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Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.

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PamFT

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Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« on: May 05, 2019, 04:52:05 pm »
I am currently sitting in my RV not far from the PC factory reviewing my notes and many discussions on this forum. I have an appt at the PC factory tomorrow.   I'm still thinking a new PC, probably a 2552 extended.  I might ask them about a 2351 extended 3 feet, but I'm guessing that might be too much.

I like the looks of the Corian covered stove more than the current glass covered stove.  It looks like the Corian covered one will hold a bigger pot on the larger of the 2 burners than the smaller glass covered one.   I am aware of the knob melting if using a pot too large on the smaller burner.  I was told in Oct they could install the older type of stove if I wanted it.  I believe the older stove is unsealed, meaning I will have to occasionally clean under the stove top.  Is this easy to do?  I currently have an Atwood stove/oven so am used to cleaning under it.  But it isn't inset like the PC one.   Any other issues with this older style stove?

For anyone with a new (2019?) model that has the power tower in the kitchen, is it in the way when pushed down?  I looked at some of the PCs in Jacksonville  at Camper's Inn and thought it might be in the way since the counter space is so small. I was thinking about asking if they could move this to the other side of the sink.

In my Lazy Daze I have a window behind the passenger seat.  When driving I sometimes  look out that window, especially at intersections where the angle is odd and I can't see far down the road I'm turning onto. .  How do you handle not being able to see.  Can a super wide angle mirror help?    Will side cameras show down the road or do they only help for what is immediately beside the RV.   (Sorry having problems describing actual problem)

I'm not a DIYer, so plan on getting PC to do several things that others might do themself.  Shelves above bed, cabinet behind passenger seat with no shelves (to be used for coats &jackets), shield between batteries  & tires..  I've learned a lot from this group so thanks to all who are in this group for some great ideas!

I'm in the area for 2 weeks so I'm sure I'll have more questions soon.

By the way, I hit 100,000 miles on my Lazy Daze on Saturday.     If I do this I hope it will be as good as my LD (or close).

Thanks,
Pam
« Last Edit: May 05, 2019, 05:25:21 pm by PamFT »

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jatrax

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2019, 08:44:42 pm »
I feel outdated since my 2017 doesn't have the new cool gadgets roflol

We debated about the stove and got the new model.  Carrie is quite happy with it but with no comparison to the old model that's not much help.

I have not missed having a window behind the passenger seat, but then I almost always have my co-pilot to spot for me.  I can say the big mirrors are very nice and give you a lot of view.  We did get the side cameras, and I cannot recommend them.  They do not show anything that the mirror doesn't show.

Only advice I can give is to take your time, ask questions and sit in the cab or house and 'feel' what it's like.  Don't settle for the quick dealer tour.  Tell them to just let you sit in the rig for an hour without anyone looking over your shoulder.  Lay down and catch a nap on the couch even. :cool

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2 Frazzled

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2019, 11:20:27 pm »
Re: old model stovetop - it doesn't lift up. You clean around down in the inset box AND if you dump liquids, they leak down into your silverware tray. There is an opening on the bottom left side of the metal stovetop (sort of a horizontal slot). While this confused me at first (why is my clean silverware no longer clean?), I realized it's better than having it leak down in a drawer full of not so easy to clean stuff. If we dump in the stove, I just rinse the silverware and tray and move along.

If you really need to get down under the stovetop, you just unscrew it.
John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
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keelhauler

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2019, 09:08:32 am »
I don't see need for shield on batteries.
My wife did not like the sunken stove in our 2006PC so we had it installed on top in our 2012PC.



John

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Volkemon

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2019, 09:46:33 am »
I don't see need for shield on batteries.



I am with you on not needing a shield ON the batteries...

Quote
.....shield between batteries  & tires....

I think they are referring to RonD's excellent writeup on adding the shield/mudflap for his batteries?  Maybe that is a factory option now.  (WH)
""You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6""  Forum Member Joseph


WORD.

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Toaster

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2019, 10:38:40 am »
We have the 2019 2552 with the 'tower of power' and it does not get it the way at all.  I've wondered how it would tolerate water splashes/spills so close to the sink.  As far as the stove goes I am not crazy about the inset stove.  In our last moho the burners were not inset but mounted on top of the counter.  I do prefer that but it's not been an issue for us so far.  I'm curious as to how they will mount shelves above the bed.  I really want some shelves that we can put our phone/clock/book etc on when we bed down.  I'm afraid to drill a hole into the wall to mount one and not sure if there is good adhesive tape that would hold one up. 
Gary & Kristy
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2019, 01:35:49 pm »
Our 2007 2350 has the battery compartment just forward of the rear tires.  My battery shield works great, really really great.  The only issue with my modification is that the GROUND battery cables are not flexible friendly like the red power cables are.  My ultimate solution for that along with improved battery performance, was removing the battery tray and install two 6V AGM batteries that don't require any maintenance.

