Community Forums

cfowler55 · 06-01-2023, 09:43 AM

Good morning all. We are currently in a 35’ fifth wheel and exploring moving into a DP. Maximum length of 38’ due to garage space. Looked at some New Aires , but they just didn’t do it for us. Wife really likes the 35CP , I like the price on the 36SH better. The gentleman showing us around said , due to power to weight ratio , the Phaeton would out perform the Bus. Trying to decide if this is right or just sales speak. We live in Texas and go to Colorado a couple of times a year. We will be towing a Jeep Gladiator, and want to be sure we have enough power to pull long , steep grades.
Thanks for y’all’s input, Charlie F

garykk · 06-01-2023, 10:39 AM

Go to the Tiffin Motorhomes website, there you can download the brochures for their coaches. You’ll be able to see the differences of each coach. Personally I think your salesman is blowing smoke.

Crasher · 06-01-2023, 10:46 AM

Either coach will do well in the mountains. A better power to weight ratio will equal more speed up the hill. We've been through the mountains in a 330 hp 40' Phaeton towing a 6,000# toad and a 43' 450 hp Bus towing a 12,000# enclosed trailer. Both got us there and back. Buy the one that that fits your needs and finances. It's not a race to the top, it's the experience that makes the memories.

bsedor · 06-01-2023, 01:55 PM

We have a 2022 35CP. It's very nice. I would say buy what you can afford or what you want to spend. The Bus is definitely nicer but I can't comment on the ability of the Phaeton to pull up hills. My 35CP pulls my 2022 RAM ecodiesel pickup just fine.

DRM901 · 06-01-2023, 03:47 PM

If you will be loading up the MH to it's max, then both are real close. Looking at the 2023 specs, the Phaeton has a GCWR/torque ratio of 42. Bus is 41. This was the 35'.

zombiewoof · 06-01-2023, 03:52 PM

The Bus 35CP has a GVWR of 41000. It has 450HP and 1250 lb-ft or torque. The Lbs to HP ratio is 91:1.

The Phaeton 36SH has a GVWR of 38320. It has 380HP and 1150 lb-ft of torque. The Lbs to HP ratio is 101:1.

The Bus 35CP has a better weight to power ratio as compared to the Phaeton 36SH. So in this case the salesman is not correct.

An interesting comparison is the Phaeton and Bus with identical floorplans and engines, that being the Phaeton 35CH with optional 450 HP engine and the Bus 35CP with the standard 450HP engine. In this case the Phaeton 35CH has the best Lbs to HP ratio, 88:1.

For identical floorplans the Bus is heavier than a Phaeton due to the weight of the materials used to construct the house side of the motohome. For example, the Phaeton has a fiberglass shower, the Bus is tile. This extends to other construction methods, ergo the increased weight of the Bus.

B52Rnav · 06-01-2023, 05:03 PM

Take a look at the Phaeton 37BH. With powerglide chassis or new raised rail Freightliner chassis, you get extra storage and flat floor from front to back. Allison 3000, 6 spd trans, GVWR 38320. Cummins L9 380hp. Very nice coach.

jerhofer · 06-02-2023, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B52Rnav

Take a look at the Phaeton 37BH. With powerglide chassis or new raised rail Freightliner chassis, you get extra storage and flat floor from front to back. Allison 3000, 6 spd trans, GVWR 38320. Cummins L9 380hp. Very nice coach.

+1 on 37BH. The full wall slide on the passenger side makes this rig look bigger than it is on the inside. And we will never be without a half bath on any future coaches.

DeWat · 06-02-2023, 10:25 AM

If you really want the power of the Bus in a Phaeton, it's doable, BUT, you have to pay to have that L9 (ISL) reprogrammed from 380HP to 450HP. Very doable, and nothing else needed, but by the time you've paid, you might have been able to have a Bus. (Of course trying to get to the power of the 605HP Bus is out of the question for the Phaeton, but you would only get that in a 45' foot Bus anyway).

**Lt Dan** · 06-02-2023, 03:08 PM

You should have no problem with a 36' Phaeton with the 380hp. We have a 40' towing the Jeep all over the Colorado mountains. We don't set any speed records but have no trouble with long 6-7% grades.

oldenavy · 06-02-2023, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerhofer

+1 on 37BH. The full wall slide on the passenger side makes this rig look bigger than it is on the inside. And we will never be without a half bath on any future coaches.

We bought our 37BH last fall and really like it. However it is 38’ 3” long. We have exactly 4” to spare fitting it into our 40’ pole barn after accounting for barn structure and overhead door. If your max is 38’ 0”, it will just miss. We measured the barn about 8 times before paying for the coach.

We also gave the New Aire a look, but zero opening windows was a deal breaker for us. We actually like the outdoors.

So far haven’t done any mountains pulling our Jeep, but the coach seems like it has plenty of power.

cfowler55 · 06-02-2023, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldenavy

We bought our 37BH last fall and really like it. However it is 38’ 3” long. We have exactly 4” to spare fitting it into our 40’ pole barn after accounting for barn structure and overhead door. If your max is 38’ 0”, it will just miss. We measured the barn about 8 times before paying for the coach.

We also gave the New Aire a look, but zero opening windows was a deal breaker for us. We actually like the outdoors.

So far haven’t done any mountains pulling our Jeep, but the coach seems like it has plenty of power.

Mine is a 40’ red iron metal building. Actual floor space is 38’5”. I could probably cut a section from the cross members at the rear and weld in 2x4 rectangular tubing to screw the skin to and pick up another 4-6”. Still seems awfully close.
Charlie F

cfowler55 · 06-02-2023, 04:14 PM

Thanks to all of you for y’all’s input. It’ll take some time for me to make a final decision, I’m sure.
Charlie F

thegats1 · 06-03-2023, 05:27 AM

I know you're looking at Phaeton and Bus. But as far as power, our Red 340 (340hp ISB6.7 engine) gets through the Rockies just fine towing our Jeep Grand Cherokee. Like most trucks and coaches, yes, we are in the slow lane for some stretches, but it does fine. Obviously having enough power for your needs is important, but you should be able to check that off your list pretty quickly. Looking back, I wish I had put more time in to making sure the floor plan is what we want/need. Anyone add a half bath to their coach? Kidding, but sure wish I could.