2008 Phaeton 36QSH Review

Introduction

I recently inspected a 2008 Phaeton 36QSH at King's Campers in Wausau, WI. This recent floor plan has been widely accepted by RV buyers looking to have a shorter model diesel pusher than the 40 footers while still offering the features and amenities of the larger coaches. Tiffin did a great job packaging those features into the Phaeton 36QSH while still offering a killer floor plan. Because it's becoming a highly sought after RV, 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.

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Enjoy!

Mark Quasius - "Cruzer"

The Review

The 36QSH was recently introduced by Tiffin during the middle of the 2007 model year. Previously all single axle Phaetons were on a Freightliner chassis with a choice of either the 350 HP Cat C7 engine with 860 ft-lbs of torque or the 330 HP Mercedes MBE 926 engine with 1,000 ft-lbs of torque. 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. While the 2008 Phaeton 42QRH comes on the Spartan tag axle chassis, all of the single axle Phaetons remain on the Freightliner chassis. Every 2008 Phaeton is powered by the 360 HP Cummins ISC engine, which puts out 1,050 ft-lbs of torque. These engines are all the new ULSD fueled engines with Diesel Particulate Filters that meet the requirements of the new emissions regulations that affect all new diesel engines.

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 $225,715 and was loaded up with plenty of options. That puts a typical net sale price in the mid $170K range.

Exterior

The 36QSH that I viewed at King's Campers was in the Sunlit Sand full body paint color scheme. The 2008 Phaeton paint scheme has been changed from the 2007 model year. All Tiffin coaches feature heavier use of black on the front upper portion of the coach.

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, side view cameras, and window awnings. This profile shows the new awnings and slide covers that were introduced in the 2007 model year. 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

The 36QSH comes with the Freightliner XC rear radiator chassis. It features a GVWR of 32,000 lbs and the weight placard in the closet of this particular coach gave it a 3,378 lb Cargo Carrying Capacity. The chassis uses the Cummins 360 ISC engine coupled to an Allison 3000 transmission. The 12,000 lb solid front axle has a 55 degree wheel cut. Combine that with the 208" wheelbase and you'll find that this RV can turn on a dime. The 360 ISC 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, an engine exhaust brake complements the front disk brakes so stopping this coach as well as acceleration are easily covered by this powertrain. For a complete spec sheet on this chassis check This Link in the Freightliner Chassis category of the RV Tech Library.

In this image we see the rear cap and radiator access cover. Note that the ladder is now black anodized rather than polished aluminum to better complement the decor.

Interior - General

The Phaeton interior features full ceramic tile. This particular coach had the popular Kona 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 dinette and galley area and looks down the bathroom hall into the bedroom. The 36QSH comes standard with a 32" LCD TV built into the hutch. This popular feature eliminates having to look up over the windshield in order to view it. The TV is blocked from view once the slide is retracted.

This forward looking view provides a better look at the Ultra-leather couches. The driver's side couch is a Air Coil Sofa Sleeper. The Flexsteel captain's chairs are also finished in Ultra-leather. The standard configuration locates the 32" LCD TV in the hutch as shown in the previous image. In this case a complete row of cabinets extends across the top of the windshield. There is a no cost option to relocate the LCD TV to the front as in traditional designs. The mid coach TV position now becomes a storage area in the hutch cabinet. A third option is to order TVs in both locations. This is an extra charge option but it gives you the ability to view TV in either location. You do lose the two center cabinets up front though when doing this.

Interior - Cockpit Area

The cockpit area shows the Freightliner steering wheel and dash instrumentation. The radio is a Magnadyne radio with CD player and is Sirius satellite radio ready.

As previously mentioned, the 36QSH comes with your choice of TV locations. This particular coach had the mid-coach TV option. When the front overhead TV option is selected, 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 Phaeton has a multitude of rocker switches to control the various electrical features in the coach. Unlike the Allegro Bus, the Phaeton does not come with a Smart Wheel, so wiper and headlight controls are mounted on the dash. A rocker switch on the side console does operate the ICC Marker Light flash circuit.

