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What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser

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mhoecker

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What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« on: December 22, 2017, 09:29:01 am »
We have been researching the Phoenix Cruiser and feel almost ready to place our order - a 2552 most likely.  We want to hear from those of you with experience to guide us in what we should add, subtract, replace, or not even consider.

We are going bigger so that we can take longer trips - up to a month or more. We want to maximize our storage while maintaining comfortable living and sleeping areas.  If there are handling issues, we want to address them upfront and figure when is the best time to have that work done - before or after the coach is built (if there is an option).  We aren’t particularly handy so will probably ask to have as many modifications as possible done by the factory.

I am concerned about leaks around the slide out- so much so that I am thinking of not getting one at all.  John feels differently.  If I am convinced of no problem then I will feel better about the whole thing.

Sorry to be so long-winded. Lots of questions. Thank you for taking time to respond!

Madonna
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Tall Guy

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2017, 09:38:29 am »
My wife and I are in the exact same place with our purchase plans looking at the exact same coach so we'll be following responses very closely as well.  Thanks Madonna for posting this!

Gary
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keelhauler

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2017, 11:00:01 am »
Get the slide

If you use the search engine on this message board, all of those answers are already there. Dozens of members have posted their changes and most with pictures.

We live in our 2552 from November to March. Lots of inside storage but but little outside. Everyone has different life styles and needs. So after reading about changes people made, then ask why.
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jatrax

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2017, 11:19:29 am »
Get the slide!
There have been very few reports of any leaks on the 2552 slide.  The two issues that have been reported are explained below:

1) On the 2017 model the slide box was changed.  There is a rubber gasket at the top but under some circumstances water can get through it.  Like if you stand on a ladder and point a water hose directly at it under pressure.  Otherwise no issue.  Unfortunately Phoenix uses a small "drip gutter" at the leading edge that is supposed to collect water off the roof and drip it to the ground without running down the side of the rig.  That drip gutter is open to the rear and when driving at high speed in heavy rain it points a stream of water toward that gasket.  Once the problem was discovered a fix was implemented at the factory.  My rig had this issue and the simple fix was a bit of caulking at the rear of the drip gutter.  No problems since and we have driven in two very heavy rain storms.

2) A few folks have reported water running into the rig while stationary and the slide extended, myself included.  In all cases that I have seen this was caused by having the rig out of level so that water ran toward the coach instead of away.  I did a very sloppy job of leveling one night and had water on the floor the next day.  That has never happened when the rig is properly level.
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budlight

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2017, 11:39:27 am »
 We have a 2017 2552 Phoenix. On the drivers side there is space between the generator and propane tank. Kermit built us a compartment to fit in there giving us a little more storage on the outside. We had it done after ours was built but it would be something to consider when you place your order.
  We have the slide. We wouldn't want our Phoenix without it. We have the couch and it gives so much more living space.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2017, 04:04:27 pm »
3 people before me here said to get the slide out.  I hope the few who got the 2552 without the slide out, will reply in with their thoughts about their decision.

No doubt about it, the slide out is most popular.  But my personal thoughts are......If you are NOT traveling with large pets, or are not seriously over-weight people who needs lots of elbow room, the No-Slide with over-size dinette just might be your better choice.

You mentioned the desire for lots of extra storage.  The No-Slide dinette will provide piles more storage than the couch inside the slide out.  The bench seats offer lots of storage, even more if you request Phoenix leave out the drawers so you can utilize the entire cabinet from above as well as the side door.  Also the hanging cabinet above the dinette is deeper, wider, and taller than the one inside the slide out.  CLICK HERE to see our 2350 with a no-slide dinette.  The 2552 version can be made even bigger offering a bigger table and additional leg room.

There is a long list of mostly pip-squeek reasons why a slide-out is not the better choice, but only two big ones why it is.
1) more spacious interior when the slide out is open
2) better resale value because most people prefer the more spacious interior.
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donc13

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2017, 04:27:47 pm »
Quote from: mhoecker on December 22, 2017, 09:29:01 am
We have been researching the Phoenix Cruiser and feel almost ready to place our order - a 2552 most likely.  We want to hear from those of you with experience to guide us in what we should add, subtract, replace, or not even consider.

We are going bigger so that we can take longer trips - up to a month or more. We want to maximize our storage while maintaining comfortable living and sleeping areas.  If there are handling issues, we want to address them upfront and figure when is the best time to have that work done - before or after the coach is built (if there is an option).  We aren’t particularly handy so will probably ask to have as many modifications as possible done by the factory.

I am concerned about leaks around the slide out- so much so that I am thinking of not getting one at all.  John feels differently.  If I am convinced of no problem then I will feel better about the whole thing.

Sorry to be so long-winded. Lots of questions. Thank you for taking time to respond!

Madonna

50a shoteline, dual airconditioners and AGM batteries.

Full body paint.. you will never regret it.

I have a slideout in my 2015, 2551 and love it.  It had never leaked.

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TomHanlon

Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2017, 05:26:00 pm »
Quote from: ron.dittmer on December 22, 2017, 04:04:27 pm

 But my personal thoughts are......If you are NOT traveling with large pets, or are not seriously over-weight people who needs lots of elbow room, the No-Slide with over-size dinette just might be your better choice

Are you saying that those with slide outs are fat? This is the second time you have said this. This kind of remark to justify your reasons is beneath you and this forum.
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jatrax

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2017, 06:43:04 pm »
There is a rather large list of options and customizations that Phoenix can make to a rig.  And they do not (or did not) do a great job of making that list available to potential purchasers.  So it is a very good idea for new customers to spend some time reading here and figuring out what is important to them.

