My new Phoenix pop up camper

[DanoT]

This camper was built in Colorado to my specs for use in the Canadian winter. With 2" of insulation throughout and a 20k btu furnace I have already used it at ski area parking lots in Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia and been comfortable at -18 C (0 F).

More pics to follow.

 

[SunMan]

Sweet! Congrats.

 

[DanoT]

This camper was built in Colorado to my specs for use in the Canadian winter. With 2" of insulation throughout and a 20k btu furnace I have already used it at ski area parking lots in Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia and been comfortable at -18 C (0 F).

More pics to follow.


Robby Rowe, builder and owner of Coyote RV is shown working on my truck's plug in. Also shown are recently completed campers at the factory.

One of the really nice features of Phoenix campers is that instead of turnbuckle tie downs they use a ratcheting strap, like truck drivers use to secure loads, to tie down the camper. This system offers some flexing thru the strap and allows retightening from outside the camper without accessing the little sliding panel from inside.

 

[Dughlas Stiubhart]

This camper was built in Colorado to my specs for use in the Canadian winter. With 2" of insulation throughout and a 20k btu furnace I have already used it at ski area parking lots in Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia and been comfortable at -18 C (0 F).



Does the tent section--the pop-up section--also have 2" inches of insulation or only the hard-sided part?

 

[rotti]

Vey nice. I see these guys are right here in the hood - I will have to go up and check them out.

How do they compare price wise and weight wise with the FWC?

 

[DanoT]

Vey nice. I see these guys are right here in the hood - I will have to go up and check them out.

How do they compare price wise and weight wise with the FWC?


I think the base price is $14,500 and mine was more due to all the custom extras which also make it heavier. The thicker overhang which has under the bed storage also adds weight but since Coyote RV build custom, you can also get thinner lighter weight overhang.

The soft wall pop up is two layers of a thinsulate knock off sandwiched between two layers of fabric, so it is four layers in all.

 

[Vic]

Nice camper and nice 1st gen Dodge diesel as well. I've been following Pheonix/ Coyote and they seem to have some really inovative things on the market including a pop-up camper for a Wrangler. Hope you have a great time with the new rig.

-Vic

 

[Dughlas Stiubhart]

The soft wall pop up is two layers of a thinsulate knock off sandwiched between two layers of fabric, so it is four layers in all.


Thanks for the info DanoT. The insulation sandwich in the side liner sounds like a good idea.

Do you have any interior photos? Just curious.

 

[Ted]

Congrats on the new camper, DanoT. I'm curious about the awning over the rear door. Does it go up with the roof when it is raised or stay at the height seen in the photo? It looks like the arm might get in the way of the door when deployed. Do you have any photos with the awning out?

 

[DanoT]

The awning does not go up with the roof and the top of the door contacts the awning when the door is opened. The main reason for the awning is to minimize water getting into the camper when entering/exiting during a heavy down pour. it should work ok for this.

 

[DanoT]

Some interior pics with the roof down. A duct from the furnace is aimed at a vent in the grey water tank and drain to the outside area. An on/off valve in the grey water drain line, when closed, prevents water from getting near the outside wall, thus preventing drain line from freezing. There is also a duct from the furnace into the shower stall (not shown as it is covered by shower curtain when the roof is down).

The fourth pic is my shower as there is no shower plumbing to freeze up, I use a Hot Jugz and it takes about 2 gal. of hot water (heated on the stove) to shower. The pic also shows a small yellow plunger and a green squeegie to help get the water into the drain especially when not perfectly level.

 

[Ted]

Thanks for the photos and info on the awning.
p.s. - your new camper needs a bath

 

[AceRyder]

Dano,

Could you post pictures and/or describe yourself getting into/out of the door to the camper?

It looks so short - do you have to crawl to get in? Duck walk? Is it high enough to just stoop through?

Thanks!

 

[DanoT]

Dano,

Could you post pictures and/or describe yourself getting into/out of the door to the camper?

It looks so short - do you have to crawl to get in? Duck walk? Is it high enough to just stoop through?

Thanks!


Just about all pop up roof campers have a short entry door requiring a "head duck" to enter/exit My door is 50" high and campers with a thinner cab overhang usually have about a 44" entry door.

 

[mikeyc]

Hey Dano - Do you still own the Phoenix? Any long term thoughts?

 

[DanoT]

Hey Dano - Do you still own the Phoenix? Any long term thoughts?

Yes, I still own the Phoenix camper and it will be 11 years old in Jan 2021. It has held up reasonably well considering harsh winter use and not the best materials, fit, or finish.

As expected I have had to do some resealing but the original factory sealant/adhesive was probably the cheapest available.

My biggest complaint would have to be the front anchor points for the roof lifting mechanism (it lifts on the opposite axis to FWC) were both not attached to a wall stud but just affixed to the interior paneling. Both broke loose. I cut a 6"x6" 1/4" plywood plate and screwed it onto the wall panel and then reattached the lifting brackets. One has held but one broke loose. So I then drilled a hole all the way thru the wall and affixed the loose bracket in place with 3" bolts and sealant.

The exterior composite outer wall siding has held up really well as has the aluminum skinned roof. It has survived a hail storm with dents but no holes or leaks.

Overall the Phoenix camper has proven to be winter capable and it is getting use this Covid ski season as a heated boot change, lunch, and wash room, as ski resort lodge boot change areas are closed.