Thinking about our next RV . . .

My wife and I have always said we would treat ourselves with a new RV when I retire in a couple of years.  We were on our first road trip for the year going to the Smokies and we started talking about what we would want in our new RV.  Below are some of our thoughts on what we really like about our 2350 and what we would really like to have in our next RV:
-  Lots of power.   We have the Triton V10 and it was great having that power in the mountains.  We took on some very intense mountains with power to spare.  And that was while pulling a Honda CRV.

-  Styling.  We get lots of compliments on our 2350.

-  Goes just about anywhere.  With the narrower dimensions and lower height, we can take our Phoenix just about anywhere.  Some of the boxy class Cs are just too wide and too tall for our preference.  We have not come across a road yet that we have not been able to take our 2350, and we were on some interesting ones this last trip. Plus the smaller dimensions pushes less air which has to save a bit on gas mileage.

-  Lights everywhere.   Who would of thought this would be on our list but Phoenix definitely does not skimp on indoor lighting.  There are lights everywhere you need them.  

-  Tow/Haul mode.   It is very nice to have the engine help in the braking while slowing down or coming down the mountains.  Really like the fact that it downshifts automatically.

-  Integrated Sani-Con system.   A lot less hassle and makes the operation much more sanitary.  There is the option to use the full size hose if staying a long time, but we never seem to bother.  I don't think I have seen another RV with the Sani-Con system integrated in with the RV.  

-  Handles great.   This was not true when we first bought our used 2007 2350.  But after following Ron's advice, it handles very good now (thanks again Ron).  Added front/rear sway bars, rear trac bar, and steering damper.  I understand the newer chassis may not need these upgrades.  I have never had the opportunity to make that comparison.

-  Cold weather camping.  On this trip we had some nights that went down to the lower 20s.  No problem.  We just kept the inside nice and warm, left the hot water heater on, and knew we had the tank warmers if we needed them.  

-  Great for movies.  With the surround sound system and both the front and back TVs, we really enjoy watching movies in our 2350.  

-  HWH Jacks.  They come in very handy when we need them.  We will likely splurge and add this to the list when we buy our next one.

-  Reliability.   The reliability has been very good on our 2350.  I almost hesitate saying this as I don't want to jinx anything.

-  TV reception.  We get very good reception.  Added the amplifier a couple of years ago that has a digital readout stating signal strength (helps in pointing the antenna the best direction).  When we were camped near Louisville Kentucky, we received 42 stations.  Plus with the cable jack on the side of the RV, we just plugged the campsite cable into the RV when we were at Pigeon Forge.  

-  Heating/Air Conditioner.   The ducted heat works great.  Not sure we fully tested the roof air on a very hot day . . . I think it would keep up.   We also like the fantastic fan.  

-  Convection oven.  Very nice to have.  

-  Awning.  It is nice to have an awning especially when the weather calls for it.  Ours did not have one when we bought it so we added a Carefree of Colorado.  Not sure we would go that route again as it does not take much wind for it to want to start folding up.  I should have investigated to see what Phoenix puts on the new ones.  The angled sides limits some of the options.

-  Generator.  We do not have one on ours but we think it could really come in handy.  Some national parks don't have electric hook-ups.  We never had one so I am not sure what additional maintenance headache I might be taking on.  

 These are just some of the things that will likely have us buying a Phoenix for our next RV.  We have likely missed some items that we just take for granted or did not think of.  I know the list can be very subjective and our list may be weighted heavy on drive-ability.  We would be curious on what you would have on your "must have" list as we would welcome the ideas.  

JJCruiser:


It is all ways fun to think about the perfect coach!  I really think you have hit the high lights as far as nice features that you get with the PC.  Coming down from a large Class A I found the 2551 just a little to tight and traded up to the 3100 and love the layout that is super for two people.  I would like to see both twin beds longer like 76" would be perfect.  While  the E-450 is a work horse I do worry that the chassis is nearly max'ed out most of the time and for one I would like to see a PC offered on the F-450 chassis.  I find the E-450 cab noisy when really calling on it.  I would like to see more  sound insulation in the floor, doors, etc and insulation in the front cap.  Rattles bug me and I am constantly on the hunt for something that is making noise and more rattles seem to pop up as soon as I fix one.  All manufacturer's should take more time to rattle proof coaches. 

