Today’s RV review is focusing on something unusual, a Coachmen Pursuit 27XPS Class A motorhome. What makes this rig so different is that it has no slides. I know there are some of you whose ears just perked up with excitement and others who are wondering who would buy this.
Coachmen Pursuit
I have often compared motorized RVs to Class B vans for the simple reason that Class B vans are so very popular in van life culture nowadays. I have written about a number of Class B offerings and absolutely have my personal favorites.
But the ones I’ve generally liked have also come in at a price higher than the MSRP of this motorhome and, frankly, I think are much less feature rich. And also much less storage-rich.
Coachmen Pursuit 27XPS
Depending on your perspective, one of the highlights of this rig is that it has no slides. It’s a relatively compact Class A gasser based on a Ford chassis and shuttled around by Ford’s 7.3 liter “Godzilla” V8. Having no slides means no intrusions on the interior. So the space you get is the space you get. Clearly.
But the lack of slides also means that the walls can be built to support nice, big windows. And there are plenty of them—giving the interior of this rig a really open feel.
Storage
While anyone with a big diesel pusher is going to laugh at the amount of storage in this rig, anyone with any Class B (van) is going to be very, very jealous. There are storage compartments along the side of this motorhome, but the big news is in the back.
Kind of like a speakeasy. So we can refer to this as the speakeasy of storage. There’s a compartment that is a pass-through at the rear that features a large door on either side to access your stuff. Further, there’s a flip-up door at the very back. This is not only a good amount of space, but also made very convenient by multiple doors.
Why a Class A gasser?
I know a lot of people who wouldn’t consider a Class A gasser in comparison to a diesel pusher, for example. But imagine if you had your money burning a hole in your pocket.
You could get a Class B van and never like going to the bathroom ever again. Ever.
You could get a Class C motorhome for about the same money and then you have the odd arrangement of a van cab that has some sort of compromised access to the rest of the motorhome. Further, I’ve written before about how so many Class C motorhomes have very, very minimal cargo carrying capacity. This one is well over a ton.
Winning the challenge is the Coachmen Pursuit 27XPS—with its gigantic windshield and easy access to everything all the time. With no slides, you not only have a simpler rig, but setup and teardown is a snap. Just make sure anything you’ve connected while camping isn’t connected any longer and you’re on your way. Easy.
Further, no slides means no slide seals to worry about, and no fiddling with the mechanical complexity of slides. Yes, you have less interior space compared to a rig when the slides are out, but what you get is always what you get.
Highlights
In addition to the rear pass-through storage, there are a number of other things I truly like about this rig.
The first of those things is the over-cab bunk. I’ve seen this before, but it’s a simple mechanical device that flips down in no time. Putting it back up, too, is a breeze. There is no complicated motorized lift that you know will break when you’re in a hurry to get home from camping.
The passenger seat has a nifty desk arrangement that flips out so they can stare at their confuser as you shuttle down the road. This is great if your right-hand traveler is also your navigator.
Further, these seats spin around to face the main living space, where there’s a couch and a dinette. In theory, you could have eight people sitting here. That would have been great on my most recent trip to the mountains, where a rainstorm shortened our game of Cards Against Humanity. Bummer to have had to go inside.
I also like that Coachmen employs a 12-volt compressor fridge in here. This seems to make so much sense.
Provision above bed for CPAP machine in Coachmen Pursuit 27XPS
One of the slickest things I’ve seen in a while is a provision for a CPAP machine in the cabinets above the bed. There’s a 120-volt outlet up there and a hole in the bottom of the cabinet specifically for the hoses for a CPAP machine.
Now you digital device users could also drop down charging cables from up there. So it does serve multiple purposes.
It’s pretty rare that I would make mention of a generator in a Class A motorhome only because they’re typically there. But this is unusual in that it’s not an Onan generator. Instead, it’s a Yamaha unit and has 4,500 watts of power from the gasoline-fired unit.
Onan has absolutely owned this market for some time, and I always wondered why some smart RV company didn’t start looking elsewhere. Apparently they have.
Observations
The kitchen in the Coachmen Pursuit 27XPS features an “L”-shaped countertop with a two-well sink, a small three-burner stove and a 16” oven. But if there were ever a kitchen that needed a flip-up countertop extension, this is it. Well, there are many others.
