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Phoenix Coach Works: Rebirth and Renewal

Upon reading our blog, discovering our services and contacting our office for consultation you may find yourself wondering how we came to be known as Phoenix Coach Works.

Our name is a tribute to Phoenixville Pennsylvania, an old steel-mill town 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia where we began our company 28 years ago.  Though we have since moved to our current location in Pottstown, Pa, the name Phoenix Coach Works still  conveys relevance to the type of services we provide.

A Phoenix is a mythological bird with vibrant plumage and a tail of gold.  Every 500 years the Phoenix builds a nest where it wildly bursts into flames and crumbles to ash.  From these ashes a new Phoenix will emerge to soar the heavens for another 500 years.  Due to its perpetual life-cycle, the Phoenix has come to represent immortality, rebirth and renewal.

That is precisely what Phoenix Coach Works provides for our customers.  We build our custom trailers using the highest quality standards and perform a variety of other services that will renew your vessel.  Our sole purpose in business is to ensure that the trailers we build and service remain on the road for years to come.

Tow-vehicles can really take a beating while on the road so if you currently own a 4-horse trailer, 2-horse van, utility trailer or toy hauler that is need of repair or restoration, let Phoenix Coach Works immortalize your rig.  And while your unit is being pampered by our experienced staff, make it a true Phoenix with a custom design.

Just storm your brain and create a wish-list for your trailer.  Anything you’ve ever dreamt would make towing and traveling easier, just let us know and we can help resolve your concerns.  If safety is your top priority, you’ve come to the right place.  Our staff has over 60 combined years of experience in the industry and if there’s something to raise a brow about, we’ve probably seen it before.

Regardless of your needs, Phoenix Coach Works has the ability to satisfy them.  We have been going strong now for 28 years and look forward to 28 more.  Even in the face of a depressed economy we will thrive and continue to provide the highest standard of quality service available in the industry.

So if you’re looking to purchase a new 2-horse van, toy hauler or enclosed trailer or simply need repair work to bring your existing trailer back into operating condition, please contact Phoenix Coach Works and schedule a consultation.

We do what we do so you can do what you love.

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Traveling With Pets

Ever get the urge to add some excitement to your trip by bringing along a furry friend? No, we’re not talking about toting horses this time, nor are we discussing a road trip with your old college pal. But sometimes when you’re on the road for long stretches of time, you like to bring a pet along for extra fun and company. Especially when you’re at a rest stop and see others parking their rigs and then stretching their legs while they play with their four-legged cab companions.

Of course, there are certain factors that need to be taken into consideration when you’re deciding whether or not to bring your cat, dog, ferret or bird along in your toy hauler, truck, van or RV.

1. Safety. Check your vehicle with an eye toward your animal’s safety. Depending on the size of the animal you may want to keep your furry friend in an area of your rv or trailer during the trip. The best way to learn the ropes is to take a short test drive before the long haul. And since your animal’s encountering new environments and new people, you should be sure that it’s up to date on all of its vaccines and shots. It’s also vital that you’re aware of pet stores and animal hospitals between your point of origin and destination—just in case.

2. Comfort. While it’s all right to let your pet roam if you’ve taken the correct safety precautions, you’ll want to be sure that he or she has a designated area, such as a crate. Make sure he or she has plenty of room to lie down, stretch out and sit up. You don’t only have to take into account your pet’s comfort, but your own as well. Fido might love to sit in your lap or Kitty might like to nap by your feet, but those aren’t the best options. And even the best-trained pets sometimes exhibit atypical behavior on the road; for example, your pet may be getting car sick or using the restroom in your vehicle, and you’ll want to think about any mess or smells that might make a long drive a lot more unpleasant. You also don’t want an animal that’s going to make excessive noise that can distract you while driving.

3. Convenience. Having a pet with you may limit which hotels, parking areas and camp sites you visit (with your Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler rv, enclosed trailer, or horse van). So before you take off, you’ll want to double-check any pet restrictions along your route. You also want to take into account the extra time and mileage for stops you might need to make to take your pets for walks to stretch and get fresh air.

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Insuring Your Toy Hauler

Having a toy hauler allows you to travel with your family and enjoy the great outdoors while taking the comforts of home with you.  No matter where you plan to travel, even the best thought out travel plans can sometimes go astray. When they do you will be glad that you thought ahead and got a well rounded RV insurance policy for your toy hauler camper.

