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[ron.dittmer]

Hi Carol,

I quickly breezed through all the comments and am not sure what exactly are you ordering.  I know it is the brand new 2450 (extended 2350), but unsure of the following.
Are you ordering a slide out or not?
Are you ordering a dinette or couch?
Are you ordering the pantry to the right of the stove, or getting the optional extended bed?

I think you get a pantry to the right of the fridge with either a couch or dinette when not having a slide out, but only with a couch when getting a slide out.

If you are not getting a slide out as was our decision, I will have numerous inputs to assure you maximize outdoor storage and galley base cabinet storage.  Getting the slide out relocates things that affect those to areas.

[TomHanlon]

Berry a buffalo is worst than two bears. More people get hurt by buffalos then bears.

[2 Frazzled]

Someday Barry WILL install a different faucet for me!!!!

Sue, when they replaced the counter they accidentally swapped the hot and cold water lines on the kitchen faucet. Those lines are attached before the counter is set in. They are extremely difficult to get to once the counter is attached. We watched poor Bobby try to stuff himself under that sink and fold his arms into unnatural angles to reach the attachments. If John ever attempted such a thing I'd have to be far away or there would be no peace between us. I know Barry is way better at such things but it would still be a tough task.

[ron.dittmer]

I had to dismount then re-mount our kitchen faucet when I accidentally damaged one of the high pressure lines with a saw when rebuilding our base cabinet drawers from 5 to 3.  It was torture.  I told Irene that if she ever wanted a different kitchen faucet, this would be her one and only opportunity to change it.  She liked the original white single handle, so it's back in.

Unlike the bathroom faucet, I was not able to disconnect the plumbing at the kitchen faucet.  Those three hand-tighten features per line, had interferences to other things.   I had to cut the two lines and reconnect using standard house-hold stainless steel braided flexible lines with mating fittings to the white plumbing lines down lower where I could work with them.   It worked out in the end, but it was a lot more work than I thought would be.  I suppose now that it's been converted to flex lines, replacing the faucet will be much easier.

[Bruce and Sharon]

Carol,
We think you should reconsider deleting the cutting board.  We use ours a lot as a counter extension and workspace.
Bruce and Sharon

[ron.dittmer]

...getting no slide
...believe in keeping things simple
...getting dinette/convertible to sleeper
...getting the slide out pantry between the stove and the bed

Since it has no slide, that means there is some extra room on the dinette side, since the 2450 that PC has on the website has a slide dinette and if you take out those slide walls, there will be some extra space.  I'm hoping they will build me a broom closet between the dinette and the frig--similar to the slide out pantry but no slide out--where I can store long items like a broom, sweeper, maybe a guitar.

Oh, and double wide drawers with no cutting board in the galley

Carol,

You and I are on the same page.  I love your thinking.

I think you are right about gaining space on the driver side.  You may get a second pantry-like cabinet or maybe you could opt for a much bigger main closet from your no-side dinette configuration.  Since you will be full timing, I wonder if a bigger closet would be more useful.  You already gain nice size over-the-dinette cabinets, which is a lot more than others get with a slide-out.  If you don't plan to hang much in the closet, you could ask for cubbies in the extra closet space for folded clothes or other supplies.  I bet you would gain more storage that way compared to a separate pantry-like cabinet.

Since you are not getting a slide-out, make sure your furnace will be mounted under the main closet or fridge like mine.  This will open up the storage area under the bed for improved out-door storage.  Make sure Earl understands that it is important to you to have that extra out-door storage.  Outdoor storage always trumps indoor storage because everyone runs short with outdoor storage.

Also, moving the furnace to the other side is "CRITICAL" for the 3 wide-drawer galley system that I made.  When the furnace is under the bed, the heat duct takes up the one drawer position, making it impossible to duplicate what I had done.  Make sure they also add the button latching system I have to keep the drawers closed, for anything less than a solid latch will have your drawers opening while driving.  Pay the extra money for it.  You won't be sorry.  Maybe they can offer a lower-cost alternative latching method compared to what I did, without sacrificing the security.

