Factory-Direct Purchase Experience

I read this on the Phoenix Cruiser forum and asked the author if I could share it here of which he was eager to share including his name.

For you who pondered buying a Phoenix Cruiser, you might find this of great interest.

We bought our PC 8 years ago and these kinds of stories keep getting written by others.

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Hi to all.

This is my first post on this forum. I have been lurking around here for the past year gathering information for our next motorhome purchase.
I would like to thank you all for the information that you have supplied. This forum has a wealth of knowledge.

This post is directed to those that are uncertain about the Phoenix Cruiser in general or about buying factory direct.

My wife and I have owned every type of RV that is out there. Last year we sold our Monaco Class A diesel pusher because we wanted to downsize and get something that was more manageable and easier to drive.

Last May we took at trip to the factory. Unfortunately we arrived late in the afternoon as they were trying to close up. Earl was kind enough to give us a quick factory tour, show us several completed units and even let us test drive a 3100.

During the past year I did extensive RV research planning our next purchase. Everything I looked into always brought me back to PC. They seemed to offer the best value for the dollar in the areas that we were interested in.

So, last week we finally got a break in the weather and decided to return to the factory to see if we could finally make some kind of decision. We live in southwest Montana, this is not an easy undertaking this time of year.

We met with Earl who gave us another quick tour of the facility. He then turned us loose to roam freely throughout the factory and look at anything and talk to anyone we wanted to.

To those unfamiliar with the PC factory, they do not have a dedicated showroom. When we were there they had every model but the 2700, all completed and ready to go. That of course will change constantly. All the models are either inside the factory or in the outside lot. You are allowed to roam freely and spend as much time as you like looking at whatever you like. You can also test drive anything you choose.

We wound up spending two and a half days there. During that time we talked with everyone that worked there. All employees freely gave there opinions and openly talked about the product and the company. They are all long term employees who are happy working there and excited about the products they produce. Happy employees produce a better product. The company did not try to hide anything from us, we were allowed free and open access to all production areas. We came away very impressed with the quality of the motorhomes that they produce, and the people they employ.

Anyone who has purchased an RV knows that normally you go to a dealership, settle on a unit that isn't exactly what you want because you have to take what the manufacturer has produced. You might get to make a selection with colors but, that is usually your only choice

PC is a completely different experience. We wound up ordering a 2910D. When you order you have a lot of control over how your motorhome is designed. We had them move a window, change the design of cabinets and doors, design and add a custom cabinet, move a faucet, design custom window valances and change colors and fabrics. All this at no additional charge.

We found that by going factory direct we were able to design a motorhome just the way we wanted for about the same price of a regular mass produced unit.

I apologize for being so long winded but, I think this could be useful information for those who are a little uneasy about a different way to purchase. If you are at all interested I think it will be worth your time to go to the factory and check it out yourself. We are very happy that we did.

Jim & Wendy
Home In Montana

Class C

23 Replies

Mark_in_FL
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
j-d wrote:
^^^ Excellent point on Wheelbase! The problem of excess rear overhang relative to wheelbase seems to happen in the midrange of Class C sizes, but it's probably possible even in smaller ones. Not enough WB can lead do Overloaded Rear Axle, Wander and Sway, Underloaded Front Axle, similar problems. Front Axle should carry at least 1/3 of loaded weight per truck scale. Some express it as 75% of front axle GAWR, which seems to work out about the same most of the time.

The dry weight of my Dynamax 24RB Promaster based Class C was only 90 lb under the right rear wheel GAWR when it left the factory. As soon as I stepped in the door it exceeded NHTSA & manufacturer's safety rating without any cargo, gas, water, propane, passengers. It is unsafe engineering and Forest River is fraudulent and deceptive. They were deceptive when answering my questions about this very subject before I bought it. They would only talk about total vehicle weight, cargo capacity, and GVWR; nothing about GAWR.
burlmart
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
ron.dittmer wrote:
Also to consider is where the fresh water tank is placed. On some rigs like my 2007, it is placed against the rear wall, right over the rear hitch. Other models with the kitchen and bath in back, they often place the fresh tank under the kitchen sink, again over the rear hitch. Then because the tanks lay sideways, the sloshing of water adds to the tail wagging condition. My rig with that condition, I resolved it with a rear trac bar. A few years later, Phoenix moved the fresh water tank forward and rotated it front-to-rear so the sloshing effect was reduced. Along with the improved Ford chassis suspension in 2008, people don't have issues even though there is a significant rear overhang, a 23'-8" long rig on a 158" wheel base E350 chassis.

i think we got lucky since FW (generally full) is under driver side dinette and black is over hitch, but almost always emptied at cg.

so many details to ever think there is a 'sweet spot' for a MH design. i already see that it is better for beds to be away from bath if bath is used as separate 'living area' for early riser.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2015
Also to consider is where the fresh water tank is placed. On some rigs like my 2007, it is placed against the rear wall, right over the rear hitch. Other models with the kitchen and bath in back, they often place the fresh tank under the kitchen sink, again over the rear hitch. Then because the tanks lay sideways, the sloshing of water adds to the tail wagging condition. My rig with that condition, I resolved it with a rear trac bar. A few years later, Phoenix moved the fresh water tank forward and rotated it front-to-rear so the sloshing effect was reduced. Along with the improved Ford chassis suspension in 2008, people don't have issues even though there is a significant rear overhang, a 23'-8" long rig on a 158" wheel base E350 chassis.
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 25, 2015
^^^ Excellent point on Wheelbase! The problem of excess rear overhang relative to wheelbase seems to happen in the midrange of Class C sizes, but it's probably possible even in smaller ones. Not enough WB can lead do Overloaded Rear Axle, Wander and Sway, Underloaded Front Axle, similar problems. Front Axle should carry at least 1/3 of loaded weight per truck scale. Some express it as 75% of front axle GAWR, which seems to work out about the same most of the time.
bobojay5
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
One of my likes with PC is that you can ask for different wheelbases within the 350-450 options.
A lady just recently had what was called a 2100 stretch made from a 450 with the longer wheelbase vs the standard 350 shorter wheelbase. It allowed them to move things around inside somewhat to give her a long open area up front for a bed and dog crates. I believe the coach came out right at 22', or at least real close to the standard 2100 length. It's neat and just beautiful inside...
bobojay5
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
mlts22 wrote:
I hate to be a fly in the ointment, but the biggest issue I've found with factory direct rigs is that no local place will do warranty repairs, and any types of repairs (even if out of pocket) will be put on the end of the line.

You do have a point....
burlmart
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
mlts22

that is a significant point.

i know you've done a LOT of small rig research for solo and occasional 2 person travel. you won't hurt my feelings any way you see it, but could you offer opinions and critiques of the 22' rig i am describing.

i would value hearing your (and anyone else's) insights.
mlts22
Explorer II
Mar 25, 2015
I hate to be a fly in the ointment, but the biggest issue I've found with factory direct rigs is that no local place will do warranty repairs, and any types of repairs (even if out of pocket) will be put on the end of the line.
burlmart
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
the arriva floorplan makes a very spacious van camper, but the extra width of a B+ with nearly vertical sides offers a huge livability upgrade. i still think 22' is enough for this floorplan after seeing this.

as for getting the floorplan and components you want in a custom personalized B+, well, i wish there was someone like sportsmobile for the C rigs.
burlmart
Explorer
Mar 25, 2015
looks like PCers are not quite into the flexible mode, but it seems, at least w/r to a smaller B+ twin bed bath rig, coach house is there.

you can read 'bout it http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2938

i do not expect a minimalist rig from CH, but am going to read the forum posts linked.