Phoenix cruiser

Thanks for the feedback. We're also considering a PC, probably the 2450. I sent them a request to join the forum yesterday morning, but haven't been 'approved' yet. Until then, I can ask questions here!

"In 2008, the E350 chassis GVWR was increased to 12,500 pounds which stands to this day for the 2014 model year. "

Sorry but that simply is not true. My 2012 Nexus sits on a 2011 E-350 chassis with a GVWR of 11,500#. The 2012 and newer E-350's have been bumped up to 12,500. Even at 11,500 mine comes with 3,368# of payload. Fully loaded for the road we weigh 10,050 leaving me an additional 1,450# available that I will probably never use.

The 450's have more GVWR, I think they come in at 14,500 and a 4:56 rear end vs the 4:10's on the 350. You will get a rougher ride and worse mileage with the 450 but if there is a Toad in your equation the 450 is probably the better choice.

IMHO: Don't sell the 350's short. On C's 24' or less the 350 is the way to go, better of ride quality/handling and mileage yet still come with more than enough payload.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

Somewhere there's a summary of E-series changes by year. I believe you'll find the 350 now has hydroboost and a wider rear track than it used to. Still not a 450 but the gap is narrower than it used to be.

We too are impressed with the Phoenix Cruiser company and we're saving to buy one. You don't always find used ones but we aren't giving up.

We are in preliminary stages of maybe?? going to a Phoenix Cruiser also. I have yet to hear about any glaring quality issues about them, at least in the models from the last 7 years or so. I hear from current owners that the company is easy to work with and is willing to make changes to equipment and floor plan changes within reason of course.
I would also go for the 450 chassis for the reasons mentioned above by dittmer & mlts22. The extra 2k or so cargo capacity never hurts in the "toughness" quotient, along with the hydro boost brakes and the 4.56 gear ratio.

Edit: I recently sent an inquiry to the company via email, and it was answered by the president of the company within an hour

kiwidancer wrote:
Ron, why would you suggest the 450 instead? Can you elaborate? Thanks!

I don't necessarily declare the E450 is the better choice. Rather something to research.

Our 2007 model 2350 is built on the 2007 E350 chassis with a GVWR of 11,500 pounds. In 2008, the E350 chassis GVWR was increased to 12,500 pounds which stands to this day for the 2014 model year. Unfortunately much of the GVWR increase went into the front axle.

Our rig has a slight rear sag when loaded up, something I noticed from the beginning. I always thought it could use a 2" lift to look right.

I am not 100% confident the newer E350 chassis will eliminate the sag. On the other hand, given model 2350 has a 158" wheel base and model 2450 has a 170" wheel base, just maybe enough weight is shifted forward to balance the load better.

Of coarse more payload from an E450 translates into a rougher ride. The flip side as mlts22 mentions, the E450 has a wider stance. Then consider the E450 has a more powerful hydraulic boost braking system. But is "wider & stronger" at the sacrifice to quality of ride beneficial? I don't have a clear cut winner in all this.

Here is our 2007 E350 chassis rig loaded on a trip. If looking close, you can see the slight rear end sag I mentioned. It's not a problem, but it "IS" there.

The E-450 has a wider stance and is heavier duty. I'm also looking at a PC model myself, but with the Quigley 4x4 upfit. It might ride rougher, but it would allow a shorter model a lot more room to go boondocking.

Ron, why would you suggest the 450 instead? Can you elaborate? Thanks!

We bought our Phoenix Cruiser model 2350 brand new (special ordered) back in 2007 and are still very happy with the rig.

If you want to sleep together as a couple on a dedicated permanent bed in a PC less than 27 feet long, model 2350 and the undocumented 2450 are your only two choices today. The 2450 is a 2350 made just over a foot longer to gain either a longer bed or a pantry on the passenger side. The driver side gets a pantry and a couch in the slide-out, or sacrifice the pantry there to get a full size dinette. If you don't get a slide out, you can have the dinette and pantry together.

2350 length is 23'-8"
2450 length is close to 25'

The 2350 is offered on the E350, E450, and Sprinter.
The 2450 is offered only on the E350 and the E450.

If I were to order a 2450, I'd get it without a slide-out and get the dinette with a pantry on both passenger and driver sides. But that is only my personal taste. I'd also consider it on the E450 chassis.

Last week marked our one year anniversary of owning a Phoenix Cruiser. We have owned five other motorhomes over the last thirty years and I have to say we could not be more pleased with the Phoenix Cruiser. We bought ours used (ten months old, custom ordered really tricked out with lots of goodies and 7400 miles on the Ford chassis). So far, we have spent over a month total and have put about 5000 miles on our unit. It is very soundly built with close tolerances, has as close to a leak proof roof and overall design as is possible.

I installed 200 watts of solar on it myself. I had a question, called the factory and two hours later I got a call with the answer....from the president of the company. He seems to enjoy that reputation for quality of service and design and he is the guy that started the company years ago.

Take a look at phoenixcruiser.com and click on the Forum link, join the discussion and ask any questions you have specific to PCs. It is really nice to own something you can endorse without equivication.

Paul