The BEST Marathon Prevost I Have Inspected

I did an inspection on this beautiful and rare 2008 Marathon Bunkhouse Bus Conversion and had to make a video because it was in such great shape. I may have gotten carried away, but this time I did start on the inside then went to the outside.
I did get some flickering from the LED lighting inside but it is not visible in person. I was also trying my new phone which I am not too pleased with.
inside tour starts at 1:14
exterior tour starts at 22:46
Don't forget to watch Andrew Steele's review of this one too!
• PREVOST XL2 MARATHON C...
All inquires on the bus should be to:
Chad Stevens 480-245-7870
Premium Coach 378 S Hamilton Ct Gilbert, AZ 85233
premiumcoachgroup.com

[@solvend]

Crazy nice for 13 years old. Can tell someone loved that rig.

[@AZExpert]

You got that right! rumor has it was owned by a famous entertainment couple

[@michaelbroadhead4706]

Dude I would die for this bus very awesome

[@colekim1687]

It's nice how u went through explaining in detail not like most others who says same thing in every clips but u were so thorough I enjoyed it very much

[@AZExpert]

I appreciate that!

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

This guy is definitely top-notch I would definitely watch his roof repair videos rather than someone else I have seen people that do some spotty work on KZbin

[@travellingslim]

Thanks for showing this! Wow wow wow, what an absolutely amazing rig. The innovation and tech inside this and it's from 2008!!!! *grandpa voice* "They don't make em like they used to"

[@AZExpert]

Glad you liked it!

[@terrywheelock9458]

Yep, knew you were gonna say the "SMELL", it tells all the difference between an "EXCELLENT" vehicle, and all the rest! 👍 Gotta friend that has one of these, they are SWEET! 👍

[@AZExpert]

it was very enjoyable

[@RLBS61]

They must keep a full time cleaning crew on the payroll.I once had a customized Freightliiner tractor and let me tell you just keeping a truck clean is a full time job especially with lots of chrome.

[@AZExpert]

thats all I can think too, diesel engines are never clean

[@michaelbroadhead4706]

Everything u show is awesome but this takes the cake how much

[@ozarkliving7263]

That booth is amazing. Love the bunks

[@hayyarbrough]

Oh boy.. I enjoyed that.. that's clean I wished I could say that's my new home.. can't beat that Detroit 60 series got those in my dump trucks. Thank you James

[@hillbillyrv]

Thanks for showing us another beautiful coach. I would have never found all those hidden latches and switches.

[@AZExpert]

You are welcome for sure! Thank you

[@thomash681]

Excellent presentation of a beautiful coach. Love the two bunks!! I want it…. :)

[@williejames2170]

Beautiful modern older bus!

[@terrytinagero777]

Thank you for your time, really enjoyed it.

[@AZExpert]

My pleasure!

[@NoelBarlau]

Someday I'll be in the market for one of these, and I'm going to wait to buy one that makes you as excited as this one does. You can always tell at the beginning of the video how excited you are about a coach, like a kid on Christmas. Great to see!

[@AZExpert]

thank you. It's beautiful, but also I am more excited when everything works andI don't have to fix things

[@Yukonjackman1]

Real nice thanks for the tour.

[@AZExpert]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ozarkliving7263]

Very classy, if I was retired, I’d be interested

[@FadeToBlackLLC]

That is a beautiful coach! I'm really becoming a fan of the Steel sides. They do look classy I have to admit 👍🏾

[@AZExpert]

I like the riveted panels a bit more for the industrial look. Thanks!

[@jpsmith8523]

Love your videos and knowledge!!!

[@AZExpert]

I appreciate that!

[@richt.4900]

It’s so nice to see a coach in such good condition but, even more impressive to see the level of care put into it for a 2008 model. Covid/lotto win permitting, I’ll have a dozen 😳🙄😅🍻👍🏻😉

[@AZExpert]

I agree completely

[@PaulSter]

Good to see you again James! I want that coach! Just not ready for it!

[@AZExpert]

You and me both!

[@rickhodges1731]

That is a winner! Thanks for the tour!

[@AZExpert]

You're welcome!

[@robertburgess6100]

That's a beautiful Bus! I love air powered doors also. Some body took very good care of it.

[@AZExpert]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[@keithmaddox2917]

Excellent job James!

[@AZExpert]

thank you

[@jonathonhigham2793]

Airbags on the generator! I wish I had thought of that back when I rolled with generators.

