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1

General Discussion / Re: 3 Different 6V Batteries At Sams Club, November 2025

« on: November 27, 2025, 09:44:35 pm »

My experience with the battery box compartment is gained from having issues with two Cruisers.  The battery compartments trays are not positioned low enough and the drawer slides are too feeble.  Why those considerations were incorporated in the original design is anybody's guess.  Leaving the compartment open to debris further suggests there wasn't much design effort.
I modified the battery compartment height on the first cruiser to provide adequate clearance for the battery posts.  I lowered the tray to allow 6v Marine batteries.
The second, which is my current PC, needs battery compartment attention to replace the drawer slides.  I am going to lower the tray and install new drawer slides.   The prior owner had installed 12v batteries to solve the clearance problem.  The tray slides bind.  When forced open with the amount of extreme effort necessary, expelling the tray is a frequent hazard.   The stops are broken and unrepairable. 
There is an alternative offered by their successor that I think Phoenix Cruiser should consider

2

General Discussion / Re: Tri-fold sofa

« on: November 01, 2025, 01:06:29 pm »

While the Tri Fold Sofa Bed is the solution for maximizing space and providing a cozy place to rest, the functionality is improved with a must-have upgrade to the legs.  Without writing an article delving into the features and shortcomings of the Tri Fold Sofa Bed mechanism, let me report having discovered the light gauge support legs are too frail.   
First thing I noticed after the purchase of a low-mileage PC2100 was that the sofa legs were bent.  Obviously straightened and failing again, one side was misaligned and dragging.  And, probably, stressing the motor as the wheel transitioned the floor surface and on to carpeting.
The legs are attached to the bed frame with bolts, making them simple and easy to remove.  I did that and submitted them to a welding shop to have straightening and double thickness bracing added.

3

General Discussion / The best older motorhome brands

« on: June 21, 2025, 11:51:06 am »

Very interesting summary of reasons to support Phoenix Cruiser.  In the world of RVs, it’s important to remember that longevity is influenced by a multitude of factors. First off, the materials used, and construction technique play a significant role. RVs made from high-quality materials like fiberglass tend to withstand the elements much better than those constructed from lower-grade materials.
Our PC currently has accumulated 107,000 miles and just completed a roundtrip of over 5,000 miles.  I am happy to report it is holding together. 

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Adventure Anywhere / Re: Phoenix cruiser sighting today

« on: May 26, 2025, 09:24:36 am »

Currently on mile 3,4xx of a cross-country road trip east from Oregon that started more than a month ago. Haven't seen another Phoenix Cruiser on this trip. Actually, it seems as though the number of RVs, of any description, seen traveling is below that experienced in prior years. 

Contrastingly, the number of RVs parked by individuals and sporting "For Sale" signs is certainly remarkable

5

Adventure Anywhere / Alaska Road Conditions

« on: May 20, 2025, 08:39:36 am »

The State of Alaska has a multi-million dollar website:   https://511.alaska.gov/map   The URL launches an interactive map of the state and offers information, including some "live cameras" that portray current road locations. There is an updated comment about Northway describing current highway conditions as "POOR".

6

General Discussion / Sorry about the mirror

« on: May 18, 2025, 09:33:12 am »

I suspect incidents of the mirror falling from the mounting clips is more common than owners are willing to admit on the Forum. Upon taking possession of our used Cruiser, i noticed the mirror being loose in the brackets.  Tightening the mounting screws had caused the bearing surfaces to erode. The screw holes were " wallowed" 

I replaced the original screws with longer versions and monitor their grip. If necessary, I'll use a bigger diameter

7

Adventure Anywhere / Road Conditions

« on: May 17, 2025, 05:09:16 pm »

The area lacking attention is across the 200 mile stretch most prone to permafrost.  Last year, when the destruction/construction project was begun, the roadbed was being excavated.  As we were driving in a new, half ton pickup truck it was raining,  the ruts were not only deep - they were made slippery with the clay like soil becoming slimy. 

No place for a motorhome.  Low ground clearance of a RV and the inclination to become high dead centered being the big risk.  Dragging lower storage compartments, tailpipe hangars, and damage to suspension were secondary to the threat of getting stuck.

