A week in the mountains of Wyoming proved an unusual testing ground for the Pathfinder 386QS (MSRP: $195,300). Long, lawless stretches of road, steep mountain passages, and boondocking under that endless, star-draped sky certainly put the Sportscoach through its paces. We’re guessing the “Q” stands for quadruple, which brings us back to the four slide-outs, which remains the star of this particular show. With four passengers, space was not an issue, day or night. The pair of sleeper sofas were lush and comfortable; even the dinette’s nighttime conversion seemed to overachieve. Interior perks included such high-end fare as a pair of sizable TVs, double-door fridge/freezer, VCR/DVD combo, 6kw generator, two air conditioners, slide-out awnings, 1,200-watt inverter, and a simply massive 175-pound LP tank. Obviously, life in the back bedroom was grand, complete with queen bed, terrific TV placement, loads of storage, and-again-plenty of room with the flush-floor slide-outs deployed.

The obvious test of a 40-footer dragging more than 28,000 pounds was just how it performs, especially in such rugged conditions. A stop-and-go highway is one thing, but fast two-lane travel with no speed limit in sight punctuated by less than stellar terrain and steep inclines and descents would reveal much. At high speeds, the Pathfinder didn’t disappoint. Credit the smooth 6-speed Allison transmission, Freightliner chassis, or surprisingly spunky 340-hp Cummins diesel, but the motor coach seemed to simply fly through the arid landscapes. Naturally, the steep mountains of the Grand Tetons proved a challenge, as it did for mini-vans and SUV’s alike. However, we appreciated the way it more than held its own against arguably the toughest driving conditions for a rig this size, namely driving up, up, and more up. I think it did well here.

Overall, the unit was comfortable, plush, and full of storage. You can’t really ask for more. And, frankly, RVs don’t come any bigger, so if you have trouble finding suitable elbow room inside, well, then you’re probably discovering RV travel just isn’t your thing. We think a fancy, high-performance diesel under $200,000 is quite a deal in this day and age. Contact: Sportscoach, P.O. Box 30, Middlebury, IN 46540; 574/825-5821 (www.sportscoachrv.com).