Class C Quality Brands?

darrenlaiche,

pnichols brings up some excellent points. Unfortunately no motor home meets every criteria from every list we all share. There will be compromises to make. Set your own priorities and hopefully you will find a rig close enough to meet your particular requirements.

Ron Dittmer

GREAT "Quality Construction" List pnichols! Thanks!!!

Though PCs offer sleeping for 4, some even more, I feel they are really engineered for two. That is how I feel with nearly every B+ regardless of length. I don't consider conversion beds as real accommodations. A double/queen bed in back along with a huge cab-over bed is the way to go with a family.

I watched the long video by Phoenix Cruiser on You Tube comparing it's many convenience features and construction of their 25-foot PC to an unnamed similar rig. I was impressed with the thought that went into leak-proof more aerodynamic fuselage and ergonomics with slide retracted. The unnamed rig had ridiculously cramped bathroom layout that would not work with normal sized people. I was not impressed with cargo/storage space on this short rig for carrying bulky items, perhaps the longer PC's have more cargo space for kids, etc. stuff. All rigs have compromises. Simulate using the bathroom, cooking, sleeping, bed making, and carrying bulky stuff aboard before you buy.

For what it's worth when shopping ... I wouldn't dwell as much on a "quality brand" as I would on "quality construction" of any particular brand or rig that I was interested in.

For example ... look for such things as:

- Are all drawers on steel slides that have simple and fullproof gravity locks so they won't open when going down the road?

- Are the wheel wells steel lined to help control damage from tire blowouts?

- Is all internal wiring nicely bundled and clamped down (pull out drawers and look in behind them)?

- Can you easily get at the water pump?

- Does it have a winterization system built-in (i.e. plenty of shut-off valves in the water lines and the extra water lines for winterization)?

- Does it have heated tanks?

- Does it have room in the battery compartment for at least two large batteries?

- Are outside storage cabinets steel lined with carpeted floors?

- Is the generator installed in a place and in way such that it's sound is deadened enough to actually be pleasant to run for hours on end and is the generator powered by fuel from the main engine's tank?

- Is the roof one piece?

- Does the one piece roof have rolled-over edges instead of joints along the edges?

- Does it have a strongly built and strongly mounted roof access ladder?

- Does it come with built-in curtains to block off the cab area?

- Is all outside plumbing mounted up high so that none of it is visible when looking horizontally across the under-carriage of the rig?

- Is the generator mounted up high so that none of it is visible when looking horizontally across the under-carriage of the rig?

- Is the fresh water system capacity (including the waterheater) at least 45 gallons?

- Is the gray tank capacity at least 25 gallons?

- Is the black tank capacity at least 35 gallons?

- Is the propane tank filled capacity at least 15 gallons?

- Is there an outside cabinet capable of carrying long items such as shovels, beach umbrellas, fishing poles, etc.?

- Can you fully stand up in the shower?

- Are there roof vents in both the back and front areas of the coach - with one of them having a powered and reversible fan - so that you can maintain good ventilation throughout the coach's interior?

- Do the roof vents come with vent covers so that you can have them open in the pouring rain (even in wet weather you need ventilation inside ... without having to open a side window)?

- Is the floor only partially carpeted or not carpeted at all (it's difficult to get road grime out of carpets)?

- Can the batteries be checked without leaving the coach (in case of electrical problems in bad weather)?

- Is it easy to get at the back of the toilet to replace the toilet valve should it fail when on a trip?

- Is at least one interior 12V receptacle heavy duty so voltage drop is not too bad when using a heavy-draw 12V item?

- Does the coach's interior have "plenty" of 12V and 120V outlets ... everywhere?

- Is the dash radio piped throughout the coach's interior?

- Does the freshwater system have a built-in filter?

- Does it come with a spare tire ... and is the spare easy to get at?

- Does the awning come with a secondary safety lock so that it can never ever unfurl in high cross-winds on the open road?

- Is it's cruising range at least 450 miles (gas stops too often are a nuisance)?

- Does the built-in battery charger/converter have 3-stages for proper battery care?

- Is there a vented fan above the cooktop just for the cooktop so that you don't have to use a roof vent when cooking?

- Is the outside step automatic (a manual step is a REAL PAIN)?

- Does the outside step retract well up out of the way instead of hanging down where it can get hung up?

- Is there a battery boost switch on the dash?

- Is there enough of the vehicle's weight on the front tires (otherwise on-road handling will be poor)?

- Are all construction diagrams, systems' diagrams, and parts lists available online for the rig you're interested in?

- Where is the automatic battery charging solenoid (which engages when the engine is running) and how hard is it to get at for replacement?

- Can the driver's and passenger's seats be tilted nicely back for comfort when going down the road?

- Are the outside shore cable and sewer drain hose stored in there own exterior enclosed cabinet(s) that keep them up high out of the way and the weather?

Thanks to everyone for the Great info. Snowman and Ron you both "killed it"! We will use all of the knowledge you shared. Probably sooner rather than later due to a large tax deduction needed this year for our business. Thanks again to all.

TheLuvShack wrote:
Thanks Ron,
Your original post of this topic helped me narrow my selection. I chose a PC when I found a good used example at a very fair price. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

You are welcome.

But please understand that there are other good brands out there that I would think compares to Phoenix Cruiser. I love the quality of ours for the price we paid brand new in 2007 but I would be surprised if it stands alone. A visit to one of the mega-size national RV shows would be very interesting for me to attend.

One special consideration when buying a new Phoenix Cruiser is the personalized service they offer selling factory direct. Then there is company willingness to deviate as their various floor plans allow. People have requested some interesting deviations of which the factory found some so good that they introduce them into later model years, or even as new models such as the 2351 and 2552 which were birthed that way.

Even if you bought a used PC, the factory is so very good about helping you through any issues you encounter. I recall someone bought an 8 year old PC with some kind of physical damage in back that was doctored up to be unnoticed but had serious structural issues. They drove it to the factory and Phoenix made it good as new without a hefty price to do it. They help old customers like me and second & third customers just the same. It's like you become a family member or something. That is unique in the motor home industry.

Thanks Ron,
Your original post of this topic helped me narrow my selection. I chose a PC when I found a good used example at a very fair price. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

We've been pleased with our ten year old Coach House, cost about half the price of a new model. They are one-piece fiberglass and the factory is a good source for used models, several good deals on Craigs List also. Nice thing about the Coach House is that our ten year old looks nearly the same as a much newer model, so they don't become obsolete like some lesser brands.

Ms"B"Haven wrote:
This is one of the best posts I have ever read. Thank you.

You are welcome.
:)