Rattles bug me too and it bugs my wife when I am on the hunt for that allusive rattle (the noise of the rattles don't seem to bug her, just me looking for them).  It seems like different conditions (temperature, humidity, road conditions, etc) bring out different rattles.  I know on this last trip, there were times when the rig was fully rattle free.  Then the next day, it is back again.  My Phoenix seems to have less rattles then others I have driven.  My 2350 is on a E-350 chassis and have wondered if I would have more/less/same rattles with the E-450, I am guessing more with the E-450 since it is a more solid chassis. Lately if I get a rattle, I just turn the radio up to try to drown it out. 
Thanks for the input!

We use our generator a lot!   We dry camp a few days each trip and use the generator to top off the batteries once a day (while dry camping) and of course...when stopping at a rest area...run the air conditioner and/or the microwave while we rest and make coffee, warm a meal or just stay cool on a hot day.   You have to have a generator to do that.   For us, it's a "must have."   If we're visiting friends or at an attraction (say Cape Canaveral)...we turn on the generator and air conditioning so our dog is comfortable while we are out of the RV.

Untill PC offers a coach with lots of solar power and 8-10 batteries to run the A/C then must have a generator to boondock.  We've even used the generator to run the roof A/C while driving thru the desert.

JJCruiser,

I would add a slide to your next RV. Our 2350 Sprinter-no slide. Our 2551-no slide. Our 2910, only one slide but it certainly maximizes the living space. We would not, ever, order an RV without a slide! Ordering 2 PC's without the slide, for us, was the biggest mistake that we made. What were we thinking? It's all good now!!

Judi

The slide in a smaller unit makes an incrdible difference, particularly when camped for an extended period of time.  The generator:  never leave home without it.  It is an absolute must for us because we mostly boondock.   Last summer I installed  200 watts of solar (Renogy panels from Amazon, 100 x 2) to keep up the twin batteries while boondocking.  I have wanted solar for years and it is great!

Thanks for all the replies.  A generator will be a must have on our next RV, wish we had one on our current RV.  Not having one definitely limits our options on where we stay. 
We have never had a slide.  It would sure be nice to have the extra space.  Are there any disadvantages to having slide?  Do they make a tight seal while traveling (i.e. any wind noise)? 

We have not encountered any wind noise when travelling and have not had any leakage from the slide when it rains.

You just have to remember to move anything from the floor when taking in the slide, I had a half dozen ears of corn on the floor next to the sink area in our 2910-the slide came in, the corn got wedged between the wall and the slide. Needless to say--it was not pretty! Mashed ears of corn all over! The slide was ok though.

We have had slides in all of our units, one travel trailer and two PCs.  We have never had an issue with any of them.  After a heavy rain we do make sure that there is no standing water under the awning of the slide but other than that just make sure there is nothing in its way to bring it in.  Making "creamed corn" like George and Judi is probably not a good idea. 

We have never experienced any wind or road noise.  They are sealed very well.

Sue

If getting a slide make sure there's no potential interferences in or out like cabinet doors or drawers that can hang up or be hit during operating.  If it's possible to happen then eventually will.  Also slide seals not all perfect and may have water leak if raining hard enough with unfavorable wind and/or rv level.  Understand PC has a good backup plan for retracting a slide in event of electrical problem.

Another slide issue is uninvited guess.  This week we had a Carolina wren building a nest under the awning  in ours. Luckily I spotted her before bringing it in. Consulted with the parks ranger and he removed it. Fortunately she hadn't gotten to far along with it. It was a good reminder to look it over throughly prior to pulling it in.

Love our slide and haven't experienced any problems with our PC. Did have a bedroom slide get stuck in the out position on a Lexington 27 foot b+ Our first trip out in it, brand new. Also had to let a slide in on class a in heavy winds at glacier one year because it was really rocking and were worried about warping or binding.  The worst experience was not us but a poor couple who had come in ahead of us in a camp ground and killed their beloved dog when letting out their slide.  So ALWAYS use caution and especially with your pets when operating the slide!