Ladies and gentlemen, you may have noticed that the two friends above are talking about the tour bus that you see in the main image. Oh, and some floor plans really do cost upwards of $425,000 (€399,000 at current exchange rates). What we’re going to explore today is why that is and if it’s all worth it.
To help you understand the DX3 it would be a good idea to look at the minds and hands behind the design, none other than Dynamax Corporation. With a name like Dynamax you might think this crew is aiming for world domination. Instead, they’re aiming for luxury coach dominance, and have been since 1997. However, in 2011, they were purchased by Forest River but allowed to continue offering their craft to the world.
All of which brings us to the DX3. Unlike another Dynamax machine we’ve covered, the DX3 is the brand’s second most expensive line. Why are you drawing attention to this? After all, very few of us have the opportunity to buy something like this. Well, there’s no harm in dreaming a little. Better yet, with a little financial planning, including skipping lunch for 20 years, you could get your hands on a DX3.
Well, like most other human interactions, I judged this book by its cover first. However, what drew me in the most was the sheer size of this thing. Remember to see this menacing monster driving down the highway. As soon as you see the Freightliner name on the front of the hood, you’ll understand that it’s a little bit more than your average motorhome. Finally, Freightliner is a manufacturer of 18 wheel tractors and heavy duty tractors or rigs. Heck, this pup comes in at a GVWR of 33,000 lb (14,968 kg) and a GCWR of 54,000 lb (24,494 kg). That’s 21,000 lbs (9,525 kg) of cargo and towing capacity. All of this is made possible by a Detroit DD8 7.7-liter diesel engine that produces just 375 hp but 1,050 ft-lb of torque. Slow and steady always wins the race.
Photo: Dynamax RV
Sure, we can talk about the way this bugger is built and all the external features until the cows come home, but you get the idea. Without further ado, let’s climb into the living space and decide if this pup is worth your $401,000.
Here I understand exactly what Dynamax is asking you to spend so much money on a DX3. First, the interior will feel much more spacious than when driving on the Autobahn. That’s because the DX3 comes with multiple slideouts. Depending on the floor plan, the units contain at least two such features. They are usually used to expand the living and sleeping areas.
Standing in the center of the living room, you’ll notice a modular sofa opposite a fireplace and a TV mount hidden in the furniture. Take a seat on the plush leather couch and let the integrated and colored LEDs determine your mood. Maybe put on your favorite jam, blast it through your JBL sound system and dance the night away. With acoustic padding throughout the DX3, you don’t even have to worry about waking up the neighbors.
When it’s time for a snack, a fully equipped kitchen is just off the living room. I’ll skip the fact that the features are residential size and look better than what I have in my house. Even bathrooms are just like those in our homes, with the china god waiting for your morning prayers after a night of drinking and a fiberglass shower stall to help you freshen up. The bedroom meets the same standards as the rest of this mobile home. Each floor plan features a king bed with walk-in space, as well as another entertainment center.
Photo: Dynamax RV
However, all this does not seem to justify the asking price. So why so much? Well I had to dive deeper to find out why. It became clear to me that we are not buying a mobile home or a camper; This is a turnkey machine for year-round use!
For starters, the DX3 hull consists of an aluminum frame with aluminum roof trusses, floor and lots of fiberglass on the outside. This brings strength and the ability to brave the elements, all welcome benefits when talking about year-round campervan living. But it’s things like the 8kW Onan generator, standard solar pack with 3,000W inverter/charger, water filtration system, Winegard satellite system and heated holding tanks that ensure that whatever the weather, you’ll be easy to get up and the place. Don’t forget to check out the optional 1,000W solar panel, washer/dryer combo, and replace the appliances with electric ones.
We’ve started to scratch the proverbial surface of a DX3 and if I continued our journey we’d still be here for about an hour. It’s all in your hands from here, but if you happen to fall in love with this machine and this lifestyle, there’s no stopping your spirit of exploration with a DX3 as long as your wheels stick to tarmac and light country roads. And that, dear fellow readers, is perhaps worth every penny!
