Build a PC is Back.....but

Very nice options can be priced out on a new PC. Price given is only 18.6% off list. Used to be around 25%. Yikes!!! I wonder if they negotiate now?

Still looking for my dream PC.

Ron

Good news, that 'build a PC' thing was like playing with an erector set or Lincoln logs.  Lot's of fun and it doesn't cost anything

For the curious interested in the changes in pricing and features since 2007....

In early 2007, MSRP on my 2350 was $88,351 including a $504 front bumper cover with fog lights, vinyl seats, No TVs, and a barrel chair instead of a Euro chair.  Today when I plug in equivalent features and options on my rig as I had ordered it, MSRP is $126,683, an increase of $38,332 or 43.5%.

Though a big price difference, that was 11 years ago.  Also understand that Phoenix made lots of improvements to the 2350 since 2007.  Some things today like real leather seating, MCD shades, and protected battery compartment are so much better.  A few changes might be debatable.  Things improved or changed on a 2350 since 2007 that I can think of are....

- a more capable E350 chassis by Ford
- Euro chair replaced the bolted-down pivoting-&-sliding barrel chair with seat belt
- battery compartment is now shielded from the rear wheel well.
- 6V batteries in series replaced 12V batteries in parallel
- separate inverter and converter, replaced the 2000 watt Tripp-Lite combination unit
- added a splash & fire resistant mirror to the right of the stove
- nice kitchen and bathroom faucets replaced generic white fixtures
- frameless jalousie windows replaced framed horizontal-sliding windows
- electric awning replaced the manual box awning
- LED light strip under awning replaced a generic porch light
- LED lighting throughout the cabin replaced florescent lights
- compact fixed digital TV antenna replaced the crank-up analog/digital antenna
- relocated the fresh water tank more forward and center for improved weight distribution
- exterior storage drawer and trap door replaced a wide open storage compartment
- slam-to-latch latches replaced generic ones for the exterior storage compartments
- drawers inside dinette benches replaced wide open dinette bench storage
- deleted the spare tire and associated compartment to help with weight distribution
- deleted the wired phone jack system
- added the nice water control & winterizing system
- better quality MCD shades replaced the generic horizontal accordion ones with string tensioning
- bigger 7" back-up monitor replaced the 5" monitor
- bigger microwave with integrated ventilation replaced a smaller microwave with separate hood vent
- Blu-Ray/DVD player replaced the DVD player
- a heat register robbed one galley base cabinet drawer, but this might have been in-place for only a few years
- flush-mount stove with a hinged glass cover replaced the Corian-made flush-mount stove with Corian covers
- a round-ish stainless steel sink replaced the square-ish creme colored resin/composite sink
- sink cover is 2-piece, previously a single piece
- deleted the coffee maker mounted to the inside of the sink base cabinet door

Good news, that 'build a PC' thing was like playing with an erector set or Lincoln logs.  Lot's of fun and it doesn't cost anything

Fun for sure, but also sobbering. My fully loaded dream 2552, MSRP, 156k. Factory direct price, 125k. It’s only money right?

What price freedom to roam and inner peace?  Worth every penny to us! 

Back to this forum after a several year absence. My wife and I are "getting closer" to buying a motorhome, and the PC 2552 *still* seems to be at the top of our list!

This thread, plus trying the latest iteration of "build your own" creates a couple of concerns...

#1: The "convenience package" - which mostly has things I want, also includes leather seats which I absolutely, positively DO NOT want. I'll save everybody the rant on the subject, but I *DETEST* leather seats with the fire of 10,000 suns. This exactly underlines why I don't like "packages" when buying a vehicle...

#2: Earlier post in this thread, seems to indicate no spare tire. Uh, no. That ain't happening either. Now it can be slung underneath like it was in the 70s for all I care, but any vehicle I own *WILL* have a spare tire, most ESPECIALLY one I'm driving in the boondocks!

#3: Jacks. The build your own feature now lists the rather expensive HWH jacks, and then jacks by Ford for "only" $900. What does this mean?

Please advise...