Here are some of the things you should consider when deciding upon your toy hauler RV insurance:

  • Don’t assume the contents of your toy hauler or bike RV are covered just because you have an RV insurance policy. Most policy’s limit what they will cover inside your toy hauler.
  • If you are carrying expensive toys inside your toy hauler, make sure your policy includes theft coverage. Many toys are highly sought after by thieves.
  • Standard insurance policies often offer a limited amount of coverage for roadside assistance and towing and the cost of towing an RV may be as much as 3 times the cost of towing a car.
  • You can get RV insurance under a standard auto policy or get specialty RV insurance. Specialty RV insurance is more likely to take into account some of the aforementioned items. In the case that something happens you will be more likely to get a claims adjuster who focuses solely on RV insurance cases.
  • Specialty RV insurance policies often offer coverage for Vacation Liability which pays up to the limit of liability for injuries the RV owner is legally responsible as a result of an accident occurring during the time an RV is used as a temporary vacation residence.

If you are in the market for a new toy hauler, check out our custom toy hauler options. You can also see pictures of our toy haulers by clicking on the gallery tab at the top of the page.

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Throw Out Your Camper Covers & Regain Your Freedom

One of the major problems with many toy hauler rv’s is that, after a few years of exposure to the wear and tear of the elements, they begin to leak. To extend the life of their campers, some toy hauler manufacturers recommend customers buy a cover to protect their trailers from the rain and snow. At Phoenix Coach Works, our custom bike rv’s are constructed from quality materials that are designed to withstand the elements so that they do not leak and no covers are needed.

So what sets Phoenix Coach Works toy haulers apart from the rest? Instead of using rubber or seamed roofs that break down over time, we use one solid piece of aluminum that can withstand the roughest of conditions. This same type of construction is used in large commercial freight trailers that are designed to be used day in and day out in all types of weather, so you can trust that your Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler will last.

Many manufacturers sell toy haulers that are incorporate all of the interior design bells and whistles one can desire, while skimping on the quality of the exterior that will protect their luxurious interior. For this reason, leaks are the ultimate death of most campers.

“I have a large camper trailer in here now that has several large leaks and the floor under the linoleum is rotted. They have opted for us to fix the leak but not the floor because it would entail removal of the entire interior at a great price” – says Joe Skupski, owner of Phoenix Coach Works and 25 year industry veteran.

Don’t be a victim of toy hauler camper leaks or be tied down to campers that need covers, start with the quality construction provided by Phoenix Coach Works.

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Get Educated About Toy Hauler Tire Blowouts

After 25 years in the horse trailer and toy hauler business, we have heard it all…..but one of the most common issues our customers have experienced with other toy hauler RV brands is continuous tire blowouts. The reason for this is simple; many toy haulers are built with axles and tires that are far under-rated for the weight of the trailer itself.

“We have repaired many frames and what some of these guys use as frame material, we use to build out our window frames, not carry the weight of the trailer”, says Joe Skupski, owner of Phoenix Coach Works. When building trailers that are used “as a trailer” to haul goods – be it freight, horses, or Harleys – the frame and running gear are of prime importance.

When purchasing a toy hauler camper do the following calculations:

1. Find out the axle capacity of the toy haulers you are interested in purchasing

(For example at Phoenix Coach Works, our GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating is 7000 lb using 2-3500 lb axles in our 16’ to 20′ models with increased axle and tire capacities in larger units)

2. Determine the weight of the cargo you will be hauling

(Two full size Harleys would be 1600 lbs plus around 200 lbs of gear for a total of 1800 lbs)

3. Ensure that the weight of the trailer and cargo is at least 500 lbs under the axle capacity to be safe

It pays to be an educated consumer – many toy haulers are built with axles and tires that are far under-rated for the weight of the trailer itself, making them highly susceptible to tire blowouts which are not only expensive but dangerous. Most travel trailer builders simply design campers with very fancy interiors to give it a “homey” look with the cheapest materials they can. The undercarriage or axles and tires are just a means of rolling their homes around as cheaply as possible.

At Phoenix Coach Works we design our toy haulers for work functionality, and then install living quarters in them. If you are in the market for a new toy hauler, we invite you to check out our toy haulers here. And if you already have a toy hauler and want to get the latest tips of the trade from an industry insider, we invite you to bookmark us and check our blog often or become our Facebook Fan and get our blogs delivered weekly to your wall.

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Phoenix Coach Works to Attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The 2010 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the 70th anniversary, making the world’s largest motorcycle rally an even bigger celebration than recent years. If you are planning to attend, Phoenix Coach Works invites you to stop by, meet us, and see our bike rv. We will be bringing our smallest size toy hauler camper – the answer to attending motorcycle rallies.

Built first as a cargo trailer, our bike rv packs a punch and can ride hard, enduring the everyday use often imposed on toy haulers by bike and Harley owners. Then we install the amenities needed after a long day of riding such as a spring assist fold down ramp, kitchen and full size shower. Small and efficient, the Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler is able to navigate crowded areas at bike rallies – areas that the larger toy hauler rv’s cannot.

