Hello Guest!

On the Road!

  • 23 Replies
  • 13986 Views
*

jatrax

  • ******
  • 827
  • John and Carrie
    • View Profile
    • Zigzag Mountain Art
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: November 2016
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2017
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Graystone
  • ExtColor: Graystone
  • Location: Oregon Mountains
On the Road!
« on: March 06, 2017, 10:24:20 pm »
Well folks we picked up our brand new 2017 Phoenix Cruiser 2552 on March 1st.  After some initial hiccups at the factory we stayed over at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds one night.  Then back to the factory for some final adjustments and fixes.  After two hours in the shop we headed off to Pittsburgh and then south and eventually back to Oregon.

I wanted to especially say thanks to Bobby and Doug for jumping on our coach and spending two hours working on little things.  They got everything done to my satisfaction and sent us on our way.

Pictures to follow when I get a chance.  Have been pushing the mileage everyday in order to get back to Oregon in time for work on Monday.

*

2 Frazzled

  • *******
  • 1434
    • View Profile
    • Spirit of the Woods
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 2013
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit & Cherry
  • ExtColor: Sunlit
  • Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2017, 07:39:27 am »
Congratulations! We've done the cross country run and it isn't a whole lot of fun. Just remember your bed is always there waiting for you if you need to pull over and recharge. Drive safely and enjoy the journey. We look forward to seeing the photos of your new baby.
John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
Travel Blog: Spiritofthewoods.net

*

Ron Dittmer

  • *******
  • 5647
  • Ron and Irene
    • View Profile
    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2017, 07:47:48 am »
It's been a long time coming.  Congratulations!
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

*

ragoodsp

  • ******
  • 550
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 5, 2012
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cafe
  • ExtColor: cafe
  • Location: New Hampshire
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2017, 08:54:02 am »
jatrax.....Congrats on the new coach.  Go easy and break that big V-10 in easily.    I hope you are west of the very bad weather?!  Enjoy.  R.A.G.
Ron Goodspeed

*

Pax

Re: On the Road!
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2017, 09:38:58 am »
Congrats!   :)(:

I know the rig is not fully loaded up, but let us know how it handled on the way home...

    - Mike

*

gandalf42

  • *****
  • 221
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May.2017
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2017
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Hickory/Graystone
  • ExtColor: 2 Tone Graystone/Nightshade
  • Location: Colorado
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2017, 09:50:12 am »
Congrats on the new RV!  2o2

Curious what "hiccups, adjustments and fixes" you encountered. Was one extra day in the area enough to find all of them?
Mike & Pat Astley,

*

garmp

  • ******
  • 352
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 3/20
  • Model: 2351
  • ModelYear: 2020 2351D
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Greystone
  • ExtColor: Jack Doub Grey/Greystone
  • Location: St. Louis, MO
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2017, 12:11:17 pm »
Happy to hear that jatrax! 2o2 We're a week and a half from picking up ours and can't wait. We had planned on staying at the Elkhart Campground. Why'd you choose the Fairground, if I may ask?
Jack is what we call our PC 2351D, and he has taken us from campers to RV'ers and loving it. We're no longer Team Bob. Just Jack the RV!

*

Two Hams in a Can

  • *****
  • 248
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: December 20, 2016
  • Model: 2400 Sprinter
  • ModelYear: 2012 PC 2400 Sprinter
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Cherry
  • ExtColor: Rust
  • Location: Homewood, Il
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2017, 01:25:46 pm »
Gratz John. . .let the good times roll!  2o2   :)(:
Jeff and Suzanne traveling with the Cocker Spaniel sisters, Scout & Sydney in Fawkes the Phoenix 
"What happens in vagueness stays in vagueness"

*

jatrax

  • ******
  • 827
  • John and Carrie
    • View Profile
    • Zigzag Mountain Art
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: November 2016
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2017
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Graystone
  • ExtColor: Graystone
  • Location: Oregon Mountains
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2017, 11:22:32 pm »
Quote
  I hope you are west of the very bad weather?! 
Went through a lot of it today, no fun driving in those gusty winds :(

Quote
I know the rig is not fully loaded up, but let us know how it handled on the way home...
I would say we were mostly loaded up as we planned a 10 day trip home.  I think it handled very well up to 65mph, above that not so good.  Lots of vibration and it got harder to control.  The roads were horrible though, so not sure if it is the coach or the roads.  And I do need to check air pressure for my load, it is still at the factory defaults.  But at speeds 65mph and down I am very happy, both I and the wife had no issues driving it.