CLICK HERE to see pictures of my battery shield project.

CLICK HERE to read about the conversion from two 12V batteries in a slide out try, to two 6V AGM batteries without a slide out tray.

Concerning the recessed stove top......Many of you all know how my wife Irene melted the stove knobs.  CLICK HERE to see the damage from Irene cooking with her favorite large square frying pan that over-hung the two knobs.  That is our one and only complaint of which we wonder if the other stove options have a similar concern.

We LOVE the recessed stove so that when it's time to clean up, we setup the counter-top for washing dishes as shown.  The dish rack collapses for easy storage.


As I recall, to clean behind the cooking surface, I remove two phillips head screws and lift the top off.  We never had food boil over and end up in there and then in the drawer below.  I cleaned the hidden area out twice that I recall, from crumbs and such.

If we bought a new 2019 model, we would get the same stove and sink, but have Phoenix setup the lower drawers the same as I did with my reconfiguration.   CLICK HERE to see many pictures of the project.  CLICK HERE to read about it.  This was my most challenging project for our PC.  I would want Phoenix to do something similar utilizing the button locks and magnets in similar fashion as I did.  I could not expect them to squeeze every square inch of drawer space like I did, but they could get much closer than with their typical 5 drawer and slide-out butcher-block setup.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2019, 02:28:27 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2019, 02:21:21 pm »
I feel outdated since my 2017 doesn't have the new cool gadgets roflol
You are outdated?  Just imagine how I feel.
 roflol  roflol  roflol
« Last Edit: May 06, 2019, 02:23:58 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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Tom B

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2019, 03:43:26 pm »
One thing I did on my 2552 was to adjustable add shelving in both wardrobe closets located above the foot of each bed...the bathroom wardrobe closet has plenty of space, plus the shelves can always be removed if you need more hanging space.

Also, request a Progressive Dynamics power center vs. Parallax.

Also, make sure they are using to “updated” cabinet/door latches....
Good Luck!
Tom

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PamFT

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2019, 10:03:21 pm »
Thanks for all the info. 

Another question-. Bilstein shocks.  I'm not sure they do this.  It seems most of what I've seen on this forum is people add these later.  Should I just go ahead and get them, if PC will put them on?  Or wait to see if needed? The Safety plus steering stablizer is on my list.

While at the factory today, I noticed the power towers seemed to be closer to the faucet than the one I saw a few weeks back.  I think it will work, but is on my double check list for my next visit.(probably in a day or two)

I really like the look and what I think is more useable space with the Corian covered stove.  Since I only clean under mine probably once or twice a year, removing a couple of screws to do that seems ok.  Interesting about the "drain" to the silverware drawer! I think I've only had liquid go down mine 2 or 3 times in 10 years of full timing, so hopefully I won't have to double wash my silverware often. 

Several of my items are not PC options,  but since they say they can do just about anything it doesn't hurt to ask. 

Having adjustable shelves in the shirt closets is one of my other add ons. I have a long list!

While looking at an RV built for a customer, I saw they added a Corian lip to the shelf behind the toilet, which I really liked.  Everytime I see these RVs, I get more ideas.

I was asked to come up with a list of questions that they could not answer today.  So I will be sending a list for the engineer to answer. Once I get the answers to these questions, I'll be able to figure out what to do.

Thanks again for your help!
Pam


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TzrNPeg

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2019, 05:38:38 pm »
I had them do something that I think is unique with my 2552.  I mostly travel alone with my dogs, occasionally my husband comes along.  I asked why I needed the wall at the foot of the driver's side bed.  "It holds the by-fold door."  I really don't need privacy from my dogs OR my husband so the wall (and door) were removed.  The shirt closet on the driver's side was also removed, replaced by an extension of the overhead cabinets.  The other shirt closet was made into a pantry.  (I have the dinette version, thus no upright pantry.)  Anyway, removing that wall has totally opened up the space.  I can also use the bed as a sofa to watch the front TV.  So far it is working great.

