A household name in the Class A diesel-pusher market, the Phaeton has been Tiffin’s bestselling model for nine years – and the industry’s top-selling diesel for six. Touted by the company as a coach that delivers luxury and practicality at a greater value, the Phaeton has plenty to live up to. Aiming to meet those high standards, Tiffin recently debuted yet another Phaeton floorplan, this one a 42-foot bath-and-a-half model.
In the Phaeton 42LH, convenience and home-like amenities come first, starting with the rear master bath, complete with optional stacked washer and dryer ($1,680). The walk-in shower with skylight and glass door not only looks stylish but also is functional, even for those taller RVers. A porcelain toilet with electric flush stands next to the closet with mirrored sliding doors, also the only space to hang clothes. There is plenty of room to get ready in front of the triple-mirror vanity, with medicine cabinet above and drawer storage below.
A flat panel door slides open to the bedroom, revealing the walk-around Select Comfort king bed ($1,400). A pillow top queen comes standard, and all Phaeton floorplans have a 32-inch flatscreen TV above the wardrobe. A chest of drawers adds to the storage space, but here we noticed some irregularities in the fit and finish, with loose drawers and uneven countertop corners that could benefit from additional attention. We appreciated the bedside eyeglass stands and dual overhead lights; a ceiling fan increases air circulation but make sure to watch your head. The bedroom also has one of the coach’s three temperature-controlled Fan-Tastic roof vents.
Moving forward, owners and their guests will be grateful for the half bath, which removes the need for visitors to have to traipse through the bedroom. This bathroom has a foot pedal flush toilet and mirrored vanity with solid surface countertop and sink.
[slideshow auto=”on” thumbs=”on”]There’s no shortage of living space in the 42LH, and even with all four slides closed you can still move comfortably about the coach. A streetside slide is home to the kitchen, which features the stainless steel double sink, convection microwave (gas oven optional for $350) and three-burner cooktop with permanently mounted folding cover. It took a few tries to get the cover to fold back smoothly, but it’ll keep food from splashing onto the counter during meal preparation and has a vented top so it can be lowered into place before the stove is completely cooled. The expand-an-island pulls out easily. Full-extension drawers and more Cherry Bark overhead cabinets provide an abundance of storage. Opposite the sink is the residential stainless steel refrigerator with bottom freezer and icemaker.
When it comes to the eating area, buyers can choose from a U-shaped booth dinette (cloth, $630; leather, $910) or a freestanding dinette with built-in cabinets or a computer workstation ($980). Our unit had the workstation option, which offers a laptop tray and additional storage, perfect for a home office or craft area. For those who often have dinner guests, the tabletop extends and is plenty sturdy.
Forward of the galley, the Phaeton’s living room is an inviting space, illuminated with LED lights set in the soft touch ceiling and complemented by the standard 42-inch TV installed over the optional fireplace ($735). Socialize or watch TV – this Phaeton is equipped with surround sound, DVD player and the optional in-motion satellite dish ($1,400) – while relaxing in the optional leather recliner with flip-up reading table ($1,050). Or, kick back on the L-shaped Ultraleather sofa with hide-a-bed ($1,540). This unit also boasts the 37-inch front overhead TV ($1,120), but you could easily do without this option.
Up front, the Ultraleather captain’s chairs swivel to face the living area, providing extra seating for those looking to entertain. For the copilot, a handy workstation pulls out from the dash. The cockpit controls are within easy reach, and the optional in-dash navigational system with removable GPS ($1,050) is worth considering; a backup camera comes standard, as do heated power mirrors.
Outside, this unit sports Tiffin’s standard full-body paint in Maroon Coral, along with the optional 32-inch exterior TV ($1,120). Two pass-through storage bays should be able to accommodate even the heaviest of packers, and slide-out trays are available for easy access ($700). An automatic window, patio and door awning package is standard, as is the 10,000-kW Onan generator.
As the sixth floorplan to join the Phaeton lineup, the 42LH provides ample space for the entertainer along with ideal living conditions for extended stay travelers. Our thanks go to Jeff Nobbe and Shorewood RV Center in Anoka, Minn., for providing this Phaeton for our review.
Tiffin Phaeton 42LH Specifications
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: CUMMINS ISL,
400 HP
Fuel: 100 GAL
GVWR: 45,000 LBS
Length: 42′ 6″
Width: 8′ 5″
Height with a/c: 12′ 7″
Interior Height: 7′
Wheelbase: 296″
Freshwater Cap: 90 GAL
Gray-water Cap: 70 GAL
Black-water Cap: 50 GAL
LP-Gas Cap: 37.5 GAL
Base MSRP: $308,000
MSRP as reviewed: $323,484
Tiffin Motorhomes
256-356-8661,
www.tiffinmotorhomes.com
