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A few questions before I do a factory tour

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Byron

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A few questions before I do a factory tour
« on: March 04, 2016, 07:59:21 pm »
I am going to visit the factory for a tour next week and if I like what I see, order a 1st PC for me.  Although I’ve searched the forum, I still have questions that I think you guys, rather than the factory, could best answer.  Thanks in advance or your input. 

1.    I am interested in the Quigley 4X4 option.  PC will not have any with the regular seats in place.  So, I need to ask any owners with this option if the transfer case shifter is a huge bother trying to get in and out of the driver’s seat?  Also, if any have the 4X4 and leveling jacks, since the 4 X 4 adds 5” in height, is there enough length in the jacks to allow you to level without adding pads?  Is there a danger of bumping the shifter out of 2WD into 4WD or even Neutral?  I’m not sure how much weight the Quigley adds but on Earl’s video it looks massive.  Is there enough NCC to take all the toys with the Quigley?  (If I order a 2351, I would order it with the E-450 chassis.)

2.   I was wondering about the effectiveness of the Mobileye option.  Is it a good safety option to consider?  Is there enough adjustment in it to allow for the extra stopping distance required or RV’s?

3.   Has anyone ordered side cameras?  Are they effective?  (I had them on my DP and loved them but the DP had a straight sidewall which provided a great view.)

4.   The awning light strip looks like it gives out a lot of light.  But, is it enough or is supplemental patio lighting recommended?
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Carol

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2016, 08:56:09 pm »
Can't address #1&2.
#3.  The side mirrors have been quite sufficient for me, so I've never missed having side cameras.
#4.  I think the patio light just outside the house door is a standard feature.  I didn't know Phoenix was offering the awning lights now, too.  I guess it depends what kind of camping you like to do as far as how much light you're going to want out there.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2016, 01:10:11 am »
We have only the single porch light.  I wished there was an easy way to add a second porch light at the rear of the awning for that would eliminate the glare and terrible shadows.  An LED light bar I seen recently on the latest PCs might resolve the problem, so I too am curious how effective they are.  It would seem an easy installation, worth doing if very effective.
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Polish Prince

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2016, 08:37:10 am »
I can't tell you if it's enough light or not, we just ordered and won't have delivery for a while, but we did add an additional light near the rear of our 2351 and one on the rear end.  These are on a separate light switch and we plan on using them for setup and takedown in the dark.  We also put a motion sensor light on the entry door.  We did the 2351 on the 450 chassis as well.  Everyone is right PC will customize to fit your needs/wants and it makes it great fun to be creative.
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George & Jill Budzynski, Birchbark Farm
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RKS

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2016, 09:03:16 am »
We have the new awning lights and I have only turned them on to make sure they work, my first impression was that they provide nice lighting.  Will give them another try tonight and report back.
Bob
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Bob and Michele
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bhgareau

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2016, 01:34:54 am »
We have a 2400 with Quigley 4x4. The  4x4 shifter can be a pain for getting from the drivers seat to the coach but you get used to it. We have had our unit  for 4 years with  59,000 miles of travel and the selector has never  moved out of 4H  unless I wanted it to.  Living in Alaska we use  the 4x4 more  than most and it has always performed flawlessly, but keep in mind it is a 7 ton vehicle. It is fine on snow and  good on dry gravel but mud and ruts get real dicey really quick. We ordered our unit on a 350 chassis and we will order a 450 next time. The folks at Quigley are almost as nice as the folks at Phoenix and they would be happy to answer any questions about added weight from the conversion.
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bhgareau

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2016, 01:46:41 am »
We do have leveling jacks and the installer for Phoenix does make an adjustment for the height of the 4x4 but there have been a number of occasions where we had to use pads under one or more of the corners to get fully level. It works fine 90% of the time.
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RKS

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2016, 07:01:25 am »
Used the awning lights last night and in my opinion they provide plenty of lighting.  They are LED's and run the entire length of the awning on the inboard side.
We traded our 2350 for a unit already completed and have a couple of small things we would have done differently, one is exterior covers for the vents which we missed immediately and will install when we get back home. The other thing is wiring for our satellite dish. We have a carry out one and have to run the cable through the passenger window which is less than desirable. Still working on just how to devise a better system.

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Bob and Michele
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Pax

Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2016, 09:20:24 am »
Bob:


I know there was a thread or two here on the forum discussing connection to a portable satellite dish.  Not sure if there was an easy solution, but you may want to search.

If my memory is correct (unlikely) one can't simply hook the dish to the outdoor cable connection due to that cable running through the over-the-air antenna amplifier inside the rig.  This thread on another forum seems to address the issue and provides a solution.  It may or may not work in your situation. 

https://www.heartlandowners.org/archive/index.php/t-30234.html

Another option would be to install a connector yourself on the outside of the rig and run a coax into the rig similar to how the Ford cab radio antenna is mounted and run to the radio.  I believe there are rubber hole covers or metal knockouts in the firewall/floorboard area for bringing cable into the cab area.

Alternatively, if you don't already use one.....there are flat sections of coax available that are designed specifically for running through windows and allows the window to close a bit more.

If it were me, and I used the satellite often, I'd probably bring the rig to a reputable car stereo installer and have them install an exterior connector and run the coax to where you have your receiver located near the TV.  Shouldn't cost very much or take very long.  Once and done.

    - Mike
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RKS

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2016, 11:43:48 am »
Mike
Thanks for the suggestions.  Your correct about not being able to connect directly to the cable hookup.  Winegard sells an adaptor for doing it, but it's pricey. I looked quickly the other day for some knockouts under the hood without success, am heading off now to do that and will begin to pursue your other suggestions.
Bob
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Bob and Michele
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gradygal

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2016, 01:38:53 pm »
Bob,
I tapped into the wiring for the light fixture  that is in the Sanicon discharge cabinet when we had the Carry-out.  I wired in a 12V receptacle which I mounted on the back wall of the Sanicon compartment. The receptacle was about $25 plus the wiring.

If you need more info, send us an Email.

George
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Barry-Sue

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Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2016, 06:12:28 pm »
Bob,

I was able to figure out a way to use the existing outside jack for a satellite hookup.  See my posting at http://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php/topic,1266.msg9448.html#msg9448.

If you need more of an explanation send me a private email.

This solution works great for our direct TV, we did it on our 2008 and on our 2012.

Barry
« Last Edit: March 06, 2016, 06:17:59 pm by Barry-Sue »
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Barry and Sue 
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Pax

Re: A few questions before I do a factory tour
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2016, 08:59:15 pm »
 2o2

Yep!  What Barry said!

   ;)
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