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Introduce Yourself!

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jampodd

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  • OwnPC: Yes
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  • PurchDate: 11/2012
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: sunlit
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  • Location: Ohio
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #405 on: March 30, 2013, 05:33:47 pm »
I took my new 2552 to Mainline Truck and Trailer Service (trained by Henderson). The handling of the 450 was pretty good but wanted to see if improvements could be made. Ended up putting on new front and rear sway bars and a rear trac bar. They mounted a camera under my PC and drove it while taking videos of the front sway bar, both with the original and the new. The original looked like a wet noodle flopping around. I was amazed at the difference in the videos between the original and new sway bars. There was definitely an improvement in the handling as well. I feel it was money well spent.
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Jim Poddany - 2552
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TomHanlon

Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #406 on: March 30, 2013, 05:35:43 pm »
Do you know which brand of bars they used?
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Glen

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Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #407 on: March 30, 2013, 08:13:54 pm »
Hello Group,

Rose and I (Glen) Have had a Class A motor home since 1986 and a trailer for 13 years before that.  We currently have a 1975 GMC 26' Avion.  After almost 46 years of being able to snuggle up on a cold night, twin beds just don't make it!  We came across the Phoenix Cruiser and realized it was time to get a new motor home.

We are looking at the 2910D as our perfect layout.  I like the extra slide out of the 2910T, but I don't want to give up the Euro chairs and small table and did not care for the table arrangement of the "T" model.  So for us and our German Shepherd Baron and his two cats, the 2910D is just right.

So who are we.  Well Rose and I spent 24 years in the Marine Corps.  I entered as a Private in 1966, flew 350 combat missions as a .50 Cal door gunner in Viet Nam, served as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, a Warrant Officer and a Commissioned Officer.  I retired in 1990 at the grade of Major and as the Executive Officer of a Marine Corps Support Squadron.  By job title I was always an Air Traffic Controller, but filled any job the Corps cared to assign me.  After retirement I managed large airports, owned an aviation business and have been a licensed pilot since 1964.  Rose on the other hand had the most difficult job of all.  She was a Marine Wife and mother who ran a household by herself for all of those years when I was away. 

Due to the many issues that came up during my 24 years as a result of Combat, Agent Orange, etc., I now have great difficulty getting around sometimes.  So the lowness of the Phoenix Cruiser is going to be a great asset.  And...I think it will be much easier for me to drive than a big basement class A motor home.

We've lived in Yucca Valley, California for 28 years now.  It's about 15 miles north of Palm Springs at an altitude of 4,000 feet.  The summer are mild and the winters can be cold and snowy.  We did have 16" of snow one night.

Regards,

Glen and Rose
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Glen and Rose
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Ron Dittmer

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  • ModelYear: 2007
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  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
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  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #408 on: March 30, 2013, 11:32:20 pm »
Quote from: jampodd on March 30, 2013, 05:33:47 pm
I took my new 2552 to Mainline Truck and Trailer Service (trained by Henderson). The handling of the 450 was pretty good but wanted to see if improvements could be made. Ended up putting on new front and rear sway bars and a rear trac bar. They mounted a camera under my PC and drove it while taking videos of the front sway bar, both with the original and the new. The original looked like a wet noodle flopping around. I was amazed at the difference in the videos between the original and new sway bars. There was definitely an improvement in the handling as well. I feel it was money well spent.
This information is extremely valuable, worth sharing with the RV community.

The 2552 is on the lighter side of E450 based motor homes.  I am left to wonder what happens as the rigs get bigger and heavier.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2013, 11:34:28 pm by ron.dittmer »
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jampodd

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  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2013
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  • ExtColor: sunlit
  • Location: Ohio
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #409 on: March 31, 2013, 07:56:52 pm »
Tom,
They used Roadmaster bars. I also had them put on Koni shocks, sumo springs and a Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer. They weighed each corner and it was similar to weights others have posted. These are with holding tanks empty:
LF-2160, RF-2100
LR-3820, RR-3780

They recommended 65-70psi in each tire.

I wish the files were smaller, I would post the before and after videos but they are both around 600MB. I really notice the difference when cornering, sway has decreased noticeably.
I'll be taking it to the Masters tournament in a week so I'll know more after that but happy so far.
Ron, I wonder the same thing. I don't blame Ford because they don't know what is going to be mounted on the rails but things seem a little undersized to me.


