Quote:
Originally Posted by ekim
Late 2018 and after bus has Girard awnings.
Bus features (based on memory in 2018). Some already mentioned:
* Side radiator
* More powerful engine (Phaeton can be re-programmed)
* IFS
* Air leveling (We REALLY like this)
* 150 Gallon fuel tank vs 100 Gallon
* Aquahot 450 vs 400 (not sure on this one)
* Heated floors standard (upcharge on Phaeton)
* 2018+ 24K rear axle and 17K front
- We're right at 24K now with full fuel and water
* All electric is upcharge on Phaeton
* more expensive paint job (exterior slide walls)
* Electric shades (not sure what Phaeton offers)
* Bus has electric toilet (maybe a negative)
* Larger tires and rims (I think)
* Roof rails (already mentioned)
* Not sure on this (3 15K acs)
* Maybe cherry wood in bus vs something else in Phaeton
* Different interior trim out - which really is based on preferences...
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Ekim really nailed a lot of the pertinent differences but I have a couple of additions and corrections.
The AquaHot is a 450D in both units, though this is an option on the Phaeton when it comes with the “all electric” option. Just personal preference I would buy a propane Phaeton, not “all electric”.
Heated floors were an option on both the Bus and Phaeton. Definitely get them! This, in addition to a king size bed, were non negotiable for me.
The Bus does have larger tires, 305/22.5 versus Phaeton 295/22.5. Don’t need to inflate them as high for a given weight of the motorhome. Marginally better ride.
The interior electric shades in the Bus are a bomb. Didn’t think much about this feature until I got to use them. Love them now, would be hard to go back to manual.
The 150 gallon fuel tank in the Bus is meaningful. Didn’t think much of it at the time. It gives you better flexibility in finding lower priced fuel. For instance I only have to add a partial fill up of fuel once during my trips in and out of CA instead of being stuck with two or more full fill ups at outrageous prices. It was also a significant benefit when planning fuel stops on my trip to Alaska.
The digital dash started in 2020 on the Phaetons (and Busses I believe). I really like it versus the analog gauges used in previous years.
The AP is a great floor plan. I love it for many reasons but also because I find a half bath in any sub 45 foot model a waste of space. Just my personal opinion.
The Phaeton version of the Bus 40AP floorplan was the Phaeton 40AH (Phaeton did not have a 37 foot version of the AH). This motorhome was built on a Freightliner chassis, not Powerglide as was the bus. The Freightliner motorhome did not have a raised rail chassis resulting in less storage underneath, lower ceilings and a step up where the engine access panel was in the bedroom, i.e. not a flat floor in the bedroom.
Final thoughts about 37AP vs 40AP.
Easier to overload the rear axle on the 40AP due to extra weight of the three feet. The Busses are a little porky due to the quantity of the materials used to build them versus the Phaetons. Second, the 37AP will make it easier to get onto the smaller and older National, State and County parks, and National Forest campgrounds. If you are an RV Park/Resort kind of guy this is immaterial.
One caveat to my comments. I only have direct experience with 2020 and 2021 Phaetons and Busses having owned both.
2017 Phaeton 40IH XSH Maroon Coral - Power Glide Chassis with IFS
I had to look at 2020 Phaetons to find the newer features that we got in our 2019 Bus.
Linear Mode
