burlmart wrote: Are the PCs narrower than other B+ rigs, like the Trail Lites?
According to their respective websites on their latest models.....
All Phoenix models, width is 93", with walls that curve inward, so the roof size is narrower than the 93" dimension.
All R-Vision Trail Lite B+ models, width is 99" with walls that are straight vertical.
The PC shorter models built on the E350 chassis, height is 9'-10"
The PC longer models get the E450 chassis, having a height of 10'-2"
The R-Vision height is a consistent 10'-8" across all models using either the E350 or E450 chassis.
* This post was
edited 08/20/08 08:47am by ron.dittmer *
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
See The Inside by clicking on "View Profile" and scroll down
I have a 2350 and the only suspension "upgrade" I did was to get the front end aligned and drive it with no more than 1/4 tank fresh water. They are very squirrely off the line and need a FEA in the worst way before driving very far or you will wander all over the road. Otherwise, it has been a perfect unit after the bugs were worked out.
Patriot Guard, USA Ice Hockey Ref and Level 4 Coach, Reg Prof ChE
Hunting, Fishing, Lakehouse, Grandkids, Kids, Camping
Vulcan 900, Morphous
markbrumbaugh wrote: They are very squirely off the line and need a FEA in the worst way before driving very far or you will wander all over the road.
I agree. Realizing this is not a Phoenix issue alone, all RV's made by every manufacturer has the same issues, unless specifically modified.
If trying to get away with as little as possible in additional costs, I would have a wheel alignment as you suggest, plus add a Helwig rear stabilizer bar Seen Here (cost $252 +installation) because every Ford E350 chassis has no rear sway bar at all. It makes a huge difference in handling when conditions are not normal, like when cornering on snakey mountain & canyon roads, gusty winds, and passing trucks.
Everyone has their limit with such investments. But the more you do, the better any RV will handle under those unique and threatening circumstances. A heavy duty rear stabilizer bar is worth the expense, and Helwig sells the cheapest one made with all the same materials as companies like Roadmaster....poly bushings, type of steel, and dimensional thickness.
* This post was
last
edited 08/24/08 09:53pm by ron.dittmer *
View edit history
cancel wrote: ....... What options did you put on your Phoenix and what options would you recommend......
We ordered our 2350 with the following
1) Premium Convenience Package (4000 watt Onan generator, roof air with heat strip, class-3 trailer hitch, convection/microwave oven combo, gas 110V DSI water heater, telephone hookup, outside shower, tv antenna & signal booster, Fantastic roof vent, wood accent dash board & drink tray, electric step, heated remote mirrors)
2) 14' box awning
3) full body paint
4) back-up monitor
5) front bumper cover with driving lights
6) 6-way power driver seat
7) passenger swivel seat
8) surround sound with DVD/CD/Am/Fm combo unit
9) insulated glass
10) dinette window awning
11) leather captain chairs
12) leather barrel chair
13) cherry cabintry
For us with our needs, wants & taste, we would do it all the same way, exactly as we ordered, except we would have gotten the leather dinette seating instead of the cloth seating. I also wonder if we should have ordered the compass and outside thermometer option for the rear view mirror, but it's no great issue.
We did not order either TV because I installed a 26" widescreen TV for less money, and we use a lap-top computer to watch DVD movies in bed.
We don't like slide-outs, so we didn't order one and are very pleased with our decision.
Because we are able to store our 2350 in our garage when not in-use, the full body paint stays nice looking and easy to clean & wax. The matching front bumper cover compliments the paint job too. But if I had to store the RV outdoors, I would not get any paintwork or front bumper cover, anticipating the paint job would fade and look bad over time.
On our 2350, the 14' box awning is much better than the 12' because it completely covers the bedroom window, allowing you to open it when raining.
My wife loves the cherry wood option. I like it better too, but could have been just as happy with the light maple for less money.
At our request, the factory installed gray leather captain chairs with the green interior color option. We liked the cherry wood and green together, but not that much green. The gray captain chairs are a great compliment to the green interior.
I requested the factory NOT mount the roof rack and ladder, and am very happy I did. I keep that hardware at home, in case I later change my mind, but don't think that day will ever come. The RV looks clean without that cheap and flimsey stuff. I would never place anything on the roof anyway, and the ladder would just be in my way. I didn't want all those holes drilled in the nice seamless rear cap & roof either.
