Phoenix vs FWC

[Rob in MT]

Anyone have any knowledge of Phoenix campers as compared to FWC? Value, performance, quality, etc.

With their October special the Phoenix is quite a bit less expensive than a similiarly equipped FWC, and the construction sounds to be the same. For larger sizes the savings are even more. When compared to ATC the savings are not as significant. Phoenix has under bed storage and a full sized queen bed. The weights also appear similiar.

For the shell models, the Phoenix campers look to be mnore expensive.

While I don't mind paying extra if it is justified for quality, does the FWC justify this extra expense? It's hard to make these judgements when one can't actually make physical comparisons, but I need to rely on other's opinions and the internet, due to where I live.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

I know it is hard for the customers to tell the differences by only talking to the sales reps or looking on line at the campers.



There are many different types of pop-up campers out there.

All manufacturers going after the same type of concept.

But when you really compare each brand, each one is different in its own way.

The Four Wheel Campers & the Phoenix/Coyote Campers are very different creatures.

I can't tell you what camper will be right for you, but I can tell you there is a reason for the cost differences between all brands out there.

What you might like, is not what the next guy will like.

Its a hard choice when you can't see them in person or you just don't know what you are looking at on how they are built.

Good luck on your camper purchase.

Let us know if we can help with anything.

Happy Camping !


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[rich]

Hey Rob,

I looked at a lot of campers out there when I bought my used FWC including a couple of Pheonix campers and for my 2 cents I was unimpressed with the Pheonix. I'm not into brand bashing here but there is a distinct difference in the quality of an FWC or ATC vs Pheonix. FWC and ATC are both high quality well built campers that will last a lifetime. When I stripped the siding off my 89' FWC fleet that had seen 20 years of hard wheelin before I bought it every single weld on the frame was still factory perfect, quality like that is worth the money. I went with FWC over ATC only because I didn't have the money to go new at the time and ATC was too new of a company to have many cheaper used units on the re-sale market. If I was going new I would be happy with either FWC or ATC and it would come down to the options I wanted and customer service as to which one of them I would choose. Both companies have provided me with invaluable service and advice as I have remodeled my old fleet.

The Pheonix campers I went into were filled will particle board and other low grade components, they were not very old and were falling apart already and in general felt cheaper and less well made than FWC or ATC.

All that being said cost is king and the goal is to get you out on the road camping so if what you can afford is Pheonix then go for it and get outside, that's what's important. However, if you have the cash I would go with FWC or ATC hands down over Pheonix. As for the decision between the two there has been extensive discussion here about that so you can read those threads, talk to the two companies and make an informed decision.

Good luck and post some pictures when you get your rig set up!

Rich

 

[Rob in MT]

Thanks for the replies.

I spoke with Phoenix yesterday, and they said they use no particle board, just plywood for both the floor and cabinets, and aluminum and foam for the walls. I think she said luan siding.

Maybe they used particle board in the past.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Nothing beats the resale value of a FWC.

 

[Steve Scearce]

Rob - My wife and I bought a 1999 Phoenix a little over a year ago and have been very satisfied with it. We had a limited budget and couldn't find any used FWC or ATC campers when we were ready to buy. We would have preferred either, but just couldn't find any in our price range. Ours is a good little camper, and it looks like the new ones are even better.

 

[Darryla]

Rob: Good luck with whatever camper you choose. You will enjoy any of the 3 discussed. Remember, the camper is to go have fun with and it should be affordable.

Just being out there is the goal.

A funny note: A few years ago, we were in Durango. We were camping in a camper shell. It was snowing so much, I broke down and rented a KOA cabin for the night. It was a good trip. We took the train ride and my wife had the owner of the train take our picture. I think he even enjoyed being told what to do by my lovely wife as he could see how much fun she was having on the train and wanted to get the picture just right, "I guess you had to be there ".

Darryl

 

[Steve Scearce]

Rob: Good luck with whatever camper you choose. You will enjoy any of the 3 discussed. Remember, the camper is to go have fun with and it should be affordable.

Just being out there is the goal.

A funny note: A few years ago, we were in Durango. We were camping in a camper shell. It was snowing so much, I broke down and rented a KOA cabin for the night. It was a good trip. We took the train ride and my wife had the owner of the train take our picture. I think he even enjoyed being told what to do by my lovely wife as he could see how much fun she was having on the train and wanted to get the picture just right, "I guess you had to be there ".

Darryl

Darryl - great story! A "small world" note: I spent my "early Wonderbread years" – 1960 to 1967 – in Livermore. Fond memories of that town!

 

[sledskiing]

Compare a Phoenix that is 10 years old and a FWC that is 10 years old. I've done that comparison at least 3-4 times and have never seen a Phoenix that has aged well. That is my personal experience and i understand that one camper may be used very differently than another camper.

However i do like the advancements that Phoenix has made over the last 2 years as well as their flexibility in design customization.