Still LOOKING to buy your used Phoenix Cruiser !!!

The specs for that Dynamax 2520 in Oregon don’t match this brochure, fairly typical with used rv dealer listings

https://recreationalvehicles.info/2002-dynamax-carrigo/2 https://recreationalvehicles.info/2002-dynamax-carrigo/2002-dynamax-carrigo-brochure.pdf

The Carri-Go motorhome design originated from a company called Carriage that was known for travel trailers. Dynamax, which is now part of Forest River, acquired Carri-Go. The early Phoenix Cruiser 2300 and 2301 models were  nearly identical to the Carri-Go 2310 and 2320.

https://www.motorhome.com/motorhomes/reviews/carri-go-23/

The Phoenix Cruiser 2300 became the 2350 with the addition of an enlarged dry bathroom with a shower stall.   The 54” power loveseat/sofa bed in a small slideout was a really cool Phoenix USA innovation. The  other current PC models all have  floor plans and wheelbases that are unique to Phoenix USA. The rest remains a mystery that perhaps only Kermit Fisher could explain.

Cal explained some of this, but every Carri-Go lacks a few notable things that a PC-2350 has since 2007, otherwise is a very nice rig.

1) lacks the full outer rear wall with integrated spare tire
2) has a wet bath
3) has a single house battery
4) no whole house inverter
5) no sanicon
6) missing other other trivial features

Back in late 2006/early 2007, I was zero'd in on a Carri-Go, but the over-all height exceeded our garage door.  The a/c air conditioner on the roof was too tall.  A Carri-Go is a nice rig, but a 2004 PC-2350 is nicer, and a 2007 PC-2350 or newer is nicer yet.

It surely is strange how the two brands look like they were made under the same roof.  I too would like to hear that story.

Suzzi
Did you see this one?    No slide....rear kitchen and bath!

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2014-Phoenix-Usa-PHOENIX-CRUISER-2100-5015477675

Dougn

If you do a search on "Isata Sport", you will find another Phoenix Cruiser cousin, though more distant than the Carri-Go.  The Isata Sport was built on the Ford E350 and Chevy 3500 chassis and offered in various floor plans, the earlier ones NOT having a slide out.  The Dynamax Isata Sport was an up-scaled line of motor homes, made from around 1999 thru 2006 (maybe 2007).  It is debatable if they were actually better than a Phoenix Cruiser, but they were surely priced a lot higher than a Phoenix Cruiser because of added "bling" like for example, Alcoa alloy wheels and sporting hood vents and billet front grilles.  I never seen one with the current-day Ford front grille further supporting 2006 or 2007 was the last year they were made.

When shopping for a motor home back in 2006/2007, the Phoenix Cruiser 2350, Carri-Go, Isata Sport, Winnebago Rialta, and Telstar were all serious considerations, eventually narrowed down to a new 2007 Phoenix Cruiser 2350 special ordered to avoid the slide out and assurance of fitting in our garage.  If looking for a rig today, I still feel they are all well made (though I question the Rialta's durability) as long as you find the right one for you, in the right condition.  Wear and tear along with lengthy exposure to the elements are serious factors on an old motor home, especially a 1993-1995 Telstar.  I would not consider a Telstar built on the earlier Ford chassis of the 80's.

With patience and time, once in a great while you will stumble on a rig that has been garage-kept it's entire life, in pristine condition.  Those are the ones you don't want to snooze on and not let traveling distance get in your way.  Don't let one day slip by, take prompt action in communication, and plan on getting on a plane as needed.  If you don't, it will be snatched up by someone else.

The younger the chassis, the better the chassis.  I can't speak for the Chevy, but as for Ford E350 and E450, Ford kept making improvements along the way.

A word of caution when shopping, concerning scammers.  Some rigs are advertised exceptionally cheap.  So cheap that I thought of flipping them for a profit.  Often the scammer/seller has a story of loosing a spouse, they moved to another state to live with their son or daughter, the rig is in storage, they will deliver for free, etc.  They only require a down payment, the balance due upon receiving the rig.  Just stop communicating with them.  If you can't see the rig and the title for it in person, or make the actual sale at the loan institution where the title is located, then the deal is off.

You would be surprised how many of these scamming sales are out there.

As usual, Ron has some great advice. One other coach manufacturer of equal and arguably superior quality is Lazy Daze. They don't do slide-outs for all the reasons Ron mentions. And they have some superior characteristics...aluminum aircraft-style construction, Imron paint, real solid wood, and still factory-direct like PC used to be. Only downside is the over-cab bunk that has an effect on aerodynamics, but it does create either a permanent bed or massive storage. There are some used ones that come up occasionally. I called, they have a 2 year waiting list and are not even taking new applicants.

We had an older one once, the E350 chassis it had was inadequate IMHO. Not sure when they went to only E450s. It was like a home I would have built. But the chassis had a mind of it's own.
PS, they are two years out on new orders, not even taking names for a list.

