Luxury definitely isn’t lost on the road
While luxury motor coaches are a tiny percentage of all the RVs on the road, they seem to garner most of the mass media’s attention.
It must be the “bling” factor.
For a look inside a few of these jaw-dropping estates-on-wheels, tune in to “Motor Mansions II,” airing on HGTV this weekend. (See complete air times inside.)
“These are definitely over-the-top motor coaches,” said Laura Sillars, director of original programs for Home and Garden Television.
“They are truly the ultimate dream fantasy machines,” she said.
What you will see during this hour-long program are lavish, million-dollar coaches – from sumptuous location trailers for Hollywood’s A-list to the deluxe road home of race car driver Danica Patrick.
These coaches are packed with plush leather furniture, marble baths, 14-karat gold fixtures, crystal chandeliers and cushy carpeting.
Celebrity rigs
HGTV calls them the “portable playgrounds of Hollywood’s elite.”
They are the rolling palaces Ron Anderson of Anderson’s Mobile Estates creates for film stars such as Will Smith and Robert DeNiro.
DeNiro’s rig, dubbed “The Heat,” has 1,200 square feet of living space on two levels. Among other details, it includes a gourmet kitchen, separate dressing room and an area to seat 30 people to review movie dailies.
Indy car sensation Patrick spends six months a year on the racing circuit. She tired of hotel living and wanted a sanctuary on the road with her own bath, bed and kitchen.
“Everything I need is in this bus,” says Patrick in the show. “It’s just more comfortable.”
Marathon Coach
Another segment shows a custom Marathon Coach being built in Coburg, Ore.
“We follow one couple through the process of designing their ultimate motor home from start to finish,” said Sillars from her office in Knoxville, Tenn. “Viewers will actually see the couple’s bus being made.”
Marathon Coach, a privately owned factory-direct business, began converting commercial bus shells into luxury RVs almost 25 years ago.
Today it transforms around 70 Canadian-made Prevost chassis each year into opulent coaches “designed to provide the amenities of a luxury home combined with the ultimate freedom of the RV lifestyle,” states the company’s Web site.
The coach featured in the show “cost about $1.7 million,” said Beth Stegall, marketing manager for Marathon Coach.
The five-month long conversion process began with a 45-foot long, 12-foot tall chassis.
The Utah couple who purchased the rig chose an exterior finish of black, white, silver and “a sharp teal color,” said Stegall from her Oregon office.
Standard specifications include in-motion satellite system, global positioning system, burglar alarm and Internet and telephone reception.
A long list of amenities includes an 83-inch interior height, four air conditioners, 42-inch plasma television, up to three slide-outs that almost double the living space and rich leather furnishings.
“We hope people will have the absolute pleasure of seeing all the incredible motor mansions in this show,” said Sillars.
HGTV airtimes
“Motor Mansions II” airs on HGTV (cable channel 68 in Spokane, 46 in Coeur d’Alene) on Sundayat 9 p.m. and repeats on Monday at 1 a.m. and June 10 at 5 p.m.
More information
“The Home and Garden Television Web site, www.hgtv.com, is an online resource with instructions for thousands of do-it-yourself projects, video tips and message boards. Topics include decorating, remodeling, gardening and crafts.
Once on the site, simple type “RV” into the search box, hit enter and up will pop more than three dozen links to programs on the recreational vehicle lifestyle.
“The headquarters of Marathon Coach Inc. is 91333 Coburg Industrial Way, Coburg, Ore. For coach information call toll-free (800) 234-9991 or go online to www.marathoncoach.com.
“For a look at Ron Anderson’s incredible conversions go to www.andersonmobileestates.com..