Offered at $315,271 the 36’ MDDS Alpine Coach Limited SE Edition is a mid-ship entry floor plan that was introduced in direct response to market research conducted by Western RV.  This research identified two components that are important to many coach enthusiasts.   First, they enjoy the luxury coach lifestyle and will not settle for less than the high level of motive prowess that is associated with a diesel pusher,  On this point the Limited SE Edition is right on target for it features a 400 horsepower Cummins turbo charged diesel engine that delivers 1200 lb. ft. torque and can tow an additional 10,000 pounds.  This research also discovered that there are coach enthusiasts who prefer the efficiencies and functionality associated with a mid-entry coach.  These efficiencies include ease of loading and unloading for a mid entry coach does not require gear be brought to the front of the coach and past the passenger’s seat as a front entry coach does.

Some coach enthusiasts are sensitive to even miniscule amounts of noise that can be caused by air leakage around a front bus style door.  Also the passenger riding in the cockpit does not have to contend with opening and closing the stairwell cover above the entry steps. There are also those who simply prefer the exterior lines of a mid-entry style coach. 

The 36 MDDS side entry features two slide-out rooms.  The rear stateroom slide houses a large wardrobe with and multiple layers of stacked drawers.  It shares space with the bathroom lavvy that also extends and retracts.  The front slide houses an L-shape galley and a sofa/sleeper.   Both slides are located on the driver side of the coach, a design that accommodates those who want full use of the outside patio area. 

 The road manners and driving characteristics of the Alpine have been well attended to.  It rides quietly and accelerates and brakes aggressively.  A single piece windshield enhances visibility from the cockpit.  The brake and accelerator pedals are adjustable and can be tailored to fit the body mechanics of each driver.  A power adjustable seat and tilt/telescoping steering wheel also help provide a very custom feel for each driver.  Power adjustable sun visors raise and lower at the touch of a button.  The two stage Jacobs exhaust brake toggles easily from no brake, to low brake to high exhaust brake.

Dash instrumentation is easy to read.  An optional SmarTire® Monitor System provides pressure and temperature for each tire and alerts the driver to possible under inflation, loss of tire pressure or heat buildup.  When towing a trailer or a vehicle this system can be tapped into and used to monitor the tire pressures and temperatures on that unit as well.  The smart steering wheel controls a number of functions including wipers, cruise control, etc. 

This luxury coach  incorporates the new patent-pending SmartBed® system that permits ease of access to items stored at the very back of the deep basement slide-out trays.  The touch of a button articulates the SmartBed.  The power patio awning comes with a wind sensor that reads wind velocity and automatically retracts the awning to protect it should a wind gusts exceed a specific set point.   

WRV relies upon a technology used in the heavy shipping, railroad and cargo transport industries to build their Peak Chassis.  They don’t weld the structural members. They use a process called Huck® bolting.  In the simplest terms threaded mechanical fasteners are passed through the steel members, the fasteners are stretched and torque applied to a nut that is threaded on the end of the fastener.  The excess fastener is sheared of and the tension relaxed.  It is incredibly strong! 

The air ride suspension includes large low pressure/high volume air bladders that respond to changing road conditions and changing ride heights by regulating the amount of compressed air in each bag.  Self adjusting gas shock absorbers and a front anti-sway bar augment this function.  The brakes are 15” ABS hydraulic disc brakes (all wheels).  A four-point hydraulic leveling system is standard.

A 42,000 BTU forced air furnace is standard while an Aqua-Hot Heating system is available as an option.  The Aqua-Hot heats the house, basement, holding tanks, domestic water and it can pre-heat the diesel engine in cold weather.  Engine heat can be used in reverse to heat the Aqua-Hot system.  15,000 BTU roof AC's can be augmented with optional heat pumps.  An 8.0 kW diesel auxiliary generator and 50 amp shore power (with power cable reel) are standard. The diesel genset features an auto-start function so if battery voltage drops below a certain voltage the diesel genset automatically starts.  An optional 100 watt solar panel provides a continuous charge even under cloudy conditions.  The 2000-watt inverter and house batteries can power everything onboard with the exception of the roof AC units.  The Alpine includes as standard an Automatic Battery Fill System. 

The walls and roof are vacuum laminated and feature a gel-coat fiberglass exterior.  Full body paint and graphics are standard.  Thermal pane windows include a reflective solar material that minimizes glare while protecting the interior décor from sun damage.  The 14 cubic foot side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, triple burner cook top range, microwave/convection oven and dual tub sink round out the full service galley.  Solid surface counter tops and wood cabinetry throughout the coach make the interior both elegant land low maintenance. An optional Dish Drawer is available.

The center aisle bath includes a private water closet and a large shower and lavvy.  Together the bathroom and stateroom create a giant suite that includes a queen size bed with a Bodyrest® Pillow Top mattress.  Like the salon area the stateroom comes with its own flat-screen television, integrated DVD player and a separate satellite receiver.

 The salon is appointed with a sofa sleeper and a rocker recliner that are dressed with UltraLeather®.  A dinette and two upholstered chairs share the curbside wall.  Ceramic tile dresses the cockpit, with carpet in the mid-ship sofa area, ceramic tile in the galley and bath and carpet in the rear stateroom.  The liberal use of mirror visually enhances the already spacious feeling this coach exhibits.  Happy Traveling! (www.wrv.com )