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Also be mindful a beefed up hitch will take away from cargo carrying capacity, although a 2552 has good ccc numbers. On the other hand the 2 or 3 slide PCs do not.

I agree with you.  

I feel that because the 7500 pound hitch may over-load the longest of PCs with multi-slide-outs, Phoenix might not offer it on any PC.  This so their production process for frame extensions has only one standard, the standard used for so many years.

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

Ron, every time I've walk out of a Holiday Inn. I feel like a genius.

This morning I fired back a reply to Barry at PC. Pointing out the comparison I made (see previous post) between the Jayco Redhawk 26XD and the 2552 PC. And how I felt the 2552 would be a better fit for a 7500 lb hitch. Maybe if we consumers show enough interest in having this option and bring this to there attention, they may look into it. I told Barry if they where to consider the upgrade. They have plenty of time to work on it. It will be several months before we will be in the position to place an order. And if they do make the 7500 lb option available, I'm all in ordering a PC.

If anyone is interested in having the 7500 lbs hitch option. Send Barry an email or give him a call. Here is Barry's email at PC.

Barry Hyser
barry@phoenixusarv.com

Fred  

We are Bob and Marie Austin of Pensacola FL.  We have owned RV's since 1962 (first was a Corvair Greenbriar conversion...currently selling a Holiday Rambler Ambassador PDQ 40).  We are interested in the PC 2552, with 6" longer bunks (I am 6' 2", and like a little foot room).  Currently our "towed" is a Yukon XL with curb weight of about 5900 lbs, and we often tow a 22 ' long C Dory,(about 28' long trailer length) trailerable cabin cruiser which weighs about 5,000 +/- lbs on the trailer.  In the past we had a Holiday Rambler 30' Admiral (with the Ford  V 10) modified at local shops to support a 7500 lb hitch.  This involved strengthening the expansion, upgrading bolts to grade 8, and also have the transmission reworked, with different shift points and a beefier torque converter.  We towed a 7500 lb boat all of the US, with no issues.  I understand where PC is on the tow weight/tongue weight and capacity.  But when I asked for a bid, I did ask for the beefier hitch.  We will see what the answer is....I suspect "no" from the current thread. 

Thanks to Ron, who answered some questions last fall in pvt. E-mails...and we just recently were "approved" as forum members.

Regards to all.

Hi!

My husband and I just put in an order for the PC 2351 4x4.  We just came across to reading some of the posts and optional upgrades that we didn't know about.  Can anyone let us know what upgrades you did that you like and what you don't recommend.  We are wondering about the mattress as we hear some recommend a gel mattress?  Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated.

Glad we looked into the forum to hear what everyone has to say.  We can't wait for our vehicle!

Thank you.
Stephen and Mary Ann

Greetings and welcome. You may want to repost your request for information in the General Discussion section of the forum. It is likely more people will see it there.

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?

Hi Ron, sorry for the late reply.  Yes, that is fully loaded with gas and propane.  FW tank might have been 3/4 full or so but close to full.  And everything we usually pack for a trip.  I weigh as we are leaving for a trip because we have to pass the scale anyway.  The weigh station is about 5 miles from the house so a good spot to pull over for a final walk around before getting on the highway.  I like to check the doors and kick the tires to make sure everything is good before hitting the interstate.

Does ur 2552 have a spare tire?

There is no spare tire on the 2017 2552 unless you special order. So no spare on my rig.

My wife and I currently have a 2001 40' Monaco Diplomat LE.  Bought it new and full-timed for 10 years.  10 years was enough, so we bought a house.  We now want to downsize.  I was all fired-up for the Tiffin Wayfarer until talking with some friends who have a 3100.  We are now planning a trip to Elkhart, hopefully in April, to actually see a PC and discuss the build.  I have several questions, such Liquid Spriings, residential fridge (if possible).  My main dilemma is the fridge.  My Norcold was a nightmare, to say the least.  We installed a nice Whirlpool residential and love it. 

I would like some comments on the current status of Norcold.  Are you happy with it?  Does it work!!??  I can only assume that Norcold has improved this product.

Next, are Liquid Springs necessary?  Does PC offer Sumo Springs?  Are they effective?

Finally, will getting a "30 footer" defeat the purpose of downsizing?  I want to be able to pull into my driveway; I think my driveway will allow fairly easy access for the 3100 or 2910D.

Thanks!
Barry

Welcome Barry.
We have similar circumstances to yours. We currently have a 39' Holiday Rambler Endeavor. For the last few years, we've been wanting to downsize, but didn't see anything we would even consider, until we saw a PC in Rapid City in 2016. The owners were gracious enough to show us their coach. After visiting the factory 3 times and giving it a lot of consideration, we finally found "the one for us" with the PC 3100. We did all the planning and finally placed our order on Feb 28. We are really excited, because we know this downsize will be everything we hoped for.

