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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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Are You Covered?

In several past articles we have mentioned the necessary supplies of traveling while pulling a trailer.  From emergency and first aid kits to paperwork and other miscellaneous must-have items, Phoenix Coach Works’ main concern is that our customers and those who visit our site travel safely while still having a great time.

That said, even the most prepared and cautious travelers have been known to have bad experiences.  As the saying goes, “accidents happen,” and we would hate to see you left in the dark if something was ever to happen to you or your trailer.  For this reason we would like to take time this week to discuss trailer-towing regulation and insurance.

Whether you’re traveling to a horse competition, a fox-hunt gathering or a prestigious car show, the most important part of any trip is mapping your quest and preparing for the road ahead.  However, one thing that often goes overlooked while traveling interstate is the variance in towing laws.

Before we discuss these differences, let’s go over a few things that are an absolute must regardless of where you’re headed.  No matter where you travel, you WILL NEED taillights and a light for your license plate.  Though not required in every state the following items are just as important while pulling a horse trailer, toy hauler, custom trailer or recreation vehicle: safety chains, brake lights, clearance lights, turn-signals, reflectors and breakaway brakes.

While many states share similar requirements for people hauling trailers, some states may have different regulations that complicate traveling interstate.

For example, if you’re traveling from Alabama to Mississippi, you could suddenly be exceeding the maximum towing speed without even knowing (towing speed decreases by 10mph), you’re trailer may be too wide (maximum width narrows by 6 inches) and you may find yourself without trailer brakes in a state that requires them.

To avoid any of these mishaps, and the fines and penalties that go with them, be sure to always check the towing laws and regulations of the states you plan to travel through.  Doing so will not only keep you on track by avoiding any holdups, but it will also protect your pocketbook and driving record.

In the case that an accident does occur, you want to be absolutely certain that all damages to your trailer are fully covered when you bring it to Phoenix Coach Works for repair.  When you spend 10’s of thousands of dollars on a 4 horse trailer, you want the security of knowing that it is insured in the event that anything should happen. Enter…trailer insurance.

Just as individual states can complicate traveling with a trailer, auto insurance companies often do the same.  While some companies will cover liability and partial damages for a trailer accident that occurs while on the road, others will leave you to foot the entire bill for repair.  That is why you need to read your policy’s fine print and if you have any questions, call your customer service representative.

If it just so happens that there is limited or no guaranteed coverage for your trailer, it may be time to start looking for trailer insurance.  Even though some companies may cover trailer accidents that occur while towing, this does not protect you from natural disasters such as fire and flood.  Many companies that specialize in RV insurance also provide trailer insurance as well.  Not to mention that many major insurance companies offer additional coverage for trailers. Something else to consider is if something happens to your trailer while it is on your property, it may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

Lastly, once you have hashed out your insurance woes regarding your trailer, be sure to find out if any of your insurers have safety standards that must be followed to ensure your insurance.

As always, we hope that you have found this article both helpful and informative.  If you are currently in need of repair, custom construction or a difficult install please feel free to contact Phoenix Coach Works.  You may also contact us if you have any further questions regarding finding and obtaining trailer insurance.

And remember…in a time when it’s difficult to trust and rely on anyone, Phoenix Coach Works is here for you!

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Spring Is In the Air

With spring around the corner, the perfect time for a family vacation is on the horizon.  Even though it was a mild winter, the best way to beat cabin fever is to get out and enjoy nature.  So round up the kids, load the RV or trailer and get ready to hit the road (and trail) because 2012 is going to be a great year!

Now, exactly what you load into your trailer is up to you.  If your family likes to spend time traveling on horseback, really getting in touch with nature, then you’ll probably be traveling with 4 or more horses.  Or you may already have a trailer but it needs repair or it’s a little outdated.  You’ve come to the right place as Phoenix Coach Works can help address all your concerns.

We offer 4 horse, 6 horse, and 8 horse van bodies as well as a 2 horse van built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis.  If you currently own a trailer, but it’s aged and in disrepair, worry not.  Here at Phoenix we can repair, update, and modify your current outfit to suit your changing needs.

Maybe horseback riding isn’t really your thing.  You’re more into motorcycles, ATV’s, dirt bikes and cars.  Once again you’ve come to the right place.  Phoenix  Coach Works can customize a trailer you already have or custom build one for you

Now that you’ve handled transportation, it’s time to choose a destination.  There are a number of horseback and off-road riding guides available that can help you choose the best route for your family vacation.  These guides will help you choose trails that are suitable for all members of your family.  After all, isn’t staying safe is the most important part of enjoying any trip?

As you perform spring tune-up on your equine friends and machines alike, please keep Phoenix Coach Works in the forefront of your mind.  As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your horse transportation and toy hauler needs.

