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Another PC hits the road

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ron-n-toni

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  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2017
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  • Location: PENNSYLVANIA
Another PC hits the road
« on: December 18, 2015, 07:46:08 pm »
 :-D We arrived at the PC factory Monday morning to pick up our new 2351. Bob, the production manager showed us a slight flaw in the paint near the rear window. We could get it fixed now or come back at a later date. We elected to have it fixed now so they put us up in a very nice motel nearby. Next day the unit came back from the paint shop and we got the walk thru and about 3pm hit the road. We hadn't gone five miles and a loud squeak developed over the drivers head in a cabinet. We returned to the factory but the workers had left. They work 6 to 2. Kermit  parked us in the parking lot and hooked us up to electric power. Next day it took about an hour to fix the problem and we took off for home towing our Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk and into a very stiff quartering headwind. We averaged 8 mpg that day (haven't done second day yet) Did notice a slight "tail wagging the dog" which was minor but I have a trac-bar from a previous RV that I will install.  The new six speed is a great improvement. Cruise on, headwind and towing showed 2200 rpm. First downshift brought rpm to 2700 and second downshift on the steepest hills went to 3500 rpm. No more screaming up the hills. We chose the E450 upgrade which rode very well.  Whole unit was very quiet except some wind noise around the side windows and mirrors. We stayed overnight in a truck stop. Temp was lower 40's. We set the heat at 65 and had to keep turning it down. We use sleeping bags.  Heater only ran for a short time  and was fairly quiet. We have the thermo windows. Somewhere in the forum was a complaint about the dash GPS/radio/rear camera. This is true.  The only thing you can see during daylight is the reflection of the passenger. If I could do it over again, I would get the rear camera with audio and mount it just below the tv and have a portable gps. We are very happy with the new PC.

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Carol

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  • OwnPC: Yes
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  • PurchDate: July 2014
  • Model: 2351
  • ModelYear: 2014
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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2015, 08:45:20 pm »
Congratulations!  Sounds like a good start!

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JimInVA

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2015, 09:50:19 am »
Congratulations on your new PC!  I can't wait to hear more as you discover your 2351.  I find that i keep vacillating between the 2351 (would also upgrade to E-450) and the 2552.  So what you find and share will be a great help to my own future decision and path.

Happy travels!

Jim
« Last Edit: December 19, 2015, 02:10:55 pm by JimInVA »

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ron-n-toni

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2015, 01:03:37 pm »
I am answering a question here rather than on the "transmission thread" The reason for purchasing a 2351 are many, but here goes. We are 75 yrs old. We still enjoy hiking, exploring, sight seeing, etc. We lived and worked in Alaska for 13 years and got hooked on the outdoors. We had a Born Free 27 side bed but it did not have a slide. Passing each other required one of us to sit or move into the doorway. So we bought a 34 Newmar DP. But we found that you cannot go exploring down back roads, back country campsites, etc with a big rig. We just sat around and got bored. So we purchased the PC so we did not have to tow a vehicle but we can. We have gone "Jeepin" in Colorado and New Mexico and driving the 35 mile beach of Padre Island, Tx . I am 6'3" and the side bed was a little short for me. In talking to Earl, he told us that we could do a great deal of custom work such as doing away with the passenger side pantry and extending the bed 6" and the kitchen counter 6". Also, I had a higher dome put in the shower so I don't have to bend over to shower. The slide allows us more living room. We had the double recliner/bed installed for my wife to sleep on (she likes it) and the slide has a pantry. You can see the TV from the rear most recliner. I don't watch much TV so have the front passenger seat swivel for reading and a Eurochair if want to watch TV. A cordless headset for my wife to listen to the TV gives me quiet to read. The table requires a bit of time to set up and we will use it for breakfast and maybe dinner. On the road lunch in the camper has not yet been worked out. We had all Fantastic fans installed. Hate those whining little vent fans. Had a slide window awning installed to keep the sun out in hot weather plus an electric patio awning. We like the thermopane windows. Keeps cold out and hot out as well as noise. They also open to get a breeze when A/C isn't required. The roof has lots of open space for the solar panels for boondocking. For extra space, we have a hitch mounted carrier and will put my pickup box on it.  Kyle demo'd the surround sound in one of the units at the Hershey RV show where we bought the PC. Our hearing isn't as it once was and the surround sound allows you to hear music or the TV without blowing the walls out. We are headed for Florida after Christmas for a month and intend hit Key West, Everglades, and explore more than sit around. Have to be home end of January. We are in the Maple syrup business and work three months till warmer weather. Then look out, here we come. 

