Factory Tour & Finalizing Option Choices

I would love any and all input as it relates to:

1- First Factory Tour, any advice on what to look for or ask; things others may have either missed or wished they would have asked during their visit to the factory.

2- Advice / Input on available options, what you would order, or not order if you had it to do all over again.

3 - I'd love to hear about any special modifications/changes you made to your PC when you ordered it (or wish you would have ordered).

4 - We will order full body paint, but my wife and I don't like all of the swirls, so any picture you would like to share of custom paint jobs would be nice to see. Maybe they will have pictures at the factory I can look at.

Any other ideas or advice you might have would be truly appreciated. This is our first motor home (have a 5th wheel toy hauler), so we need to get this right the first time.

Thank you.

Regards,

Dan

Dan,
   We owned a 2008 2350 and now a 2012 2551.  Here is a list of some of our changes

   What we learned from the 2350 that carried over to the 2551.

1.   Fully body paint - had it and still wanted it.  Our 2350 (brown in color with cherry cabinets) looked better then new when we sold it.  We choose the Classic Umbre with cherry for the 2551.
2.   Leveling jacks - had them and loved them so ordered again.
3.   Premium Convenience package - had and kept it in the new one.
4.   Insulated Glass - had it and loved it so ordered again.
5.   Slide out - had it and loved it so ordered again.
6.   Leather captain chairs - had it and loved it so ordered again.
7.   Window treatments - we had all the window treatments the same in the 2350 so kept them that way for the 2551.  8.   No carpet - didn't have it in the 2350 and didn't order it in the 2551. Very easy to wash rugs or buy new ones.
9.   No coffee pot - didn't have it and didn't miss it.
10.  Side flip up counter extension is made from the same material as the counter top and not wood.
11.  Cut the sink cover.
12.  Did not order the TV, DVD or sound package (just prep work for TV).  We installed a Visio TV on a swivel, a DVR and a sound bar.  

Things we actually changed from the 2350

1.  No ladder or roof rack - never used it and like the look without.  It would fit in the garage either way.  
2.  No hooks or hangers installed in rear storage compartment - we wanted to organize it ourselves.  
3.  No mirror by stove - we want to add a metal bar so that our magnetized paper towel holder will hang there
4.  Driver seat swivel - we had the power seat on the 2350 and never used it so we opted to have the driver seat swivel instead just like the passenger seat.  
5.  Access doors under driver side bed.
6.  Adjustable shelf in cabinet above the toilet.
7.  No outside shower - never used it on the 2350 except to winterize it so we won't miss it on the 2551.  Why have the opening in the side wall when it isn't needed.
8.  No hanger bars in shirt closets.  Converted the shirt closet in the 2350 and added shelves so PC offered to add movable shelves to the 2551.
9.  Reversed hinges on passenger side shirt closet so to have easier access for kitchen items. Should have done this on the 2350.
10.  Motion light on outside.
11.  Max air fan in place of fantastic fan in bedroom area.
12.  Don't mount fire extinguisher - we moved it in the 2350 so will do the same.
13.  Do not install shower head holder - we installed two in the 2350 and will do the same .  One for me and one for the DW.
14.  Ordered larger cabinets above the winged areas like PC puts in the 3100.  Just more storage.
15.  Ordered a driver side flip table like the passenger side table.  Used this all the time in the 2350 so thought we would like one on each side. The cabinet top was a great place for ipod radio, pictures, battery powered candle etc...
16.  Added a 12 volt plug in bathroom for any 12 volt bath items.
17.  Cover for sink in bathroom.

Our 2551 is perfect of us.  We spend 4 - 5 months a year living in it and we wouldn't change much except instead of the fantastic fan in the kitchen area we would have another max air like in the bedroom area.  

Barry and Sue

Dan,
We have had a 2350, 2552 and now we have a 2910 with twin beds (custom because we wanted the 2910 but wanted twin beds). I agree with Barry and Sue on every point. I see that you are interested in the 2910 so I will direct my comments to that model:
We had Phoenix install a beveled mirror behind the sink. It is much easier to wipe the mirror off than having to deal with water spots on the wood surface that is standard behind the sink. The mirror also opens up the living area to give it a larger appearance.
We also had them build a cabinet (like the one in the 3100) behind the driver's seat. Because of that cabinet, we are not able to recline the driver's seat but we never did that anyway. We would rather have a little more storage.
I do not like the new full body paint schematic either. Our 2013 2910 has the same paint as both of our other PCs. They will do whatever you want within reason. If we were to order another, we would still have the same full body paint schematic.
We have posted pics of our 2910 on the Forum. If you are interested, just search our postings from 2012. If you can't find them, let me know and I will send you some pictures of what we did.