Dougn

It surely is strange how the two brands look like they were made under the same roof.  I too would like to hear that story.

Me Too!!!! 

Really neat info.  I have always wondered at the lack of continuity on the front bumper cover and fender flares. I now see they were (probably) sourced from two different designers.

On mine, I can clearly see where someone took the fender flares and top cap seen in this picture:



And 'remodeled' them into what I have. ('Splashed' is the term used with fiberglass buggies.  I saw this often on Dune buggy bodies- copy it enough to save major design time, but also enough that you can argue it is a 'unique' design in court if the original artist pursued you legally. Its what put Bruce Meyers out of business. )

The PC designer re-made the step shallower, and the door filler piece to make  new  'unique' design.   The artist seemed to run out of time/energy where the 'new' added bottom block blends in with the original b-pillar sail panel. On mine, the transition is not very even, and see the bottom style dip in the above pic?  You can still see a vestige of it behind the bottom block transition on mine. I bet making the door filler ended up being more of a project than anticipated, so the last bits were rushed. It happens. 

The upper part is identical. 

Even that ""transition"" (or lack thereof ) between the bumper cover and the fender flare.
The 'Bermuda triangle' where continuity is lost is the same as mine, even though the bumper cover is different here. The style line from the door bottom is a little more visible in this pic too.


 
Looks like the rear may be a unique piece on a PC,    looks like a cross between the BT cruiser and Carri-go bumpers of that era, but not close enough to be a mild 're-design and splash a copy' like the front.  Either way, REALLY neat to see the source of the design we have in the front steps and transition/cap. 

I always just assumed that fiberglass parts like running boards, fender flairs , and bumper covers were sourced from aftermarket suppliers for custom vans.  There was another early Phoenix  USA model called the Phoenix Sport that has the same running boards as the Carri-Go.

My 03 2350 has the  one piece fender flares & running boards that preceded the   04 PC widened lower door panel with concealed running board design. I don’t see any differences in the front cap or side panels that would indicate the fiberglass molds were altered from the original Carri-Go tooling.

I have seen my exact front bumper cover on other coaches, and your step/fender flare combo also.

 Actually, the step/flare style you have looks to be a closer 'ancestor' to the ones on mine, and would require less modification to get them matching the ones on my 2006. The Carri-go ones have a outward flow on the steps that is not reflected in the 'door panel' model.

I would see how an 'ordinary' coach builder would use off the shelf components from outside suppliers to save $$. Then maybe turn them into an exclusive design for the brand to gain identity as a premium brand. And, after designing the unique parts they would hold on to the molds. I have yet to see the PC 'rear cap with integrated spare' on any other motorhome. (IMO its one of the best looking class C RV rears I have seen) nor have I noticed the 'door panel' flares/steps like on my PC on another rig.

I see yours looks like it has the Attwood 'flush mount' water heater also, another nod to 'exclusive and premium' looks. Anyone here with an earlier model that has the regular door heater?  I am aware of the model difference after trying to replace our water heater with an on demand model. The 'on demand' replacement door fits all BUT the flush mount,  and has no option but 'custom work' to make it fit in the different hole. Even states so in the instructions. The corners are different from the normal Attwood heater. I wonder if the earlier ones used the more common heater.

And yeah, RonD, you should ONLY sell yours by highest bid. A treasure. A great example of the best on that chassis.*    I just about cried to read you sold the ladder, and I missed the chance. Now I need to source another and make it mine.     

*Except for the missing slide....   /s             

Where are you located?  We recently moved to central Florida, and have been kicking around the idea of selling the PC.  We have a 2008 2350 with no slideout, and tow a 2012 Smart "Passion" that would also be available,

I am learning SO MCUH just listening to you guys talk!  Love the information.
BIG QUESTION:
How many miles is too many?
What are your thoughts on a 2002...with original owner?

I am in TEXAS,, and will travel for the right motor home....
so send me an IM if you might sell yours.

Carry on with the interesting conversation !!

I flew from Chattanooga to Austin tx to get mine.  Fortunately it was as described.

BIG QUESTION:
How many miles is too many?
What are your thoughts on a 2002...with original owner?

Everyone has their own idea on these questions.

Reiterating "condition" is critical.  Surely anything with less than 100,000 miles in the right condition is fine as long as the price is adjusted appropriately.  Our PC is only 5 years newer than a 2002 and would be comfortable using it to travel to the tip of South America.  Unfortunately the western hemisphere has too much unsafe passage.

Ah YES.... I have already run into a few scammers.  The stories they come up with always amaze me!
I have learned that if it sounds to good to be true....it usually is!

I have a lead on a PC that I hope I can get....it seems to be EVERYTHING I want & More.
FINGERS & TOES CROSSED....