[@AZExpert]

it helps out a great deal for sure

[@lutomson3496]

Nice coach and you do a better job with this then Andrew Steele does! My big fear of one of those is maint as it gets older, air lines switches all that automation takes work and maint costs thanks for sharing!

[@AZExpert]

I appreciate that. Maintenance is all I see too, I completely understand

[@ronniecardy]

Very nice. Must want a lot of money for this coach. Well made one

[@AZExpert]

yes, they are asking quite a bit $599k. so not something I can think about

[@mildredlackey1938]

Wow, very nice , I think you should have one like this for yourself, you deserve it, thanks for the walk through, I guess we can all dream huh?

[@AZExpert]

I don't think I could ever afford one of these. But thank you!

[@docbrady6397]

I owned three of these and they’re amazing coaches and one of the highlights of my life to own them. However I must tell you unless you’re a millionaire or a billionaire stay as far away from these coaches as you can and admire them from a distance as they are very expensive to maintain and to own not to mention the 5 miles per gallon that they get and at today’s $3.50 a gallon and the $600 each for the tires or the $400-500 oil changes. fees go up along way from there and the worst part is the only real good place to get them fixed is in Nashville Tennessee. If you buy one all I can say to you is good luck!

[@AZExpert]

No RV is inexpensive to maintain, no matter what they cost originally.

[@joycebarnett5813]

John, thank you for showing more of the inside first. I really appreciate that. What does chafing or cracking mean? Not sure what you said so please forgive me on that. This is a beautiful coach. Thanks for the full tour. This is the first bunk unit that I actually liked. Stay safe and healthy. Happy tour guiding. Thanks

[@AZExpert]

"checking" is outgassing of the resin in the fiberglass usually in dark paint left in direct sunlight. It's a very large issue with RVs and the manufacturers have all shrugged it off as just cosmetic.

[@19Clutch69]

Awesome coach

[@AZExpert]

Glad you think so!

[@philipk917]

very very nice! 👍

[@mikeallensonntag]

You should do a video on what's bad on Prevosts, I see you really loving them alot. Which I do also I think for a class a they seem to be the most well made. Personally a class b person less leaks no slides no problems but these prevosts really got me thinking. Also maybe what do they cost yearly to maintain full time?

[@hoofixrman]

Thats a sweet bus for someone!

[@AZExpert]

I agree

[@DavidHBurkart]

Wow... just wow.

[@AZExpert]

that was my thoughts too

[@TONYANDBRENDA1969]

Your right very clean!!

[@AZExpert]

Glad you think so!

[@cwshumate914]

Nice coach. I can see why those Prevost coaches are so desirable in the high end market.

[@AZExpert]

they are pretty, but I'd be hard pressed to justify them over a diesel pusher

[@cwshumate914]

@@AZExpert I would agree with that.

[@kenj.8897]

I think you should buy it . Funny thing at the beginning of the video when you said you loved the smell , I knew you were going to say that . My late father's Mercedes had that smell , it's ingrained into my memory .

[@AZExpert]

I do not have the means to purchase, maintain, or insure anything close to this

[@kenj.8897]

@@AZExpert Not many do , me included lol

[@mathiaslwolf]

nice! I've been doing some pricing around, and from what I understand, even if I can afford to buy one, that makes zero difference, because it's not about what you can afford to buy, it's about what you can afford to maintain. The budget has to be able to pay for the cost to travel and repair, as well as the resale.

[@Graygeezer]

So where’s the teleporter on that starship? Be careful you don’t beam yourself to the moon!

[@AZExpert]

I didn't show the behind the large door in the hallway

[@badgerpa9]

Nice. I like Marathon Coaches. Thank you for a great video.

[@AZExpert]

Thanks!

[@ericbarnett6771]

I use Bath & Body Works "Bourbon" body wash for the same reason.

[@AZExpert]

it smelled so nice

[@gcflower99]

I loved the "...nightmare of wiring" as you described the organized complex circuitry required in a quality coach like this. Poor Keystone RV thinks that using similar colors with a number printed on the insulation jacket is "enough" to describe theirs as "Keystone's wiring standard". The poor labelling on the "fuse box" means you still have to track and yell: "Honey, did the light come on? (when I replaced the fuse/etc.)"

[@AZExpert]

They should change the wiring schematic name to "Honey did the light come on?"

[@garyag45]

Hope you get a sales commission when Premium sells that unit, very nice review.

[@AZExpert]

Thank you. I don't think I'll get anything. I just sneak a video while no one is looking

[@Panama714]

Well done. I always enjoy your inspection videos. When the day comes, you will be inspecting for me.

