This is a copy of my previous write-up that hopefully can answer some of the questions.
Seeing as we were the ones that got the design of the 2552 started and with the addition of the third Captains Chair while being manufactured, I would like to feed in some info. We had the slideout with the couch and air mattress. After seeing the new design couch with two independent electric adjustable sections, we made an appointment with the factory to remove our couch and install the new system. We were there when Barry/Sue were there picking up their new unit. The two adjustable sections in the new couch are great. They can go all the way down as two single beds or as a large double bed. They can be adjusted to any position for reading or watching TV. Because of the design there is a built-in foot rest. They use memory foam which is very comfortable. Best of all, it does away with the air mattress, but you do lose the storage below the couch. We also use the table with the "spider legs". A question a while back was can the couch be removed without taking it apart. Yes, the couch went right out the coach door and the new one came in the same way.
We did not have a slideout in our 2350, but if we had we may not have traded up to the 2552. The livability of the 2552 increases dramatically when you add the slideout. Would not be without it.
One of the major drawbacks of having the dinette is its overall design. It is too confining, the seats need to be wider with the backrest built with a slight slope to it. If you like to sit bolt upright all the time, then you may like it. It is uncomfortable to sit with your back against the window, as you might to watch TV. When the slideout is out, yes you can watch the TV and with our new reclining couch, both can see it.
We just finished a 7000 mile trip which encompassed the trip to the factory to install the new couch, a trip to Ohio to visit relatives and then on to New Orleans to visit my sister. Then a return trip to home in Idaho, followed with a round trip to San Diego area and return. We had our granddaughter(two year old) with us the whole trip. Her car seat was secured in the third captains chair behind the passenger seat. Our daughter who was also with us sat in the couch area which has two seat belts. To entertain the granddaughter we had the inverter on and played videos on the TV. They were educational videos called "Signing Times". Teaches kids too young to talk, how to ask for what they want by sign language. Very educational and informative. So we gave the 2552 a good ringing out. Had no problems with the coach or truck.
We do have a very tight space and need the mirrors folded in flat against the side.
Viewing angles are always better if they are lower, but in most cases you would need some type of drop down mechanism to lower them. We found the angle not to be a problem. We did find on the 2350 dinette, only the forward facing seat was useable for the TV.
My recommendation is go with the slide. The extra 200 pounds is not a problem with the 450 chassis. Trucks are designed to haul loads and unless you grossly overload them the performance difference with 200 pounds is negligible. Those that consider the weight of the slideout too much are telling me they would hesitate to take another person with them as they would surely weigh on the average of 130 to 200 pounds. I would even consider the third captains chair versus the Euro-chair. The captains chair slides forward and back and reclines and is nice for the person not driving to kick back and relax out of the sun and you can use the passenger seat as a footrest. The captains chair also rotates so it can face the couch.
Those looking for replacements for there units, the factory has ones like our old (New) one they could probably sell.
Bob
