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General Discussion / Re: Post Pics And Stories Of Your Previous and Current RVs Here

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on Today at 08:20:34 am »

The Winnebago H body coach design was really innovative. It was actually a separate chassis with a tube axle,  grafted onto a  front wheel drive Renault or VW T4 cab . The body was lightweight aluminum. Because there was no drive shaft the floor and overall height was low, so it was aerodynamic and immune to side drafts even without dual rear wheels.

Yes I know that the VW chassis supplied ended at the back of the cab, delivered to Winnebago as Siamese twins.  That was the one thing about the Rialta that bothered me.  I was not comfortable with Winnebago supplying the back bone of the chassis and rear axle with brakes and such.  I wondered where to get rear brake parts, a rear wheel bearing, a parking brake cable, a fuel filler tube or a fuel tank, things like that.  Still it was something I was willing to accept at the time.

As you know, every Phoenix Cruiser has every chassis part readily available, regardless of where travelled.

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General Discussion / Re: Post Pics And Stories Of Your Previous and Current RVs Here

« Last post by CalCruiser on Today at 12:56:24 am »

CalCruiser,

The Rialta still intrigues me, though it does not compare to our PC. 

The Winnebago H body coach design was really innovative. It was actually a separate chassis with a tube axle,  grafted onto a  front wheel drive Renault or VW T4 cab . The body was lightweight aluminum. Because there was no drive shaft the floor and overall height was low, so it was aerodynamic and immune to side drafts even without dual rear wheels.  This is a picture of new VW T4 pickup truck cabs at the Winnebago factory.

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General Discussion / Re: Softstart

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on February 24, 2021, 08:05:04 am »

I watched THIS VIDEO of a fellow installing a Softstart in his older Coleman a/c unit.  He mounted the Softstart unit horizontally with the wires coming out the side of the unit.  That is a very bad idea.  Any water that gets on the wires will flow down them right into the Softstart unit.  Make sure to mount the unit vertically or at least at an angle so that water on the wires cannot travel into the Softstart.

That guy's particular Coleman a/c unit, his cover has ventilation louvers near the wires.  Wind-driven rain could drench his wires and prematurely kill his Softstart.

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General Discussion / Re: Post Pics And Stories Of Your Previous and Current RVs Here

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on February 24, 2021, 07:52:31 am »

CalCruiser,

Back in late 2006 to early 2007, I strongly considered a rear corner double bed Rialta 2003-2005 model year to get the one with the most powerful VW engine.  The Rialta had just been discontinued and the prices on those years were in the middle $50's.  For $12,000 more, we special-ordered our PC through East Acres RV in Mendon, MA and picked it up from the factory which is 170 miles from home.

The Rialta still intrigues me, though it does not compare to our PC.  I am so glad to have stumbled onto East Acres.  Like today, back in those days the factory did not sell directly to the public, but the public could pick up their rig from the factory.  I was actually charged more to do that....go figure.

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General Discussion / Re: Security Camera

« Last post by jhobbs on February 23, 2021, 11:21:34 am »

I just setup the Wyze 1080p camera in my cabin.  I will be adding another one inside, looking out a window.  They are a cheap alternative to a real security system.

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General Discussion / Re: Service near Fort Worth

« Last post by keelhauler on February 23, 2021, 09:47:06 am »

Ford Engine/chassis - 800 number tells you where your nearest Ford Chassis Service dealer is.
PC problem, always call PC first and if they can't help you fix it they need to approve any work by an RV dealer and they will pay. They can get parts to you quickly.
If it is major work, where local dealers have no idea what to do or how to estimate it, it is best to head to factory and get great fast service with job done right.

I once had damage to the entire back fiberglass. Local insurance said it would take a week and be a repair job, PC replaced the entire back in one day and I was back on the road. for less money.

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General Discussion / Re: Softstart

« Last post by donc13 on February 22, 2021, 05:00:57 pm »

If anyone is interested, the SoftStart and EasyStart are not identical.  I presume they work similarly, but looking at installation instructions, the EasyStart has a 4 wire harness and the SoftStart has a 5 wire harness.

No idea if either is better than the other.  They both have good reviews.

Don

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General Discussion / Re: Post Pics And Stories Of Your Previous and Current RVs Here

« Last post by CalCruiser on February 22, 2021, 12:45:58 am »

Our 2350 replaced a 1995 Winnebago Rialta RC,  another uncommon corner bed B+. The stretched Eurovan wide body design was great for trips up and down the coast, but VW parts and service were not.  We actually looked at an American Cruiser too, along with the common Roadtrek and Pleasure Way Dodge vans and skinny winnie Sprinters, but those were all too cramped. The 2350 is our  Goldilocks RV, not too small or too big.

The widow of the Rialta's previous owner  lived in a log cabin in a place called Pioneer Town out in the California desert. When we gave her a deposit she insisted that the balance be paid  in cash. So the following weekend we returned by Greyhound bus with a fat wad of cash. We checked into the Pioneer Town hotel to find the door wouldn't lock, so we walked over to the local bar and grill called Pappy and Harriets for dinner, with the wad of cash still stuffed  in my pocket. On the weekends it's a popular hang out for bikers and off roaders, but famous musicians  including Robert Plant and Paul McCartney have played there impromptu. The Rialta belonged to an aspiring local country music legend named Johnny, who’s picture hangs on the wall inside Pappy and Harriets. I sometimes wonder where he got parts for a Volkswagen Erovan way out there in Pioneer Town.


We were incredibly  lucky to find our 2350 just 100 miles from home, using a nationwide Craigslist  search engine. The owner’s neighbor screwed up and listed it on the Auburn Alabama Craigslist, but the ad said Orange (Whoa!! That's by Disneyland, and the phone # has an OC area code. Eureka!!!). That seemed kind of sketchy, so when we drove down to see it I told my nephew to call me back  in 10 minutes then call the police if I don’t answer. It turned out that owner Bob had to sell it because he was suffering from  Parkinson’s disease.

The custom painted blue and grey stripe was inspired by Johnny's Rialta.

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General Discussion / Re: Charging Engine Battery via Dash 12V Power Ports

« Last post by 2 Lucky on February 21, 2021, 09:42:18 pm »

If I called my managing editor "senior" management, I'd be known as "former associate!"  >:(

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General Discussion / Re: Charging Engine Battery via Dash 12V Power Ports

« Last post by Old Mainer on February 21, 2021, 04:45:59 pm »

I have done something similar to maintain charge on the engine battery.  Described here. 
https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=3407.msg28963#msg28963


Also if you have solar panels converting the momentary white switch to the left of the steering column to an on/off switch as described in several of “Keelhauler’s “ posts is useful to recharge the engine battery.

Thanks! The plugin voltmeter is a great idea! I'll be ordering one. I've also been discussing solar with senior management but I haven't convinced her yet.