[@AZExpert]

Glad you like them!

[@tonyalphonse8455]

Sweet coach

[@AZExpert]

that's what I thought too

[@CC-fx4nn]

It's amazing what a couple million bucks will buy you!

[@AZExpert]

Not quite that much lol

[@johnhicks7589]

Just FYI... when you open Prevost baggage bays, you should open the flap and grab the handle provided inside, under the flap. When closing use the same handle. You really don’t want your fingers wrapped around the edge like that.

[@AZExpert]

I've heard that, but you find one black widow hidden there and youll never blindly grab that bar again

[@SuperAnne57]

Washer /Dryer ? Beautiful Coach - Thank you -

[@AZExpert]

yes it has a stacked washer and dryer

[@williejames2170]

I enjoy buses.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

46k miles. It’s not even broke in. Guess that’s why it looks so good. It’s beautiful but it’s huge and it not something I would drive. But it’s super clean and it’s got a Detroit. No emissions or DEF 😂. It will fetch a pretty penny.

[@AZExpert]

I'd drive it, just couldn't buy it

[@kenj.8897]

That's a mother in law suite underneath 😊

[@AZExpert]

agreed

[@jimdecheine7995]

On your Beaver you purchased you put drawer locks on the drawers & eliminated the old style drawer locks. O have a 2000 Breaver with the old style drawer locks. Can you tell me what replacement locks you installed in your coach? I enjoy watching all your u tube videos. Thank you.

[@AZExpert]

I didn't install anything on it, that was a previous owner

[@smacdiesel]

Nice, I didn't know they used fiberglass on the Prevost rigs.

[@AZExpert]

Just the rear mostly. the H3 chassis are almost all fiberglass.

[@jamesg1753]

So in reality how much of a problem is de-lam on an x2....you said on a well maintained coach it shouldn't be a problem, but if I understand correctly it's the glue that lets go over time with du to heating and cooling from the sun in extreme climates such as the dessert sun and heat..

[@hayyarbrough]

By the way I love those pocket doors I can sit there all day open close open close

[@hcrffi]

Very nice. One question. What is that green tank behind the front bumper where the spare tire goes on an passenger coach?

[@AZExpert]

that's the auxilary air tank for air driven non-chassis components

[@TrailToughTrailers]

Do you know where they hide the keys to that unit as I would like to "borrow" it until the Police found me!!! Seriously, that is a really nice ride and as always... a GREAT video!!!

[@AZExpert]

it is really nice

[@stevelk1329]

Honestly, there's so many buttons I can see why people would trade them in. That along with the old solar. These days you just need one small display, a computer the size of a deck of cards and relays and you can run everything from one place without 50 buttons. Still a nice RV though..

[@AZExpert]

I like the buttons. When that one display goes out--it's not fun

[@richbowie76]

I would make this my daily driver!

[@AZExpert]

that would be nice

[@kdub1666]

Very nice coach and review. I think that crazy lamination/shill guy reviewed it a few days ago too. You do a more thorough and unbiased review. That bulbous Vorad system is awful looking. Given it's age and older technology, I imagine it performs about as well as it looks. I know they had a number of early issues with leaking, corrosion, poor reliability. Gotta wonder if Marathon added plexiglass to the water/pump space in part to keep road dust out. I worry about reliability of all those electric motors to roll all those gadgets up/down/in/out. The owner must've had access to a great detailer. Question about steel side lamination. What's you impressions of it? I assume it's mostly a cosmetic thing and given time all will eventually experience it?

[@AZExpert]

thank you. I think the delamination is mostly a product of sun exposure and heat cycles along with poor detailing. It is mostly a cosmetic thing for sure, but of course the skin does add strength to the bus. I thought Marathon could have done a much better job integrating the Vorad unit into the dash. Of course, I do not like the Vorad system and all the other gadgets as those are the things that tend to fail and are difficult to replace. Thanks again!

[@michellebarlondsmith6243]

awesome

[@AZExpert]

thank you!

[@johnschmehl668]

Did you buy it?You look really good in it.

[@AZExpert]

oh no, I could never get a bus

[@tedshaw8291]

Question does the black Does the black paint cost to check in on the fiberglass or dark colors

[@AZExpert]

The darker paints due tend to have the most checking for sure, but eventually left in the sun long enough even the tans and whites can check

[@MountainSalsa]

ty

[@AZExpert]

Thanks for watching!