When you visit the factory, be sure to take one (either the 3100 or the 2910) for a test drive. It helped us make the final decision.

My main dilemma is the fridge.  My Norcold was a nightmare, to say the least.  We installed a nice Whirlpool residential and love it.
I would like some comments on the current status of Norcold.  Are you happy with it?  Does it work!!??  I can only assume that Norcold has improved this product.

We had Phoenix install a compressor refrigerator instead of the absorption ones normally used.  The model we agreed on was a Norcold DE-0061.  This is typically used in marine applications and has an excellent reputation there.  There is also a similar one made by NovaKool but Phoenix had no relationship with them and would not install that one.  So far my DE-0061 has been great.  It works the same way a residential one would except it runs off 12volt rather than 120 volt and is designed for mobile applications unlike a residential one.  It runs on 12volt, cools down quickly and maintains temperature with no problems.  Because the large condenser coils are not needed you get more usable space inside for a given size refrigerator.
Not really a comment on the current Norcold absorption units, just to let you know there are other alternatives to the standard propane / absorption cycle units.

Hi Barry,

Like jatrax, we specified a 12-volt compressor fridge in our new unit, a model 2552. I requested the Nova Kool RFU9000 because of its excellent reputation, and Phoenix complied without complaint. It fit without any difficulty next to our non-slide-out dinette. It’s been in constant use since I took delivery Feb. 20 and performed flawlessly so far.
I believe the Norcold compressor fridges use the same well regarded 12-volt Danfoss compressor, but their largest compressor model, the DE-0061, has a 7 cu. ft. capacity and we wanted bigger.
The fridge draws only 60 watts when the compressor runs, perhaps 20% of the time. So far no problem with battery life while boondocking, although several rainy days in a row require us to run the generator to supplement solar power.
The fridge runs while driving, powered from the truck alternator. I’ve never liked keeping an absorption fridge’s propane flame on while driving.
One other benefit: the Nova Kool needs no exterior vent, so no holes needed in the side of the coach.
It did cost us an extra $1,000 though.

Welcome to the forum.

John

McDuck
Very interesting. So if you were to just go to a regular campsite electrical hookup, can the batteries alone (outside any solar support) keep the frig running. In other words can the PC charger maintain batteries to power frig?

Did you add insulation?
“Adding 2" rigid foam insulation to the outside will reduce energy consumption by 1/2. 1100 watt hours per day at 70* as delivered, 550 watt hours per day if insulation is added on-site.”

This is new and intriguing to me, so sorry if these are novice questions.

Thanks

Ron

Hi Ron,

Oh, yes, when plugged into shore power, there are plenty of amps from the Progressive Dynamics PD4500, the power converter and distribution panel which Phoenix supplies as standard equipment. Plenty for the fridge to run while the batteries charge, and of course, the 120 VAC shore power runs the microwave, air conditioner, etc.

If you’re going to boondock much, I recommend upgrading to a good battery monitor, like the Bogart TM-2030. It gives much more complete info about the state of the batteries’ charge them the simple red light indicators that are provided as standard equipment.

Since we deleted the dinette slide-out, we did have a little more cabinet width available, and I asked Phoenix to fill it with extra insulation around the fridge.

John

Like jatrax, we specified a 12-volt compressor fridge in our new unit, a model 2552. I requested the Nova Kool RFU9000 because of its excellent reputation, and Phoenix complied without complaint. It fit without any difficulty next to our non-slide-out dinette. It’s been in constant use since I took delivery Feb. 20 and performed flawlessly so far.

John, when they installed the NovaKool how did they handle the exterior vent panels behind the refrigerator on your rig?  Are they still there for access and if so are they sealed?  On mine they left the access panels there and open so I have had to seal them myself.  I requested the RFU9000 on my rig but was told at the time of order that was not possible but they could use the Norcold.

Finally got some information from the factory.  I had asked how much the 6" bunk extension is and was quoted $1500.  I had also asked about a 7500 lb tow capacity, and got the following answer today (Apparently some e-mails were lost) "…I know that 5000 has been the traditional tow capacity but I’ve heard rumblings where that may have changed."  This is from "Bob Byrnes. 

I have used several refrigerators with the Danfoss compressors, and the 60 amps is certainly right in the ball park.  However in 24 hours, that will drain 2 group 31 batteries to a little below 50% SOC. Solar panels (200 watts) can keep up with this most of the time. 

Jatrax, I asked Earl to specifically note on the build sheet that there were to be no holes in the outside walls forthe fridge, and that’s how they built the rig. The compressor and electronics are accessible for service from the front panel below the freezer door.

Thataway, the fridge draws a little over 6 amps when the compressor is running. That’s maybe 75 watts at 12.5 volts, nothing the coach batteries have difficulty with. Some of that draw is for the small fan which circulates air over the heat exchanger coils.

I haven’t camped in really hot weather yet, but so far everything ( inside the fridge) is cool.