Introduce Yourself!

Greetings,
My wife and I have been considering RVing for a past time activity as we are nearing retirement. We have never owned a recreational vehicle, just a couple of tents which we’ve used occasionally raising our two children and at traveled events with one of my hobbies. My wife is more interested in a travel trailer. Based on the lower initial cost (we have a good tow vehicle) and she has experience driving vehicles with trailers. But I’m more interested in a class B+ or C motorhome, because of my two hobbies. I’m involved with Live Steam model railroading and we own a classic vehicle. One or both of which, require a trailer to transport. Ultimately, whatever we decide we are looking at both options.
I discovered Phoenix Cruisers about a year ago. Now after looking at numerous manufacturers and models of B+ and C motorhomes. I’m pretty much set on purchasing a model 2552 or 3100 PC. So, I thought I would join the PC forum to further my research and knowledge about PCs. It will probably be a year or two before we make a purchase. So, we have a lot of time to get to know the product. This fall we are planning a trip to Hershey PA to the RV show and probably schedule a PC plant tour for on the trip home. We are looking forward to seeing a PC in person.
Fred     

Welcome to the forum! We got into RV in 2003 with a 35 ft 5th Wheel, When for 10 years, we had a lot of trouble getting into a lot of National Parks campgrounds and smaller campgrounds on the East Coast. We got our PC3100 in 2013, and have not had any problems with campgrounds since. It is very easy to park, we tow a 2007 ford Focus, with the PC3100 I don't even know it back there. Hope this will help

Jim

Hi Fred and Paula,

Welcome to the PC forum family!

I am not an authority on this one, but I think towing a classic vehicle or steamer on a trailer would be much better towed by model 2552 rather than model 3100.  It has to do with the ratio of wheel base to over-all length.  The 2552 should provide better towing stability along with notably less weight resting on the rear axle.  I understand model 3100 with it's slide out is quite heavy all by itself.  If you don't care about a slide out, model 2552 without the optional slide out will weight approximately 600 pounds less which might also help with your heavy towing requirement.  I believe Phoenix has been installing a 7500 towing hitch as of late on all it's models.  If not, I would "special request" one.  Because of your unique towing requirement, I would also consider heavy duty front and rear stabilizer bars along with a rear track bar.  They would be affordable insurance for safer travels.

Ron Dittmer

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Towing is my only concern at this point. Ron I think you are correct. I would think the shorter 2552 would be better suited for towing. The 2552 rear axle to rear bumper length is 128" vs 152" for the 3100. Here is the heaviest item I need to tow. A 1976 Ford Bronco on a 16' car trailer at a combined weight of 5560 lbs. Tongue weight between 550 - 650 lbs. So far I've only seen (in videos) a 5000 lbs hitch offered on all the PCs. So last week I sent an email to PC asking if a 2552 or 3100 can be upgraded to a 7500 lb hitch. I'm still waiting their reply. The combined weight of my 1/12th scale steam locomotive, complete train and trailer is  under 3000 lbs. So there is no issue tow the train.

So if I can upgrade to a 7500 lb hitch and stay under the PCs GCVW, I should be good to go. One other thing I noticed on the PCs web site. The 2552 and 3100 have the same weight specifications 14,500 GVWR and 22,000 GCVW. Does anyone now the actual dry weights of a 2552 and 3100 model?

Fred

One other thing I noticed on the PCs web site. The 2552 and 3100 have the same weight specifications 14,500 GVWR and 22,000 GCVW. Does anyone now the actual dry weights of a 2552 and 3100 model?

Fred

Fred,

The E450 chassis is rated at 14,500/22,000 regardless of the model it is used on.  You are right-on asking what the actual weight of each model is.  If a slide out is not important to you, it would also be interesting to know what they weigh without their respective slide out.  I know the 2552 can be made without a slide out as a few people on this forum have ordered them without.  I think maybe the 3100 can also.  The slide out is an option on many models, of coarse at an up-charge.

Hopefully Phoenix can install a 7500 pound hitch and appropriately rated frame extension for you.  I imagine the rear frame extension would also need to be beefed up.

