Within seconds of stepping into the 2010 Carri-Lite Emerald Fifth Wheel, I saw myself living in it. The more I learned about the quality and amenities, the stronger the desire became. “This is the Mercedes of the RV industry,” Rob Emahiser, a regional sales manager for Carriage, said proudly. “We’ve been making high end, full-time coaches for 41 years. It’s all we do.”

As I sat on the comfortable sofa and took in the tastefully appointed living room it was easy to understand why some choose to make this their full-time home. “A lot of people live and work in their Carriages,” explained Emahiser. “We even have a customer who is retired and living his dream traveling the country in his Carriage. He has also taken up playing on the senior PGA tour.”

The quality must be top notch for someone to live in a coach full time, and the Carri-Lite boasts plenty. “The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey traveling circus uses Carri-Lites,” smiled Tim Taylor, a sales consultant at Lazydays. “They pull these coaches 30,000 miles a year and they love them because they’re built to be lived in full time.” He continued, “Those who love the RV lifestyle and want to increase their time on the road are usually the ones buying a quality coach like the Carri-Lite.”

With its 5/8” plywood floors, dual layers of Owens Corning insulation, hung walls and 16” on center aluminum roof trusses, the Carri-Lite is constructed more like a house than an RV. Built on an aluminum frame, the quality is backed with a warranty that includes bumper-to-bumper coverage for two years.  

The kitchen is built with custom cherry wood cabinetry, double stainless steel sinks and residential-style appliances like an Amana stove and Sharp microwave. There’s abundant counter space for food prep and even a cubby cabinet to tuck away your food processor or coffee maker. The 3M water filtration system provides clean water for the entire coach out of a 112-gallon tank.  


A full-wall slide expands 18” and extends from the rear of the coach into the bedroom, creating nearly 400-s.f. of living space. There’s room for a king-size bed, and storage is plentiful, with a dresser and two wardrobes in the bedroom and vanity drawers in the bathroom. The walk-through bathroom is one of the most convenient features because it’s accessible from both the bedroom and the hall off the kitchen, which means you can get in without having to open the slide.  

Compared to other fifth wheel models, operating this 16,000-lb. coach was easy. Taylor explained the push button magic, prevalent throughout, which enables you to open and retract the awnings, extend the slide and even empty your tanks with the simple push of a button. Emahiser even demonstrated the ease with which the hitch connects in the bed of a pick-up truck. “We’ve built it so it’s simple,” he explains. “Anyone can operate it.”

A trip around the exterior had me visualizing a lazy evening watching the sunset after enjoying a nicely grilled steak. The awning, which runs almost the length of the living room, creates the perfect atmosphere for such outdoor relaxation. The grill, lounge chairs and so much more can be stored in the generous compartments beneath the coach.  “There are three separate areas for storage,” Taylor said. “The best part is that the pass through compartment is separate from the storage for your tools and generator, so you get to keep your nice things nice.”

Better RVing Advertisement
With residential type construction, quality amenities, and the capacity to bring everything you need with you, the Carri-Lite Emerald is the perfect answer to anyone searching for the ultimate coach to travel in full time. “97% of our customers say they would buy another Carriage or recommend one to a friend,” says Emahiser. Sign me up.


Approx. Dry Axle Weight (lb)* 11,070 - 11,210 lbs.
Approx. Hitch Weight (lb)* 3,000 - 3,175 lbs.
Approx. Total Dry Weight (lb)* 14,085 - 14,310 lbs.
Approx. Average Load Capacity (lb)* 2,790 - 2,930 lbs.
Exterior length 36' 11"
Exterior height 12' 8"
Axles 2
Furnace 42,000 BTU
Fresh water tank 112 gallons
Black water 32 gallons
Grey water 72 gallons
Water heater 12 gallons
Base price $100,415
Price as tested $136,965
*
 Above listed weights are actual units that include all slide out rooms and all popular options ordered on most coaches. These weights are provided as a guideline only. The actual weight of each individual unit (all units are weighed as they come off the production line) is posted inside each vehicle.
























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