Peg

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2019, 07:43:31 pm »
Here are a few more things I wished we had on our PC that Phoenix will install upon request.

1) An extra porch light on the rear wall and another one on the driver side.  There are so many times I wish I could flip an extra switch to light up the campsite in those directions.

2) This one is hard to understand until you deal with it a lot like I do.  We boondock 95% of the time.  Our gray tank is the smaller of the two waste tanks.  Between each dump-station visit, I have to go outside and flood the black tank with gray tank water because the gray tank fills up very quickly.  I wished there were redundant tank valve switches located inside the motor home somewhere in a convenient location.  I plan to add tank switches myself, our bathroom vanity being the most likely location for the sake of an easy installation.  But ideally, those switches would be located on my control panel.


About Bilstein shocks....there are two types.  There is a standard motor home version and a heavy duty version.  I recently replaced our 2nd set of shocks which were Koni-RV brand, with heavy duty Bilstein shocks.  All I can say is that I like them a lot on our 2007 2350.  I wished I had them installed right away.  Being "Heavy Duty" I am impressed with the increased size of the mounting hardware & bushings, and also the performance of the shocks themselves.  They did NOT increase the harshness of the ride of our 2350 which was a pleasant surprise, yet as expected they improved the handling compared to our worn out Koni shocks.  You have to decide if you want Phoenix to install them on your rig.

Everybody loves the Euro chair and the living area slide out in their various PC models.  Irene and I love our PC without them SEEN HERE, wouldn't want them even if they were free, let alone paying the extra money for them.  But that is surely a personal decision.  I did want to mention that having a 3rd captain seat bolted to the floor has been great.  It is nice that it does not move.  It is always in the right place, and works great for us right where it is bolted.  We also like that it makes for a very comfortable seat for the occasional 3rd traveler requiring a seat belt.  Sitting in that chair, the 3rd passenger can look out the windshield fairly well via adjusting the seat properly.  The euro chair cannot be sat in when the rig is being driven.  It has no seat belt for a very good reason.

I recommend the leather seating option.  It's now real leather, worth it to me.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2019, 07:49:42 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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jatrax

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2019, 01:38:36 pm »
Quote
This one is hard to understand until you deal with it a lot like I do.  We boondock 95% of the time.  Our gray tank is the smaller of the two waste tanks.  Between each dump-station visit, I have to go outside and flood the black tank with gray tank water because the gray tank fills up very quickly.  I wished there were redundant tank valve switches located inside the motor home somewhere in a convenient location.  I plan to add tank switches myself, our bathroom vanity being the most likely location for the sake of an easy installation.  But ideally, those switches would be located on my control panel.
Ron I asked about this when I ordered my rig and was told no.  I asked again when I had the rig in for some work last summer.  The answer was again, no.  I was told it was a safety / code issue.  No idea what code, but they would not put switches inside for the tank valves.
I still think it is a great idea and will likely get to that eventually.

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2019, 09:53:40 pm »
Quote
This one is hard to understand until you deal with it a lot like I do.  We boondock 95% of the time.  Our gray tank is the smaller of the two waste tanks.  Between each dump-station visit, I have to go outside and flood the black tank with gray tank water because the gray tank fills up very quickly.  I wished there were redundant tank valve switches located inside the motor home somewhere in a convenient location.  I plan to add tank switches myself, our bathroom vanity being the most likely location for the sake of an easy installation.  But ideally, those switches would be located on my control panel.
Ron I asked about this when I ordered my rig and was told no.  I asked again when I had the rig in for some work last summer.  The answer was again, no.  I was told it was a safety / code issue.  No idea what code, but they would not put switches inside for the tank valves.
I still think it is a great idea and will likely get to that eventually.
Interesting that Phoenix refuses to install redundant waste tank valve switches.  I suppose you could more easily leave the valves open when you thought they were closed, but I don't see that as a serious matter given you could make the same mistake by the Sanicon.  I do plan on having lights to indicate when the valves are open.

A couple years back I got two extra waste tank valve switches from Phoenix, but unlike our original 2007 model year switches that stay in the selected position, the second set are intermittent type that spring back to center.  I don't know what to make of the difference yet.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2019, 10:01:06 pm by Ron Dittmer »
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bftownes

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Re: Factory visit tomorrow, several questions.
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2019, 08:14:30 am »
Remote Sanicon switches, located within easy reach of the driver,  would be great.  One could empty the tanks while cruising down the highway!   Be aware of any motorcyclists that may be near. 

Cheers  :)(:

Barry T