Newbies here

Hello, we're non-owners that want to change that status. We recently sold our Nash 5er because it was too difficult parking and hooking up.
 We've watched plenty of videos and read many reviews on the PCs so we're hooked. A used 2350 Ford with the twin bed layout would be our choice.
Finding the right one seems to be a difficult task.  Living in the Pacific Northwest doesn't help in our search.
We're open to suggestions. We monitor RV Trader and some other similar websites.
Thanks for having this site and letting non-owners comment.

Anyone know if this one’s still for sale?

General Discussion / Re: Any Phoenix Cruisers in Northern California?
« on: August 21, 2018, 10:38:38 pm »
HI. I AM IN RENO NV AND HAVE A 2350 PLUS ONE FOOT 2014 FOR SALE. EMAIL ME IF INTERESTED:  mslavonic08@yahoo.com.

I believe the model you are looking for is the 2551 or 2552. The twin beds don't come in the smaller models. There is about a foot difference between the two models. The 2552 has a pantry and Euro chair which I highly recommend.

Thanks for the info.
The owner in Reno sold her PC.
I don't know where I got the idea there was a twin bed 2350. It wouldn't even be physically possible given the length of the chassis.
The corner bed arrangement won't work for us as we are in the hip replacement stage of our lives.
We're reassessing our wants. I have a building that we would use to store the PC but the door height is exactly 10'.
I've seen an ad somewhere claiming their 2551 was 10' high but I also have seen specs stating 10'6". Both were Fords. I don't pay any attention to ads for Sprinter platforms.
Could 2 of the same model have different heights?.

For full specs click the floorplan views on the home page.
Ford E350's are 9'10" E450's are 10'1"

Don't know if you could put E350 springs on a  E450 ?

The older 2551's were E350 's  so you still have that option.
This 2006 2551  E350  is incorrectly listed as a 2900.
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2006-Phoenix-Cruiser-2900-Slide-5003246206

Hi tjsventure,

I precisely understand your concern over the height of a PC because I was in 2007 where you are now.

Our garage door opening is officially 10'-0" but in reality is exactly 9'-11.25" tall with consideration to the door trim and weatherstrip. Our 2007 PC-2350 built on a 2007 E350 chassis is right at the spec'd 9'-10" to the tippy-top of the a/c unit.   That is if the rig was completely empty but with a full tank of fuel.  I can lower the height (increase the clearance) by adding a full tank of fresh water and all our stuff.

Based on our experience, the spec'd height of 10'-1" for models on an E450 chassis should be expected.

You can do something to lower the height of an E450 PC, but I would limit my suggestion to models 2551 and 2552.  That is to take the PC to a trusted truck suspension shop and have them remove a leaf spring (or two) on each rear corner.  Doing so will reduce your height and soften your rear suspension along with reducing your payload.  I feel there are no worries in doing so with models 2551 and 2552 because you can afford to drop a little of payload capability.  And you might actually appreciate the softer ride.

The right truck shop who knows what they are doing would be able to determine exactly how many leaf springs he can remove to reduce the height.  It might be as simple as referencing the specs of an E350.  If the front suspension ends up being too high, the shop can replace the front coil springs with the next lesser weight rating.  In the end you will have a PC that fits in your garage, and it will ride softer for you.

If we lost our PC in an accident or theft, and ordered a brand new one, I would get model 2351 on an E450 chassis and do exactly as I suggest to you to clear our garage door opening.  If in the end I am just a bit too tall, my Ace-In-The-Hole would be to cut-away only enough garage door trim and weatherstripping for the a/c unit to clear.

ADDING:  I see CalCruiser beat me to the punchline.  He hit "post" just before me.

This 2006 2551  E350  is incorrectly listed as a 2900.
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2006-Phoenix-Cruiser-2900-Slide-5003246206

Yes, it surely is model 2551 on an E350 chassis.  As is most common with the 2006 model year, it has the earlier "single" house battery and no whole-house inverter.  The slideout does not include the fridge either.  But other than those few exceptions, it is equipped pretty much like a new PC.

Well, things can happen fast. Just made a deal on a 2010 PC 2551 in Louisiana with under 15k miles. The seller has been on this forum in the past.
I see a long plane ride in our near future.

