The kitchen slide out does a neat trick; it pushes out to reveal a fixed counter that contains the sinks—when extended the kitchen is now L-shaped and with the sinks in the L offers a large amount of counter space next to the three-burner stove. This stove comes with an oven, and a range hood above it is also part of the built-in microwave. The hardwood cabinetry throughout the coach is carried right through the kitchenwith a wood-panelled refrigerator and large double-door pantry. Flooring throughout the unit is hard-wearing vinyl that has the look of marble tiles—even in the bedroom. Frankly, for cleaning purposes, this is ideal. The only carpet is found on the engine doghouse and under the dinette table. HVAC in the Sunstar is managed with a 14,000 Btu AC unit and a 30,000 Btu low-profile basement furnace with in-floor duct distribution. To provide AC power when you are boon docking, Itasca includes a 4,000-watt Cummins Onan MicroQuiet gas generator. Shore power, or the generator, also feeds the twin deep-cycle batteries. These have an auto-charge control; while the dashboard has a chassis battery switch (separate from the house batteries) that won’t let you drain the engine’s starting power. Outside you havemultiple basement storage compartments, with lighting and rubber-sealed slam-shut doors. The entrance step is powered and automatic. Above it is a powered patio awning and a porch light with interior switch that welcomes you home. So while I liked the compact driveability of the 27N, the Sunstar line actually features seven floorplans built on similar chassis that range in length from 26 to 37 feet. Each has slides with the larger units sporting several. Interiors can be customized by swapping out dinettes for couches or other available variations. But, for me, it’s the drive that matters in this window on the world.
ins for direct phone device connections. On the co-pilot’s side is an in-dash workstation with its own USB and 12V powerpoint. The countryside around London, Ontario, is flat farmland so I didn’t get a chance to feel the Sunstar’s hill-climbing ability—but then the Triton V10 is a long-serving motorhome engine with a decent reputation. On the flats it was more than adequate—whether on the country side lanes or merging on to the highway. What I noted during the drive (again thanks to the shorter chassis) was an almost complete absence of hobby horsing going over bridges, railway crossings, and on washboard roads. There is some side-to-side sway, as you’d expect from a coach this tall, but nothing to cause discomfort— even in brisk turns. The Triton engine makes 362 hp and with a GVWR of 18,000 pounds is a good match for this unit. Getting that power to ground is a TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission that also features tow/haul mode. The Sunstar includes a 5,000-pound hitch and 7-pin electrical connection as standard equipment. So while the drive is great—when you do finally get to your destination the little Sunstar opens up like a circus tent. The large passenger-side slide holds the whole kitchen and a chest of drawers in the master bedroom. A smaller opposite slide in the master pushes out a built-in wardrobe. Now there is a full walk-around for the 60x80-inch queen bed with nightstands and shirt closets above on each side. A hard, sliding door ensures privacy. The bathroom is large with a corner sink across from a huge semi-circular shower (with skylight). It is also located mid-ship. This location offers equal access to the master bedroom occupants and the guests that will utilize the powered drop-down queen- bed up front. That third slide out houses the built-in dinette. Its position opens up the kitchen floor space, and with the driver and passenger seats swiveled around, also creates the living room area. That makes the dinette the center of the action—with the TV on the wall behind it. Still it serves a second purpose by folding down into overnight accommodation—so in a pinch you can sleep six; though I see this as a unit for two.
LENGTH: 28’ 3” WIDTH: 8’ 5.5” HEIGHT: 12’ 2” INTERIOR HEIGHT: 6’ 8” EXTERIOR STORAGE: 123 cu.ft. GVWR: 18,000 pounds TOW RATING: 5,000 pounds ITASCA SUNSTAR LX 27N
FRESH WATER: 64 gallons GREY WATER: 53 gallons BLACK WATER: 43 gallons LPGAS: 18 gallons
22 COAST TO COAST SUMMER 2016
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