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

Hey I got kind of an off topic question if you don't mind answering I had a weird experience happen the other day and I tried googling it and couldn't get a good answer. I had my RV toilet fill up to the brim with water it did not overflow but when I opened the lid it was just right to the top my first thought was the foot pedal got stuck but it was not down at all ever had something like this?!

[@AZExpert]

that's not uncommon. the water valve could have stuck. I recommend lettting the pedals retract on their own without slowing it down.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

@@AZExpert thanks for the advice 🙂

[@gruponemesis]

fkn amazingggggggggg

[@AZExpert]

we both think the same

[@scottscott8230]

Did you do a pH level check of the coolant , did you have the engine oil analyzed if not you did not do a complete inspection

[@AZExpert]

I agree with you. I limit my inspections to the coach and systems and safety items. Drivetrain check out should be performed by a knowledgable diesel tech and not a general mechanic like myself.

[@spellmadam2947]

@@AZExpert curious, how can a very experienced retired diesel tech get into part time work inspecting these drive trains?

[@sanfranciscobay]

AZ Expert. How much do you estimate this unit cost new?

[@AZExpert]

the general cost start around $2 million on average

[@tommehling1547]

There is a ton going on, how long did it take to do the full inspection?

[@AZExpert]

it takes most of a day

[@justdeann731]

Nice. But I don't like the power doors and shades. Just more stuff that can break down. And the noise of them could be disturbing if someone is trying to sleep. I would have spent the money on a micro-convection oven instead.

[@AZExpert]

Fair enough!

[@jimredding8315]

washer / dryer?

[@AZExpert]

yes, behind the large door in the hallway, I noticed I forgot to say anything while I was editing.

[@Tony_in_AZ]

Maybe time for a leather upgrade for the Prius work car?

[@AZExpert]

a few more years,

[@jamespavlinik6481]

Is this a pre DEF bus????? I think 2007 sometime was the changeover. If indeed it is a Pre DEF, that should add a lot to the value in my opinion.

[@AZExpert]

the change over to DEF was around 2009 2010 before that they had a "filter" is my understanding starting in 2007

[@vinceatwell9704]

No washer & Dryer?

[@AZExpert]

it does have them in the hallway by the bunk beds, I just forgot to show them

[@pault1964]

Same colours as Mann racing in the uk,

[@AZExpert]

classic

[@johnswan9123]

Wow; do they take it out?

[@AZExpert]

Just really well taken care of

[@rae1957tn]

No W/D?

[@AZExpert]

it does have one in the hallway that I forgot to show, next to the bunk

[@kaspar_1982]

like a yacht the 2 best days of ownership will be the day you bought her and the day you sold her.

[@KevinCoop1]

The piping on the couches looked worn? I think that the fake wood was burl mahogany. It looked deep red to me. You should buy that for your son! He could put his car on the motorcycle carrier.😈

[@AZExpert]

yes I think you are correct about the mahogany not walnut, I had a brain lapse

[@KevinCoop1]

@@AZExpert Woodworker verses a very good RV technician! Can you send some warmer weather to Missouri please? High today 16, heading for colder temps.

[@bendixon2898]

Goodonyah

[@AZExpert]

thank you

[@shasi73ify]

I just Google the price to similar coach, holy cow......about $2.000.000.

[@AZExpert]

it's crazy for sure

[@Stubones999]

The lifeline batteries last a lot longer than lead acid batteries...

[@AZExpert]

yes they do

[@mikemiller9119]

It doesn’t look like they took care of it. It looks like they didn’t use it. They bought it to just to own it.

[@AZExpert]

Some people take really good care of their stuff

[@DabblelyDiddly]

i like the drawers. built well just to have the worst veneer put on possible. looks like plastiwood on all the faces.

[@AZExpert]

Yeah it's not for everyone

[@rickc9873]

Has a lot of equipment and systems onboard Probably need an engineer to ride along

[@AZExpert]

I feel like i could use an engineer working on these too

[@HappyQuailsLC]

"Solid Surface Material"? Plastic?

[@AZExpert]

corian

[@dennissprague5172]

Opulent

[@AZExpert]

extremely I agree

[@pierrejobin6113]

People must be getting lazy where they can’t open window and doors.

[@AZExpert]

They like automation

[@aquamarina2686]

Trying to see the features but your face keeps getting in the way. Didn't see how the bed was pulled out from the sofa. Try to remember people want to see the features for at least a few minutes. A glimpse or your voice is totally unsaleable.

[@AZExpert]

thank you for the kind suggestion