2011 Carriage Cameo 37RESLS Review
For those of you who crave the freedom and excitement of the open road, you need an RV that meets your needs. After all, you’re away from home for long stretches of time and you want to be comfortable while you’re exploring the country. And there’s no better way to explore than in the 2011 Carriage Cameo Fifth Wheel. Built proudly in the heartland of America, it’s the perfect way to see travel in style.
Cameo offers a wide range of floor plans and feature packages to fit your lifestyle. We’re not kidding – there are 10 different plans to choose from. But since we can’t go through them all in detail, we’ll be focusing on our attention on the Cameo 37RESLS, the largest model in the series. It measures in with an exterior length of 37’ 10”, an exterior width of 96”, an exterior height of 12’ 11” and a hitch weight of 2,725 lbs.
The Cameo is built using the exclusive Square Platform chassis design. Engineered, constructed and welded in Carriage’s plant, its design features double stacked, steel box tube that offers more protection from bending and twisting, and it’s backed by a five-year limited structural warranty. The construction dependability extends to its innovative slideout. The fully insulated slideout rooms, roofs, walls and floors are operated by gear-driven, rack and pinion mechanisms. Designed with a wedge-slant, which directs water away from the coach, the slideouts are built above the subfloor and below the main floor, for superior structural integrity.
It’s hard to get excited about the bottom of an RV, except when you find out that the Cameo has a polyester fabric underbelly. That means its breathable fabric lets moisture out without inviting any more in and eliminating condensation build-up. The durable underbelly is zippered for easy service access, is resistant to road salt and oil and is also puncture resistant.
One of the features we like most about the Cameo is that it comes equipped with the Bigfoot Auto-levelling System. This seamless one-touch levelling system works with the chassis design and construction to ensure your fifth wheel sets up quickly and without any hassles. Using the innovative deluxe touch pad with single-button auto levelling, the Bigfoot system uses four independent cylinders, each with pump and reservoir, to get you set up once you reach your destination. Its large 10×10 foot pads guard against sinking and its 29 tons of total power handles uneven sites. And if you ever encounter a problem with your Bigfoot Auto-levelling system, you can call its 24/7 technical support line.
Your water needs are taken care of, with large holding tanks that are heated by the furnace and feature an ABS outside shell and three layers of insulation. There’s even a control center that monitors all hook-ups, a pump switch, city water, black tank flush and sensor, 15′ hot/cold sprayer and more. Other systems that make life in the outdoors much more enjoyable include floor-ducted forced air furnace with electronic ignition, a 35,000 BTU furnace, dual LP gas bottles with auto change over, and a 15,000 BTU high-capacity air conditioner.
Other exterior features include 181 cubic feet of storage space with three large outside compartments, Hehr trimless tinted windows and the Carefree electric awning.
We’ve taken a look at the outside – now it’s time to take a tour of the Cameo’s interior. Its plush fabrics were chosen to give you perfectly coordinated finishes. Choose from a range of decors, including Brighton, Sugarloaf, River Canyon and Aspen. They match beautifully with solid wood cabinets (FYI: the doors are produced in-house by Amish craftsmen) available in Arlington Cherry, Glazed Cheery and Chocolate Cherry. To brighten up your living space is halogen lighting that line one row down each side of the interior. You can adjust them with the three-zone lighting control with dimmers for precise adjustment.
The living area will be your family’s HQ for downtime. And it’s no wonder – it’s outfitted with your comfort in mind. In the 37RESLS, two slideouts reveal plenty of additional living space and amenities. In one, you’ll find two plush recliners or theater seating and a free-standing wooden table and end table, while the other houses a Hide-A-Bed sofa. And you’ll need the seat while watching the 37″ Samsung LCD TV and Samsung FM/CD/DVD home theatre system 5.1 with subwoofer. To enhance the living area, you’ll appreciate the wood trimmed windows, day/night shades and the optional fireplace.
Get cooking in the kitchen. You can create a feast or whip up a meal on the go, thanks to a microwave oven with built-in range. Prep is easy with Corian countertops and double sink, and the pantry gives you plenty of room for pots, pans and other items. Other features include a bi-fold range cover, a hood with power exhaust fan and light, full-extension drawers, and linoleum flooring.
At the end of a fun-filled day, head to the oasis of relaxation in the master bedroom. Get your beauty sleep on the residential-size queen or optional king beds, complete with a pillow-top innerspring mattress, under bed storage and comforter with pillows. If you’re bringing along everything in your closets, you can put them away in the spacious drawer and wardrobe storage. You can even choose to go with an optional TV and washer/dryer. Other features include a privacy door, individual reading lights and wood and leather padded headboard.
Next to the master suite is the bathroom. This well-appointed spa area has what you need to relax, including a lighted corner shower, a spacious vanity, mirrored cabinets, easy-care Corian countertop and stainless steel under mounted sink.
The 2011 Carriage Cameo 37RESLS Fifth Wheel Trailer starts in price from $89,259. To learn more, visit http://www.carriageinc.com/.
