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Cabinet behind driver’s seat in H3-45s
Can anyone enlighten me why every H3 I’ve looked at has a cabinet behind the driver’s seat that precludes the driver’s seat from relining further? Some have AC ducts, but surely they don’t take the entire space, and even the ones with roof ACs still have them. I love the looks of the H3 models, but the limitation on space for the driver may toss H3s out of consideration for us.
Will stop by SW coach and Premier in Phoenix tomorrow to check out a couple of coaches.
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7 Replies
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I just don’t see an issue with space. First, the driver area in an H-3 is lower than the salon (3 steps) so you are going to have some type of wall there. That’s where the large bays start, hence, the steps.
I seem to have plenty of room in the driver area. How far are you wanting to recline the driver’s seat? I guess I keep my seat fairly upright for driving (I’m 5’7″).
Mark
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Mark,
If it was just the step up from the driver’s foor to the salon floor, it would not be a problem, but the cabinet I typically see, extends higher than the headrest on the driver’s seat and blocks any further recline. Of the ones I’ve tried for space–a 2000 H3 and a 2016 new H3 at Marathon, I needed 2-3 inces further recline at the top of the driver’s seat. I have back issues–so I have the seat fairly well reclined. My Recaro seat in our coach does a great job for my back! The heat in winter and electric recline is great! -
You apparently need more room than me. Even in my cars I like the seat fairly upright.
You may have to go to an XLIII chassis as the driver’s seat is on the same level as the salon.
Now, if you have one custom made, the sky is the limit, you can pick whatever you want or don’t want behind the seat. If you find the perfect coach on the lot, you can have that area modified to your liking.
Good luck,
Mark -
Sorry Mark, a custom build is way out of our reach. But we are looking forward to enjoying our roughly 15 year old Prevost once we find the right one!
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Per,
I guess I misunderstood your post when you said that you were looking at a 2016 Marathon.
The area behind our Liberty driver’s seat is an electrical panel for the lighting, roof antenna, antenna booster, etc. I would think that those components could be moved to a different area or installed in a lower cabinet.
The model years that you are looking for will probably have one or two slides. The XL chassis may offer you more space at the driver area without modifying an H-3.
Safe travels and good luck in your search.
Mark
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Thanks, Mark. About a month ago we got a factory tour at Marathon in Coburg, OR, and at the end we were shown a very nice 2006 XL and a new H3–both far beyond our budget. Then we took a ride in a 2001 XLII, which chinched our decision to make our next coach a Prevost conversion. Now we are on a quest to weigh features vs cost vs our budget. A 1998 would be well within our budget, but we could stretch to a 2003 if we so decide. Will be looking at a 1998 XL and a 2001 XLII today, so the fun is on!
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If you are looking for the most reliable and economical as far as operating and maintenance cost without a doubt the XL is going to be much better than the XLII.
The XL 12.7 liter engine is remarkably fuel efficient, the chassis and the conversions had been on that model for decades and it was as refined as possible due to millions and millions of miles of commercial service and feedback. The XLII is a great coach, very quiet, nicely done, but not as bulletproof as the XL.
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