Ron

Thanks Ron,

I hadn’t though about the chassis be the same rating regardless of the model. I still would like to find out the actual weight of the 2552 and 3100 with slides.

We are going to go with the slide. We will have guests with us on occasions so the extra floor space would be nice. If we chose the 2552 we will be going with the couch, bed option for the added sleeping capacity. I will give PC a few more days to reply to my email before giving them a call.

Fred

Fred,
My 2552 actual weight loaded was:
Front axle 4,760
Rear axle 8,800

I weigh my rig regularly because there is a public scale just down the road from me.  The weight is different every time but does not vary more then 100 pounds.  I think 8,800 was the heaviest rear weight I can remember.

Jatrax
Does ur 2552 have a spare tire?

FYI
I remember other 3100 weights were well within limits as posted  in this forum.

Only negative for 3100 is that is could drag on steep driveways. I seen one and liked the space and layout.

Ron

Jatrax,

Thanks for the 2552 weights, very helpful.

Fred

Fred,
My 2552 actual weight loaded was:
Front axle 4,760
Rear axle 8,800

I weigh my rig regularly because there is a public scale just down the road from me.  The weight is different every time but does not vary more then 100 pounds.  I think 8,800 was the heaviest rear weight I can remember.

Hi jatrax,

Are your weight numbers loaded up with a full tank of gasoline, propane, full tank of fresh water, your gear, personals, food, drink, the two of you, everything inside as if on a trip?

That is with a slide out too.

Today I received a reply to my email from Barry Hyser at PC, asking about a 7500 lb hitch option. And the answer is no, they currently offer only the 5000 lb hitch. “Bummer”. But being we are several months away from making a purchase. I replied to Barry begging him to challenge their engineering staff to see if it would be possible. Maybe they will look into it, maybe not. One can only hope.

Fred

Fred
The 7500 hitch would put you at the max GCWR. PC might not be comfortable with that.

Just my opinion.

Ron

Fred
The 7500 hitch would put you at the max GCWR. PC might not be comfortable with that.

Just my opinion.

Ron

Hi Ron,

Your probably correct, when customer safety and liabilities come first.

I’ve been looking at a lot of class B & C motor homes, looking at towing capacities. My current second choice motor home is the Jayco Redhawk or GrayHawk class C. The funny thing is Jayco offers a 7500 lb hitch. On the same E450 chassis with the same 14500 and 22000 GVW ratings. Then when look at the vehicle specifications, comparing an equivalent sized Jayco model 26XD and the PC 2552. The Jayco is 28’8”, 10”s longer than the 2552. And the Jayco has a wheelbase at 181”, 25”s shorter than the 206”, 2552. Looking at the specifications, between the to RVs. All thing conciderd, In my opinion, The PC would be better suited to handle a 7500 lb hitch. I would feel more comfortable driving the PC, longer wheelbase, less rear axle to rear bumper length, small overal body lines and better aerodynamics. I’m no engineer but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn express.

Fred

About a 7500 pound hitch.....

The lesser weight of a shorter model built on an E450 might afford 7500 pounds for towing.  But I do think the issue at hand is primarily related to the frame extension behind the rear axle that PC adds to the existing E450 frame.  They would need to figure out how to increase towing and tongue weight without concern of compromising the integrity of the house.  Maybe it is as simple as using heavier gauge steel framing material and gusset plates.  Hopefully Phoenix can consult a 3rd party who can calculate the increased load requirement for their frame extension, and offer that as an optional upgrade for Fred and Paula.

I am very interested if PC will accommodate Fred.  Providing a 7500 pound hitch is something I may be interested in.  I want to tow our mustang but need a trailer. Even with an aluminum trailer I am over 5000 lbs. Having 7500 hitch would make me consider ordering a new PC.

We seriously considered a Lazy Daze. But they can only tow 4000lbs! I don’t feel comfortable modifying a hitch to allow heavier towing. I want the hitch engineered properly, not just beefed up by a shop. Also be mindful a beefed up hitch will taken away from cargo carrying capacity, although a 2552 has good ccc numbers. On the other hand the 2 or 3 slide PCs do not.

Hey Fred how was that Holiday Inn!

Ron