Of all the coaches at “The Rally” in Albuquerque, only the 43’ Country Coach Veranda “Redcloud Peak” had folks waiting in lines resembling those for a new ride in an amusement park.  Lucky for us, the rep arranged for us to shoot the coach before the show opened!

We went to bed the night before eager with anticipation… AND concern.  Uncharacteristic of New Mexico in the spring, we were greeted with snow upon our arrival.  We wondered if snow flakes would cloud our camera lenses, but our worries were wasted.  As we awoke on the morning of our shoot, the sky was clear and the sun shown bright.  However in between the snow and the sunshine, an overnight rainstorm had dampened the area.  For some reason, RV shows seem to attract rain.  It’s as if the Rain Gods know all the coaches have been polished to perfection, and aim to spot and speckle them.

Bright and early the crew arrived at the display, and helped the factory rep dry off the coach. The rain sat on the lustrous finish in plump glistening drops reflecting the rising sun. The term "automotive finish" in this case is insulting as the paint was much more beautiful and reflective than on any production car. The length of the coach was sleek and flat - the paint liquid smooth with the distant view reflected in its depth.

Entering the coach, we were instantly aware of Country Coach’s commitment to quality. Even though the 300 is the entry series for Country Coach’s Veranda line, it still exudes that custom class feel.  It was grand.

The driver's area is a great example of form and function. The captain's chairs are covered in sumptuous leather and are six-way power adjustable. The dash is padded, contoured and ergonomic – with all the gauges you need to be in full communication with your coach. The "SmartWheel" is ready to guide you down miles of memorable roads.

Our review coach featured a rear view monitor with optional side cameras and an in dash GPS with optional XM service. The optional SmarTire system is available, and on a coach like this seems like a logical addition.

The chassis is the DynoMax, exclusive to Country Coach. The 300 offers two different drive train packages – a 425 HP Caterpillar with Caterpillar transmission, or a 425 HP Cummins with Allison transmission. Both offer independent front suspension, tag axle and air brakes as standard.

Moving into the living area, the big news is the "Veranda". Instead of a slide-out, the wall opens to form a luxurious outdoor living space. If you have any concerns about how well this works you can put them to rest right now. Country Coach engineered, or rather over-engineered this marvel. Hardware is beefy, framing is thick and the sliding glass doors look like they could stand up to a hurricane. When the Veranda is closed, the top of the wall is glass which illuminates the interior when traveling. When opened up, it provides the signature look of a glass balcony to look out on any horizon where you may have parked or camped.

No less important in the living area are the quality furnishings including a beautiful dinette set, leather sofa-bed, and complete HDTV home theater system. In addition to the 42" LCD inside, there is another cleverly placed 37” TV for outdoor viewing!

Moving amidships, the galley features an attractive tile backsplash and solid surface countertops. Cooking is fast and easy with the Advantium convection/microwave and a three burner gas cook top.  An ample pantry provides plenty of space for food stores, and a four-door Norcold will keep all your favorite beverages chilled for entertaining on that beautiful Veranda.

Just past the pantry, a half bath is tucked into the passenger side. It is efficient yet comfortable in size. Unlike many mid-coach baths, this one gives a nice feeling of privacy as the TV and pantry create a buffer from the living area. Just across from the bath is space for a combo or stacked washer-dryer – both optional, or you can just enjoy more storage space.

The bedroom suite is comfortable and quiet. The entire coach features extensive sound deadening – and it really shows when you are lying on the bed. The quality of materials is obvious. The box valences, for example, are clean, timeless in design, and made from elegant hardwoods and covered in expensive fabrics. These are designs that will age and wear well through the life of your coach without looking dated.

Finally, the rear bath is something to behold. Country Coach first featured a large shower last year in the Allure Crane Prairie. That has proven to be very popular and has made its way into many floor plans including the Redcloud Peak. Two feet shorter than the Crane Prairie, the bath is a bit less palatial, but the shower and amenities still abound. A large wardrobe, plenty of linen storage, the second of two china Tecma heads and loads of privacy are noteworthy. (Note: our video review does not show the shower. That would be one of those moments where the press record did not get pressed!)

Judging from the looks on their faces after their tour of the coach, the folks found the long line to get in well worth it.  Everyone was impressed with the quality and tastefulness of execution. Some fantasized about their travels in this magnificent coach, others were calculating out loud how they might purchase one, and a few were beginning negotiations with the factory rep.

We talked with the rep too. While the Country Coach Veranda 300 Redcloud Peak isn't normally in the range of products reviewed by RV Buddies, we would gladly take her for a test drive anytime!