Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: jam4travel on November 11, 2018, 08:43:18 am
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After only 35 days of ownership of my new PC 3100 with a slide-out, the slide-out has failed twice. Initially the slide seems to work fine, but after a few cycles of opening & closing the slide-out it starts to jump and crack as if some spur gears jumped a slot or two on the gear rack or some teeth broke off the spur gear. After the first failure I made a round trip of 2800 miles back to the factory from Texas. PC worked on the slide-out for two days and told me the problem was fixed.
After getting the coach back to Texas, I really tested the slide, and again after several cycles of opening & closing the slide, it failed again in the same manor.
Have any other PC 3100 owners with a slide had a similar problem? If yes, how was it fixed.
PC did call in an engineer/representative from Lippert Components to look at the problem. He told them either or both the slide room itself and/or the coach wall framed opening were out of square, and was causing the problem. He said it was so out of square it couldn't be solved by using shims. PC said he didn't know what he was talking about and ignored the engineer/representative.
Another problem I encountered is my 2018 Phoenix Cruiser Model 3100 exceeds the chassis weight limits-see my website for more details ("https://rvbuildproblems.com/").
John
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John
I feel for you. I do not have the same slide so I cannot help you. But you should consider getting PC to pay for a Lippert approved service dealer near you look at your PC to determine the issue.
It is under warranty so PC should make it right. You should document everything which would include emails and phone calls.
Ron
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Did you put a T-square on the frame and slide? "Out of square" is a common answer to windows, doors, sliding doors etc. in housing construction and renovations. It's sometimes true but more often is finger pointing to avoid repair costs or replacement of the product. Finger pointing isVERY common in RV land.
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Just curious - which slide out is it? Wondering if it's the largest one or one of the others.
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Just curious - which slide out is it? Wondering if it's the largest one or one of the others.
It is the largest slide they make. Thanks for the feedback.
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The Lippert system is problematic and has been reported widely across most manufacturers using their drive mechanisms. Checkout complaints on IRV2 forums. I doubt your slide is out of square, most likely it is the Lippert drive.
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I wonder why after so many successful years with the old slide out mechanics, why Phoenix switched to current-day.
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I want to thank everyone for their feedback. I also want to thank all those who have viewed my post. I'm still waiting for a solution to my Slide-Out problem. I have also discovered some shoddy workmanship the first time Phoenix Cruiser attempted to correct my slide-out problem. In my opinion both Phoenix Cruiser & the design of the Lippert Schwintek In-Wall Slide-Out System are equally at fault for my slide-out failure. Both Phoenix Cruiser & Lippert have committed to resolving my problem-only time will tell-currently I have a new RV I can't travel in because the Slide-Out doesn't work.
For those of you who might be interested, I have created a web site documenting my experience-including related images - "https://rvbuildproblems.com".
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I wonder why after so many successful years with the old slide out mechanics, why Phoenix switched to current-day.
My bet is the new one is cheaper.
I want to thank everyone for their feedback. I also want to thank all those who have viewed my post. I'm still waiting for a solution to my Slide-Out problem. I have also discovered some shoddy workmanship the first time Phoenix Cruiser attempted to correct my slide-out problem. In my opinion both Phoenix Cruiser & the design of the Lippert Schwintek In-Wall Slide-Out System are equally at fault for my slide-out failure. Both Phoenix Cruiser & Lippert have committed to resolving my problem-only time will tell-currently I have a new RV I can't travel in because the Slide-Out doesn't work.
For those of you who might be interested, I have created a web site documenting my experience-including related images - "https://rvbuildproblems.com".
Went to the site....wow. Well documented. Certainly looks like you have done your research!!
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I am surprised. I have owned two PC's, a 2351 and a 2017 2552 and have had very little problems, One was a bad microwave and a leaking slide. They installed a new microwave and a complete new seal system. Something must be changing at the factory. More workmanship like this and we will end up owning orphans.
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We bought our PC back in 2007 and I cannot recall any trouble of significance that was not the fault of my own doing. But our PC has no slide outs. 11.5 years and all is still well. I wished everyone could say something similar. It is hard to read of the occasional bad-apple rig. I hope they make it right....truly right making the rig right as well as compensation where appropriate.
I recall around the time we bought our PC, there was a disgruntled owner who bought a new 2006 model year 2400 or similar. I understood his frustration, but he handled it all very poorly on a smugmug website. It was hard to empathize with him when he was slandering Kermit over and over again. He was so bad that Kermit just stopped trying to help him. He was more bent on slander than getting his rig corrected.
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I took delivery of my 3100 on September 27, 2018. It has been virtually problem free. We spent 5 or 6 days at Elkhart Campground for a shake-down. I have previously had two new motorhomes and the related problems. The only issue I had was a leaking leveler, which PC promptly fixed. Then, on the trip home, the board went out on my water heater, which PC promptly reimbursed me the repair charges.