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Penny Pinchers Unite

Avoiding brand names while shopping? Running through the house like a maniac turning off switches and unplugging things that aren’t being used? Maybe you’re just wearing that ‘dirty’ pair of jeans for one more day before giving in to do another load of laundry. These are just examples but chances are, like many people, you’re cutting back in certain areas trying to pinch pennies in this soft economy.
But when will we bounce back? That’s entirely uncertain, but what is certain is that you’d rather sacrifice a few simple luxuries here and there than part with your grown up toys and favorite pastimes that may include motorcycles, RVs, and horses.
These things can bring joy even during the lowest of lows. Whether that joy comes from showing off your street bike at a national rally or hitting the trails with your four legged friends you inevitably need to transport said items.
Admittedly, these vessels are not ‘cheap’ by any means of the word, but even in a floundering economy, the excitement and overwhelming joy that you experience are worth a little sacrifice. For that reason, Phoenix Coach Works offers a wide variety of custom-built trailers and vans to suit your transport needs and fit nicely within your budget.
From two horse vans to 15 horse trailers, Phoenix Coach Works offers fully customizable, high quality products that put you in complete control of design and function. Our featured item this week is the Phoenix Euro-van
The Phoenix Euro-van is built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis which is a wonderful option for someone hauling two horses that doesn’t want to splurge on a truck and a trailer. This two-horse van will save you time and money in the following ways:

  • Our 188hp Mercedes Benz engine with eco-conscious technology gets 16-17 mpg fuel economy compared to 11mpg with a truck pulling a trailer.
  • Reduced maintenance costs compared to truck and trailer combinations.
  • Innovative safety gates, loading ramps, adjustable partitions, and a quick-release breast-bar make for efficient loading and ease of use.
  • Aluminum lined interior is fully insulated for the maximum comfort of your animals.

Whatever you do, don’t let the troubled economy get you down.  Be frugal where you must, but when it comes to the things that bring you happiness, don’t feel bad spending your hard-earned money on yourself and those you love (chances are it brings them joy as well).  If you have any questions regarding our products and services, please feel free to contacts us for all of your trailer and horse van needs.

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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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Locks for Trailers

From insurance to alarm systems to video cameras, we’ve discussed several ways to keep your trailer safe. To round off the series, we’d like to discuss hitch locks, trailer locks and coupler locks.

Hitch locks are pin latches designed to keep your ball mount attached to your vehicle. This will prevent it from being stolen while your vehicle is parked but disconnected from your trailer. However, it’s important to also note that ball mounts should not always remain attached to the hitch; this can make your accessories corrode faster by suffering unnecessary wear and exposure to the elements. Between trips and uses, you should always detach, clean and safely store your ball mount.

Trailer locks cover your trailer’s latching mechanism so that no one can hook their car, truck or SUV up to your trailer when it’s not directly secured to your own vehicle. These typically lock a metal ball in place, similar to how your trailer is traditionally rigged.

Coupler locks also use pins, but these secure your trailer’s latching mechanism to the ball mounts while you’re on the go. Coupler locks offer a variety of drop lengths, ball widths and all trailer weights and sizes. They’re not only made to be secure and easy-impact on the road, but they’re also weather-resistant metal alloy that will prevent or resist rust and corrosions when sitting in the elements for great lengths of time. These anti-theft devices are designed to be resistant to picks and drills so that no one can detach your trailer without your key.

If you have several trailers, you can have all of your locks prepared so that they all work with a universal key, which helps you stay organized and prevents key-switch mishaps. If you only plan to use one trailer at a time and want one kind of lock (hitch, trailer or coupler) for all of your vehicles, you can purchase a universal lock that can adjust to work with all truck and trailer types.

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Horse Trailer Security

Not only is it a significant expenditure to buy your horse van or trailer itself, but most of the time, it’s full of valuable tools and equipment you need for your horses, shows and transport. Good people like you aren’t the only ones aware of the worth of a horse trailer and its contents—there’s unfortunately a large market for theft targeting this type of vehicle. That’s why insurance and other forms of protection are so vital to horse trailer ownership.

Security System

Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind is installing a security system. There are many types out there for rigging your doors and windows, and a little research will go a long way when it comes to tailoring one specifically to your rig. From a simple auto-lock mechanism to an alarm to a GPS tracking system, there’s an option at every price point. Just remember, any additional security you add is going to pay for itself in peace of mind.

