2012 Serenity Exterior

My immediate impression of the 2012 Serenity by Leisure Travel Vans was that it looked similar to a modern “shuttle” type vehicle and would be a great for stealth-mode…if that’s important to you. Mostly I noticed that it had that hard to define high-end look, even from afar. The lines are clean and sleek and right away it’s apparent that a talented design team spent their time to develop the Serenity.

The inside was a surprise of modern touches and attention to detail. There’s an impressive amount of storage space within the attractive curved wood cabinetry. And even the efficient LED lights are thoughtfully dressed up along the ceiling in a series of curvy flowing panels. The flooring is an easy to clean “wood look vinyl” that is gorgeous, and the name does not do it justice.

Leisure Travel Vans calls this a wide-body Class B, or B+, motorhome. There is no cabover area and no slides in the Serenity. The width of the motorhome is 8 feet so this makes it feel more roomy than you might imagine given there is no slide-out. For comparison, this is 6 inches wider than the Winnebago View/Navion.
There’s plenty of natural light inside due to window and skylight placements, but I’m less sure about how optimized the placements are for viewing the outdoors while seated. Best to spend some time siting in this small RV, just like you would during your normal adventures to determine for yourself. While you’re spending time in the front dinette area, check out how the table slides around to serve your needs.

Sprinter RV Chassis

The 2012 Serenity S24CB is built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 Cab BlueTEC turbo diesel 188 hp engine with 5 speed automatic transmission. Leisure Travel Vans estimates MPG at 17, which seems reasonable especially if you tend to travel at lower than interstate highway speeds.

2012 Libero Gas Model

The Serenity (diesel) and Libero (gas) share the same floorplan, but are based on different chassis. While the Serenity uses the Sprinter chassis, the Libero is based on the Chevrolet 3500 Express Cutaway 6.0 Liter Vortec gas engine with 6 speed automatic transmission. Other differences due the chassis configuration are presented in the table:

2012 Serenity and Libero Differences

Highlights of the 2012 Serenity Class B Motorhome

Floorplan of the 2012 Serenity

• 2-year Coachnet Warrantee covering towing, flat tire, mobile mechanic, lock-out services, etc.

Exterior Highlights

• All fiberglass construction
• Full Canadian insulation (at least that’s what I think of vehicles made for Canada’s weather) using the highest density Styrofoam SM (Blue) on the market. The flooring is actually 2“ thick with the Styrofoam sandwiched between two 1/2” thick pieces of plywood
• Height is under 10’ thanks to a recessed air conditioner
• Silver full body paint with clear coat and minimal graphics for a “European” style
• Optional side turn cameras on both sides to see blind spots
• Frameless glass

Passenger side:

• Power awning
• Sliding screen on entry door
• 2 storage compartments with aluminum watertight doors that fold down for easy access (I do wonder if doors get in the way, or if doors will be used as a “shelf” and subject to breakage)

Rear:

• Compartment that makes use of a long slender empty space

Driver’s Side Service Compartments:

• Front – electrical storage:
  • shore power is detachable and while some may wonder if they’re vulnerable to thieves and pranksters, they may not be sleeping in the best of areas to have those worries,
  • optional Onan propane or diesel generator,
  • house batteries slide out from their outside compartment
    
    

    Service Compartment (click to enlarge)
• Rear – service:
  • water fill,
  • exterior shower,
  • propane fill,
  • black water flush,
  • propane on-off,
  • satellite connection,
  • gray water tank,
  • optional macerator pump

Interior Highlights

Cab Area

• Ultraleather seats in 3 colors that swivel
• In dash radio,CD/DVD player, GPS, rear (and optional side-turn) camera monitor
• Privacy drapes track around to block windows

Coach Area – Front

• Interior height is 6’3” which may be limiting to many
• Ducted air vents (not just air blowing directly from A/C)
• Interior LED lights
• Solid wood curved cabinetry in either cherry or maple with positive locking upper cabinets
• Front dining area seats 6 and table slides for easy access
• Front ultraleather dinette makes into a double bed, though blocks entry way somewhat
• Large skylight above dining/kitchen area
• Corian countertops include a covered recessed garbage can in kitchen counter
• Sink and stove are recessed and covered when not in use to provide large flat surface area in kitchen
• Spice rack above stove
• Great use of storage with plenty of cabinets, drawers, and pull-out pantry racks and treys, secondary wardrobe by door (AKA “his”)

Coach Area – Rear

• Privacy shade curtain pulls out to block rear bed, bath, and wardrobe area
• Optional ultraleather electric convertible sofa instead of bed creates second sitting area
• 22” TV in rear swivels out for kitchen and dinette viewing
• Large wardrobe closet and drawers (AKA “hers”)
• Bathroom includes china toilet, recessed medicine cabinet, and a separate narrow shower

Serenity’s Market

The high quality craftsmanship is reflected in the base MSRP of $128,245, and from what I can see, these hold their resale value pretty well. The Serenity is ideal for down-sizers of high-end Class A motorhomes who appreciate the all wood construction, ample storage, and the power of diesel, but are ready for the conveniences offered from a smaller RV. The Sprinter chassis is easy to drive and is perfect for adventure.

The floorplan is also suitable for mobile office needs where an occasional meeting within the RV is required. Whether choosing the floorplan with the standard bed, or the optional sofa, the rear bedroom and bath area can be closed off with the privacy curtain.

Spend Time in One

When looking at a Serenity in person, pay attention to the dinette seating to see if this suits your travel style. Do you like the daytime views, and will the TV work for your needs. Is the shower usable and are you able to reach what you need to while the shower door is closed?

Take a look at the excellent video by Leisure Travel Vans to get a closer look for now:

Click here to view the embedded video.