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1

General Discussion / Re: New truck battery

« on: March 01, 2015, 04:32:29 pm »

Last week I had to replace the engine battery in my 2011 model 2551. It had been in storage for the winter and wouldn't crank. I had to jump start it to bring it the 10 miles to home. When I turned off the engine, I noticed the fuel gauge jumped to beyond full and the back up camera stayed on. The next morning, it just barely started so I took it to a local auto/truck service center where they tested the battery. It was too far gone to hold more than a 10% charge. Replaced it with a new Interstate 750cca battery and my fuel gauge and camera problems disappeared. Evidently, proper the functioning of certain gauges and options in the RV are affected by low battery output. Not sure but it seemed that way in my case.

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General Discussion / Re: HEAT along the passenger wing wall

« on: August 19, 2014, 02:55:48 pm »

While this topic has not surfaced in nearly a year, we too have experienced a VERY HOT passenger seat area along with a VERY HOT wall that encases the passenger seat belt mechanism. This past weekend while traveling up hwy 101 and a few days later on the return trip, there was so much heat on the passenger side that my wife could not remain seated there. No heat was coming from the engine casing and the drivers side was comfortable. Immediately after arriving home with the heat still radiating, I found that the large metal plate that supports the swivel passenger seat was so hot that you did not want to touch it. Crawling under the rig I noticed that the exhaust pipes and heat shield while slightly to the right of center, were not in any direct contact with the floor of the coach. Thus, I'm unable to determine with any certainty, just what causes so much heat on the support plate and up the wall behind the passenger door. Any new thoughts on the subject? 

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Polls / Re: Does your Phoenix Cruiser have a slide out?

« on: April 27, 2014, 02:54:39 pm »

1. Yes

2. No, not yet but wonder about the extremely slow movement and drop-down at end of the extension.  

3. Yes - always want a slide-out but with PC would prefer dinette over the sofa.

4. Yes to a slide-out. Will definitely help resale value

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General Discussion / Re: Transmission Clunk when shifting between Reverse and Park

« on: March 28, 2014, 02:51:14 pm »

Thanks guys for the comments. It's a bit comforting to hear that others have experienced the clunking sound when moving into or out of the Park position. My PC has just 21,500 miles and to my knowledge, the transmission fluid has not been changed. I'll have to check the Ford manual to see what is recommended.

Dave

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General Discussion / Transmission Clunk when shifting between Reverse and Park

« on: March 27, 2014, 05:12:08 pm »

Couldn't find this topic when doing a search so my experience might be helpful to some other PC owners.

As a new owner of a used 2011 PC 2551 on an E450 chassis, I naturally encountered some things not noticed at the time of purchase. One of these was a loud clunk or clang when shifting into the Park position, especially after backing up. I'm hearing impaired even with aids but when I first heard this while parking at home, I wondered "what in the world just happened". As the vehicle is still under a Ford warranty, I took it to a dealer about 30 miles from here. They actually kept the coach for a week. Here is what they found/reported and backed up by giving me a copy of a print-out from Ford.

"Some 2004-2012 E-Series vehicles including those on small motorhome chassis equipped with a 5-speed auto Torqshift transmission (5R110/5R110W) may exhibit some or all of the following conditions. Clunk when shifting from Drive or Reverse into Park. Clunk or pop upon initial engagement from Reverse to Drive at approximately 2-3 MPH or clunking during 2-3 upshifts. These specific clunk/pop conditions may be intermittent and are a characteristic of powertrain mechanical lash. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR."

It still bothers me somewhat to accept that this is a normal characteristic of what the service tech called a "very big heavy duty transmission. But, I guess I'll learn to live with it. While with the dealer for a week, they took care of some other items that I was not even aware of. It turns out they felt there was excessive slope or movement in the shift lever and replaced the shaft, bushings, pin and lever. They also noticed the coach had a list of about one inch to the curb side. Upon inspection they found that the right rear shock was not installed in its mount or attached at the top. They replaced the shock, nut and rubber saying "it appears that the original shock was never installed properly at the factory." Finally, while inspecting the tires and noting that all 6 on-ground tires had been replaced with "Hankook" brand, the spare was still a Michelin which they replaced under the recall.

Everything was done without charge and overall, I'm a pretty happy camper, but still hate to hear that clunk.

Dave

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General Discussion / Re: Half Time Apollo Micro/Oven

« on: March 23, 2014, 04:50:30 pm »

Barry/Sue & Pax,

Thank you so much for the help.
I was able to view the sites you referenced and print the manual.
Guess I should have realized beforehand that this was just your basic micro/convection oven and that 1/2 time only referred to combination cooking. Who knew!

Cathie

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General Discussion / Re: Thermopane Windows

« on: March 22, 2014, 07:04:05 pm »

The kitchen and bedroom windows on the curb side of the 2011 PC 2551 we just purchased both have foggy discoloration on the bottom portion of the window. These are the two section bottom crank out type that don't really allow much cross ventilation. None the less, the bottom portion is thermo-pane while the upper section is single pane. Last week while talking with Kermit, he said he believed the bottom portion could be replaced. Apparently one would have to remove the frame to determine the proper part number. Hehr is the manufacturer. I don't plan on any change in the immediate future but if you do, please share the details.

dave

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General Discussion / Half Time Apollo Micro/Oven

« on: March 21, 2014, 05:50:34 pm »

Does anyone have any info re the Apollo 1/2 time micro/oven in the 2551 PC. I don't have one iota of info and had never heard of it before.
Went to the Apollo website and it was useless. Appreciate any help I can get including a "manual".
Thanks, Cathie 

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General Discussion / Re: slide problems

« on: March 20, 2014, 02:55:49 pm »

Probably don't have enough experience with our 2551 having not yet made any trips with it since purchasing 2 weeks ago but I did notice a potential problem. While it may be normal for the PC slide to move very, very slowly (batteries good and attached to shore power) I noticed that when at the end of fully extended, there is a popping sound and a definite drop of the slide what seems like an inch or so. When bringing the slide in, it first rises and then slowly comes in with the motor ratcheting just at the closed position. Maybe I've held the close position switch too long.

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General Discussion / Re: Introduce Yourself!

« on: March 19, 2014, 08:27:25 pm »

Another newbee here. On the 6th of March we purchased a used 2011 cruiser model 2551. It had some 21K miles and a few minor problems most of which have now been corrected either by the selling dealer and/or Ford. We have owned RV's for nearly 30 years, 4 Class A, two Class C, one 5th wheel and now the Class B Cruiser. Didn't do a lot of traveling except for our Born Free Built 4 two which we used more than anything. After deciding to no longer spend winters in Arizona (the weather wasn't much better than here in our part of Northern California), we sold our 38' Monaco last August. Wanted to get something for shorter stays where I didn't have to tow but comfortable enough for the two of us and our two little rescue dogs. Did a lot of online search reading about various Class B's and must say that this forum helped convince me to join the PC family. My wife and I hope to meet some of you in the near future. I remember reading about a planned gathering of PC owners in Pismo Beach this May but can't seem to locate the details. If someone could direct me to the proper referral, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Dave, Cathie and our pups, Muffin & Mandy