case) to create as much living space as possible. For instance, both the front living room and rear bedroom have opposing slides that offer lots of floor space. In the bedroom this fact creates another lounge space as the wardrobe slide also car- ries the 32-inch HD TV and vanity counter area. While there are no other chairs in this space, the optional king bed in my tester came with a memory foam mattress that could incline the head of the bed providing a comfortable reclining posi- tion for reading or viewing. This bed is easily walked around and offers a high ceiling and large opening window across the back of the trailer. Of course it also has its own door to the bathroom as well as a passage door. The word residential comes up often in the company liter- ature. I take it to mean that amenities are like those at home. That’s no surprise for a unit that is meant to be a full-timer RV—however Coachmen has included a few features that others often miss. A full-size kitchen garbage can for one. A dedicated spot for a laundry hamper and the rough-ins for a stackable washer/dryer and second A/C unit. The kitchen can also be equipped with a large 12-cubic-foot refrigerator with ice maker. All these things are items you’d have at home, so why not in your RV? The living room is a sizable entertaining space with op- posing couches in the slides plus an oversized rocking re- cliner. Everything is anchored by the 50-inch smart TV that has its own keyboard so it can stream the Internet. This TV is centered in the beautiful cabinetry that takes up the entire front wall including a built-in electric fireplace. One of those couches is also a Lane sleeper sofa. This effectively puts over-
night guests at the other end of the unit for more privacy. Another interesting note is the headroom in the nose. While it’s less than a rear living room setup, I found it ample. I think in part this is helped by the arched ceiling that visu- ally opens the space, plus the windows that flood the area with light. The middle of the coach houses the kitchen. This is also where the main entry door is—though there is a second door that opens into the bathroom. This puts the high-traffic area squarely onto the vinyl flooring, which looks like a wide-plank barn board complete with surface undulations. The stove, complete with burner covers, is housed in the fifth slide while the double sinks are 90 degrees to the right. This two-tiered counter has a reasonable amount of space. An added feature is that someone working here is facing the front living room making conversation easier. Another benefit to this design is the high ceiling in the kitchen where dining occupants can be cooled by the overhead ceiling fan. The Brookstone is a four-season trailer so special atten- tion has been paid to insulation, heating, thermal windows, heated tanks, and an enclosed underbelly. For the same reason, basement storage is large, ample, and also pass- through. Slam latches are a nice feature and the doors are insulated as well. As for towing—the Brookstone is a large trailer and needs an appropriately sized truck. Mine was a single-rear-wheel Ford F350 with the Power Stroke diesel engine. This was more than ample—not just for power but also for the feeling of confidence that comes with a heavy chassis towing a heavy trailer. Pin placement on the Brookstone offered 90 degrees of turning, which is handy with a trailer this long. The 7,000- pound Dexter axles carry 16-inch tires. The trailer also has a system called Correct Track Suspension Alignment. Along with the Mor/Ryde suspension, it tracks straight, turns easily, and covers uneven ground in the campground while staying close to level. A nice towing trailer overall. If you are in the market for an upscale fifth-wheel, for full- timing or otherwise, have a look at the Brookstone line. — Howard J. Elmer
2015 COACHMEN BROOKSTONE F375FL
FRESHWATER: 70 gallons GRAY WATER: 90 gallons BLACK WATER: 45 gallons AWNING: 17 feet BASE PRICE: $56,832.75
DRY WEIGHT: 12,290 pounds GVWR: 15,500 pounds LENGTH: 39 feet 6 inches HEIGHT: 12 feet 11 inches WIDTH: 96 inches
SUMMER 2015 COAST TO COAST 21
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