First impressions are everything, and in that regard, the 2009 Fleetwood Discovery doesn't disappoint you. From its stylish new graphics to the classy interior decor and spacious floor plan, the 2009 Fleetwood Discovery 40G had a commanding appearance from the get-go. For 2009, Fleetwood had added three new floor plans to the Discovery line (36D, 40K and 40G). The 40G featured a full-wall slide-out, which when fully extended offered 380 square feet of additional living space.

On the Road
From the driver's seat, the dash layout was easy to read, and the controls were all within reach. The large, one-piece, bonded-in windshield gave us a bird's-eye view of the open road without obstructions, vital to a rig this size.

Once under way, we noted how smooth and CVT-like the six-speed automatic transmission was under normal operation. And for a Class A, the powerful 350hp Cummins ISB 6.7-liter diesel had solid torque when needed. Any diesel chatter outside was silenced inside the coach thanks to insulation and sound-deadening materials between the chassis and living quarters.

New for 2009 was Fleetwood's patented Power Bridge chassis that was calibrated at the factory for less vibration. The Discovery lineup starts with a Freightliner chassis that mates the bridge beam to the chassis for improved ride and handling characteristics. The 10,000-pound tow rating on the Discovery helped to make the 1996 Correct Craft Air Nautique feel like it was as light as a feather.

We were surprised at how well the Discovery weaved a path, especially in tight places. But the true test was our first stop at a Costco parking lot, where we had planned to get supplies for the trip.

With a 55-degree wheel cut, the Discovery could be maneuvered effortlessly. The onboard rear- and side-vision cameras fed to a three-way monitor screen, and it served its purpose well. With six different viewing options, there wasn't a side of the coach we couldn't see.

Our favorite screen view was the three-split view (main screen rear-facing with left and right sides on the bottom half of the screen). If we engaged a turn signal, the camera showed us a full image of the next lane over. The left- and right-side cameras are strategically located in the rearview mirrors and provided for a panoramic view of the adjoining lane. Best of all, unlike my Jeep Wrangler, the Discovery had zero blind spots.

We tried our best to stuff the cavernous undercarriage storage to capacity after our visit to Costco, but we ended up with plenty of room to spare. In fact, the 40-foot Discovery has an impressive 242 cubic feet of storage space below deck level. The new Power Bridge chassis featured a midsection with pass-through compartments that enabled us to access our gear from either side of the coach, which was brilliant. The undercarriage doors are side-swinging and made for easy access.

Moabi Regional Park
Our destination was Moabi Regional Park on the banks of the Colorado River just 11 miles southeast of Needles, California. The weather forecast for this time of year called for temperatures to be between 108-117 degrees, with nighttime temps in the 90s. That meant we certainly would put the roof-mounted A/C units to the test.

Our route to the Colorado River took us from Riverside west on the 91, north on Interstate 15, then eastbound on Interstate 40. We were concerned that we would hit rush-hour traffic heading north on the I-15 into Victorville, but we rolled right through without a problem.

The Fleetwood camera system was extremely helpful and gave me a good view of any traffic next to the coach. The Cajon Pass, which tops out at 4,190 feet of elevation, loomed in the distance. But the Discovery powered up the steep grade at 60 mph, even pulling a boat. When towing in the state of California, we were legally obligated to the two right-hand "truck traffic" lanes, but seasoned truckers yielded to the mighty Discovery.

As we crested the summit, I-15 opened up to the Mojave Desert, so we put it in cruise control and comfortably piloted the Discovery through the expansive desert. In the high desert of California, the outside temperatures jumped from 85 to above 100, and so we used the 8.0-kilowatt Onan diesel generator the entire time to power the twin roof A/C units. They were quiet and very efficient. More importantly, our guests onboard the Discovery were comfortable.

The cockpit leather seats were designed for many miles of comfort and double as euro-recliners if you have the need. Meanwhile, our passengers in the galley were situated in the lap of luxury and enjoyed the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on the 32-inch Samsung flatscreen LCD HDTV (with Samsung Home Theater 5.1 Dolby surround sound).