Hi there! I am looking at trading in my 2014 class C Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS for a 2016/2017 Thor Challenger 37LX. I went to my local dealership today and walked through a 37LX and have a few questions I'm hoping some other Challenger owners can answer for me.
1. I thought that the 2016 Challengers were coming with a 6-speed transmission. I took a picture (see attached) and it says both the Product Year and the Chassis Year are 2016 but then lists the transmission as a 5-speed. Does anyone know when the Challengers starting getting built with the 6-speed transmission? If I decide to buy one, I would be placing an order probably in the next few weeks.
2. I opened up the closet that's listed on the floor-plan as washer/dryer prep but I didn't see any prep. There were some shallow pull-out shelves and at the top, a rod to hang clothes on but I didn't see any plumbing/vents ran to the closet. Was it just hidden? I guess you can't order the Challenger to come with washer/dryer; you have to install it aftermarket? I really liked those shallow shelves and hate the thought of losing them. I wish they could be relocated to the other closet.
3. The dealership said if I order a Challenger, it would be a 2017 model year, but how would I know if anything is changing? I asked the dealership and they told me nothing is changing for the 2017 model year, but is that really true? Don't the manufacturers tweak stuff each year? I don't see the 2017 listed on Thor's website. I particularly want the stainless steel sinks and would be really bummed if I order a 2017 and the sinks are no longer stainless. The same question about the fabric choices; do they change for each model year?
4. Did any of you get the 3-burner cook-top with the oven, or just the 3-burner cook-top and keep the cabinets in lieu of the oven? I have a convection oven in my current RV but never use it because I'm just in the habit of using the "real" oven. Do any of you use the convection oven to cook? Is it a good replacement for a "real" oven?
5. Are the dual-pane windows worth the extra cost?
6. Please tell me about your cabinet and fabric choices. I am thinking of going with the Napa Valley with the Resort Cherry cabinets (assuming they haven't changed when I got to order mine). The Challenger I looked at today had the Laguna decor which I didn't love; I want something a little darker. It appears from the brochure that the Napa Valley will be suitable but it's always hard to tell from a picture.
Thank you for any information you can provide!
-Rhiannon
Thor Forums
