2007 Phaeton 42QRH Review

Introduction

I recently inspected a 2007 Phaeton 42QRH at King's Campers in Wausau, WI. Being a new model and showing a great deal of promise, I gave it a very thorough inspection and took lots of pictures. I'm posting this so that the TiffinRVNetwork members can see some pictures and descriptions of this great coach.

Note that I have also uploaded larger 1024x768 (XGA) images in addition to the smaller ones shown in this review. If you want to view a larger picture simply click on the image in the review and a new window with a full screen image will appear.

Feel free to download or save any of this text or images if you want. If you repost any or part of it to any other website just be sure you don't change any of my wording and please mention where it came from.

Enjoy!

Mark Quasius - "Cruzer"

The Review

The 42QRH is a new product in the 2007 model year Tiffin lineup. Previously all Phaetons were on a Freightliner single axle chassis that limited the length to a maximum of 40'. They were powered by 350 HP Cat engines with 860 ft-lbs of torque although the 330 HP Mercedes engine with 1,000 ft-lbs of torque was introduced as an option in the 2007 year. Midway through the year the new 42' Phaeton bowed. A radical departure from the previous chassis, this 42' coach came with a Spartan tag axle chassis and a 350 HP Cummins ISL engine that put out 1,050 ft-lbs of torque. All Phaeton chassis are rear radiator designs.

The Phaeton has been setting industry sales records, unusual for a class A motorhome in an industry that is presently in a downturn. But, after viewing the features, decor, and quality build of this coach many buyers are finding the Phaeton to be the best buy around in a diesel pusher. I tend to agree. The coach I looked at had a MSRP sticker price of $258,020 and was fully loaded. That puts a typical net sale price in the mid $190K range, which is a great value for a 42' tag axle coach.

The 42QRH that I viewed was inside at King's Campers. It was winter so I didn't want to take it outside and get it all sloppy just to take the pictures. Consequently, the exterior shots are not as flattering as the coach is in real life I apologize for this but I didn't want to let this coach get away before I took the pictures.

Exterior

The 42QRH that I viewed at King's Campers was in the Sunlit Sand full body paint color scheme. The 2007 Phaeton paint scheme is particularly impressive this year.

The above images show some of the features. This quad slide Phaeton is equipped with aluminum wheels, chrome mirrors, full body paint, Hadley air horns, power driver's, side view cameras, and patio awnings. This profile shows the new awnings and slide covers that are used in 2007. The awning and slide toppers are no longer exposed but are now encased in black covers that hide an ugly awning material, help protect it, and really give a high end look to the coach.

The Chassis

This unit came with a special Spartan Mountain Master GT tag axle chassis that was designed for this coach. It features a GVWR of 42,600 lbs, which gives it an excellent cargo carry capacity of 10,468 lbs. That should be enough to haul Lucy's rock collection. The chassis uses the Cummins 350 ISL engine and Allison 3000 transmission. The solid front axle has a 12,600 lb rating and is separated from the rear axle by a 296" wheelbase. The 350 ISL features an extremely wide rpm range where torque is maximized and you'll find that the 1,050 ft-lbs of torque is enough to haul this coach over any mountain pass that you'll ever encounter. To help control speed on the downgrades, a true engine compression brake is utilized rather than an exhaust brake. This greatly increases the engine braking capability of the 42QRH.

Freightliner mounts the tag axle rims the same as the steer axle while Spartan mounts the tag axle rims the same as the drive axle. Either method works but the style is different. My personal preference is the 18 wheeler look of the Spartan.

In this image we see the main drive and tag axle rims. These aluminum rims are mounted in typical Spartan fashion, with both axles exposing the deeper dish look, unlike Freightliner which uses the reverse rim mounting on the tag axle.

Interior - General

The 2007 Phaeton 42QRH interior features full ceramic tile. This particular coach had the Tuxedo interior with Medium Alderwood Cabinets. It strikes a nice balance between mild and wild and adds a touch of class. This rearward view shows the dual couches and looks back into the bedroom.

This forward looking view provides a better look at the Ultra-leather couches. The curbside couch is a Magic Bed studio couch. The Flexsteel captain's chairs are also finished in Ultra-leather.

Interior - Cockpit Area

The cockpit area shows the Spartan steering wheel and dash instrumentation. The radio is a Magnadyne radio with CD player and can is Sirius satellite radio ready. Unlike the Allegro Bus, the Phaeton does not come with a Smart Wheel.

The 42QRH comes with your choice of TV locations. This particular coach had the mid-coach TV option. When this option is selected, the overhead cabinets are installed clear across the front overhead area. If you choose the front TV location, then the 32" flat screen LCD TV is located between the two end cabinets up top. Each location has it's advantages and if you want, you can order a dual TV option with TVs in both the mid-coach area as well as the front overhead cabinets.

The co-pilot's location is supplied with a handy slide out workstation. This wood trimmed pull out table offers a solid place to put a laptop computer or can just be used as a reading or writing desk. .The solid surface lid opens up to reveal a storage area for pencils, paper, books, or laptop accessories.

On the curbside, immediately over the co-pilot's seat, is the entertainment center cabinet. This is where all of the coax cables terminate. A video selector switch can route these signal to wherever you desire. The DVD player feeds the surround sound system in the main salon. There is plenty of room in the cabinet for a satellite receiver as well as a VCR or any other device. The mesh grill allows for adequate ventilation to keep your electronics from overheating. An infrared remote sensor system is used throughout the coach so that your DVD player and satellite TV receiver can be operated from the main salon or bedroom while the cabinet door is closed.

