Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: jatrax on March 06, 2017, 10:24:20 pm
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Well folks we picked up our brand new 2017 Phoenix Cruiser 2552 on March 1st. After some initial hiccups at the factory we stayed over at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds one night. Then back to the factory for some final adjustments and fixes. After two hours in the shop we headed off to Pittsburgh and then south and eventually back to Oregon.
I wanted to especially say thanks to Bobby and Doug for jumping on our coach and spending two hours working on little things. They got everything done to my satisfaction and sent us on our way.
Pictures to follow when I get a chance. Have been pushing the mileage everyday in order to get back to Oregon in time for work on Monday.
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Congratulations! We've done the cross country run and it isn't a whole lot of fun. Just remember your bed is always there waiting for you if you need to pull over and recharge. Drive safely and enjoy the journey. We look forward to seeing the photos of your new baby.
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It's been a long time coming. Congratulations!
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jatrax.....Congrats on the new coach. Go easy and break that big V-10 in easily. I hope you are west of the very bad weather?! Enjoy. R.A.G.
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Congrats! :)(:
I know the rig is not fully loaded up, but let us know how it handled on the way home...
- Mike
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Congrats on the new RV! 2o2
Curious what "hiccups, adjustments and fixes" you encountered. Was one extra day in the area enough to find all of them?
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Happy to hear that jatrax! 2o2 We're a week and a half from picking up ours and can't wait. We had planned on staying at the Elkhart Campground. Why'd you choose the Fairground, if I may ask?
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Gratz John. . .let the good times roll! 2o2 :)(:
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I hope you are west of the very bad weather?!
Went through a lot of it today, no fun driving in those gusty winds :(
I know the rig is not fully loaded up, but let us know how it handled on the way home...
I would say we were mostly loaded up as we planned a 10 day trip home. I think it handled very well up to 65mph, above that not so good. Lots of vibration and it got harder to control. The roads were horrible though, so not sure if it is the coach or the roads. And I do need to check air pressure for my load, it is still at the factory defaults. But at speeds 65mph and down I am very happy, both I and the wife had no issues driving it.
Curious what "hiccups, adjustments and fixes" you encountered. Was one extra day in the area enough to find all of them?
Little things mostly combined with being totally new at this. Worst issue was the fresh water drain valve was open. So every time I put in water in ran back out. Had no idea there even was such a valve. Other things were: wrong size fuse on the heated seats, a switch installed upside down and our captain's chair installed 90 degrees from the way I wanted. All fixed up very quickly the next day. Was one day enough time? Yes if you have the whole day. We had only a few hours after we setup that night because things ran way late at the factory. If you had the whole afternoon I think you should be good. Of course not everything will show up unless you try out everything so that means a lot of work testing literally every switch and door and feature. PM me if you want the whole list, but mostly little things and yours will be different. I do have a list of things to check if you want it.
We had planned on staying at the Elkhart Campground. Why'd you choose the Fairground, if I may ask?
Elkhart Campground decided to close this winter and will only open on March 15th I think. Might be OK for you, but too late for us. So we changed to the fairgrounds. Which (except for the trains all night) was just fine.
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Jatrax, consider getting a front wheel alignment when you get back. We have a 2552 and tow a Subaru Forester with a hard case carrier on top AND a bike rack with two bikes hanging off the back. That's a lot of weight strung out and catching the wind. We have no problem with handling even at high speeds. We got the wheel alignment early on so I don't know if there was a major difference but I do know that your handling should still be good over 65... like even up to 80... if anyone wants to admit to flying at that speed. I'm talking handling of the truck, not dealing with evil cross winds. Those will get you no matter what you drive.
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2 Frazzled, yes on the front end alignment. Had them do it before I left the factory, so should be good but we were not loaded up then. Not sure how much difference that makes. And with the poor roads and nasty winds yesterday I'm not going to judge yet. Maybe better travels today and I'll see. Need to check tire pressure too.
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Congratulations on getting your new PC.
Last spring we went to South Datoka where the speed limit is 80 mph. Just to see what she would do, I pushed her up to 85 mph. No problem with the handling or ride. I was amazed by her. You might need an ailment or to rearrange your stuff to move weight from the rear to the front. I carry my tools in the overhead drivers cabinet instead of out back. It seems to help.
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I leave tomorrow to go see mine. Elkhart Campground said yes they are open ------ BUT they don't have the water turned on to the sites or their restrooms etc. I am planning on the Fairgrounds too so I really can test everything. The fairgrounds asks that you disconnect your water hoses when it is below freezing. Looking at the weather forecast it doesn't look like the highs will get above freezing! But I can at east hook up the hose to check how the fill and direct water work at all fixtures before I disconnect. Guess I will find out quickly how well the furnace works.
