Factory visit

Ron - I think you are spot-on about a 54” wide slide-out dinette . I was going to post a link to Booth Love by Umphrees McGee, but  that might be too un-neighborly haha.

The 54” sofa in a slide-out that converts to an extra bed was a Phoenix Cruiser innovation that is great in a small rig like the 2350. Since ours has the old style extra cabinets above the cab we don’t miss the additional storage you get with the dinette .

Ron, for us it is all about room. With the low ceiling and overall small unit we like the feel of more room and less claustrophobic. Cost wise a 4 year old unit with under 20,000 miles has lost 50% or more and the market is so saturated with lightly used units it’s easy to find a unit to fit ones needs. So with that in mind the cost of the slide isn’t a factor. Weight wise on our 2552 it isn’t an issue. Leaves etc have never been an issue with our slide to date.

The dinette is smaller and the cut of the cushions makes it hard to slide in and out. It was an easy fix by cutting the foam of the lower cushionwhich was overstuffed and hung too far over. Granted if a couple is obese the dinettes in a slide are going to be uncomfortable. But in my opinion these units are too cramped for large people
( be it girth or height). 

I understand your reasoning and it’s not wrong, just different than ours. It’s all good.

I understand your reasoning and it’s not wrong, just different than ours. It’s all good.

 

I had a new 1996 Bounder 34J with no slides and loved it.  When we decided to go full time, I bought a new 2001 Monaco Diplomat LE with two slides.  The big slide leaked like a sieve and caused a lot of problems (one time I actually had water coming out of one of the 110 outlets).  I hated slides and always said that I would love to have a Class A with no slides.

Before being introduced to Phoenix Cruiser, I was really interested in Lazy Daze, but did not want to make the trip to California.  I decided on a 3100 with the slide, having never read any major leaking issues with PC.  I hope I won't be disappointed and don't think I will. 

Back to what Ron said about snowbirding...now that we are able to travel again, we will be spending 3 to 4 months in it each winter and I think the slide will be a welcomed feature.  Also, make some long trips in the summer.   No kids, no grand kids, only a 5lb dawg.

Finally, I really enjoy this board.  Lots of useful information and it comes from experienced RVers.  It is unbelievable some of the advice given or answers to questions on some of the Facebook pages (not the Phoenix Cruiser Facebook page).  Thanks again to all who have replied to my questions and comments.   I look forward to meeting some of you someday.

Oh!  I am headed to Elkhart next Monday to check out my PC and go over the build sheet with Barry Hyser.  Really looking forward to it.  Staying an extra day to check out the goings-on in Elkhart.  My PC is scheduled for completion in late September. 

Cheers...
Barry T

If you have the opportunity, go and visit the RV Hall Of Fame.  It's a collection of RVs from day one onward.  Very interesting. 

We picked up our 2910D in mid June (a month and a half ago).  We arrived on a Tuesday and departed on Friday.  We had rain everyday and on two days, what I would call torrential rain.  No leaks -nothing!  I was glad it rained while we were there and even happier to see light and heavy rain just in case.  We also customized a bit (many thanks to my wife for remembering to ask those "can you install ..." questions!).

Two hams, I saw a rv flipping show where they visited that RV hall of fame. It really looked interesting. Some very rare and unique units.

In regards to slides, I have seen a few people with serious slide issues. One on a new motorhome where the slide could not be retracted by remote or manually. I’ve also read of certain brands of motor homes with breaking motor mounts etc. It seemed in most cases they were huge slide with residential fridges etc in the slide.  My PC is a 2011 and I have no idea what brand the slide is or for that matter if one maker of slides is better than another. 

Late to the discussion:  In our 2100 the slide is pretty much a requirement.  However, if we are ever able to upgrade to something like the 2550 I would skip on the slide.  Numerous reasons, including that it would not be unnecessary for the two of us, and a non-slide would be more suited to colder weather RVing.  When I go on a snowshoe trip by myself  I never extend the slide, going so far as to pack moving blankets around the seal (on the inside) to serve as additional insulation.  YMMV.