2013 Heartland Sundance SD 3270RES Review
Living on the road draws in many unexpected surprises. That’s why most travelers take solace in their fifth wheel. It provides them with the comfort and familiarity of being home, even though they may be driving 60 mph. on the freeway. The 2013 Heartland Sundance has all the characteristics of a suburban house; it’s designed for entertaining guests, cooking fabulous dinners, and even raising a family.
Five Sundance fifth wheel floorplans are available to choose from. We went with the SD 3270 RES because it’s one of the newer options and has a beautifully designed interior. Its gross vehicle weight rating is 13,500 lbs and has a dry weight of 10,812 lbs. and a hitch weight of 2,080 lbs. It is 8’0” wide and 12’4” tall and has is of 36’11” long. For water, it has a fresh-tank capacity of 53 gallons, gray-tank capacity of 80 gallons, black-tank capacity of 40 gallons, and water heater capacity of 6 gallons.
Heartland’s laminated construction has undergone intensive tests to prove its resistance to extremely cold temperatures. The SD 3270 RES has a one-piece ABS underbelly with FlexFoil insulation. FlexFoil is also used in the bath and bed deck. Heartland’s universal docking station holds all the vehicle’s system hookups including: the satellite, phone, cable, city water fill, and black tank flush. Front jacks come with quick release pins. The aerodynamic fiberglass front cap deflects wind. A radius entry step, equipped with a light and switch, leads to a 30” radius entry door.
To help keep mud outside, the Sundance is equipped with an outdoor shower – made for rinsing off feet, pets and kids. Unless you live in a nudist colony, we suggest you save your showers for the bathroom. The marine grade outdoor speakers let you listen to music while you’re barbequing in the patio.
When you walk inside the Sundance, the warm colors and glazed chestnut cabinets put you at ease. Many cupboards and drawers are scattered throughout the living area so storage space is plentiful. Eat meals at the freestanding dinette, which comes with funky chairs that have flip-up storage. The hide-a-bed sofa is a great place to read a book, take a nap or watch Cable TV. If you’re an entertainment junky, you’ll probably spend lots of time in the Real Living Area Lounge, also known as the entertainment hub. If you’d rather listen to music, then turn on the 12V, AM/FM CD/DVD/MP3 Player. Relaxing is easy because Heartland is designed to keep you safe. It comes with a smoke detector, an LP detector and a fire extinguisher.
If you love cooking as a family, the wide kitchen countertops are easy to share. They are certified for food preparation, which means they won’t stain or absorb germs. Full extension ball bearing guides provide a smooth operation when opening and closing drawers. These deep drawers fully extend past the cabinet faces, so your knuckles will be safe from scrapes and scratches. Wash veggies and dishes in the large dual basin sink, equipped with a high-rise kitchen faucet. Heat food in the oven or the microwave. The power range hood with a light makes cooking easy and safe, while the Residential Quality Beauflor flooring is easy to sweep and mop. Pay extra and get the XLT Kitchen Package, which comes with brushed satin nickel hardware and decorative glass.
For those who enjoy soaking in the tub, the Sundance Fifth Wheel actually comes with a bath! For an added bonus, built-in shelves are installed into the tub surround, making soaping, cleaning and brushing an easy task. Your loofah and soap can safely rest on a shelf, instead of sliding under your feet in the shower. The porcelain foot flush toilet is easy to clean. When you’re done your business, put away the air freshener and let the power vent do its job. The hardwood medicine cabinet is large enough to store all toiletries and cleaning supplies. Your morning grooming routine can actually be executed peacefully and comfortably.
After a long day of driving or adventuring, retreat to your master suite bedroom. Collapse onto your bed and crawl under your warm blankets. The 60” x 80” Queen Bed comes with a Memory Foam Pillow Top Mattress. Bookworms won’t need to tie a flashlight around their heads to read themselves to sleep because they can use the convenient reading light. Phew. If reading isn’t your thing and you’d rather watch some TV before bed, then request a television for your room. The bedroom nightstands are great for alarm clocks, cell phones and reading glasses.
The 2013 Heartland Sundance SD 3270 RES retails for around $50,000. For more information visit http://www.heartlandrvs.com/.
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