We looked at a Marathon before deciding on a Liberty. Could in no way see the $100,000 difference between what Marathon was asking (for a 1997!) and what we were able to get ours for. Maybe it would have been a $50,000 difference? Their styling is very, very nice, but I couldn't imagine the washer/dryer being in the galley (maybe fold clothes on the dinette?). Our Liberty has a stacked unit in the dressing area and that was a deciding point. I couldn't imagine separate black and gray tanks (done that). Did the Marathon have manual valves? Surely not, but the combined tank was a deciding factor. The Cruise Airs vs. roof airs, another deciding factor. The over the road air a deciding factor, and it has certainly proven itself over the last year on the road. Weight distribution, another factor. The proprietary generator control has been perfect. There is no propane on our Liberty. Our dashboard layout is quite nice (see http://2000liberty.info). Our books include a complete wiring table for all circuits, 12V, 120V and coax, with clear location descriptions. All wires are numbered on both ends and very easy to find. While Liberty has been helpful when I've called (well, depends on who you talk to), the only Liberty part I've had to replace is the lit stairwell hand rail. I will certainly agree that the dump connection is odd and they could have done that better. The only problem I've found is that it is lower than some connections we have to hook up to. I'd really like 6 house batteries instead of 3, but we get by. This is my experience, living in a Liberty every day for more than a year and traveling a thousand miles a month. I'd say Liberty's done a fine job. Everything that's theirs has held up quite well.