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ron-n-toni

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2015, 01:15:06 pm »
To JiminVA: One thing about the 2351. The bath is very small. But it is OK for us. The 2552 has a larger and nicer bathroom. And larger water tank. You can never have enough water. We got to walk around the factory and see the finished units awaiting delivery. They had a very nice 2910  with lots of custom cabinets going to either CA or TX. I was impressed. Anyone thinking about purchasing a PC should go out to the factory first, walk around, and then talk to Earl. Apparently, they can and do a great deal of custom work.

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JimInVA

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2015, 02:45:26 pm »
Ron,

Thank you for the comments.  What first attracted me to the 2351 was the corner bed.  I'm 6'2"... so would need to do as you have and extend the bed.  I'd love to hear how the additional 6" works for you and what you think (comfort for sleeping, ease of getting in/out, etc).  My sleeping companion, Elsie (a Coton de Tulear... small dog), doesn't take up much room... though she might not mind having her own bed (as the 2552 could provide).  As far as the bathroom is concerned, I don't plan on spending a great deal of time in there... but I would like it to be functional and not uncomfortable.  Again, congrats!   :)(:

Jim

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2015, 05:10:41 pm »
I would love to see a few pictures posted of your extra long bed and extended counter.

Thanks for sharing ron-n-toni
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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Bruce

Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2015, 05:33:09 pm »
Ron-n-Toni,
Very nice postings you've made on your new rig.  Thanks.

We agree with your comment on the table, and solved the problem by leaving the factory supplied one at home.  We use instead two folding "TV trays" that we can easily set up and move about as we wish.  They work great for meals and serve as extended counter space during meal prep, after meal cleanup, etc.

Happy holidays,
Bruce and Sharon

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Doneworking

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2015, 06:15:51 pm »
Does PC still use the table with the two legs and the folding up tripod bases for each leg?  I am curious if that has changed since my 2350 came out in 2013.

Paul

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ron-n-toni

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2015, 11:27:51 am »
Yep, still the same two legged table with tripod feet stored behind the eurochair forward of the door. Hard to get out for a quick meal.

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Doneworking

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2015, 03:02:53 pm »
I simply could not tolerate the dual three legged beasts that we always seemed to be messing with and tripping over when they were in use.  So, I tried a modification that has worked well for us.

First, I removed both of the pedestal tube receivers from the back of the table.  I took one and remounted it in the dead center of the table.  Then, I cut a 24 inch circle of 3/8 inch birch plywood and mounted the other receptacle in the dead center of the circle, after first sanding and staining the plywood to match the wood floors in our PC.  Next, I covered the backside of the plywood with a bit of no slip material like most of us use on our shelves to keep stuff from sliding around.

We store the round plywood disc behind the euro chair, place it on the floor and use one tube to create a single pedestal table which is satisfactorily stable and which does not cause us to trip.  When in use and we are setting on the couch, the tube is comfortably between our pairs of legs and not in the way or a hazard.  I put the two fold up tripods in my shop along with the second tube in case the next buyer of our rig wants them. 

Also, we carry a single TV folding table to use for small snacks and other purposes.  The mount I made is so much easier to use, is adequately stable and much less intrusive when in use and stores easily.   The secret to the stability is the fact that the base is round and slightly larger than the width of the table.

Paul

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Barry-Sue

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2015, 07:17:15 pm »
We also did a modification to our table legs.  We permanently attached the tubes to the tripods and it is very easy to set the two tripods up and then place the tabletop on them.  We made a small sofa table for lunch and snacks that we use all of the time.

Here is link to our original posting for the sofa table http://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php/topic,732.0.html

Sue
« Last Edit: December 20, 2015, 07:43:34 pm by Barry-Sue »
Barry and Sue 
Current   2012 2551 w/Slide
Previous 2008 2350 w/Slide

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Janey

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2015, 07:24:06 pm »
We also use 2 tv tables.  So flexible and really meet our needs. If someone wants that nasty table, just let me know. 

Janey (luxuriating at St George island)
Suzanna Jane (aka Janey) and Sid Shazly

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JimInVA

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Re: Another PC hits the road
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2016, 05:06:15 pm »
Ron-n-Toni,

I'm hoping that your maiden adventure in your new 2351 is going well.  I'd love to hear your early thoughts on the configuration you've chosen.  As I'm sure that time is racing by and you'll have to be back home before you know it, hold any response that you'd care to make until it is most convenient for you.  Again, hope you're having a great time in your travels!

Jim