We have been in our PC for a month now (a three month trip to south Texas) and everything is great (knock on wood). So far, I am a customer for life.
Cheers :)(:
Barry T
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We bought our PC back in 2007 and I cannot recall any trouble of significance that was not the fault of my own doing. But our PC has no slide outs. 11.5 years and all is still well. I wished everyone could say something similar. It is hard to read of the occasional bad-apple rig. I hope they make it right....truly right making the rig right as well as compensation where appropriate.
I recall around the time we bought our PC, there was a disgruntled owner who bought a new 2006 model year 2400 or similar. I understood his frustration, but he handled it all very poorly on a smugmug website. It was hard to empathize with him when he was slandering Kermit over and over again. He was so bad that Kermit just stopped trying to help him. He was more bent on slander than getting his rig corrected.
Ron,
Slander is a very harsh term! I'm assuming this comment is directed at me, and implying that I'm the same type of person. You don't know me, so if this is/was your intent, I'm offended. I only speak and deal in the truth. I will never slander anyone or any entity. Anything I have posted on this site and/or my website concerning the problems with the slide-out on my New 2018 Phoenix Cruiser Model 3100 is 100% accurate.
If this happen to me, it could also happen to some other customer of Phoenix Cruiser(PC). PC already tired to fix the problem-I made a 2800 mile round trip back to their factory to have the slide-out fixed, they worked on it two days, they even called in a Lippert Engineer/Representative-whose advice they completely ignored. I was told by PC my slide-out was fixed-so I returned to Texas-within a week the slide-out failed again in the same manner as the first time. My first trip back to PC's factory to get my problem fixed was a complete waste of time and money. So I'm right back to square one, and will most likely have to make another 2800 mile round trip to try to get the Slide-Out problem fixed. In my opinion they should have gotten the problem fixed on the first attempt, and my confidence in PC being able to fix my Slide-Out has diminished.
Today(11-29-2018) at the request and expense of PC Lippert Industries is sending out a representative to my location in Texas to take measurement of my slide-out for the second time with the intent of coming up with a game plan to get my Slide-Out fixed ( I already know the problem is my slide-out room and/or the framed opening in the wall of my coach is so far out of square that Lippert's tolerances for the use of their Schwintek In-Wall Slide-Out System have been exceeded-which is what the first Lippert Engineer/Representative told PC). Rebuilding a new square Slide-Out if needed is very doable. However if the hole in the side of my coach is not Square that is not an easy fix and still be able to maintain its original structural integrity.
My intent is to share my experience and let current and future customer know of possible future problems.
John
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Ron,
Slander is a very harsh term! I'm assuming this comment is directed at me, and implying that I'm the same type of person.
John
Oh gosh no John, I am so sorry that my reply came across that way. You are handling this in a very honorable way, working closely with Phoenix and the manufacture of the slide out mechanism, and sharing the play-by-play with the Phoenix community.
Again, my apologies for the misunderstanding....it really is a misunderstanding.
Ron
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JAM4TRAVEL,
Hang in there. I would be pi**ed too if had your coach. I would want things fixed sooner rather than later. My gut feeling is PC WILL make it right. Ron was just relating a previous story about how not to handle a complaint. I don't believe Ron was pointing a finger at you. My Mama always told be "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". You have well documented your unfortunate situation. I hope and believe PC will do the right thing. Keep us informed.
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This is just my opinion, but this is what happens when people "hide" behind a moniker instead of there real name. Quite frankly, this board is the only one I'm on where people don't use their real name. Jam, I see you are in Hondo, Texas. I'm in Rockport TX currently. BTW, Texans don't get offended! :cool
Yes, I'm enjoying happy hour, but only wine and will put the keyboard away.
Cheers :)(:
Barry Townes
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John: I hope your slide issue gets resolved as painlessly as possible. Will be very interested in your report!
If you don;t mind I had an unrelated question for you:
I see your PC is pretty much all white. Is that a full body paint job without mask or is that unpainted gel coat?
If its gel coats, do all the pieces (sidewalls, cab, caps) match well?
I'm interested in seeing if PC will do a solid color full body paint job without mask for less than with mask.
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Hi Jim,
From every picture I have seen of used PCs, if the rig is not 100% painted, what remains raw white plastic eventually yellows, some pieces yellowing very badly with age and sun exposure. The problem is across all brands of motor homes given they all use the same gas cap doors, water fill doors, moldings, stove vents, etc.
A PC painted all white should look great for many more years than an unpainted PC. Not just looking nice for many years longer, but keeping it clean will be so much easier because the painted surface cleans so easily compared to raw gel coat....speaking from experience with our previous motor home.