Just an update to the handling additions I added. I just returned from a shake out trip from northwest Ohio (where I live) to Augusta Ga. I took Rt 23 to Rt 33 to Rt 77. My PC handled great, no issues at all. The trhre guys in the back also commented on how well it rode and handled. 77 has some pretty steep grades and the cruise didn't handle those too well but when I turned it off I had no problem. Normally I was cruising around 65mph and the rpm's were staying around 2500. Some of the hills got them slightly over 3000 and speed slowed down slightly but not much. I know there has been many questions about gas mileage also, I averaged about 8.5 mpg for the entire trip of about 1700 miles. Only had about 1000 miles on it before the trip so still some break in going on, but for the grades I was going up it's about what I expected.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2013, 02:14:03 pm by jampodd »
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Jim Poddany - 2552
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Ron Dittmer

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  • PurchDate: June 2007
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  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #410 on: April 01, 2013, 12:58:21 am »
jampodd,

You ended up doing pretty much the same as we did back in 2007 with Roadmaster bars, Koni shocks, and Safe-T-Plus.  We also have a Henderson rear trac bar, but no Sumo springs.

I preached about this until people got tired of reading about it.  Some people thought I was a bit "Out There" over the subject.  Then I thought maybe the improved chassis introduced in 2008 is "THAT" much better.  If your smaller 2552/E450 was so much improved, I can't imagine the benefits larger motor homes would experience.

So now we all know.  Thanks for sharing this data.  It would have made for a great You Tube video for all the RV world to see.

Ron.....not crazy after-all.
« Last Edit: April 01, 2013, 01:03:56 am by ron.dittmer »
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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer
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2 Frazzled

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  • OwnPC: Yes
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  • Location: On the road full time (prev. Maryland)
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #411 on: April 01, 2013, 07:08:39 am »
Ron, I tried to not respond, but couldn't help myself. There is an old saying that "just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me" - Well, the same goes for crazy. Just because you got that one right, doesn't mean you aren't crazy. Personally, I recommend embracing the craziness within, I did.

Holly (crazy but in a good way)    (8)
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John, Holly, and sometimes Chloe.
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Bruce

Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #412 on: April 02, 2013, 01:28:33 am »
Hello,
We are Bruce and Sharon and are expecting to take delivery of our new PC 2350 on April 4th.  We’re eagerly awaiting the beginning of a new chapter in our RVing life as we’ve sold our 37’ Class A so that we could purchase our new B+.

In case you’re interested, here is a little background information on us:
We’ve been RV’ers and world travelers since we met and got married in the early 1980’s.  Our first RV was a Dodge utility van that we made into a camper.  Along the way we’ve owned many travel trailers and various sized motor homes, all of which we enjoyed but usually didn’t keep for more than a few years—always having the idea that two more feet of RV would make things perfect. 

When we both retired from our jobs in education in the early 2000’s, we drastically increased the use of our RV.  In 2004 we purchased a 37’ diesel pusher that we expected would be our last.  We loved this RV even more than we expected and spent months at a time on the road with it.  But, in the past year or two we began to realize that it was time for us to downsize the RV and try out more of the smaller campgrounds and RV parks that are available to us.

So, after many months of looking at the options available to us, we decided to make this next change in RV.  We were especially attracted to the Phoenix Cruiser for many reasons, including this wonderful Forum you have on line.  We expect to have some difficulty in adjusting to the much smaller living space we’ll have in the 2350 compared to the 37 footer, but being flexible and having new adventures are things we look forward to enjoying.  We expect that our dog Sparky and cat Minou will be accepting of the change, too.
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KB9OMH

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  • PurchDate: 3/26/13
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2013
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  • ExtColor: Sterling
  • Location: IL
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #413 on: April 02, 2013, 06:23:35 am »
Bruce and Sharon,
     We are having the same problem, went from a 33 foot 5th wheel to the 3100, trying to find space for things, We picked up our new baby on 3/26. Hope to see you on the road somewhere

Jim and Rae Anne
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Ron Dittmer

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  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
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  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #414 on: April 02, 2013, 10:00:51 am »
Bruce and Sharon,

Going from a 37 footer to a 2350 is quite dramatic.  I hope you have actually walked through a 2350 crawled onto its rear corner double bed.  Many people find that the deal breaker.  Many others who bought a 2350 switch rigs later to a 2551 or 2552.