1. PC just started to offer real leather. It used to be “fake” leather and it peeled and fell apart after heavy use. Almost every used PC I consider with the fake leather is starting or had peeled. I have sat in the cloth seats and the fabric is coarse and not very comfortable.  Call PC and ask if you can get cloth.  You should get a credit if you go with cloth.  Just touch and feel the cloth to see if it is acceptable.
2. I am in total agreement on the spare.  It seems they are trying to reduce weight as they redesigned the rear wall without a spare.  Anyone ordering a PC without a spare might find it hard to sell in the future. I know I don’t consider  PC that has no spare.  Just too much risk for me.  Other PC owners have said they were able to get a spare after they explained that they camp on their own and need a spare to not get stranded. They installed the old rear end design and charge a fee.

Ron

Still looking for a used PC 3100 or 2552 (nice to have dual a/c and electric bed slides).

Hi Zorbo,

I agree with Ron/Sarz.

All you have to do is ask Phoenix for cloth and the savings from the change to cloth.

About the spare tire.  I am not 100% certain, but I think you can pay an up-charge for a spare tire along with the rear wall with integrated spare tire compartment.  They might have a few rear spare tire wall systems in stock for special requests.  Again, the answer is to ask Phoenix.

Ron Dittmer

Thank you both for the quick reply. I'd want cloth - if I didn't like it for some reason, there's always slip covers. Fake leather is only slightly better than real leather. Cloth, definitely cloth.

Did they really do away with the spare tire as standard, or just redesign how its mounted? I watched their videos, and it seems that the spare tire is still there, just externally mounted with a cover instead of in a compartment. That would make some sense. No tire makes zero sense!

#3: Jacks. The build your own feature now lists the rather expensive HWH jacks, and then jacks by Ford for "only" $900. What does this mean?

Please advise...

I also would like to know the difference between the HWH jacks and the "Jacks by Ford". 

Did they really do away with the spare tire as standard, or just redesign how its mounted? I watched their videos, and it seems that the spare tire is still there, just externally mounted with a cover instead of in a compartment. That would make some sense. No tire makes zero sense!

Hi Zorba,

The spare tire is now an option, but it might be available only on certain models.  Phoenix redesigned the fiberglass rear wall, deleting the integrated spare tire storage inside it.  I too wonder how they store the spare tire.  You would have to call Phoenix to get your answer.  If you really liked the spare tire compartment integrated inside the rear wall as shown here, they might still have a few of those wall systems available for special requests.


For reference, this is the rear wall system offered now.


FWIW:  I agree with you.  I get great comfort carrying a spare tire when traveling far from home where we often travel to remote places.  Even if I wasn't able to physically change the tire alone, with help I am equipped.

We picked up our 2017 2552 in August. I had the spare tire option installed for $750. It is the old style rear cap with full size spare and wheel and is covered with the fiberglass cover as in older models. There is no room under the unit for a spare. If you do not tow a vehicle, you could buy or build a spare tire carrier mounted in the hitch or if you do tow a vehicle, you could carry a spare in it.

I think it is important to note that the "build-a-PC" is not the final build sheet.  Anything on the option list can be added / subtracted.

The spare tire is gone as a standard feature, but I was told they can get the old style rear panel with the tire carrier for an upcharge.  I don't have a spare on mine and don't miss it but that's me.

The seats and indeed all of the seating / coverings can be changed.  They have a swatch book you can pick from. 

Thanx for the clarifications. No spare tire is just stupid, no other way to put it.

Thanx for the clarifications. No spare tire is just stupid, no other way to put it.

Bigger rigs don't have spare tires.  I am downsizing from a 40' diesel pusher and there is no spare...none of them have spares.  We full-timed in it for 10 years.  That is why you have a "road service" plan such as Coach Net.  Yes, you are at the mercy of buying a tire on the side of the road (I have done it), but the road service comes out and changes the tire.  I have not yet seen a Phoenix Cruiser, but have seen many Class B's and C's and would think there is no way one could change a tire, especially an inside dual.  Just my two cents.  By the way, my wife and I are touring the PC plant on Monday, April 16.  Looking forward to seeing the plant and an actual PC motorhome.