Locks and Bolts

You’ll also want especially strong locks on all of your doors—whether for people or horses. A thief with a simple lock-picking toolkit could make your life very difficult if you don’t start out with locks that deter thieves from even trying to break into your horse trailer. Compared to a security system, this may be a cheaper way to wisely protect your horse trailer while it’s parked on a lot and you may be too far to hear a siren (unless you’ve installed an alarm that also automatically notifies authorities, which may be wise if you’re often away from your trailer chock full of valuables). At Phoenix Coach Works, we always install high quality, theft deterrent locks on all of our horse vans and trailers. If you have a used horse trailer that needs an upgrade on its lock and bolting system, bring it by and we can help you install one.

Insurance

Phoenix Coach Works Inc. likes to think that our clients are smart enough to protect their investments with the proper vehicle insurance. But that being said, how covered are you really? Let this serve as a friendly reminder to review your policy and be sure you’ve got the coverage you need for your trailer on the road and parked in storage–for the vehicle itself and for the items inside. Is towing covered? What about natural weather damage? Stay safe and stay smart by reviewing and updating your existing insurance.

Next week, we’ll talk more about horse trailer insurance. In upcoming weeks, look for articles about other interesting and clever security ideas at varying price points. As always, feel free to call us or drop by to discuss the best protection for your horse trailer.

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3 More Perks to the New Phoenix 2 horse Euro-Van

Last week was the first time Phoenix Coach Works Inc. introduced our newest addition, the Phoenix 2 horse Euro-Van. With impressive design and a Mercedes Benz engine guiding you on, this two-horse van offers the best modern solution for your horse transport needs. If the specs alone aren’t enough, here are three more perks to consider:

Saves You Money

The 3500 Mercedes chassis–along with the aerodynamic van body–will get you 16-17 mpg. Compared to 11-12 mpg with a pickup truck pulling a trailer, this benefit will add up to big annual fuel savings–not to mention the savings in maintaining one vehicle instead of two.

Eco-Friendly

The Phoenix 2 horse Euro-Van is also better for the environment than many horse vans because it utilizes the most modern Mercedes Benz engine technology, with additional eco-conscious considerations to the smallest detail. Furthermore, Phoenix 2 horse Euro-Van’s body materials have been recycled and are recyclable.

Safety and Convenience

Here are some safety details that come standard with the Phoenix 2 horse Euro-Van:
• Safety gates make loading horses quick, easy and secure
• Steady loading ramps and fold-out steps facilitate entry
• Adjustable partition and quick-release breast-bar ensure ease of use
• The interior is fully lined in aluminum and insulated for horse comfort

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Not Your Average Horse Trailer

At Phoenix Coach Works, we understand that cost efficiency in every major purchase is important, especially in today’s economy. That is why our custom horse trailers are designed to do double duty by transforming from a horse trailer to a large open floor area for hauling just about anything.  At 102 inches wide and up to 53 feet long, you can easily fit an item as big as a pickup truck inside your Phoenix Coach Works horse trailer.

Converting your horse trailer into a large cargo trailer is as easy as removing the partition walls, opening the rear doors, and rolling out the ramp. Within 30 minutes you will be ready to use your horse trailer to transport farm equipment, bikes, cars, trucks, and much more. You can even use your trailer to help a friend or family member move (if you want to, if not then don’t tell them about the transformative qualities of your Phoenix Coach Works horse trailer, your secret is safe with us).

For custom built horse trailers that are built to meet your needs, and those you never even knew were possible, give us a call today. Our horse trailers are built to last. Once you switch to Phoenix Coach Works, you won’t go back…..our horse trailers last an average of 25 years, so you probably won’t have the chance to!

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Making the Most of Family Time

Summer is winding down; it’s cooling off and the kids are preparing to go back to school. While it is probably too late to plan any major family vacations until the kids have another break from school, there is always time for a quick weekend camping getaway. With cooler temperatures day and night, it is a beautiful time to whisk the family away to convene with nature and spend some quality time together away from game systems, computers, TV’s, and all of the other everyday distractions.

When you think of camping you likely think of the hassle of packing up the car with all of the equipment and the prospect of pitching a tent. But camping does not have to be a big production if you have the right equipment! An enclosed trailer with the right features can make for a perfect camping partner. At Phoenix Coach Works we custom manufacture everything from enclosed cargo trailers to toy hauler campers, so we can create any variation in between with as many features as you want (or can afford).

Your new Phoenix Coach Works trailer will become your perfect getaway companion, allowing you to head out of town at the drop of a hat! With a place to store all of your equipment and a place to lay your head at night, getting away from the doldrums of the everyday is a breeze.

If this sounds like a dream, it does not have to be – to get started just fill out the form to the right to get a quote for your Phoenix Coach Works enclosed camper. In no time you will be able to go hike the waterfall, canoe the river, go hunting and fishing, and be one with nature. You will be glad you did, and we bet even the kids will thank you (one day).

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