Be sure to get your dinette with the leather surface memory foam cushions for they will be much more comfortable than the standard cloth covered regular foam.  We had the regular cloth and after some years, switched to the leather with memory foam and it is a huge improvement.  They don't compare.

You mentioned getting the closet instead of the Euro chair.  I don't dispute having an extra closet will be very useful.  But having a 3rd seat instead will quickly become a favorite sitting place for lap time with a small dog, reading, playing guitar, and watching TV.  I think our 3rd captain seat will make for a better choice over the now-standard Euro chair, only because of your no-slide-out situation.  I do wonder that it would not be possible to recline properly with a Euro chair in the restricted space.  With our 3rd captain seat, the front dinette bench is a great ottoman when adjusting the captain seat close to it.  Both my wife and myself love the 3rd captain seat.  We started out with a standard-at-the-time barrel chair there which never got used.  Ask the factory about a 3rd captain seat that is identical to the two front seats.

If you think rotating the front passenger seat will provide the same comfort.....it doesn't compare.  It is close to the passenger door, low to the house floor, and you cannot watch TV from it.  It's much better than nothing and very nice to have when accommodating guests, but I feel the 3rd captain seat is much more comfortable, and always ready to use.  Watching TV when sitting at the dinette works, but you can't kick back.  I think you might miss having a favorite seat.

I understand the thermal windows have not been 100% thermal since the factory changed the window style in recent years.  Those that open, all fixed glass remains single pane because of the outdoor flush-mount styling.  The single pane areas represents the majority of the glass.  Ask about that option, and what exactly can you expect from it.  If you are disappointed, I would consider getting only one thermal pane window, the one in the back wall.  This to eliminate radiated down-draft over your head when you are sleeping in cold weather.  One thermal window would be much cheaper, and maybe is all you really need if the rest of the rig is thermally mixed up anyway.

I think PC-USA will not charge more for most unique requests.  There will be cost associated with the 3 galley drawer system, and a back wall thermal window.  The others may cost you nothing or miniscule.

That's all I have for now.

[TomHanlon]

Slide outs are where Ron and I disagree. Ron likes no slide because he thinks they are a problem and you get more cabinet room for pots and pans over the dinette. I like slide outs because you get more floor space to move around in and you can move the third chair where you want it. More pots and pans or more room for me. I guess I will go with me.  The early slide out back about 15 years ago had problems but todays don't seem to have any problems.

Ask Earl what percentage of the motorhomes come off the line without a slide? How many of those come back for trade in within the first year or so? Talking about trade in, what does not having the slide out do to your resale/trade in value? It sounds like you are taking on a new adventure and might want to change your mind on what you want or need. I would strongly rethink about the side out.
 
Maybe we need a poll on here about who has or does not have a slide out?

[Carol]

Yup, I immersed myself in the slide-no-slide debate, both on this forum and elsewhere.  I also went to several RV shows where I could actually get the feel of it both ways.  It is a big decision and, since this is all so very new and I don't even know what my travel/camping habits will be til I really get out there, it makes the choice a little harder.  I do know that my budget will dictate that I experience the adventure of stealth camping at least some of the time, easier without a slide.

When I walked around slide units (like you say, the vast majority) the extra floor space just seemed sort of wasted to me simply because it will just be me and my doggie.  I was thrilled when the 2450 came out just in time, though, as that extra foot in length (more storage!) and extra wheelbase is very attractive. 

I do know that trade-in or resale value might be lower with a no-slide because of it's lack of popularity, but I'm trying to put together something that I will stay in for the very long-term (heaven and good fortune willing).  At one point, I even considered a diesel because of their longevity, so that if I died in there my son would inherit something nicer than a tin can with bones rattling around inside .  But upon closer look, the Ford engine looks to be quite reliable, easier and less expensive to work on, and the initial cost outlay in a diesel could go to that awesome list of options.  It will be such a nice tin can!

I sure do appreciate you all playing devil's advocate and making me think hard before PC's hammer and nails and saws start working their irretrievable magic!

Have a great day, wherever you are, and whatever your view--
Carol