Customizations on new 2552

We finally made it home and though I wanted to post this on the road pushing 500 miles per day left me just too tired to do it.  So here is the customization list for our new 2017 2552.

In addition to the regular options offered by Phoenix we also had them add:
- 50 amp service
- two extra exterior lights, one on the back and one above the service bay on the drivers side
- 2x 6 volt AGM batteries
- a Norcold 12 volt compressor refrigerator instead of the lp gas / 120 volt one that is standard
- a Trimetric battery monitor
- a Progressive Industries EMS or 'surge protector'
- 2x 150 watt solar panels
- a 2,000 pure sine wave inverter
- satellite receiver on the roof
- replace the mirror with the backup camera monitor
- Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer
- sofa in the slide out instead of a dinette
- add support in rear bay for additional hooks

We also added the power bed option offered on the 2552, but had them install only one side on the passenger side.  We also asked them to adjust it so that when extended it results in a 54 x 75 'full' size bed.  Retracted there is the same amount of aisle space on a regular 2552.  When the bed is extended there is enough room, barely, to walk between the bed and dinette to get to the bathroom.  It is just a bit too tight and if doing it again I would consider making the bed 4" smaller.  But it is working for us.  For larger people probably not.

And on the driver's side instead of the other twin bed we had them build a 2 person dinette that does double duty as a desk.

And to store the laptops and office odds & ends a pair of custom drawers sized to fit our laptops, chargers and what not.

And to charge all those cell phones, cameras and tablets we added USB receptacles hooked to the 12 volt power system.  That way they are powered even when not hooked to shore power or running the inverter.  There is one under the dinette and another over the bed.  Wish I had added one more up front in the electronics cabinet.

And over the head of the bed a shelf to hold glasses, cell phones and tablets or books.

Since I am a photographer I wanted a secure place to store my camera bag and accessories.

The Euro Chair is nice but we wanted a third captain's seat so our granddaughter's child seat could be strapped in.

And where do you store your broom?  On a broom hanger of course.

And everyone should have a mag-lite by the door.  They are very handy for lots of things.  They even make a good flashlight.

We did not like the mirror on the right of the kitchen.  And Carrie wanted someplace to 'stick' things.  So a magnetic stainless steel panel replaced the mirror.  Spice containers, notepads, and magnetic hooks all worked well and did not move during our trip.

Well there you have it.  A 2552 personalized for us.  I would caution anyone thinking about doing something similar to consider what customizations like these do to the resale potential.  The more 'stock' anything is, the more potential buyers.  So something that is perfect for you might not have a big pool of buyers that want the same thing.

But after 2 weeks on the road, I can say we would change very little.  Kermit and his crew did a great job and we are delighted with the way things turned out.

WOW! Your rig looks awesome. I love pretty much all of it. You lost the storage from one shirt closet and a good chunk of space under the passenger bed but what a great mod with the small dinette. John would claim that in a heartbeat - "his" cockpit seat, "his" kitchen, "his" eurochair, and "his" office (the dinette). I'd get the couch and navigator position (the navigator thing is for the best - John gets lost in parking lots). Now that I think about it I may need to talk to him. This whole RV thing was my idea.

The only downside I see to your mods is that storage loss (though you gained a bit back above the dinette) and the fact somebody gets that inside space on the bed but as a friend says "everything is a compromise" - I think what you gained is amazing. Well done!

As for resale, if I ever kick the bucket, John may be potential buyer. He would want for nothing more while he wanders the world (and pines my loss of course).

Beautiful, beautiful home. Enjoy your travels in your awesome new rig.

 

I forgot to ask, does that dinette make into a single bed? That would be great when the grandchild is along.

Wow!  Beautiful rig and some really well thought out modifications.  May you enjoy many wonderful years toodling down the road.  Thanks for posting the pictures.