To answer these questions, let me go back in time about 3 years.  My wife, Cyndi, and I had just retired and decided to see the great USA via motorhome.  We thought we wanted a diesel pusher, but in all honesty we were very much novices.  So off to the dealer we went!!!!!  That same day we were the proud owners of a 40ft diesel pusher!  Nothing like good research before you spend $250k!  We spent our first two winters out in that motorhome and we clearly fell in love with the lifestyle.  Amazing for sure…..what a great experience.

During that first winter out in Florida we got our first chance to tour some Prevost coaches and have someone explain the whole concept and the differences to us.  From that day forward we knew at one point we wanted to own a Prevost.  For nearly two years we searched for the right coach for us.  So……why did we have to find a Prevost?

1. Quality – Prevost builds these buses to commercial transportation standards.  They are solid in every way and are designed to travel a million or more miles.  Every aspect of the shell, drivetrain and chassis is first class.
2. Drivability – This is hard for me to quantify, but driving a Prevost is at least 10 times nicer and easier than the average motorhome.  It is amazing…….trust me on this one….if you drive one you will want one.
3. Safety – Perhaps the number one reason for a Prevost.  A motorhome is “sticks” on a steel chassis.  If you were ever unfortunate enough to put one of these monsters on its side it would not be pretty.  A Prevost on the other hand is again built to commercial standards and has a steel frame around the entire coach.  Much, much safer.  Think about it….build a house and put it on wheels and bounce it down the road for a few years.  It better be solid!

Why a Marathon Conversion??

1. Several quality organizations convert Prevost buses into luxury RVs.  Marathon is the largest of these companies and honestly the only one I can speak about with any real knowledge.  I have been in other conversions and they are fantastic as well.
2. Marathon has three locations across the US for service, etc.  Prevost also has a network of facilities across the US along with many other authorized service organizations.
3. We toured the factory in Coburg, Oregon and I can tell you I have never been more impressed with the quality of an organization and the workmanship of its employees.  If you get the chance, pay them a visit.  You will leave very impressed.
4. The quality of the materials and of the build far exceed any motorhome I have ever toured.  It will amaze you. They craft every aspect of these beautiful machines in Coburg.

So why don’t we all own Prevost busses??  Well…..as you can imagine the price can be very prohibitive for many of us.  After all, I’m not a rock star or a NASCAR driver with a couple million dollars to purchase a new Marathon.  Having said that, if you really understand the quality of workmanship, materials and time that goes into each of these busses they are definitely worth every single penny of their cost. 

What you perhaps CAN DO is find a previously owned Marathon that gives you all of the above advantages for a fraction of the original price.  According to your budget you can find busses 30 years old or more that are still ticking off the miles.  As with buying any used vehicle it is critical that you find one that has been maintained to a high standard.  Don’t settle for anything less than documented service and care.  Mine is a 2000 Marathon.  Each and every place we stop people turn their heads and look when we pull in.  Compliments on our RV are followed by me telling them it is a 2000!  No one believes me….. even the average Joe can drive a “rock star” bus!!!!!  One other thing about Marathon and the people there……when I picked up my 2000 Marathon I was treated like a rock star too!!!

Happy hunting!!