Phoenix Reduces Their Models

I just noticed that Phoenix dropped models 2350 and 2551.  They were the most popular models not so long ago.  I guess adding the extra foot in creating models 2351 and 2552 has been most successful.

I am partial to model 2350 because we've owned one for 14 years and counting.  I've always appreciated having an unmodified 158" wheel base chassis, keeping it all Ford-standard.  Oh well.  That's progress.

Another 6 years and we will own a classic. 

Ron. I wouldn’t have thought the 2350 would be gone. The 2551 doesn’t surprise me though but who knows , another 6 years and the 2351 and 2552 or other models could be dropped. Or PC itself could be gone. One never knows.

Phoenix will no longer make any models without a slide.

RVrunner, can’t say I’m surprised now that they no longer sell factory direct. The majority of buyers want a slide so it’s a gamble sending out units to lots without.

I am surprised at dropping the 2551, it used to be their most popular model.  The 1 foot shorter wheelbase than the 2552 makes it a bit easier to maneuver on sharp corners.

OH well, things change, we love our 2551 and see no real advantages to a 2552, but then, we're not looking for a new RV anyway.

Don, does the 2551 have the euro recliner? I’m wondering what the price difference is between the two models. Could be it’s not enough that most just go for the 2552. I bought used so it’s what was out there at the time but I will say we use the Euro chair all the time. Other than that I doubt I’d notice the 1 less foot.

Don, does the 2551 have the euro recliner? I’m wondering what the price difference is between the two models. Could be it’s not enough that most just go for the 2552. I bought used so it’s what was out there at the time but I will say we use the Euro chair all the time. Other than that I doubt I’d notice the 1 less foot.

The swivel chair behind the passenger seat... No.   The recliner sofa-bed, yes.

The other thing the 2552 has is a pantry between the refrigerator and the sofa.  The 2551 doesn't have one.

We turned the "shirt closets" at the foot of the twin beds into our pantry on one side and storage on the other by adding shelf mounting rails in those closets and a couple of shelves in each.

Did your little glitch require the slide to be removed?

I will tart a new topic on this.

The consumer must work through the dealer network, no longer directly with the factory in buying a PC.  People can order a PC to get the color they want, but as of late, it ends there.  I wonder if people can still order a PC without a slide out.  If not, that would be a big "downer" for me.

Throughout Phoenix's history, one very big reason to consider a PC for many people, was the ability to make reasonable deviations.  I hear since COVID struck, deviations are no longer offered.  I hope post-COVID, Phoenix will reinstate deviations.  That was very influential in buying our PC back in 2007, and it was always a point I made to other prospective buyers.  I am now more limited with my recommendations to consider a PC.

I do understand the logic at this time.  If Phoenix sells every fully optioned PC and can't make them fast enough, why offer deviations?  But every industry goes through it's cycles.  When the demand cycles downward, that is typically when incentives are offered....maybe that will include reasonable deviations again.

Ron, even being a downer there’s an easy work around. Just don’t use the slide if your worried about it failing.  There’s no weight issue and having the slide in does not take away from the rigs use. One of my friends would  always special orders cars with no ac because of his asthma. Said it was a waste of money because he couldn’t use it. It took me years to get him to stop that, just don’t use it and keep the resale value and ease of selling as well.

I’m betting offering deviations other than paint slows the assembly line considerably. So like you mentioned with the business cycles of the industry, once it slows again they very well open up to mods. 

Joseph,

It's more than just the use of the slide out and the negative points associated with it's use.  People like me.....

- want a dinette instead of a couch
- don't want a huge box inside the house
- want a lot more upper cabinet storage
- don't want to carry an extra 500 pounds
- want a more solid house structure
- want the roof stronger to better support the a/c unit
- don't want the extra source for road noise and air leakage
- don't want to pay the extra ~$5000 for something that detracts from our RVing experience.

On this past trip, our E350 chassis died while driving on Interstate 90 which required a tow.  I have skid wheels on the rear hitch.  While being carefully pulled up the tow truck ramp, at one point the rear axle slowly lowered away from the chassis, though never got suspended in the air.  This meant the weight slowly transferred to the PC-added frame extension and throughout the house.  Nothing went wrong, no strange noises, no split seams, no concerns.  But I wonder what would have happened if our PC had a massive slide out hole in the wall along with an extra 500 pounds in the worst possible place, amplifying the concern and condition.


The mechanical failure turned out to be the E350 fuel pump control module, a $150 part with an electrical connector on it, mounted on the frame between the fuel tank and engine.  This is the bad module and the carton of the new one.

Our slide just went out for the third time in 3 years. The factory can't get us in until next year. We will live in our 2400 for 4 months this winter with no slide. That means no walk around sofa bed, wife will sleep kitty corner on partially extended sofa, I'll break down the dinette. That means we'll be making 2 beds every night, and carrying double bedding. We will lose our large living room which is one of the reasons we bought it. All we'll have is a narrow walkway to get from the front to the back. The walls to the slide will be inside the coach all the time giving us a claustrophobic feeling. We have 110,000 miles on the motorhome so selling it would mean a big loss. The PC is a beautiful motorhome with a beautiful interior but the good looks are deceiving. The service dept has treated me very
well but unfortunately they can't do miracles. For those of you who have the Liftco slide, you are lucky, they last a long time. I was told at the factory that they stopped offering non slide models, they can't get sofas that will fit.