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Curious what "hiccups, adjustments and fixes" you encountered. Was one extra day in the area enough to find all of them?
Little things mostly combined with being totally new at this. Worst issue was the fresh water drain valve was open. So every time I put in water in ran back out. Had no idea there even was such a valve. Other things were: wrong size fuse on the heated seats, a switch installed upside down and our captain's chair installed 90 degrees from the way I wanted. All fixed up very quickly the next day. Was one day enough time? Yes if you have the whole day. We had only a few hours after we setup that night because things ran way late at the factory. If you had the whole afternoon I think you should be good. Of course not everything will show up unless you try out everything so that means a lot of work testing literally every switch and door and feature. PM me if you want the whole list, but mostly little things and yours will be different. I do have a list of things to check if you want it.
All small change stuff for something with the complexity of a semii-custom built RV! 2o2
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jatrax....I would let atleast 5-8 lbs out of your tires, having the tires a max really makes the coach pound and unless you are really loaded very heavy you are well within limits running a little less pressure. best of luck
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catsaplenty...thanks for the heads up on the Elkhart Campground vs the Fairgrounds. We don't pick up our 2100 until the 20th of March. Guess our best bet is to call to see who's got what available.
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catsaplenty...thanks for the heads up on the Elkhart Campground vs the Fairgrounds. We don't pick up our 2100 until the 20th of March. Guess our best bet is to call to see who's got what available.
We have an appointment on March 20 to have an awning installed on Fawkes. Maybe we'll see you there 2o2. :)(:
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jatrax....I would let atleast 5-8 lbs out of your tires, having the tires a max really makes the coach pound and unless you are really loaded very heavy you are well within limits running a little less pressure.
Thanks, I planned on getting weighed and setting the air pressure accordingly. But so far I've not been able to. As usual nothing I plan goes right. The tire pressure gauge I brought with me will not work on the new style valve stems being used by Phoenix. After checking at three different gas stops I finally found one that would. Now I can check the tire pressure. Tires are all about 5# low so at the next stop I pull over to get air but the machine is broken. The next day when I stop for gas I pull up to their machine it has only a tiny air chuck on it suitable for car tires, will not work on any of mine through the wheel covers.
Anyway, if 5# light sounds good, that's where I am at now.
Found some smooth road today and things drove much better. Still some vibration above 70mph but no control problems.
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Found some smooth road today and things drove much better. Still some vibration above 70mph but no control problems.
Ah, I forgot the road conditions when I said we have no handling problems. There are some seriously rumpled roads out there and we have pulled over more than once to check for flat tires only to find the road is warped.
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Smoother roads today in Texas and New Mexico. Much better ride, though still some vibration above 70mph.
I have to say I do not travel all that much on the interstates, but I am getting an education. The condition of these highways is downright embarrassing. They are literally falling apart. And some of the worst have been toll roads?? (WH)
I really feel sorry for the truckers that have to ride on these every day.
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Winter weather (freeze thaw cycles) and truckers with chains destroy the interstates in snow country and especially in the mountains. Then all summer there is "construction" as they patch and repair all the damage.
While we are on "bad roads" anyone on this forum who is planning a trip that will take them on I-70 through Colorado between August and November 2017, change your plans or be prepared for serious traffic and delays. We only have two bridges over the Colorado River (I-70 is on the west side of the river and Glenwood and Aspen are on the east side) and one is getting replaced. We already have traffic nightmares with "closures" but when the main highway 82 bridge comes down in August it won't be pretty.
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Smoother roads today in Texas and New Mexico. Much better ride, though still some vibration above 70mph.
I have to say I do not travel all that much on the interstates, but I am getting an education. The condition of these highways is downright embarrassing. They are literally falling apart. And some of the worst have been toll roads?? (WH)
I really feel sorry for the truckers that have to ride on these every day.
And now you know why we need to spend a TRILLION dollars over the next 10 years to bring our roads up to standard.
And the only way to pay for that is tax/tolls/fees/etc.
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What I'd like to know is where all the tax/toll/fees we already pay are going. Because it sure isn't into the roads.
Drove through California today from Needles to Sacramento and the only good road was route 50 between Sacramento and Placerville. Now if I was a suspicious sort I'd say having the only good road in the state being the one between the capital and Lake Tahoe might be suspicious. But since I'm just a dumb farmer, I will just remain puzzled by that.
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Gas taxes go to the roads, there just isn't enough taxes to maintain the roads.