2011 Monaco Riptide 33SDD Review
Ride on a wave of convenience and comfort with the 2011 Monaco Riptide Class A motorhome. Available in a choice of three interior décors, two exterior graphics packages, and four floor plans that range in length from of 30 to 34 feet, there’s a Riptide to meet your RVing needs.
Ideal for the travellers who appreciate living the high life while on the road, the Riptide has everything you need to get to your destination in style. We’re going to take a look at the 33SDD, the second largest model in the series. It measures in at with an overall length of 33′ 11″, an overall height of 11′ 8″, an interior height of 79″, an interior width of 95.5″ and an exterior width of 99″.
Providing you with plenty of power and durability, the Riptide is built on a Ford chassis with 6.8L Triton V-10 gasoline engine and 5-Speed TorqShift automatic overdrive transmission with tow/haul mode. Making the drive a safe and smooth one, the Riptide is outfitted with front and rear disc 4-wheel antilock brakes, a 130-amp alternator, radial tires, rear multi-leaf spring suspension and automatic hydraulic levelling jacks. Other features that will make the drive that much cushier include a heavy duty front track bar with shock absorbers, a 5,000-pound hitch receiver with 4- or 7-pin dual connector, a 12V chassis battery and a battery boost start switch.
The Riptide is built with a fully welded tubular aluminum roof, sidewalls and floor, seamless fiberglass exterior sidewalls, a rubber roof with metal radius cap and a one-piece fiberglass front cap. Keeping your environment comfortable is its fully laminated roof, walls and floors with high-density block foam insulation. Giving it a sleek appearance is a one-piece rear cap with large auto-style taillights, a deluxe black exterior mirrors and deluxe vinyl graphics package. And in case you really want to load up with luggage and provisions, this RV comes with pass-through storage areas complete with flush-mount radius baggage doors, as well as one-piece polyethylene storage compartments. Other features include fog lights, rear wheel mudflap, a rear ladder and an automatic electric exterior entrance step.
You need some juice out in the wilderness and the Riptide has got you covered. Equipped with a 50-amp 120V distribution panel, 50-amp electronic 12V power converter and Onan 5.5 kW gas generator, it also comes with a 12V auxiliary battery and a slide-out battery tray. There’s even a 12V outlet switch in the cockpit area, a water pump switch convenience center, a hallway convenience center and lights in outside storage compartments.
In the way of plumbing, you’ve got water whenever you need it, thanks to its 12V demand water system and water pump and its 6-gallon LP gas/electric water heater with electronic ignition and DSI. Other plumbing amenities include water heater bypass kit, an exterior shower, a gravity water fill, a contained storage area for sewer hose and an exterior utility center.
Enough about the outside – let’s go inside to see what waiting for us. In the way of cabinetry, it comes outfitted in Newport Cherry while its doors feature raised panels, top arches, flat panel inserts and flat panel arches. Finishing off the chic cabinetry are satin nickel cabinet door pulls. On the floor you’ll find carpet with padding in the living area and bedroom, while above is a soft-touch padded vinyl ceiling. Other great interior features include black smoked inserts on the refrigerator doors, a wallpaper border in the kitchen and bath, a wood slideout fascia with wood inserts and mini blinds with valances and lambrequins.
You’ve got a lot to look forward to if you’re in the driver’s seat. You and a passenger will be sitting pretty in leatherette pilot and co-pilot cockpit recliner seats, and the drive will fly by thanks to tunes cranked out from the in-dash AM/FM/CD stereo radio that is Sirius Satellite ready and comes with SD card slot and weather band. Also up front in the cockpit is an automotive style dash with wood grain dash kit, multi-positioned sun visors, heat/air conditioning functions, cruise control, tilt steering wheel and recessed pilot and co-pilot ceiling map lights.
From the cockpit we make our way into the open- concept living room and kitchen area. Prepare to be entertained with a 32″ LCD that’s cable TV and satellite dish ready. Enjoy the game on the comfortable fabric Hide-A-Bed sofa and enjoy your meals at the fabric booth dinette with forward facing seatbelts.
For your cooking pleasure, the kitchen comes complete with a double-door refrigerator, a stainless steel three-burner cooktop with oven, a microwave oven and a lighted power range hood. For cleaning and prep, there are laminate kitchen countertops, a stainless steel sink, a high-rise faucet, two sink covers and a countertop extension. Plus, there’s even a kitchen pantry with roll-out storage that’s perfect for your pots, pans and sundry items.
From here, make your way to the fully equipped bathroom. In here, you’ll find laminate countertops with a stainless steel sink, a swing door, a china toilet bowl, a neo-angled shower with a glass door and a medicine cabinet.
Right next door is the master bedroom. Get some shut-eye on the queen bed with an innerspring mattress or just take it easy and watch a movie on the 19″ LCD TV that’s tucked away in its own cabinet. Finishing off the room is a decorative headboard, bedspread and pillows, a wardrobe and nightstands.
To find out more about the 2011 Monaco Riptide 33SDD Class A Motorhome, visit http://www.monacocoach.com/.
Related Reading
