Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ron Dittmer on April 26, 2011, 08:44:53 pm
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Posting a fun and interesting question. If you were to order a brand new Phoenix Cruiser again, what would you have the factory do differently?
Here are my thoughts on my 2007 Ford E350 model 2350
- No change in my model 2350, or my lack of a slide out. The basics are still perfect for us.
- Maybe go with their full green exterior instead of the gray we have today
- Get the 3rd captain seat instead of the barrel chair (done by me afterwards)
- Get the leather dinette seating surfaces instead of the cloth (probably will never happen now as the seats are just too much money)
- 2 gallon water pressure tank with pump mounted on top (done by me afterwards with pump on the side)
- Not have the Winegard antenna installed (include it in the original packing box like I did for my roof rack & ladder)
- Add a battery compartment shield from rear tires (done by me afterwards)
- Add 2 more porch lights on the passenger side working off the same switch (can't do this now without significant ugliness)
- Have the main porch light moved farther from the entry door (so the swarm of bugs are not such an issue)
- Have a separate switch for three driver side porch lights & one rear porch light (can't do this now without significant ugliness)
- Have the factory install front & rear heavy duty sway bars, and rear trac bar (unsure if they would)
- Add an extra inverted-power outlet mounted high by the dinette to plug in a laptop (I have one there, but it is mounted low and is not inverted-power)
- Have the outlet for the main TV to be 4 outlets, not 2
- Would be sitting on the fence about a Sprinter chassis (can't help it with $4.30 gas prices today)
- Leave out the eyelets, hooks, and bunge cords from the rear compartment (I'd place more hooks in less space to the right & add a half shelf above them)
How do you newer owners like your outside drawers. I really like my big single door storage without a drawer, but am curious about them. They were introduced in 2008, the year after my 2007.
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I like the things on your list. This is what I would add to your list ... I would like 2 more receptacles installed. One to the left of the entry steps on the side of the cabinet that holds the switches ... the receptacle on the front between the sink and stove is awkward to use at times when preparing meals. The second to the right of the steps on the side of the small bottom cabinet that has the table that flips up.
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I like your improvements too --- and incorporated a few on my (traded in) 2350. The new units have some of the changes as standard, and some as options though. Guess Phoenix listens to their customers!!!
I agree on the sprinter -- the wife doesn't like my diesel truck, so wanted (and soooo, we have) the Ford450!!! The milage differential is just too great. (5-10% more for fuel, for 50% greater milage)
The outside storage compartments in the new rig (2552) are not as large as the 2350, but more of them, and I can adjust to that. Still would like to see a larger compartment, though I don't know how they can do it with the current design.
Jack
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I had a 2009 Monaco Covina (25') Sprinter based unit for a short period of time; I loved the look of the coach and I am a huge fan of the M-B 3.0L that is one sweet engine and what my wife has in her Grand Cherokee and it is a superb vehicle and very quite on the road. I found the Sprinter's engine noise intolerable on the road, you could not carry on a conversation at 65MPH. I would get blown all over the highway from trucks and cross winds I never broke 15MPG. I could not tow my Jeep Liberty diesel (4300 lbs.), I called Monaco because other manafacturers rate the chassis to tow more than 3500 lbs but Monaco (I do not usually agree with anything Monaco says, but in this case i think they were dead on!)! said the chassis just will not tolerate that kind of towed weight. The E-450 is tighter in the cab area but the brakes, handling, and the power to tow puts the Sprinter to shame in my book. Perhaps with a smaller coach (like a PC) on the Sprinter chassis it would handle better vs's the higher Covina? In my book the Ford hands down despite how thirsty they are.
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For my next 2551 (or maye 2552 if it will fit in the garage), I plan on the following:
- kitchen sink water filter & spigot in lieu of spray attachment
- outside rear & driver's side lights hooked to porch light switch
- foot flush toilet
- no kitchen counter mirror
- no carpet
- spice rack (if doable)
- rain sensor hood on fantastic fan
- stability bar
- rear track bar
- Bilstein heavy duty shocks
- shower door towel bar
- backup monitor but no TomTom
- no sat antenna
- insulated glass
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The payment book sent to Ron! roflol :lol roflol :lol roflol
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I'm waiting until Ron decides to become a certified aftermarket shop for PC.
:lol
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Maybe I'll get into the PC "retro" business if I loose my day job. :lol
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Maybe I'll get into the PC "retro" business if I loose my day job. :lol
So, where do you work? Maybe we can get you started on that new career with a few calls to your boss! :-D :-D :-D
Bob
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You are so kind Bob. I work at your company, and my name is Bob. hithere
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Very good thread with some great idea/suggestions...here are a few from my perspective
-More insulation in the cab area, the carpet needs some padding, should be sound mats put in the doors.
