If you ever look at these “Super C” motorhomes and think they’re absolute beasts to drive, you might be surprised if you get behind the wheel. For example, today we’re looking at the Dynamax Europa 31SS, which just looks like a big truck due to the Freightliner cab.
You might assume, since this is such a beefy-looking rig, that handling and driving of these would be truck-like and cumbersome. But it’s actually not. In fact, with things like air suspension on the seats, an air suspension in the rear, as well as SACHS front shock absorbers, it might a big surprise how comfortably this rig rides and eases down the road. Furthermore, since these chassis are designed for local delivery trucks, it’s incredible how maneuverable they are.
Further, you’re sitting up high in a truck cab with a sloping nose, so the view from here is pretty impressive. Oh, and there’s an air horn. I don’t care how silly it is, it’s fun to honk that thing.
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Dynamax Europa 31SS
The Europa 31SS is actually one of the smaller Super C motorhomes, at 33’ 5” in overall length. But there are a lot of reasons why people like these. For example, you get a 12,000-pound-rated tow hitch. So you could literally bring along another decent-sized trailer if your in-laws want to come camping. I’ve seen people use this more for things like enclosed car or motorcycle haulers. But it would also work if you have a vocation that required a trailer full of inventory or something like that.
Speaking of space, a Super C also gives you much more outside storage than the typical Class C RV. It has basement storage approaching that of some smaller Class A motorhomes. I also like that the doors for the storage are metal. They’re hinged at the side so access to the space is really good.
Very tasteful exterior paint job
The exterior of the Dynamax Europa is completely painted (as opposed to using decals). The design of the paint job was done by noted painter and artist Dean Laucks, and it’s very tasteful to my eye. I was surprised how much I liked the exterior design.
The body of the motorhome portion of this rig is all fiberglass with an Azdel substrate. This fiberglass construction extends up to the roof, so there’s no rubber or PVC up there.
I also like the camera system, which includes a camera on each side plus two rear cameras. The thinking of the two cameras is that one is pointed down toward your hitch to help with backing and hooking things to that. The other is more of an overview camera to take the place of a rear-view mirror.
What’s inside the Dynamax Europa
Having seen one of these in person, I will say the photos on Forest River’s website, which are what I’m sharing with you here, do not do the interior justice. I feel that it’s much nicer looking than the photos portray. One of the more striking things, to my eye, was the bead board ceiling. It gives it an almost nautical appearance inside.
Virtually the whole floor plan is usable with the super slide in or out. However, the king-sized bed folds about two-thirds of the way down. That means you won’t be able to fully stretch out on that bed when the slide’s in.
The model I saw featured the theater seat option. One of the nifty things about this is that there’s a Lagun table for each of the seats, and each of those tables has two cup holders. The Lagun mechanism means you can swivel the table almost any way you can imagine and also adjust the surface to the height for your liking.
The dinette deserves mention
The dinette also deserves mention as having enough space for us larger Americans. The live edge look to the table is nice, but it’s not evident anywhere else so it also sticks out a bit. The dinette cushion toward the front of the rig has a nice hinged mechanism so you can flip it up and get to storage underneath. There’s even a plug there.
While the Dynamax Europa isn’t a huge motorhome, there is a decent amount of kitchen counterspace. It has a super-solid flip-up counter extension, as well. The countertop has a round hole in it. When you lift the lid there’s a garbage can under there. Nice.
Refrigeration comes in the form of a gas-electric reefer, but you can also get a residential model. I would be happier seeing one of the new road-hardened 12-volt compressor-based fridges in here. I’m sure that’s coming, as it’s a trend in the whole industry.
Boondocking
As you might expect, this rig is very well-suited for boondocking. There are two 100-watt solar panels on the roof to recharge the AGM battery bank. A 3,000-watt inverter keeps the plugs in the coach humming along with that (optional) residential fridge. Again, a 12-volt model wouldn’t require the loss of reserves that come with using an inverter.
But there is also an Onan 8,000 diesel generator, so you’ll be able to leave the lights on.
Another benefit of a chassis where weight isn’t a huge concern includes the fact that you can haul 95 gallons of fresh water around and not worry that you’re getting close to the chassis’ capacity.
When it’s shower time, you heat that water with a tankless water heater – which is a nice luxury. The water will remain liquid thanks to both 12-volt tank heaters. The enclosure is heated by the furnace in the event that you’re camping where it’s cold. Speaking of hot water, the shower in this unit is surprisingly accommodating even though, again, the photos just don’t do it justice.
In summary
There’s a lot to like about the Dynamax Europa, including the reserve cargo and towing capacity. You don’t have to worry as much about what you’re towing or what goes in those basement cabinets.
I am not a fan of the smaller bunk over the cab which doesn’t have a front windshield. However, that front cap is a seamless design and, if they installed a front windshield, that would necessitate seams where it’s mounted. Also, the slide room floors are raised so you’re almost sitting more in a barber chair (I do remember doing that in my youth) rather than theater seats. It’s definitely a step up to get into the dinette, as well.
You’re in luck if you can find one for sale
Overall, though, if you can actually find a new Dynamax Europa for sale without a long list of would-be buyers clamoring to make it their own, you’re in luck. However, this is also a rig that is built well enough that one that’s already been camped in doesn’t necessarily mean major repairs. These certainly aren’t cheap. But this is a rare case where one partner may be enamored with the specs and the chassis, and the other with the interior and appointments. So both can go RVing with big smiles on their faces.
Especially if one gets to honk the air horn now and then.
I would love to read your comments and suggestions over on our new forums, where you can weigh in and start or join a discussion about all things RV. Here’s a link to my RV Reviews Forum.
Tony comes to RVTravel having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. You can find his writing here and at StressLessCamping where he also has a podcast about the RV life with his wife.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
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##RVDT1743
We purchased a brand new 2023 Dynamax Europa 31SS and it is literally the worst piece of garbage we have ever owned. Since paying for it on May 12, 2023, it was in the shop before we could even use it and needed major repairs. Electrical, suspension/steering, axles, windows not installed correctly, generator stalling out after 15 minutes.
After over 76 days on the shop we got it back and used it for the first time last week. The generator failed, solar inverter is faulty, overcharging the lithium batteries, shower leaks behind the wall and causes huge puddles that run into the bedroom, the fridge leaks water, bedroom slide failed, doorframe falling down, black tank and propane sensor N/W
Wow, Brad! That’s awful. Your first comment has been approved, so any after that one will be automatically published. So, if you had more you wanted to add to your comment but ran out of space, just go ahead and reply to it. If you do it soon enough it will be right under the first one. Thanks! And sorry about your nightmare of an RV.😲 Have a good night 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We looked at Dynamax Super C’s before buying our Winnebago Sprinter, but the shorter ones that we looked at all had “RV queen” beds. Nothing with a 74×74″ master bed will work for me or most Americans over 5’10” tall!
As soon as I hit the lottery I’ll be there with my checkbook in hand. Lol
AND it has a slightly less stupidly-inadequate departure angle than the last two you’ve reviewed. Nice rig.
Good point, Scott. If you plan to boondock, the last thing you want is for the rear end to be scraping as you traverse a simple dip in the ground. I lusted over these for years – until I toured one that someone had. I didn’t like it at all. But THIS one has a cool floor plan that I could get used to. I like the lighter interior colors, so you don’t feel like you’re staying in a cave. From the few shots showing the windows it looks like it comes with sliders. This would be a HUGE plus for me. And with this configuration you can actually get to the engine (if you knew what to do once you opened the hood . . .).