My list based on my experience so far:
- Premium convenience package
- Slide.  I have the sofa in mine because I have the small dinette in the rear but without that I would probably get the dinette in the slide.
- Full body paint.  The price tag will make you gulp.  But worth it.
- Insulated glass.
- Back up camera and monitor
- Leveling jacks.  I know many say you don't need them but I really like mine and would order them again.
- 50 amp service.  This gives you a lot more power available when plugged in.  If you are used to tent camping or boondocking then maybe not worth it for you.
- Progressive Industries Electrical management system.  This might be standard now but ask.
- Trimetric TM 2030 battery monitor.  Otherwise you really have no idea what is going on with your batteries.
- Either a Progressive Dynamics converter or the temp monitor option for the Parallax one that is standard.  4400TAU is the part number for the temperature monitor option.
- MaxxAir roof fans instead of the Fantastic fan.  10 speed instead of 3 so they can be run slower and quieter.
- MaxxAir vent covers on the fans
- Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer
- Shelf over the bed headboard with USB charger for phones and tablets. 
- USB charger plugs in various places wired to 12volt, not 120volt.  So they operate all the time, not just when plugged in
- Stainless Steel wall splash in the kitchen instead of the mirror.  We hang all kinds of magnetic hooks and cans on ours

And some things that are personal choices but should be considered
- Solar panels.  Personal choice and depends on your camping style
- A/C units are available in a wide range of options. 13.5K or 15K, heat strips or heat pump.  Single or double units.  What you get depends on your camping style and where you are at
- Satellite antenna and receiver if you want.  They will install and set it up if you send them the receiver.
- Choice of refrigerator.  We went with a Norcold DE0061 but I would have preferred a NovaKool.  But the standard absorption one works fine.  Just research and understand the options.
- Inverter?  Choices there as well.  pure sine wave or modified.  How big?  Do you even need one?
- Extra lights outside?
- Extra receptacles inside?  120 volt and 12volt and USB.  Think about what you need and where.  Easy to install during the build, not so much later.
- awning?  we have it and it's OK but have not used it as much as I thought.

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jatrax

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2017, 06:48:36 pm »
Quote
I hope the few who got the 2552 without the slide out, will reply in with their thoughts about their decision.
Ron, you certainly are no fan of a slide but honestly have you have ever lived in a rig that had a slide?  If I remember right your 2350 was a big increase in size from your previous rig.  Your sentence above is telling: "the few that got the 2552 without the slide".  In the 2350 you might be right.  It is a smaller, nimbler rig.  But on 2552? I think the slide is worth it.

We toured a lot of RVs before making our decision and none of the ones without a slide came close to making the grade for us.  But that is why they offer a choice.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2017, 11:14:29 pm »
Quote from: TomHanlon on December 22, 2017, 05:26:00 pm
Quote from: ron.dittmer on December 22, 2017, 04:04:27 pm

 But my personal thoughts are......If you are NOT traveling with large pets, or are not seriously over-weight people who needs lots of elbow room, the No-Slide with over-size dinette just might be your better choice

Are you saying that those with slide outs are fat? This is the second time you have said this. This kind of remark to justify your reasons is beneath you and this forum.
When I sent that out, I thought maybe it was written a bit harsh.  Then I thought, "don't be paranoid Ron, it was written just fine".  Now I read Tom Hanlon's reply and see I was wrong.  I must have similar blood as Donald Trump, weak on "political correctness".  I sometimes mistakenly insult others, surely with no intention to do so.

Please Tom, How do I say it properly and still make that point?  How about this?  Properly proportioned people don't need the extra elbow room as much as everyone else.  Does that meet your approval?
« Last Edit: December 22, 2017, 11:25:07 pm by ron.dittmer »
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TomHanlon

Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2017, 07:48:46 am »
Ron,
A person size does not have any thing to do with wanting slide out. There are many reasons to want the slide out, such as you want the sofa that makes into  a bed so you can take along other people, like maybe grand kids. The sofa is a much better bed than the dinette. Maybe you just like the extra room when parked.
You could use your words to say one does not need the larger dinette you can get without the slide out. A right sized person would not need the larger dinette. Maybe you are just to tall to sleep on the regular size dinette.

I hate to think of what you would say about all those people in the big class A or 5th wheels with four or five slide outs. They must be really really huge people to need that many slide outs. I am just kidding you at this point, but I how you get my point.

Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
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2 Frazzled

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #12 on: December 23, 2017, 07:51:48 am »
Ow again! Ron, give it up. Tender a heartfelt apology to anyone you insulted and don't try to fix it anymore. People are different sizes, have different wants, needs and comfort levels. I don't walk, talk or sit exactly like everyone else. John and I don't cuddle, sleep or lounge exactly like anyone else.

The best thing is to say YOU find the dinette in the slide to be restrictive, while others don't. Some find it restrictive but accepted the trade off of more living space with the the slide.

To each his own.
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2 Frazzled

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2017, 08:03:16 am »
Tom posted the same time I did so I'm coming back on his thought. Does people size affect the decision to do all those upgrades and shocks to improve handling? I'm just asking because John and I are happy with the ride without doing any of that but there's a big tray of Christmas cookies staring me down and now I'm thinking those extra pounds could be seriously costly if we have to upgrade the rig to accommodate my new "proportions."

Done thinking - life is short - I'm eating the cookies!

Happy holidays everyone!
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mhoecker

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Re: What do you consider a MUST for a Phoenix Cruiser
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2017, 08:54:03 am »
I love your sense of humor!
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