To the far left of the front overhead cabinets is a cabinet with the various controls needed to operate the coach systems. The front slideout operation switches are found here as well as the holding and freshwater tank level monitoring panel, satellite dome control, power awning controls, and Xantrex inverter remote control panel.

Interior - Main Salon and Galley

This overview of the driver's side shows the dinette and surrounding area. The freestanding dinette table is trimmed in solid surface material. It is a legless table so that you won't be kicking tour toes on a support leg when entering or exiting the dinette and the spacious cabinets and buffet top provide even more valuable storage and counter space.

These close-ups show the hutch and refrigerator cabinetry. The hutch provides the location for the mid-coach TV option. This provides eye level viewing rather than the elevated front TV location but it is blocked from view if the main slide is retracted. It's also going to be temporarily blocked if someone opens the refrigerator door while you're watching the big game. The refrigerator is built into the slideout rather than the center coach structure. It's a 12 cu. ft. Norcold 4 door refrigerator trimmed with Medium Alderwood panels.

The galley features solid surface counter tops. This particular coach had a 3 burner gas cooktop but it is also available with an oven. Both the cooktop and the sink are covered with solid surface countertop inserts to provide a large work surface.

A very handy feature is the pullout cabinet and workstation. Whenever you need more work area simply extend this cabinet to provide and additional solid surface work area. The cabinet assembly easily extends and the full depth drawer can still be opened when the galley extension is in fully extended.

Interior - Bath Area

This is another area where a new unique feature was used by Tiffin Motorhomes. Most quad slide coaches have the traditional bedroom slides and main salon/galley slides but in the middle is a fixed superstructure where the refrigerator and bathrooms are located. The 42QRH brings a new concept in that the bathroom vanity is now part of the driver's side bedroom slide. When this slide is extended it opens up a nice large floor area that minimizes congestion when using the vanity. The shower stall, just to the right of the vanity is part of the central superstructure and does not move with the slide. The shower is outfitted with a rain glass enclosure to minimize the effects of water spotting. An overhead skylight provides additional illumination in this area.

The enclosed curbside toilet room features a sizeable solid surface vanity with plenty of storage space, both underneath and in the medicine cabinet above. Controls for the lighting and exhaust fan are located right on the cabinet face.

Interior - Bedroom Area

This overview of the bedroom area shows the queen bed as well as the rear wall. Immediately to the left of the sliding wardrobe doors is a cabinet with two large drawers with a shirt closet built over the top of it.

The dual bedroom slides offer lots of room to move around. The wardrobe closet on the back wall is mirrored to provide a more spacious feeling. This 42QRH was equipped with a full queen bed that was flanked by solid surface night stands. The padded headboard is flanked by a small window towards the rear of the slide which provides cross ventilation with the window at the foot of the bed in the opposite slide.

The curbside bedroom slide features a full length vanity countertop. Underneath are a large number of storage drawers as well as a laundry hamper. The overhead 21" TV set includes a built in DVD player and VCR.

The image on the left shows the right side of the wardrobe area. When the right side doors are opened a cabinet is exposed that contains both the AC Breaker panel as well as the DC fuse panel. The image on the right is taken from the left side of the closet and shows the numerous cubbyholes behind the electrical panels.

Separating the curbside bathroom from the bedroom is a large linen closet. This is also the location for the optional Splendide 2100 combo washer-dryer, in which case only the top half gets shelves.

Basement Storage and Utilities

The 42QRH has lots of storage space underneath the coach as well as up top. This front most curbside compartment can be used for a freezer or outside entertainment center (TV) as well as storage. Both coax and phone jacks are provided as well as inverter fed receptacles.

Aft of the previous bay are two large pass through storage bays. The rearmost is shown here and it also contains the 2,000 watt inverter that powers many of the coach's outlets. Optional full length basement slideout trays can be ordered for either, or both bays.

Continuing back along the curbside of the coach, the next compartment is immediately aft of the tag axle. This bay holds the four 6 volt flooded deep cycle batteries that power the house portion of the coach. Battery disconnects as well as the inverter master fuse and various connections are also in this compartment.

The next, and final curbside compartment, contains the charge solenoid, battery disconnect solenoid, and slideout interlock solenoids. There is plenty of room for storage in this compartment as well.

Beginning at the rear, on the driver's side, is the shore power compartment. This is where the automatic transfer switch is found as well as the ECM modules and a cord reel for the 50 amp shore power cord.

Forward of the rear axle is a small compartment where the HWH automatic leveling system resides.

Next up the line is the wet bay. The wet bay provides connections for both sewer and freshwater hoses. The water filter, water pump, soap dispenser, paper towel holder, and portable shower head are all found here. All controls for dumping, filling, and black tank flushing are also located on the rear panel.

Next are the two large pass through storage bays previously seen from the other side. Following that is the 32 gallon propane tank and then the front axle. Just ahead of the front axle is the electrical compartment for all the 12 volt dash fixtures. This compartment also contains the windshield washer reservoir as well as the quick disconnect coupling for an auxiliary air hose.

One last item - the Phaeton's slide toppers are now fully enclosed in black containers this year. This eliminates any unsightly stained rollers from tainting your view of this beautiful coach.

Summary

The 2007 Phaeton 42QRH has a lot to offer. While not in the same league as an Allegro Bus, it brings a 42' tag axle coach down to a price level previously unobtainable. The 1,050 ft-lb torque of the Cummins ISL easily moves it down the road and with over 10,000 lbs CCC and 42' of space you shouldn't have any problems bringing along what you want when traveling. All in all this is a very nicely done coach and an excellent value.