Dana Philp 28+ years RV sales experience, black belt in RV fun

Barney Alexander Senior RV driving instructor, more than 44,000 students, soon to be retired

He’s taught more than 44,000 RVers how to drive a motorhome. She’s taught at least as many RVers how to have a good time. Here’s what happened when Lazydays’ senior driving instructor and the RV industry’s guru of fun took the 2012 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds for a spin.


EXTERIOR

Dana opens the Four Winds door for Barney and bows as she graciously shows him the way, like a chivalrous matador.
Dana: I’d make an “age before beauty” joke, but since this is your last month on the job I’ll go easy on you, Barney.
Barney: I appreciate that. My first coach was a Class C about this size. Most fun I ever had in an RV.
Dana: I’ll bet it didn't have an exterior protection like this coach. The slick fiberglass with gel and clear coat protects the paint and exterior so that both will hold up and look beautiful for a long time.
Barney: I also love the exterior storage compartment. It’s huge and has spaces that act as coolers when you add ice to them. The awning runs the length of the coach and the entry is nice and wide.
Dana: You’ll need that.
Barney: Hey, I thought you were gonna be nice.
Dana: Couldn’t help myself.

INTERIOR

Barney and Dana climb aboard and stand in the spacious interior admiring the surroundings.
Barney: The Four Winds is perfect for a family. Mom and Dad have the full-size bed and the kids can sleep in the overhead bunk. You’ve got everything you need for fun in this coach.
Dana: This is what we call a high-end, entry-level Class C. The features are high-end and the price point is entry level. The cabinet doors are solid wood. We’ve got a linoleum floor, which is easy to clean, especially when you’re coming off the beach and sand. We’ve also got a convection microwave oven with "chill grills" in the air conditioning vent; this cools the immediate area in front of the stove if it gets extra-hot there.
Barney: The bathroom has a porcelain toilet and a glass shower door like you might find on a Class A.
Dana: Ready to take it for a spin?
Barney: Let’s get to it.

COCKPIT

Barney sits behind the wheel and Dana readies herself in the passenger seat. With a turn of the key, the Four Winds’ engine roars to life.
Barney: With a Ford® V10 engine in a coach this size, we should get great gas mileage.
Dana: The seats are comfortable and we’ve got a weather band on our radio. That’s something you see on higher-end Class A models.
Barney: It comes in handy when inclement weather is in the area and you have to alter your plans. It’s always better to be at a campground wishing you were on the road than to be on the road wishing you were in a campground.

Barney puts the coach in gear and pulls away. After a few minutes, the Four Winds is on the highway cruising at 65 mph.
Barney: This coach handles beautifully. People like driving Class Cs because they’re in their comfort zone. It feels like you’re driving a pickup truck or an SUV.
Dana: Thor is a major player in the RV industry. They offer the “Shield of Protection” on all their coaches, which is a Gold Star Inspection before the coach ships from their factory. Each coach also comes with

Dana toasts Barney on his retirement.
He taught over 44,000 RVers how to
safely operate their motorhome.
Concierge Connection, a 24/7 customer hotline and “rapid response” on parts.
Barney: I’d recommend the powered, heated mirror package. A lot of people think heated mirrors are only for dealing with frost up North, but they will evaporate moisture in the rain. When you’re backing up, it’s always a good idea to lower your big mirrors so you can see your back tires. If you have the powered mirrors package, it’s easy to do.
Dana: So how are you going to spend retirement?
Barney: I’m going wherever it takes me.
Dana: What about your wife?
Barney: She’s already retired and hasn’t stopped smiling.
Dana: Not for long. Once you join her, she’ll realize that everything is double the price and half the fun.
Barney chuckles.
Dana: We’ll miss ya', Barney.
Barney: I won’t be far away. You can always find me at betterRVing.com.

The coach rides off into the setting sun.

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