Now, a year later, the construction season is being resumed, and a season of winter neglect has to be overcome

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Adventure Anywhere / Current Highway Conditions

« on: May 16, 2025, 07:00:24 pm »

Friends who just returned to Alaska, via the ALCAN, report the 300 mile long section of the highway between Destruction Bay and Northway is in "horrible" driving condition. According to them, worse than in 1965 when they first drove here.   A road destruction project, that was already underway at this time last year, continues and made worse.

RV owners themselves,  they are currently driving a new SUV and claim, that currently, the road is unsuitable for motor home travel.

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General Discussion / Re: How to make the screen door more visible

« on: April 22, 2025, 05:53:00 pm »

I can attest to the durability of such a work around.  Did ours with colored yarn two years ago. 

My wife likens the technique to embroidery. Depending on how creative you want and how much time to spare, the sewn image can be very artistic. 

The screen operation is unimpaired and the image remains intact.

10

General Discussion / Re: Who is going to the Wisconsin Dells mini rally late May?

« on: April 21, 2025, 02:12:19 pm »

We have our Phoenix Cruiser 2350 stored in NE Oregon.  And we are flying there this week to start a cross country thrip that includes Wisconsin.  We would like to meet other PC Owners.

Any advance publicity on the event, other than that shared on FACEBOOK?

11

General Discussion / Re: Phoenix Cruiser Mini Rally 2025

« on: April 21, 2025, 01:20:48 pm »

I wonder if events are being planned.  I don't have any information.

12

General Discussion / Re: Who is going to the Wisconsin Dells mini rally late May?

« on: April 18, 2025, 10:01:25 am »

Don't even know there is one scheduled

13

General Discussion / Re: Waste Discharge Hose Replacement

« on: April 16, 2025, 05:13:55 pm »

I AM ALL MIXED UP WITH MYSELF. 

There is a large group of us who question those things that don't make sense.  Although membership in the organization is voluntary and not recorded, the initiation procedure is imposed unwittingly. 

Although not virtually impossible, working on your motorhome is kind of like doing your own taxes.  Any acquired nomenclature is contradictory and open to interpretation, if even applicable. When calling Customer Support, expect forty different answers from the fifty representatives the phone dialog transfers you through to get one who cares.

14

General Discussion / Re: Macerator pump will not turn on

« on: April 15, 2025, 12:04:43 pm »

Quote:

Follow the red and black wires from the macerator.  As shown, about 12" or so, there are single pin connectors to unplug the macerator and check voltage.  In our rig macerator wiring, the colors are backwards.

Ditto on the 2007 Phoenix Cruiser we owned earlier.   The red/black relationship was reversed

Of course,  I didn't realize that until after methodically lacing the wire connections, sealing the harness, securing the wiring corridor and reinstalling the motor only to have the test run reveal the motor ran backwards.

I was reminded. There is the right way  There is the wrong way. And, there is the Army way.

15

General Discussion / Re: Waste Discharge Hose Replacement

« on: April 13, 2025, 01:43:21 pm »

Replacing a stuck sewer valve is represented as a simple and quick fix.  Something that doesn’t take complicated mechanical skills.  Rather than as a method to save money, I consider being able to fix little problems is a way to ration time by doing repairs without going thru a shop.  Finding someone to work on a RV often involves being told to find a qualified RV technician.  Invariably, that requires making an appointment and could involve a delay of several days.

At this point, I figure the simplest and quickest approach is to replace the “sticky” valve with a new one.   Replacing the valve prior to it becoming completely clogged and stuck allows me to choose when and where to make the repair. 

A friend suggests a method for inserting the replacement valve fixture during reassembly. Maintaining gasket alignment is the issue of concern.    He recommends sandwiching the Block Valve Gaskets between thin vinyl plastic sheets.  That envelops them and in their groove as the assembly is slid into the tight space.  Once the assembly is in place, the plastic sheets can then be removed before placing the hold down bolts.

My block valve doesn’t leak.  I think the gaskets are properly seated.  Once removed, I’ll see if is salvageable and get new gaskets to keep it as “reconditioned”.