I would imagine a pure white painted PC will cost substantially less than a typical full body painted PC. Not just the lack of detail with the patterns and multiple colors, but the Ford cab won't require painting.
Ron
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This is just my opinion, but this is what happens when people "hide" behind a moniker instead of there real name. Quite frankly, this board is the only one I'm on where people don't use their real name. Jam, I see you are in Hondo, Texas. I'm in Rockport TX currently. BTW, Texans don't get offended! :cool
Yes, I'm enjoying happy hour, but only wine and will put the keyboard away.
Cheers :)(:
Barry Townes
I'm not hiding from anyone or anything. If you would have viewed my website, I have listed my name, personal email address, my phone number, and my exact location. I don't even mind listing it here:
John A Meents
79 Private Road 5244
Hondo, Tx 78861
jam4travel@yahoo.com
512-709-7896
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John: I hope your slide issue gets resolved as painlessly as possible. Will be very interested in your report!
If you don;t mind I had an unrelated question for you:
I see your PC is pretty much all white. Is that a full body paint job without mask or is that unpainted gel coat?
If its gel coats, do all the pieces (sidewalls, cab, caps) match well?
I'm interested in seeing if PC will do a solid color full body paint job without mask for less than with mask.
I specified a custom full body paint job without any Decal Graphics. I don't believe I got a discount for my choice of a very simply paint design-I paid a factory discounted price of $7,392.00. If a person doesn't have the gel coat painted all pieces do not match-the following don't match the gel coat: entry door, storage bin doors. However, PC will do a solid color full body paint job without any Decal Graphics.
John
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This is just my opinion, but this is what happens when people "hide" behind a moniker instead of there real name. Quite frankly, this board is the only one I'm on where people don't use their real name. Jam, I see you are in Hondo, Texas. I'm in Rockport TX currently. BTW, Texans don't get offended! :cool
Yes, I'm enjoying happy hour, but only wine and will put the keyboard away.
Cheers :)(:
Barry Townes
As a previous committer of PUI I appreciate the honesty! 2o2
There are countless forums, but for the ones I frequent, a 'Nom de Plume' is the norm. Doing a quick mental recall as I type, but I do think this is one of the only forums that I go to where people DO use their legal names. (WH) Go figure. In the music scene, it is MUCH easier/ more memorable to be known by a nickname to many than by a legal name. I dont even use my legal name on Facebook, if you consider that a forum.
At a recent Family Fest that Mrs V , Grandson and I went to, it was the recognition of my name (Volkemon) that got us an entry into a group with accolades. :)(: Many in it had read my posts over the years, and were thrilled to see I was a 'real' person. When they found 'Beachbob' and 'Andie Bee' were there also (among other nicknames they knew) it was like a homecoming among 'strangers'. I am reasonably sure that they would not have remembered most of our givin names, as they are not really memorable.
Had mine since the 90's when Pokemon started. I ran an air-cooled VW shop, and the Puerto Rican crowd called them 'Volkies' (like we call them 'Bugs') so I was 'The Volkie Man'. With Pokemon being big, I had stickers made - ""Volkemon - gotta fix 'em all! "" (a play on Pokemon's 'Gotta catch them all' ) and have kept the name ever since.
Hope this helps you with your prejudice against people posting with ""fake names"". Not all of us are criminals on the run. :lol
RE: Original topic... slideout... I dont like it, but understand why PC was so upset when the original engineer said it was the opening.. NOT an easy (or possible?!?) fix. :beg
Glad I have an 'old' camper... I like proven performance much more than new car smell. Plus one doesnt have to get all worked up about first scrape, first stain, etc.
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Max-D?
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Max-D?
CalCruiser,
Is this what you practice?
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Just a spectator. Best of luck to you.
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Jam4travel
Viewed your website. I can’t believe how bad it is. You did a good job displaying the issues. I have been hanging around here for couple years. Finally bought a 2551. One of the reasons I purchased PC is that PC seems to address owner issues that come up. Hopefully you can get yours fixed or a new unit made for you. The build seems totally unacceptable to me. I would definitely be extremely disturbed with the issues after purchasing the PC. To add insult to injury you can’t even use it!
Wishing you the best!
Ron Sarzynski
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jam4travel
Do you have any updates for us on your issues? Resolved?
Ron S
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Jam4travel
Since you check this forum everyday I assume you have no update on your issues. Please share when able so all can learn. That is the benefit of this forum. Give a little, take a little.
Hope things are ok.
Ron S
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I’ve seen rigs with huge full side slide outs that use this system. I have no idea if there’s more than one similar manufacturer of this type of slide.
Everyone deals with stuff in their own way. The documentation is impressive. At some point, if it’s not being dealt with properly and with priority I’d be looking at legal action. But that’s me.