Judi

- Still love our full body paint and cherry interior.  Some think the cherry is too dark, so something to think about.
- Wouldn't do without the leveling jacks, insulated glass and wood floors.
- Had Euro Chair option installed.  It's very comfortable, but we would probably have a third captains chair installed if we did it again.  Two reasons....  The Euro Chair can be moved around, but there isn't much space available to move it to.  The captains chair would allow a legal and safe method to use a child seat.  Currently there is no way for us to have a child seat.  In theory, one could apply for a certificate which authorizes Ford to install a passenger side airbag on/off switch on the passengers seat (which we did), but we haven't found a Ford dealer yet that would actually do it for us.
- Wouldn't do without the ladder.  Have needed/wanted to access the roof a few times (checking seals, cleaning roof, satellite dish cover and vent covers, etc)
- We do like the rear view mirror with temp and compass....also gives view of back interior of rig to keep an eye on dogs in their seats or passenger moving around.

- Added Winegard satellite dish on roof.  It is very noisy (inside) when it is first acquiring a signal, but quick and relatively quiet when it needs to find another satellite due to channel selection.  We use Dish network with it and enjoy it quite a bit.
- Had the standard 13,500 BTU A/C unit changed to a 15,000 BTU Coleman Mach A/C.  This helps immensely when in very hot climates.  Next time we would probably add the second A/C.  That would allow greater cooling capacity when traveling through areas 100 degrees +, as well as provide the ability to just use the rear unit when we are in the front and vice versa. 
- 50 amp service.  Most definitely do it again.  Allows use of A/C and microwave at same time, etc.  The power cable is obviously much thicker and heavier, but I've never had a problem.
- Had Surge Guard hardwired.  Would do it again, but would have it installed in an easier to access place in the rig.
- Like John and Holly (2frazzled), we had PC run a propane line to the passengers side of the rig.  So much easier than dealing with propane bottles for a BBQ.  Would also like to have a water connection on the passenger side outdoors (currently have all the parts necessary to run a line and valve from the bottom of the fresh water tank out to that side of the rig.....great for draining the tank and as a potable water supply or watering the dogs)
- Installed shelving ourselves in the closet at the foot of the passengers side bed (2552)
- Installed a locking mechanism on our screen door to ensure the dogs couldn't open it by bumping into it or jumping on it.
- Weathertech mats on driver and passengers side of the cab.
- Installed both Saf-T-Plus Steering Stabilizers and TST Tire Pressure/Temp Sensors.  Great peace of mind.

- I think the new units come with a front TV swivel bracket, but ours did not.  Would definitely want that (we are looking into installing one now). So much easier to watch tv from the sofa.
- I think the new units also come with LED lighting.  Ours also did not and we are replacing them as we go.  Especially necessary are the reading lights over the beds and the sofa.  They get extremely hot.
- Will be either replacing the water pump with a quieter unit or replacing some of the piping/connectors to quiet it down.
- Would have a dual backup camera (and possibly side cameras) installed rather than the standard. This would give ability to see both the toad and the traffic further back.

   - Mike

Hi Dan,

I posted pictures of my 2351 non-slide in the photos section back in July 2014.  The topic subject line is actually 2450 non-slide because Phoenix wasn't sure yet exactly what they were going to call the model (which is simply one foot longer than the 2350).

The first two photos show its full-body paint job with a simple wave on the bottom and no decals.  I agree with other posters that the full-body paint is well worth it (ease of care, durability, etc.)

I also agree with those who opt to keep the ladder.  Makes keeping things up there clean and checking for condition of seals way easier.  Imagine if you hit a low branch (or one fell on your roof) and you wanted to go up to inspect for damage--so much easier with your own, built-in ladder.

Good luck with your planning!

Carol

I'd ask about better insulation as the roof and walls are thin so AC and furnace work hard to cool or heat the PC, maybe they can offer a better insulation material.

Took a long time to stop cracking our heads on open side swinging cabinet doors so ask if can be hinged to swing up to ceiling.

Wish we'd gotten the larger battery compartment to have 4 six volts.

USB ports in bedroom and dining would be nice.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond and providing such great information. It's amazing how much Phoenix Cruiser is willing to do to accommodate their customers. I am very excited to get back to Indiana to see the factory and actually get inside of a 2910 (luckily they will have one there for me to see, touch and evaluate). I appreciate your help and I'm looking forward to becoming a PC owner and one day being able to return the favor to future PC owners.

I'd ask about better insulation as the roof and walls are thin so AC and furnace work hard to cool or heat the PC, maybe they can offer a better insulation material.

Took a long time to stop cracking our heads on open side swinging cabinet doors so ask if can be hinged to swing up to ceiling.

Hi randallandchris,

Boy oh boy, I can sure relate to your comment over the upper cabinets swinging upward to avoid hitting your head on an open door.  I am averaging one hit per week, one of them drawing blood this past trip.

About the matter over insulation.  I was just at the factory yesterday and looked closely at the production process.  I think Christ will return before PC agrees to thicker walls.  Increasing wall thickness will throw off everything they do, and will also add weight, one matter they are watching very closely.  Given current production practices there at Phoenix, it seems the only thing they could improve upon with regards to insulating the walls today, would be to introduce an injection foam process to eliminate every air pocket.  But foam expansion is a real science to control to avoid distorting the walls.  If the square tube studs, joists, and beams had holes every so many inches, the injection foam would get inside them too.  Then you'd have insulation as good as it gets, and the floor/wall/ceiling panels would be even stronger......but they are already quite strong with current production practices.

Ron