This also has an RV queen, which is a bummer, especially for taller travelers.
In summary
I think one’s perception of this rig could absolutely be swayed by what you compare it to. Compared to some other Class A rigs it might fall short. But compared to many Class C and Class B rigs in the same price category, you have a real winner here.
More from Tony
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.
If you’re RV shopping here are some tips on RV shopping from a former RV salesperson—me!
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. You can find his writing at StressLessCamping and in several other places.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. 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.
Got an RV we need to look at? Contact us today and let us know in the form below – thank you!
##RVDT1895
This rig would be perfect for me with three changes. Install a ladder. Put an escape window in the back wide enough or offset so that you could reach the ladder on the back to get out. Put an access door for the driver to get out and fuel. To me an escape other than the door in the middle is imperative. At 77 and not getting any younger, dropping to the ground is near impossible and for my wife it is already impossible. Happy Trails
While I like this motorhome, I’d have to see it in person to really tell if it’s ok. Would be better with a full size queen and large oven, plus a rear bedroom window. Wish it also had a ladder. Wonder what is the gas mileage, if It’s similar to my f150 hybrid towing a 33’ travel trailer. Would also hope the Ford chassis has better quality with less issues than my 2021 F150. My F150 hybrid had a recall on the electric brake controller, just got a 2nd recall on the electric controller. My wiper motors don’t work and need replacement. Just got a notice my tail gate has a extended warranty for 10 years or 100 and some thousand miles because it could open driving down the road. I only have the truck for 5 years. Ford don’t seem to be in a hurry to correct the safety issues.
Back in 1974 we had a class A with pull-down bed over the cab area. It was a full bed size that stored uptight to the ceiling and simply deployed by pulling it down. Here’s one from the past KingsHighway…
I have a 25 year old Pursuit! 25 foot Georgie Boy on Chevy Chassis with a driver’s door- and yes, I like to get out on the same side as my gas cap. The ancient gas/electric fridge works just fine. Walk-around bed. Of course, no slides.
As a longtime Class B owner, I actually like a lot about this rig. Just can’t get past the fact that we’d have to have a TOAD. Suddenly, that nice, simple no slide 29’ rig is now a not so simple 45’ combo. Our Class B will always be 22’ which lets us park it almost anywhere. That’s important because our best experiences are from random stops as we travel during the day – not at “destinations “.
If boondocking how much generator is needed to keep the batteries up to run the fridge?
There’s no single answer to that but I have a similar 12 volt fridge in my rig and even a single 100aH lithium battery will run the thing at least 12 hours. Assuming at least two AGM batteries in this rig you should be good for 12 hours, more or less. Of course there are a lot of variables here.
Further, despite all the people who would argue this point, it is safe to drive with a 12 volt fridge whereas it is a bad idea to drive with a propane-electric fridge running on propane.
I am curious why it has to be 12 feet tall? Without slides I thought it was possible to make shorter/lower rigs which would help handling and fuel mileage.
The Ford chassis is the same height regardless of slides. The RV designers then add the interior height required for the occupants, say 6.5′, the rooftop AC unit, and the thickness of the floor and roof trusses to get a total height. 12′ is actually short for most Class A’s. Our former fifth wheel and current Sprinter MH are both taller than 12′.
There doesn’t appear to be a way of sectioning off the bathroom area from the rest of the coach. I hope everyone is okay sharing their birthday suit outfit with whom ever they are traveling with! 😉
You know I didn’t catch this and, you’re right. I wonder if there is an accordion door or a sliding door? Otherwise when one steps out of the shower the rest of the campers with you may hold up rating cards like at the Olympics which could either be quite affirming or a big bummer.
This was one of my concerns with this unit – however, watching the Bish video – there are two folding doors – one on the kitchen side and one on the bedroom side.
If you look carefully at the 5th picture, you can see an accordion door on the left of the motorhome. In the 7th picture, the rail for the door in seen on the ceiling.
Yes it has an accordion door.
My biggest complaint, which I have with almost all motorhomes, is no driver’s door. This one doesn’t have a passenger door either. I do not like the mid-coach doors. It makes fueling a PITA. I also don’t like to watch TV by looking up, which you have to do with this model And, like Tony says, no food prep room. I haven’t had my mind convert to the 12-volt compressor fridges yet either. All in all, I guess I’m not a fan of this rig.