Quote
Curious what "hiccups, adjustments and fixes" you encountered. Was one extra day in the area enough to find all of them?
Little things mostly combined with being totally new at this.  Worst issue was the fresh water drain valve was open.  So every time I put in water in ran back out.  Had no idea there even was such a valve.  Other things were: wrong size fuse on the heated seats, a switch installed upside down and our captain's chair installed 90 degrees from the way I wanted.  All fixed up very quickly the next day.  Was one day enough time?  Yes if you have the whole day.  We had only a few hours after we setup that night because things ran way late at the factory.  If you had the whole afternoon I think you should be good.  Of course not everything will show up unless you try out everything so that means a lot of work testing literally every switch and door and feature.  PM me if you want the whole list, but mostly little things and yours will be different.  I do have a list of things to check if you want it.

Quote
We had planned on staying at the Elkhart Campground. Why'd you choose the Fairground, if I may ask?
Elkhart Campground decided to close this winter and will only open on March 15th I think.  Might be OK for you, but too late for us.  So we changed to the fairgrounds.  Which (except for the trains all night) was just fine.

*

2 Frazzled

  • *******
  • 1434
    • View Profile
    • Spirit of the Woods
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 2013
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sunlit & Cherry
  • ExtColor: Sunlit
  • Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2017, 07:06:17 am »
Jatrax, consider getting a front wheel alignment when you get back. We have a 2552 and tow a Subaru Forester with a hard case carrier on top AND a bike rack with two bikes hanging off the back. That's a lot of weight strung out and catching the wind. We have no problem with handling even at high speeds. We got the wheel alignment early on so I don't know if there was a major difference but I do know that your handling should still be good over 65... like even up to 80... if anyone wants to admit to flying at that speed. I'm talking handling of the truck, not dealing with evil cross winds. Those will get you no matter what you drive.

John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
Travel Blog: Spiritofthewoods.net

*

jatrax

  • ******
  • 827
  • John and Carrie
    • View Profile
    • Zigzag Mountain Art
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: November 2016
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2017
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Graystone
  • ExtColor: Graystone
  • Location: Oregon Mountains
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2017, 08:00:11 am »
2 Frazzled, yes on the front end alignment.  Had them do it before I left the factory, so should be good but we were not loaded up then.  Not sure how much difference that makes.  And with the poor roads and nasty winds yesterday I'm not going to judge yet.  Maybe better travels today and I'll see.  Need to check tire pressure too.

*

TomHanlon

Re: On the Road!
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2017, 08:06:23 am »
Congratulations on getting your new PC.

Last spring we went to South Datoka where the speed limit is 80 mph. Just to see what she would do, I pushed her up to 85 mph. No problem with the handling or ride. I was amazed by her. You might need an ailment or to rearrange your stuff to move weight from the rear to the front. I carry my tools in the overhead drivers cabinet instead of out back. It seems to help.


*

catsaplenty

  • *****
  • 152
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 3/17
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2017
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Sand
  • ExtColor: Full body paint, mostly silver - lower gray. No decals. No swirls
  • Location: FL and everywhere
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2017, 09:13:04 am »
I leave tomorrow to go see mine.  Elkhart Campground said yes they are open ------  BUT they don't have the water turned on to the sites or their restrooms etc.  I am planning on the Fairgrounds too so I really can test everything.   The fairgrounds asks that you disconnect your water hoses when it is below freezing.  Looking at the weather forecast it doesn't look like the highs will get above freezing!  But I can at east hook up the hose to check how the fill and direct water work at all fixtures before I disconnect. Guess I will find out quickly how well the furnace works.

*

gandalf42

  • *****
  • 221
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May.2017
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2017
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Hickory/Graystone
  • ExtColor: 2 Tone Graystone/Nightshade
  • Location: Colorado
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2017, 10:00:45 am »
Quote
Curious what "hiccups, adjustments and fixes" you encountered. Was one extra day in the area enough to find all of them?
Little things mostly combined with being totally new at this.  Worst issue was the fresh water drain valve was open.  So every time I put in water in ran back out.  Had no idea there even was such a valve.  Other things were: wrong size fuse on the heated seats, a switch installed upside down and our captain's chair installed 90 degrees from the way I wanted.  All fixed up very quickly the next day.  Was one day enough time?  Yes if you have the whole day.  We had only a few hours after we setup that night because things ran way late at the factory.  If you had the whole afternoon I think you should be good.  Of course not everything will show up unless you try out everything so that means a lot of work testing literally every switch and door and feature.  PM me if you want the whole list, but mostly little things and yours will be different.  I do have a list of things to check if you want it.

All small change stuff for something with the complexity of a semii-custom built RV!  2o2
Mike & Pat Astley,

*

ragoodsp

  • ******
  • 550
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: No
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: May 5, 2012
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2012
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cafe
  • ExtColor: cafe
  • Location: New Hampshire
Re: On the Road!
« Reply #14 on: March 08, 2017, 12:59:59 pm »
jatrax....I would let atleast 5-8 lbs out of your tires, having the tires a max really makes the coach pound and unless you are really loaded very heavy you are well within limits running a little less pressure.   best of luck
Ron Goodspeed