coachmen interior designers placed the microwave oven beneath the induction cooktop and incorporated soft-touch push-button latches on the under-counter cabinets and doors. All drawers roll out on ball-bearing slides and feature self-close mechanisms. A stainless-steel double-door refrigerator stands on the curb side adjacent to a small pantry. Overall, the galley appears to be a well-equipped area in which to prep and serve meals.
LOUNGING IN COMFORT
The front half of the Euro is dedicated to relaxing and entertaining. Buyers can choose between the Chiffon (pictured) or Sandcastle interior color décor options to go with the Cloud/Shadow wood and trim.
The Euro’s expansive front window and big, square side windows should provide a great view of the surroundings. The front windshield has power shades. The front cockpit seats swivel to the lounge seating. This nicely furnished coach offers plenty of places to plug in electronics, stretch out, or relax and watch the big TV located on the street side. The TV hangs above two seats that look similar in design to the cockpit chairs. A removable Lagun table installs between the lounge chairs and doubles as a comfortable place to eat or serve guests. Opposite is a 63-inch sofa that converts to a bed.
As for heating and cooling, the 2024 Euro 25EU comes with dual 15,000-Btu A/C units and a 30,000-Btu furnace that combine to keep owners quite comfortable during all four seasons.
READY FOR THE ROAD
The Euro offers 300 watts of solar power and is set up for 12-volt/120-volt power with a 55-amp converter. It also comes with a super-quiet Cummins Onan 5.5-kilowatt gasoline-powered generator for times when the sun or shore power doesn’t meet the current need.
The 80-gallon fuel tank gives the Euro 25EU a comfortable driving range, while the 50-gallon fresh-water tank and 31-gallon black- and gray-water tanks should be able to accommodate dry camping for the better part of a week.
Need to tow a trailer that houses your toys or another vehicle? The factory receiver hitch is rated to tow up to 8,000 pounds.
All in all, the Coachmen Euro 25EU looks like it will be well received among those who are seeking a fresh-looking, nicely designed Class A motor coach. I think this crossover blend of stylish European looks with the creature comforts favored by typical American RVers will be a winner.
SPECIFICATIONS | COACHMEN EURO
MANUFACTURER
Coachmen RV, 423 N. Main St., Middlebury, IN 46540; coachmenrv.com; (574) 825-5821
MODEL
2024 Euro
FLOOR PLAN
25EU
CHASSIS
Ford F-53
ENGINE
Ford 7.3-liter V-8 EFI; 335 horsepower and 468 pound-feet torque at 3,750 rpm
TRANSMISSION
TorqShift 6-speed automatic overdrive with tow/haul mode
TIRES
245/70Rx19.5G
WHEELBASE
178 inches
BRAKES
four-wheel disc with ABS
SUSPENSION
Ford/Coachmen
ALTERNATOR
210 amps
BATTERIES
chassis — (1) heavy-duty 12-volt, 78-amp-hour, 750 cca;
house — (2) 6-volt, 75-amp-hour; available Lithium Package includes (1) 460-amp-hour lithium battery and 3,500-watt inverter
ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps
GENERATOR
Cummins Onan 5.5-kw gasoline
EXTERIOR LENGTH
27 feet 9 inches
EXTERIOR WIDTH
99 inches (without mirrors)
EXTERIOR HEIGHT
11 feet 1 inch (with A/Cs)
INTERIOR HEIGHT
6 feet 8 inches
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
23,000 pounds
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
16,000 pounds
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
front — 6,500 pounds;
rear — 11,000 pounds
OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (OCCC)
1,600 pounds
HOLDING TANKS
fresh water — 50 gallons;
gray water — 31 gallons;
black water — 31 gallons
FUEL CAPACITY
80 gallons
PROPANE CAPACITY
20 gallons
WATER HEATER
tankless
HEATING SYSTEM
30,000-Btu furnace
AIR CONDITIONING
(2) 15,000-Btu units
REFRIGERATOR
10-cubic-foot stainless-steel double-door
WARRANTY
chassis — 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles;
coach — 1 year/12,000 miles
MANUFACTURER’S BASE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$214,000