Phoenix Cruiser 2551S
Chassis: Ford E-450
Engine: 6.8-liter
Ford V-10, gas
Wheelbase: 194"
Exterior length: 27'1"
Exterior width: 93"
Exterior height: 10'1"
Freshwater cap: 46 gallons
Black-water cap: 35 gallons
Gray-water cap: 23 gallons
LP-gas: 10 gallons
GVWR: 14,500 pounds
MSRP: $82,990, nicely equipped
Phoenix USA
www.phoenixcruiser.com
Back when the economy was humming along, many RV shoppers were happy to lay down extra cash for large motorhomes that fulfilled every need. Since then, the RV landscape has shifted dramatically. Buyers nowadays are more likely to sacrifice roominess and livability for fuel economy. But comfort lovers can take heart. Some manufacturers have found creative ways to put ample amenities in smaller packages.
Take Phoenix USA. The company’s streamlined B-plus Phoenix Cruiser provides the space and amenities of a class C without the overhead bunk. And unlike class C’s built for families, the Phoenix Cruiser’s floor plan pampers couples who don’t need sleeping accommodations for six.
Built on the Ford E-450 chassis, the 27-foot Phoenix Cruiser 2551S has a single slide-out that houses a 6-cubic-foot Norcold refrigerator and a sofa bed that hides an inflatable air mattress with an electric pump. In the galley, a recessed two-burner stove and solid-surface countertops give chefs a functional workspace. A small table serves as the dining area.
Instead of the customary rear queen bed, the 2551S has twin beds, and the bathroom lies all the way in the back. All Phoenix Cruiser models have a dry-bath area with a separate toilet, sink and shower. Also occupying the space is a large wardrobe and a linen closet; shirt closets can be found at each bed.
Standard features include a waste-disposal system, black- and gray-water flush systems, heated holding tanks, a 30,000-Btu furnace and a six-gallon gas water heater with electronic ignition. Maple cabinetry and day/night shades further enhance the interior.
Options include cherry cabinetry, a 6-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, a 4-kilowatt Onan generator, LCD televisions (26-inch screen up front, 15-inch in the bedroom), a DVD player, leather seating and full-body paint.
For RVers who find class A motorhomes too expensive but aren’t ready to settle for a traditional class B, the Cruiser B-plus is a fitting alternative.