As for my wife and I, we could never sleep separately so we deal with the inconveniences of our 2350 bed. 

Someone recently did something custom, converting his 2552 twin beds into a single massive bed.  Somehow he is able to break-down the center isle portion quickly.
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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer
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jampodd

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  • Model: 2552
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  • Location: Ohio
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #415 on: April 02, 2013, 08:22:09 pm »
Ron,
Breaking down the bed is actually quite simple. The mattresses just slide over to their respective original positions, the plywood slides under the mattress (passenger side) and the three supports lift out of their notches and are store under the lift up storage under the bed (driver side). The two side supports (with notches) remain in place.
BTW, I like what you did with the kitchen drawers, I may look into that as well. I've already used some of your ideas like making the third chair a captains chair, it will be put to good use when my grand-daughter starts camping with me.
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Jim Poddany - 2552
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Ron Dittmer

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    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #416 on: April 02, 2013, 11:50:34 pm »
Quote from: jampodd on April 02, 2013, 08:22:09 pm
BTW, I like what you did with the kitchen drawers, I may look into that as well. I've already used some of your ideas like making the third chair a captains chair, it will be put to good use when my grand-daughter starts camping with me.
Thanks for the compliment but I can't take any credit for the 3rd captain chair idea.  I am so bad remembering people's names, but it was another member here who special ordered his PC-2350 with the captain seat instead of a barrel chair at the time.  I love our captain seat, not just for our own relaxation, but very nice and safe for a 3rd passenger.  They sit higher yet still able to look out the front window fairly well by reclining a bit.

I think I can take credit on the galley drawer modification as I have not heard of anyone else ever discussing it.  :)
« Last Edit: April 02, 2013, 11:52:23 pm by ron.dittmer »
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Ron Dittmer

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    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #417 on: April 05, 2013, 12:30:38 pm »
Quote from: ron.dittmer on March 30, 2013, 04:11:35 pm
Quote from: racephoto on March 30, 2013, 02:33:21 pm
.....the owner said his was one of the chassis where Ford added front sway bars if that's the right term......
Actually he got it backwards.  In 2008, Ford added a "Rear" sway bar to the E350 chassis on that PC-2100.  The front bar has always been.  Hopefully the smaller diameter Ford bars will be enough for satisfied handling.

I look forward to your report Gail.  Well wishes!
I got an email from Gail last night.  She bought that 2008 2100, I think on the road heading home with it today.

Congratulations Gail!
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racephoto

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Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #418 on: April 09, 2013, 08:36:46 pm »
Yep, I did buy the 2008 Phoenix Cruiser 2100.   ;)  I love it.  It had @ 15,500 miles on it, and I drove it approximately 1500 miles from St. Louis to Charleston SC to Leesburg, VA over the last week.  It handles great, everything works so far and I'm pleased as punch.  Had a leaking city water connection for a bit but some jiggling of the check valve fixed that.  And I pulled one of the shade cord thingies out of the wall.  :-(  Ah well.  But so far, I'm loving it.
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EarlRobbins

Re: Introduce Yourself!
« Reply #419 on: April 19, 2013, 12:30:21 pm »
Hi, My name is Earl Robbins and I am the sales manager for Phoenix Cruiser. I thank all of you that have called and or e-mailed me in the last week or so. I have been so busy with learning the product and getting my computer set up that this is the first time that I have been able to look at the Forum. I am excited about my new position. My back ground starts in Kentucky. I was a welder for a coal company for about 8 years. Then I went to work as an RV salesman at a large dealership in Indiana where I worked for 14 years. After that I worked at a Ford Lincoln, Mercury dealer as a sales person and Commercial accounts manager. The last 4 years I have done web sales for a local RV dealer. There are a lot of things that I want to do to make your shopping experience for a new Phoenix Cruiser even better. I will be making videos on each floor plan and a new construction video. These things take a lot of time so I will be working them in as I can, one at a time. Please let me know how you like them when they are up and running. My wife Pat and I look forward to meeting you at the Rallies.  Also feel free to call or e-mail me any time.  Thanks. Earl 877-754-8535
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