The campground host greeted us with a question. “Which one did you bring down this time?” Over the summer this gentleman was gracious enough to save us a space on the overflow lot of a popular resort. Normally there is an office to handle check-ins during regular business hours, but since we appear on the weekends at varying times of the day, this resident camp host, a long standing RVer himself, makes sure we have plenty of room to perform the product reviews.

To his question about the coach, I replied: “A 2006 Neptune. Got a moment to take a look?”

This is always the moment he waits for. Without asking him twice, he’s up the entry steps and inside the diesel motorhome with few opinions about this unit fresh off the production line.

The 2006 Neptune is available in five floorplans ranging from 34 to 37 feet. This review was done on the 36SBT with Newport Cherry Wood and the Ebony Vine II interior package, a very attractive décor combination.

What we already knew from the journey to this campground was that the 2006 Neptune handled the road quite nicely. Constructed on the Roadmaster R4R Rail Chassis with four air bags and four gas shock absorbers, any complaints about the ride were checked at the door. The Neptune also provided plenty of power with the Cummins ISB 300 HP Low Torque engine and Allison 2,500 MH 5-Speed World Transmission, enabling us to keep up with the rest of the pack while driving over a two-lane roadway winding through its fair share of hills and valleys.

All floorplans on the 2006 Neptune comprise a gross vehicle weight of 26,500 with a 7,000-pound hitch receiver. Fuel tank capacity is 75 gallons, and the dual fuel fill comes standard. New features this year include a fully automatic hydraulic leveling system that is easy to operate at the touch of a button, and pre-wiring for a supplemental braking system.

The first thing our visitor noted upon entering the cockpit was the Neptune’s one-piece windshield, a new feature this year. “The ceiling is nice and high, too,” he said, referring to the seven-foot height that is another new feature this year. Other attractions in the cockpit of the 2006 Neptune include a charismatic Burl wood instrument panel, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, soft touch vinyl seats, and side window pull down shades for both the pilot and co-pilot. During the drive we also made good use of the optional three-camera rear vision system installed on this unit. (A single-camera is standard.)

Moving into the living area we found attractive nylon carpeting covering ample floor space between dual sofas. Attractive brass lamp fixtures decorate the living room and the dinette overhead. Nine options are listed in furniture selections including a freestanding dinette with a wall cabinet that was in this motorhome. A look at the brochure of the 2006 Neptune shows that there are enough selections in oak cabinetry colors and fabric designs to satisfy any interior taste.

It should be noted that Neptune is the only diesel at its price with an electric flush-floor step cover.

The galley boasts a solid-surface countertop, laminate tile flooring, overhead cabinets with adjustable shelving, a pantry, and a wood framed fluorescent light in the ceiling that provides impressive illumination to the kitchen area. Our one-man test subject admired the eight-cubic foot, double door refrigerator with icemaker that comes standard, or upgraded to a four-door 10- or 12 cubic foot unit.

On this floorplan the Neptune bathroom is completely contained in one room with trim on the door facing the hallway. The bath countertop is solid surface. A large wall mirror is mounted on the wall, along with a medicine cabinet and plenty of storage space for linens and toiletries.

Space is generous in the bedroom of the 2006 Neptune, largely due to the fact that the slide room is 30 inches deep this year. An oversized closet adorns one side of the room, a queen size bed the other. On each side of the bed is additional closet space as well as nightstands. There was also a swing-out television cabinet in this unit and an attractive wood frame headboard with a padded fabric insert.

Moving to the outside, our campground host admired the optional full body paint with metal covers on all the awnings. (Most coaches at this price or more don’t have metal awning covers.) Power heated mirrors come standard, and you can choose chrome as an option. New this year are low profile marker lights and side hinged bay doors. One of the cargo bays includes pass through storage, and the rear engine doors are designed with struts.

The electrical system of 2006 Neptune includes a 50-amp 120-volt distribution panel and power cord with the Smart Energy Management System. An Onan 5.5 kW diesel generator comes standard, but you can upgrade to an 8.0 kW diesel generator as an option. Another available option is a 2,000-watt inverter with two batteries.

On board water supplies in the 2006 Neptune include a 10-gallon water heater tank that runs on LP Gas or Electric, and fresh water capacity of 92-gallons. A winterization valve system is provided and the shower hose inside the wet bay has been redesigned to provide hot and cold water. The sewer hose on the Neptune is stored in a separate and enclosed area. If you consider winter weather the prime RV season, the Neptune has a heater in the wet bay and a heat pad installed to the fresh water tank to help withstand the elements.

“I give this Neptune two thumbs up,” said our critic as we concluded the walk around. “It’s a well built unit with the potential to make a campground host nice and comfortable.”

The 2006 Neptune is an attractive RV that provides all the amenities to spend time hooked to full shore power, or extended stays away from hookups and far from crowds. Which, when you get right down to it, is exactly what RVing is all about.