Two. That’s the number of floorplans Marathon offered when the company was founded in 1983. Forty years later, Marathon offers hundreds of possible configurations, ensuring clients have virtually countless design options for their ideal coach.
“In the beginning, the two floorplans were ‘A’ and ‘B,’ a center aisle and a side aisle that ran along the outer wall,” says Marathon Head of Product Development Jay Graham. “Both plans had limited storage and beds facing back to front, and those were 40-foot, non-slide coaches.”
Above: The Original 2 floorplans offered by Marathon Coach – A and B. Each year, the Marathon engineering team builds on the past as they develop new plans and options that take advantage of the rapid evolution of technology. Today, coaches are 45 feet long with generous storage space, and beds sit perpendicular to side walls thanks to the development of slide-outs. All coaches, whether double, triple, or quad, are designed to leave walkways open, making them easy to navigate — even when the slides are in.
“It can take months to years to design a floorplan successfully,” says Graham. “Many factors go into creating something new, so we always innovate and try new things as more technology becomes available.”
On Left: Marathon Coach 0147, On Right: Marathon Coach 0154. In the past, floorplan design options were limited primarily by three coach components: the black water tank, air conditioning, and generator exhaust pipes. Working around these features often presented challenges to how versatile the coach’s layout could be.
“In the old days, you started with the toilet because the toilet had to land over the top of the holding tank,” Graham says. “That’s why early coaches only had one bathroom.”
The development of the waterjet toilet opened a new realm of possibilities for Prevost conversions. Now, the bathroom could be nearly anywhere in the coach. With the development of Marathon’s manifold system and flexible plumbing, new floorplans could include two toilets and multiple sinks.
Improvements to the air conditioning and generator exhaust system design meant the cabinets that once had to be planned around these essentials could be built in new locations, which opened up more room for storage. This newfound flexibility allowed Marathon’s engineers to continue to enhance the owner experience.
Above: Corporate Marathon Coach Floorplans – 2015 “In the 30 years I’ve been with Marathon, I’ve worked on nearly every coach and floorplan we’ve produced,” Graham says. “Hundreds of clients have provided insight into what makes a motorcoach floorplan livable. We always strive for something that works for everyone, but we also have a variety of choices available.”
Some people like large bedrooms as they provide a comfortable space to begin the day or retreat to when desired. Many Marathon adventurers enjoy dry camping and select a coach with a large kitchen and lots of storage, while others prefer large salons and big TVs so they can entertain guests.
In addition to client feedback, the engineering team also evaluates market trends as they design new floorplans. Marathon’s popular Superbath plan was the answer to the emerging trend of clients wanting larger bathrooms, first in a quad-slide and, more recently, in a triple-slide.
Above: Floorplan options for an H3-4S (Quad Slide) – 2023 The Wardrobe-to-Bunks addition was created to offer owners more sleeping space without giving up their sizable full-hang closet. Marathon’s Kitchen Dream Center provides more opportunities for cooking and entertaining with its steam oven, wine cooler, and espresso machine options. These are just a few of the Marathon innovations that are the result of the team’s commitment to meeting clients’ needs and wishes.
Top Left: Marathon Coach 1309 Wardrobe, Top Right: Marathon Coach 1309 Wardrobe-to-BunksMarathon Coach has come a long way from the original “A” and “B” floorplans. Today the company offers hundreds of floorplan variations and cutting-edge features that contribute to Marathon achieving and growing its status as the leader in the luxury RV industry.
“Every floorplan in our brochure, any new idea, and each coach on the production floor is a culmination of our experience,” said Jay. “We are confident that our floorplan options meet client wants and needs, and we will continue to go beyond what people believe is possible in a motorcoach.”
Marathon Coach 1378
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