I requested the subwoofer box be mounted under the dinette seat, and that worked great. In the 2350, that sub normally goes in the outside storage compartment, under the bed. We have a more quiet bedroom and more precious exterior storage space.
Don Keller of East Acres offers dealer specific options that are interesting. He offers a matress cover that is the same material as the other fabric, small window awnings, cabinetry alternatives to the barrel chair, and solar panel options. He is also the lowest priced dealer I found.
I have the shorter box awning, darn it. Get the longer one. And I agree, the cherry is beautiful. I have the slide and at times wish I had the dinette instead. However the extra room to pass each other is great.
The sound system stinks stock and was one of the first replacements I made, but it was good to have the wiring there.
burlmart wrote: Are the PCs narrower than other B+ rigs, like the Trail Lites?
According to their respective websites on their latest models.....
All Phoenix models, width is 93", with walls that curve inward, so the roof size is narrower than the 93" dimension.
All R-Vision Trail Lite B+ models, width is 99" with walls that are straight vertical.
The PC shorter models built on the E350 chassis, height is 9'-10"
The PC longer models get the E450 chassis, having a height of 10'-2"
The R-Vision height is a consistent 10'-8" across all models using either the E350 or E450 chassis.
Thanks for this info, and the info about construction on the fiberglass shell thread. When we were looking for a small and easier to drive MH, I was concerned about vehicle width, and knew little of PC, but was aware that chinooks and Born Free RVs were narrower.
Have you developed any conscious observations of the difference in feel/handling of a 99" vs 93" width?
burlmart wrote: Have you developed any conscious observations of the difference in feel/handling of a 99" vs 93" width?
I cannot comment on that. I never had an oppertunity to test drive them side-by-side.
You have a Trail-lite 213, right? That is also a small RV, though not quite as small as the PC. If your RV meets your needs, but has handling issues, I adise you invest in suspension upgrades to improve your Trail-Lite's handling behavior. I would do the following in this order of priority, getting #1 and #2 to begin with.
1) get a wheel alignment (RV's are far out of alignment, straight from the factory)
2) if you have an E350 chassis, add a heavy duty rear sway bar (the E350 chassis has none)
3) replace the original front sway bar with a heavy duty version
4) replace all your shocks with Koni-RV or Bilsteins
5) replace your stock steering stabilizer with one from Safe-T-Plus
6) only if towing, get a rear trac bar
I had a local shop do all this to my PC at a cost of $3900. It likely was over-kill, but my experience with my old RV of 24 years, taught me to invest heavily in handling upgrades, right when you get your new RV home. Then enjoy the benefits from the beginning. It saves the cost of replacing badly worn tires too, so it almost pays for itself. The RV now handles like an SUV. It is safe and comfortable to drive now. No so when brand new. It drives straight without compensation and is much less influenced by uneven road surfaces, gusty winds, passing trucks, etc.
As I mentioned earlier, the upgrades saved our lives last year when I misjudged the road and took a turn way too hard. I hit the brakes very hard in that mountain curved road, but the RV steered right through it without incident. I was towing our car too.
The makings of a good handling RV is not only under normal conditions. But also under unexpected "Extreme" conditions. A couple thousand dollars in upgrades could save your lives, along with your RV. If nothing extreme ever happens, then you are saving at least it's tires.
Consider upgrading the suspension instead of replacing the RV. I would think a PC's smaller size provides some advantage, but the upgrades should do a very good job on other small RVs like like your Trail Lite.
* This post was
edited 08/27/08 10:12am by ron.dittmer *
markbrumbaugh wrote: The sound system stinks stock and was one of the first replacements I made, but it was good to have the wiring there.
I do agree the sound system isn't very good for playing music. But for watching TV, especially action movies, we find it to be a great investment.
There is something good about being in the middle of nowhere, making a cup of coffee or tea in the evening, pulling out a desert treat topped with a scoop of icecream, and watching a good movie with great sound effects. Just ask my wife.
* This post was
edited 08/27/08 10:15am by ron.dittmer *
Offline