Well, things can happen fast. Just made a deal on a 2010 PC 2551 in Louisiana with under 15k miles. The seller has been on this forum in the past.
I see a long plane ride in our near future.

Awesome!  I hope it all goes smoothly.

According to THIS POLL taken on self destructing leather, the 2010 model year ranks as one of the worst years.  So beware of that.  Of coarse, if the rig has cloth instead, you have no worries.  Ask the seller about the seats.

I am not aware of any other 2010 model year concerns.

You can do something to lower the height of an E450 PC, but I would limit my suggestion to models 2551 and 2552.  That is to take the PC to a trusted truck suspension shop and have them remove a leaf spring (or two) on each rear corner.  Doing so will reduce your height and soften your rear suspension along with reducing your payload.  I feel there are no worries in doing so with models 2551 and 2552 because you can afford to drop a little of payload capability.  And you might actually appreciate the softer ride.

The right truck shop who knows what they are doing would be able to determine exactly how many leaf springs he can remove to reduce the height. 

I dont know about a 'Trusted' shop, but any legally operating, insured truck shop should be VERY hesitant to go removing leaves from leaf spring packs. ESPECIALLY in an RV. To over simplify, the lengths of the leaves are taken into account to distribute the forces correctly across the main leaf. Likewise with the spring rate. The suspension is an engineered system that covers a LOT more than just how high the coach sits.

Want a softer ride and height adjustability? The right way is to go with an engineered system, not hacking away at things until it looks right in the driveway.

https://liquidspring.com/ford-e-450-rv-suspension/    Features ""on-demand kneeling.""

It does cost more to do it right. For good reason. Bet they paid a large sum of money to get it DOT certified. But unless you are operating this rig on your private roads, you are responsible for operating a SAFE motor vehicle. Shadetree hacks to the suspension are not a responsible thing to operate when others lives are in the balance.

On that thought...   I wish you miles of safe motoring, but should an accident occur, and a lawyer find that non-certified/non-approved modifications were done on your coach... you may lose a LOT more money than it costs to do it right the first time. We live in a very litigious society. A responsible shop will be aware of this also, and not want to assume the liability.

My two cents. Others will disagree, I invite other opinions on what a safe, legal way to modify suspension would be.

I appreciate the suggestions. After further review I've been looking more closely at the door opening and if necessary I'm going to enlarge it rather than try to alter the PC.
 Around 10 days, it hopefully will be parked in front of the barn and then maybe it'll be time for the Sawzal to work it's magic.
Anyway thanks for the helpful advice. We're excited to go down south to get it.

it hopefully will be parked in front of the barn and then maybe it'll be time for the Sawzal to work it's magic.

That's the best way. Angle of approach and actual build height will vary. You may be surprised that it fits. I was able to push the 10' door up a little higher and my 2552 fit in. Aldo you can let a little air out of tires to get it in.

Quote

it hopefully will be parked in front of the barn and then maybe it'll be time for the Sawzal to work it's magic.

That's the best way. Angle of approach and actual build height will vary. You may be surprised that it fits. I was able to push the 10' door up a little higher and my 2552 fit in. Aldo you can let a little air out of tires to get it in.

Same here.  I have a special 2x4 I use to hold the door open high enough to get the Cruiser in.  But it's not an ideal solution, as I demonstrated last July.  I unloaded in the driveway in front of the barn after a trip, then forget about the door and busted the three amber running lights up top, while pulling into the barn.  Fortunately, the side clearance is also so close that I was just creeping, or I might have done real damage. 

I've been wondering if a garage door guy could adjust it so that it opens further, or if it would just make it so that I couldn't close it.  I guess I ought to at least make some kind of reminder to put on the door latch.

An update on our adventure:
The 2551 is at its new home after a 2700 mile, 7 day road trip thru 8 states without a license plate.
Today I removed the AC cover, filled the fuel and fresh water tanks and moved it thru the 10' door into the barn with a strong inch clearance.

And if you are really serious about having the PC move into the garage then you may check the opening and see if a different door arrangement will give you full use of the opening or get the opening opened... new header and then new door. Wish I could do that but the length for my unit would not work. The doors often take up part of the opening by the manner they are installed. So there may be options that take a bit of engineering to install a door that exposes the entire opening. Good luck. Engineering matters. p