2018 Thor Challenger 37TB Review
The 2018 Thor Challenger Class A motorhome is a crowd-pleaser, with sleeping space for up to 10, multiple entertainment areas inside and out, and plenty of great features.
The Challenger has four floorplans to pick from. We’re taking a closer look at the Challenger 37TB.
It has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 24,000 lbs and a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 30,000 lbs, along with an 8000-pound trailer hitch. Like the other Challenger floor plans, the 37TB is 38’1” in length (not including the roof ladder on the back). It’s just under 13’ high and 101” wide.
The fresh water tank has a 100-gallon capacity. There are two black water tanks and two gray water tanks – one of each in front and in back – and they each have a 40-gallon capacity. The fuel tank can hold up to 80 gallons and the access is at the rear of the vehicle, which makes it easy to gas up from either side.
Built on a Ford F-53 chassis and with a welded tubular steel floor, the 37TB has a 6.8L Trition V10 engine with 320 HP and 460 lb-ft torque. Automatic leveling jacks have touch pad controls and a layer of neoprene helps lessen road vibrations as you drive.
The full-body paint with gel coated sidewalls comes in a choice of three different color palettes, and black frameless dual-pane windows give the Challenger a sleek look.
There are two power patio awnings, 10’ and 19’ with integrated LED lighting that essentially cover the entire length of the coach, creating ample outdoor living space. A 32” LED exterior television with two speakers comes standard, and there’s also an exterior outlet.
There are several large and deep pass-through storage compartments to stash a long haul trip’s worth of gear, as well as an exterior shower.
Inside, the cockpit area is set up to make your travels as easy as possible and safe: a 10” touchscreen dash radio with Bluetooth, a back-up monitor and heated remote exterior mirrors with integrated side view cameras that turn on when you signal your turn, cruise control and a tilt steering wheel, fog lights, and a cab area light.
Comfort measures include cab area fans, drink holders, in-dash computer station on the passenger side, and power adjustable driver’s seat. At the end of a travelling day, you can swivel the reclining leatherette seats around to become living area seating and pull out the stow-away coffee table between the chairs.
Above the cockpit, there’s a double bed that lowers down at the touch of a button with safety netting all the way around.
The coach’s living area has roomy 7’ high soft vinyl ceilings. Solid wood raised-panel cabinetry with a high-gloss glaze and nickel-finish hardware add to a luxurious residential vibe.
In the kitchen, the solid surface countertops offer lots of prep space, which can be maximized by using the flip-up extension as well as the sink and cooktop covers. The stainless steel sink has a double bowl and a high rise, pullout faucet for easy food prep and clean-up. Right behind the sink, there’s a great little countertop drop-through hole to the garbage can so you can toss things right in there while you’re working without having to open cabinets with messy hands. You can access the trash can underneath via a cabinet by the entry door, making it really convenient – and less messy – to take the trash out without spilling or dripping on the floor. Kitchen appliances include a roomy 30” convection microwave oven, a conventional oven, and a two-burner induction cooktop. The 22-cubic foot stainless steel, French door Whirlpool refrigerator has an in-door ice maker and filtered water dispenser.
The dinette area dining booth has two seatbelt spots and the table slides down to convert the space into a bed.
Moving into the living room area, the leatherette sofa bed also converts into a bed for two more people. The 40″ LED TV with sound bar is on a slide system so that it can be viewed even when driving and the coach’s slides are in. The television also has a side hinge so that it can be angled for better viewing from the couch.
The electric, remote controlled fireplace not only adds a nice glow but it also functions as a space heater to cut the chill on autumn nights.
Heading to the back of the coach, there is a 15.5” television in one bunk and a 24” TV with DVD player in the other. Both beds each have a big window to allow in some light. This area can actually convert if you don’t want the bunk beds: the top bunk swings down to become the back of a sofa.
Directly across from the bunk area is the half-bath, with lots of counter space, storage, and two mirrored medicine cabinets.
At the very back of the coach, pocket doors add extra privacy to the master suite. Inside, the comfy king-size bed with shelves on each side and, on one side, four USB outlets to charge up all your devices. Overhead lights and speakers make it easy to enjoy music from the bedroom radio, and tilting bed mechanism makes reading and watching television more comfortable. Two windows provide a nice cross-breeze for sleeping.
At the foot of the bed, there’s an entire wall of wardrobe space, including two bars to hang clothes, a long mirror, and a cabinet behind the 32” LED television. There is also storage space underneath the mattress.
Like the half bath, the master bathroom also has lots of counter space, storage, and two mirrored medicine cabinets. The shower has sliding glass doors, built-in shelving, a hand wand, and a nice sized skylight.
The Thor Challenger 37TB starts at $191,850. For more information, visit http://www.thormotorcoach.com/.
