Heartland's Freshest Fifth Wheel Trailers Blend "Old" and "New" With Utter Perfection

Folks, over the years, America has seen numerous RV and camper manufacturers pop up and then disappear into the ether, daunted by timeless brands the likes of Airstream, Winnebago, and a couple of others. One crew that's been able to rise up alongside these giants is Heartland RV, active for over 17 years now. But Heartland's history isn't what we're here for today.

Recently, Heartland unveiled their freshest lineup of fifth wheel habitats, the Corterra, or as the manufacturer sees it, your future mobile living and outdoor adventure solution. For example, this family of campers is designed as a mid-profile model, ranging from 31 ft (9.5 m) to 41 ft (12.5m), and the only available floorplan of three in the works weighs 10,719 lbs (4,862 kg).

But what makes this model so special? Well, our ties to Heartland have put together a small presentation on the Corterra, and part of its magic is heightened safety features and the ability to accommodate up to eight guests (depending on the floorplan) with modular features, appliances, and slide-out sections to expand the interior.

Starting with the safety side of things, Heartland decided to opt for Dexter's Tow Assist system, which ensures you reach your destination with features the likes of anti-lock braking, sway mitigation, and even an odometer, all powered by worldwide powerhouse Bosch.

Once this base is set, Heartland goes to town, creating the shell we see with an 8-inch I-beam, an enclosed and heated underbelly, and lightweight Azdel composite sidewalls set upon an aluminum frame. A new Trio Airflow ducted AC system and color-coded wiring are run through the shell, too.

The result is a gooseneck habitat with a bulbous and quite aerodynamic front cap, a massive panoramic windshield to let you enjoy the world around you when the elements begin to unleash their magic, slide-outs, and a roof that's just itching for some solar panels, the latter of which the Corterra boasts as standard, too.

What I found rather neat about the Corterra's exterior is that it's aimed at outdoor living. Sure, not as much as units with integrated outdoor galley, but an awning and exterior storage bays are part of the magic, giving you a place to store your outdoor dining gear and also where to set it up. Throw up a tent for the kids, and you'll be sleeping in peace in no time. Speaking of sleeping, let's head inside this new machine to see what it has to offer.

For the remainder of this article, please check out the image gallery if you haven't done so already. As for myself, upon seeing Corterra's interior for the first time, I was a tad perplexed at the blend of 'old' and 'new' design cues.

For example, the sofas we see have that old-school leather look and feel, while that galley is as modern as could be, with an island countertop and sink, residential-sized appliances, and adjoining an entertainment center fit with a sound bar and an electric fireplace. A wine and coffee bar is also nestled into one of the corners. Again, a very 'old' and 'new' feature, seemingly aimed at the younger caffeine-boosted generations or the fermented grape lovers of old.

Once we break away from this half of the unit, the remainder of the CT3.0 floorplan unfurls its magic once we've taken a few steps to rise above the rest of the habitat. Yes, the bathroom and bedroom sit on the elevated portion of the trailer, naturally separating the two sections of this home.

Starting with Corterra's bedroom, future owners will be looking forward to an East-West bedding arrangement with a walk-around, cabinetry integrated into the space formed by the front caps, and access to the bathroom. The latter may not seem like a big deal, but it allows you to use the bathroom without disrupting anyone in the rest of the unit and vice versa.

As for the bathroom itself, Heartland took the time to ensure that we wouldn't be feeling cramped in these units and carried this feeling onto the bathroom with enough space to handle more than one person's usage at the same time. You can take a shower while your significant other brushes their teeth or dries off from their own watery moment. A washer/dryer combo can also be added to this part of your home.

Regarding some of the necessities, guests will be able to tap into 98 gals (371 l) of freshwater, use a 35,000 BTU furnace for heating, and cool off with two AC units. Shore power hookup and LP gas tanks also accompany your Corterra experience.

Now, I understand that it's rather difficult to picture what all of this means for you, so to get a better idea, take a minute or so and picture yourself and your family living out of the Corterra. Better yet, find a fresh unit in some dealership in your town and see it for yourself.

The only problem here is that I was unable to find a price for these babies. But, knowing Heartland and their other works, bring your checkbook, as you might be leaving with a new mobile home.