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. In 2008 Tiffin went to an advanced HDMI distribution system that delivers High Definition signals to all of the LCD TVs from the various A/V devices in the coach. The old coaxial cable switcher is gone now and everything is digital. In addition, the upper cabinet has been increased in size to provide greater depth for the larger DVRs that most people are using instead of the basic satellite TV receivers. There is plenty of room in the cabinet for a large DVR or satellite receiver as well as a VCR or any other device. The louvered door 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.

For 2008 Tiffin introduced the MCD dual roller shades in the cockpit area. These shades consist of a white privacy shade as well as a black mesh solar shade. They are mounted on a pair of rollers as a single assembly. The shade over the front windshield is a full width power shade that eliminates gaps in the middle and near the edges where sunlight always seems to bother the driver's eyes. They are operated by a pair of rocker switches on the side console. The side windows of the cockpit area are protected by dual roller shades as well but these are manually operated by giving them a tug just like your shades at home.

Interior - Main Salon and Galley

This couch on the driver's side of this particular coach was an Ultra Leather Air Coil Sofa Sleeper.

The dinette features a free standing table without any leg to get in the way when trying to sit at the table. The table extends out another foot from the cabinet when extra space is needed. In addition to the fabric covered dinette chairs a pair of folding chairs of similar decor is included. The table and buffet counter is solid surface edged.

These close-ups show the hutch with the mid-ship 32" LCD as well as a detailed shot of the lighting sconce used in the main salon.

The galley features a solid surface countertop and a below-the-counter mounted stainless steel sink. A convection microwave oven is standard in the overhead as is a 3 burner cooktop. An optional oven is available. The hanging metal decoration (which is removable) is attached to the wall that encloses the Norcold 12 cu ft 4 door refrigerator.

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 fully extended.

The galley countertop is backed by a solid surface backsplash to make cleaning much easier. The sculpted backsplash also includes small cast metal trivets featuring the Tiffin rosette.

Interior - Bath Area

The passenger side of the coach has an enclosed toilet room. The sink is placed in a solid surface vanity top with adequate storage underneath. An overhead medicine cabinet is also provided.

The passenger side bath area features a rectangular shower stall located next to another vanity and sink that is accessed from the bedroom area.

Interior - Bedroom Area

This image of the passenger side of the bedroom area shows the vanity as well as the High Definition 26" LCD TV screen and the solid surfaced cabinetry, which is built into the fourth slideout.

Moving around to the rear of the bedroom we can see the wardrobe with it's sliding mirrored doors. The closet to the left of the wardrobe serves as a shirt closet with shelving underneath. An optional washer-dryer can be installed in the lower portion of this cabinet.

The driver side bedroom slide contains a "short" queen bed (less than 80" in length) with overhead cabinets and two windows to allow flow through ventilation.

Noteworthy Exterior Features

The 2008 Phaetons now feature a new wider entry door, stairwell, and telescoping steps. The entry door and steps add an extra 6" of room to make entry to the coach that much easier. In addition the passenger side dash was redesigned to provide additional legroom for the passenger when the power footrest on the copilot's chair was extended.

This last image was taken from another 36QSH other than the one I am doing the review on because this option was not included on the subject coach. In prior years the optional exterior TV was located in the basement compartment and was a large CRT style of TV. As of 2008 this option has been replaced by a high definition flat screen LCD TV that is located in the passenger side slideout. A well gasketed hatch cover with gas struts opens to expose the TV. This makes it easier to see because it's above everyone's head and also opens up a valuable basement compartment for storage. It's the ultimate tailgate party entertainment center!

36 QSH Floorplan

Summary

The Phaeton 36 QSH is a lot of coach for the money. It strikes an excellent balance between the compact size of a smaller coach while still retaining the features and amenities of a larger unit. Coupled with the new feature upgrades implemented across the entire Tiffin line the 2008 Phaeton 36 QSH is an excellent choice for many RVers looking for a coach in that length.