2012 Gulf Stream Conquest Lodge 408FLR Review
Functional floor plans – check. Stylish design – check. Comfort and warmth – check and check. It’s great when everything on your check list comes standard in your RV, and the 2012 Gulf Stream Conquest Travel Trailer offers all that and more.
We had a chance to look around one of the new floorplans for the Conquest Lodge series models – the 408FLR. This model has a length of 40’6” and a height of 11’11”. It has a dry weight of 9,570 lbs and a hitch weight of 1,360 lbs. As well, the 408FL comes with a black water tank capacity of 37 gallons, a grey water tank capacity of 74 gallons and a six-gallon water heater. Other perks it comes with includes LP gas tanks that can hold 60 lbs, a 30,000 BTU furnace and a 13,500 BTU ducted air conditioner.
Built on a powder coated steel chassis, the 408FL’s front fibreglass cap is aerodynamic, which helps you cut wind resistance on the drive up to your camping site. Built using galvanized steel straps to increase roof-to-sidewall and sidewall-to-floor strength, the Conquest is made to give you and your family years of adventurous fun. Its tubular steel frame and full-width steel outriggers give this trailer added support. For comfort in any temperature, the Conquest is padded with energy-saving blankets of hand-cut fibreglass insulation in the ceiling, wall and floor. The one-piece seamless roof features strong wood decking, as well as reinforced truss-style roof construction. The floor is made using 5/8” floor decking that is screwed and glued to the floor joists and covered with durable heavy-gauge vinyl floor covering. Finally, the wood sidewalls are set with dado cross braces for stiffness and screwed into the floor for extra strength.
A really cool feature that comes with the 408FL is its patio door. The addition of this amenity really makes you feel like you’re spending a lazy summer afternoon chilling in the backyard. It’s always nice to see that an RV manufacturer has included some of the familiar features of home and incorporated them into a trailer.
If you and your family like to bring a ton of toys and equipment along for the ride, you’ll be happy that the Conquest has pass-through storage. And if you want to make the most of your time outside, you can choose to add on a sunroom that comes with a table, four chairs and three Vista windows.
We were impressed with what we saw in the 2012 Conquest 408FL. Boasting 8’ ceilings and 6’5” slide room height, you get a sense of spaciousness that can be hard to find in a travel trailer. There are three decor options to choose from, and the model we took a tour of was outfitted in Sierra Tan, a light brown selection that is unoffending and easy to match if you plan on adding a few of your own personal touches.
One of the things that caught our attention in the 408FLR was its large picture windows. Sure, you want to spend as much as your time outside, but you’ve got to come in every once in awhile. These windows are placed throughout the trailer, giving you the perfect view no matter where you are. Another great feature is the addition of two bathrooms. This is pretty rare to see in a trailer, and it ensures that no one will be stuck waiting – there’s a bathroom for you and one for the kids. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that.
The living area’s slide out gives you plenty of extra room to relax, especially on the leather-touch upholstery found on the large couch (that can be changed to a Hide-A-Bed sofa) and barrel chairs. In the entertainment unit, you’ll find a TV and an AM/FM/CD/DVD Touch Plex stereo system.
In the well-planned kitchen, the 408FL comes with just what you need to get cooking, which includes a three-burner range, an oven, a residential double-door refrigerator, a power range hood and a carousel microwave. Making life on the road easier, the kitchen also comes with a 60/40 sink, a high-arching faucet, and a heat- and stain-resistant countertop and backsplash.
There’s plenty of room for everyone to sleep. The kids have their own bunks, while mom and dad can retreat to the comfort of their master bedroom. There’s room for clothes and other essentials, thanks to the abundance of cabinets, wardrobes and closets. And if you want to put a TV in your bedroom, there are convenient cable hookups and AC outlets. When it is time to sleep, you’ll be putting your head down on a queen-sized bed with designer-coordinated adornments.
If you like extras, the Conquest has a few you may be interested in. They include an electric awning, electric hitch jack, a pots and pans drawer, an outside shower, a bike rack and Beauflor linoleum.
The 2012 Gulf Stream Conquest 408FL that we took a tour of had an MSRP of $32,700. For more information, visit http://www.gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/.
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