At the show, Harley Davidson will be on hand demonstrating their newest models and allowing you to demo virtually every kind of bike that is available. Whether you are buying a new Harley at the show or already have one, you may want to take this opportunity to also test out toy haulers first hand as well. Try using the ramps to load your bike inside, and test out the amenities (in between attending concerts and trying out the local watering holes, that is). We think you will find our toy hauler campers to be best suited to your needs. We look forward to seeing you in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota to get your feedback.

See you in Sturgis!

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Reporting Back From Daytona Bike Week

Phoenix Coach Works recently attended Daytona Bike Week where we met with rave reviews. We would like to thank the hundreds of attendees who visited us at “The World’s Largest Motorcycle Event” to check out the 816 model of our toy hauler.

After viewing other toy haulers at the event, we heard from many that they were in awe of the compact size of our 816 model which “is all you need”. While our 816 toy hauler is our smallest model, it packs a punch, offering all of the amenities needed to provide a home away from home experience including a a real “home” sized shower not found in many other toy hauler rv’s.

At the event the inclement weather prevented many from fully enjoying bike week, especially for those who were in larger RV’s and stayed in to avoid the cold rain. These attendees quickly found out that driving your large RV around isn’t the easiest way to enjoy bike week (and we suggest these attendees take a look at our compact toy haulers)!

All in all, the event was a success and we were happy to have the opportunity to meet so many of you and showcase our custom built toy haulers. If you are looking for a trailer that you can easily tow, that has everything you need, and still have a set of wheels to use when inclement weather strikes click here to learn more. You don’t have to feel like you are towing your house behind you in order to have all of the amenities of home. The small and efficient the Phoenix 816 toy hauler camper might be just what you are looking for!

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RV Repairs You Can Trust

For over twenty years now Phoenix Coach Works has been providing RV service and repair to our loyal customer base. In fact, many of the customers that purchase our custom built horse vans/trailers, and toy hauler RV’s have come to us for years of RV trailer repair. No matter what brand or model of RV you have, we can service it!

Here is a sampling of some of the many RV services we provide:

• RV Painting Services – Whether you are looking for a custom RV paint job, or RV striping, our RV painting always meets with rave reviews.

• RV Collision Repair – At Phoenix Coach Works we provide Collision Repair on Trucks, Vans, and Trailers.

• RV and Trailer Fabrication – We can add a new roll out ramp, a fold down ramp, toolboxes, interior walls, and much more!

• RV Custom Installations – You name it, we can install it on your trailer or RV: A/C units, Cameras, Windows, Doors, Generators, Pressurized or Gravity Fed Water Tanks, and Much More

Bottom Line: If you are in need of any type of RV Service or RV Repair, we can take care of your needs. Consider Phoenix Coach Works your one stop RV/trailer shop.

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All Weather Toy Haulers

Phoenix Coach Works builds our new toy haulers from an all-steel frame trailer with aluminum exterior. Your toy hauler camper will feature a seamless roof and come fully insulated. One of the defining characteristics of the Phoenix Coach Works toy hauler is that they are built with no wood in the construction of the frame (unlike many of the other toy haulers for sale today).

At Phoenix Coach Works we pride ourselves in the quality of our trailers and Rv’s. After 25 years of building units for private and commercial haulers, we have learned the best practices of toy hauler construction. And our findings clearly demonstrate that wood construction in a trailer frame is not suited to the majority of weather you will find in the United States.

Our premier toy hauler construction from steel and aluminum creates a longer lasting toy hauler RV which will not rot and crack due to the elements such as snow and rain, unlike wood. Not to mention, our construction results in an overall lighter toy hauler, saving you money on the ever increasing cost of gasoline.

For the ultimate in custom toy hauler construction, contact us today.

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Toy Haulers for Outdoor Thrill Seekers

If you are an outdoor thrill enthusiast who lives to travel and wants to take your toys with you, the Phoenix Coach Works new toy hauler rv is for you. We offer a variety of sizes from 8’x16’ to 8.5’ by 28’ (click here to see details of toy hauler camper sizes along with prices).

Here are some of the toys you can take in our custom toy haulers:

• 4 Wheelers –In a 8.5 X 16 trailers one atv can go in straight, or you can turn the first to carry 2.

• Motorcycles – If you intend to carry only bikes the 8’ x 16’ will comfortably haul 2 Harleys. An 8’ by 20’ will carry 3 Harleys or if you are looking to carry 4 big Harleys you will need an 8’ x 24’ trailer.

• Cars – The 8.5’ wide toy hauler rv are the best choice to carry an automobile

• Dirtbikes – These toys tend to be on the smaller side of the spectrum and you can comfortably fit 3-4 dirt bikes in the smallest of our toy trailers

• Jet Skis and Snowmobiles – These toys can vary greatly in size, we will be happy to recommend a size given the dimensions of your watercraft or snowmobile

At Phoenix Coach Works we understand that your new toy hauler purchase is a personal one. While we have listed some general guidelines above, we would love to hear from you so that we can recommend the best size and amenities to fit your needs and toys. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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