9 replies to this topic

[super doody]

First, I would like to say I'm quite happy with my Eagle FWC. If I had to get another pop, there is no doubt in my mind i would choose a FWC or AT due to my proximity to  the factory , build quality and great customer service.

 

In general all 3 campers have very similar foundations (al frame with plywood base, insulated, etc)

 

However, there are some design features on Phoenix  I like: 

 

1. Under cabover storage 

2. Front end hood-scope for aerodynamics and looks 

3. Hinged lifts on the sides ( west, east) rather than front and end (north, south). This seems like you can pop up easier but not sure about long term durability 

 

 

 

I'm interested in your opinions on this topic.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

[rotti]

The fit and finish on the Phoenix was a deal breaker for me.

[imix]

I am not speaking from first hand knowledge, but I think Phoenix build quality has improved in the last couple years. Mr Rowe is not working by himself anymore, he actually has a small team, and I have heard some good reports from satisfied recent customers.

 

My issue with Phoenix: Price. A "Pulse" shell model for a Tacoma starts at ~16K. That is what a fully and I mean fully equipped FWC or ATC costs. By comparison 7K gets you into an ATC shell, probably 8.5K for a FWC....but, he does build custom as opposed to assembly line a la FWC, so I would imagine his cost per unit is just plain higher.

 

I like that he will do custom builds, I like that he has fully enclosed campers, I think some of his ideas like the jeep campers and Geo-den border on brilliance. I am glad there is another option for pop ups out there, and if I lived in Colorado I'd consider Phoenix, even with the higher price.

 

Finally, you can build yourself under the cabover storage as is in the Phoenix and Hallmarks with some 1X4's, a couple gas struts and some 1/2 inch ply, if you really think you need it.

[super doody]

 

Finally, you can build yourself under the cabover storage as is in the Phoenix and Hallmarks with some 1X4's, a couple gas struts and some 1/2 inch ply, if you really think you need it.

 

Apparently you have seen my carpentry skills 

[Tony]

I had a fully equipped Phoenix on a 2003 Nissan Frontier for almost seven years.  The first year, I made the commitment to get out every weekend for the full year.  I also made three two week trips in the same year.  Over the next six years, I spent many, many nights in that camper before selling it and moving into a larger FWC Grandby.  The Phoenix was a solid and dependable solution and well worth the money.  The Frontier was just not up to the task of hauling the weight over rough back roads and was kind of scary on freeways and passing through cities so I upgraded. 

 

The hinged lifts for raising the camper worked just fine but I did spend a night in a windstorm trying to keep the roof from collapsing because there was no lock mechanism!  Other than that, I really didn't have any problems with my Phoenix. 

 

The truth is, I haven't been able to get out very often in the Grandby, yet have had  more maintenance issues to deal with in the FWC over the last couple years than I did in the Phoenix over seven years. 

 

I wouldn't have a problem recommending the Phoenix as it was a great camper.

[ntsqd]

Ours is an older Phoenix. I don't know about initial build quality as we're at leas tthe third owner.  We've had some issues, but as the best guess is that ours is now around 13 years old I'd expect it to have some issues if it was ever used - which it has been. With the opposing springs I never felt like I needed a lock or latch for the roof supports, but perhaps I'll noodle on that as a just in case.

I could do w/o the up-swept underside to the cab-over portion. It's not all that beneficial as an "Aero" feature and I suspect that it may actually be detrimental. Some of the detail build techniques used are sketchy IMO, but I don't know that they're still in use so I won't mention them unless asked specifically about a used unit in our age range. The propane tank retainer is, um..... novel. Seems to work and I've yet to conjure up something better that is as easy to use.

[DanoT]

I really like the under bed storage in my Phoenix as it results in a higher solid side wall and thus slightly less fabric wall. This also means that the rear door is 50" tall instead of the 44" height that you get with a lower profile non under the bed storage design.

 

The side to side pop up mechanism works great for getting snow off the roof prior to lowering the roof. Normally you want to lower the roof in an even manner so the roof remains horizontal as it is being lowered. But if there is snow on the roof then what you do is lower one side completely and then brush the snow off with a snow rake and it comes off real easy with the roof at such a steep angle. Once the snow is off the roof, you raise the roof up so it is level and then lower in the normal horizontal manner. This type of manouver is not as easily done with a front to back raise/lower roof mechanism as the angle created with the front of the roof "up" and the back "down" is not as steep as the side to side mechanism.

 

I can drive my truck up to 60mph with the roof in the up position. I don't know if you can do that with a FWC or ATC.

[K6ON]

I have a friend, yeah, that's it, a friend, while in Canada a couple years back, drive about 100 miles at freeway speeds with the roof up on a FWC with no damage, so I guess it can be done.

[JHa6av8r]

I have a friend, yeah, that's it, a friend, while in Canada a couple years back, drive about 100 miles at freeway speeds with the roof up on a FWC with no damage, so I guess it can be done.

I'm sure "your friend" was just doing wind speed testing.  Better to know what the camper can withstand then find out in a real windstorm. 

[takesiteasy]

I have a friend, yeah, that's it, a friend, while in Canada a couple years back, drive about 100 miles at freeway speeds with the roof up on a FWC with no damage, so I guess it can be done.

 

Funny, I have a"friend" who almost did that too. Left camp and forgot to hook the roof latches. Luckily he stopped at a scenic viewpoint a few miles down the highway and discovered the roof halfway up (only the back popped up).