-Remote door locks standard with the coach door on the remote as well.
-Doors to get into the under the bed storage area vs's lifting the bed.
-Insulation of the step box, alot of cold and road noise comes from that area.
-There needs to be and outside edge piece put on to keep the twin bed mattress from moving away from the wall.
-Larger fresh water drain, the 3/8" just takes way to long.
-The exterior compartment locks need to be of better quality.
-Armrests on front seats need to be adjustable as one reclines.
-Wind sensor awning would be nice.
-Larger refrigerator option
all in all very nice coaches.
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-More insulation in the cab area, the carpet needs some padding, should be sound mats put in the doors.
-Insulation of the step box, alot of cold and road noise comes from that area.
About the floor insulation in the cab up front. That is not an easy task as the carpet needs to be glued down to conform to the shape of the cab floor. Gluing first a padding, and then the carpet over that would be challenging unless they installed a pre-shaped molded carpet/pad combo like is done with cars. But then they would need 4 different colors to go along with their interior colors. Still I agree with you that it would be very nice, and I would pay the difference.
My box step seems to be rusting pretty quickly considering my rig has never seen snow/salt and very little rain. I plan to brush on some Rustoleum primer to stop it from getting worse. I suppose spraying on an undercoating material over that would further protect it and also provide some sound deadening.
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We were trying to get away from "all the conveniences of home" when we downsized out of a class A, basement storage, pusher. The trailer in between the "A" and the PC was a bust for several reasons.
As far as the PC experience goes the only things I have changed is some of the minor details and the twin post table, it had to go. Put lexan, pulldown doors, with magnetic latches, on the pull out storage in the kitchen area ( so stuff didn't fall out and jam it, also added three shelves) and got the swing-up table from Camping World that pretty much answered our immediate objections. Took off the utility strapping that supported the macerator pump and built a proper support out of aluminum bar stock. Other than rearranging some things, if I were to order new, there is not much I would change as Judi and I have maintained from the get go that the PC is probably one of the better built, for sure best thought out, units on the market. Most everone else has a lot of catching up to do either in build quality or live-ability.
L. G.
In answer to another thread I keep the slinky in the trough of the back storage next to the spare. Bought the red one (cannot remember the brand) that has end caps on both ends, they don't leak or stink when collapsed. I like the thought about carrying on top though, since I have not had a reason to use it so far.
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I'd like to see a picture of your "Improved" maserator pump strap. And if anyone else could provide a picture of their pump hanger too as I understand Phoenix has done something better since my 2007 days. I have the generic perforated metal strapping material that is sold in a roll at the local home improvement store, used to hold up soil drain pipes at home.
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(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_HPzr_beG0fo/TbmfTUjePaI/AAAAAAAAAEg/5sfZI5WhkNQ/s720/IMG_1293.JPG)
Ron,
This is what is on my 2010 2551.
Bob
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That looks great and simple. Maybe I could come up with something like that at home for myself. Thanks Bob.
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Ron -- If you can't find, or make a bracket, I'll send you one -- I replaced the pump on my 2006 and didn't use the bracket. (sent with pump from PC).
Jack
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Thanks for the offer Jack. I will keep that in-mind if I give up on making something.
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I'd like to see a picture of your "Improved" maserator pump strap. And if anyone else could provide a picture of their pump hanger too as I understand Phoenix has done something better since my 2007 days. I have the generic perforated metal strapping material that is sold in a roll at the local home improvement store, used to hold up soil drain pipes at home.
Ron.
Don't know that it's improved, just met my sense of "right" a little better. The hose, by-pass, and electrics were re-routed for the same esthetic.
L. G.
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Right now, I don't think I would change anything. I'm haven to much fun doing it my self (yahoo)
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Hi Ron:
Here are a few of my ideas:
1.) Satellite radio.
2.) real mattress on the sofa bed.(air matress is worthless)
3.)switch to turn of led brake lights and lights on front top so that they stay off after you close door.
4.) battery disconnect switches for all batteries.
5.) anti-freeze by pass valve.
6.)engine heat shield.
7.)door alarm on the fridge door.
8.)light switches mounted lower so that children/grandchildren can turn on/off the lights.
9.)Microwave mounted lower.
10.) outside tv mount(for tailgating of course)
Last but least 2 dream items:
self cleaning carpet
ice maker.
roflol
David
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When you locate your "self cleaning carpet", please send me all the info ... I gotta have one too. woot
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Agree on the carpet. I got tired of cleaning ours, so I took it out and installed laminate flooring. Lot easier to keep clean.
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Agree on the carpet. I got tired of cleaning ours, so I took it out and installed laminate flooring. Lot easier to keep clean.
We cleaned carpet for the last 15 years we worked. Retired and turned it over to my son, he does ours now.