Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) August 21, 2014, 08:27:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148049Joan, you are correct there are no Load Range G tires sized LT225-75R16. The tires that this fellow put on his Nexus are Hankook F-19's that are load range G rated at an inflation of 105 psi. He is running his at about 85 psi. I don't know the exact metric size of the tires but their diameter is about 1.5 inches larger than that of the Michelin LTX-MS/2 tires that came on the Nexus. They fit under the Nexus wheel wells OK and the front tires do not rub on sharp turns. (He replaced all 7 tires.) However his speedometer is now about 4% wrong. He also added two additional leaves to each rear spring. The suspension shop that did the springs (Brazels in Centralia, WA) highly recommended the Hankook tires. There are a number of load range G tires available but most of them require 17.5 or 19.5 inch rims. There are several rim manufacturers that make such rims that will fit the E-450. However, a rim and tire will easily run in excess of $500. While the rims are designed for E-450 they will not necessarily fit onto all motor homes that use the Ford chassis due to differences in the wheel wells. We have had our Nexus on the road for about 8 weeks now, including a visit to the factory for some warranty work. I guess that it is time for Volume II of my comparison as I now have a much more definite opinion of the coach and its manufacturer.Doug
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #1 – August 21, 2014, 08:59:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148052I'm sure we are all anxious for this update, Doug! Don't keep us waiting too long! ;->Virtual hugs,Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #2 – August 23, 2014, 10:25:39 am Yahoo Message Number: 148078Hello Doug. Yes I am also very interested in your update. I am visiting the Nexus factory today for the second time. Will be there within an hour, to be precise. I'm still wavering back and forth on the fence between a Lazy Daze and a Nexus and I need something to push me over the edge one way or the other.
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #3 – August 23, 2014, 11:17:02 am Yahoo Message Number: 148082Nexus has been in existence about 4 years and builds its products in Elkhart Indiana. Elkhart is the icon city of America's RV industry, based on slick sales pitches, where Quality Control is an oxymoron. Lazy Daze is in a Quality Class by itself, at the very top of the RV industry.That's my blunt opinion, based on 50 years of experience owning trailers, class C's and class A's.
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #4 – August 23, 2014, 11:46:07 am Yahoo Message Number: 148084The paucity of windows would be reason enough to push me to a Lazy Daze. I'm speaking from absolutely no personal experience with the Nexus, of course, but when looking at the floorplans of most SOB's, I am always struck by how little "living" can be done in them as compared to what is available in a Lazy Daze of any length.We've had a TK (ten years) and an RB (five years and counting) with a 40-foot Mountain Aire for eight years in between the two. There were two benefits to the behemoth - a glorious kitchen, and lots of basement storage - which were great when we were fulltimers. But pushing that guy around was a chore, so we didn't move much. Even with FORTY feet of length, we could sleep only four (TK can sleep four; RB can sleep five), and there were no lounge chairs to sit in unless the front seats were turned around. There was, however, a full up, generously-sized desk and chair. This was great when we had a desktop computer to put on that desk, but really not necessary with today's much smaller-sized computers.I'd be interested to know what the Nexus offers that would sway one from a Lazy Daze. From what I see at their site (floorplan and photos), they don't appeal to me, but maybe they are very seductive in person??? ;->Virtual hugs,Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #5 – August 23, 2014, 06:06:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148097I must have big windows and the doors between me and that absorption refrigerator since a four-door Norcold located in the middle of the coach burned my triple-slide, tag-axle diesel pusher in 2011. One does not want to be in the back of the average RV when the fridge chemicals leak or a fire starts because EXIT windows can be too small or never designed for escape. My 27 RB has three big windows and three doors where we live and sleep in the RV. I have added monitors to detect chemical leaks and have added an extra and larger fire extinguisher. With all those windows, we have not felt a need for slides. And, no slides makes for lighter weight and less aggravation.How's that for extra push?s/Terry Apple
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #6 – August 24, 2014, 02:07:57 am Yahoo Message Number: 148098As an owner on his third SOB, let me suggest that "quality" is often overrated. The Class C motorhomes share the same major components, the most important one being the Ford chassis. The others are things like the A/C, refrigerator, furnace, water heater, windows, even minor things like the water pump. What's left for quality the RV manufacturer can add is in the cabin: it's design, it's materials, and it's construction. The industry standard laminated construction of fiberglass, plywood, foam insulation, and plywood, with the structure (aluminum tubing in the case my present SOB) yields a well insulated, stable, and strong structure. Water has difficultly penetrating and spreading through it because the foam and plywood are bonded together. This sharing of the chassis and majority of components means, as least with Class C motorhomes, is that the quality of different brands will vary over a smaller range than the broad comments about "quality" might lead you to believe. For this reason, I give the most weight to the wheelbase length (safety reasons) and floor plan (which would include slides) when selecting a Class C motorhome. Other people will have some specific preferences, and a few of the manufacturers are willing to modify their standard models, allowing those people to obtain a motorhome more suited to their needs.Eric Greenwell [lifewithalazydazerv] wrote, On 8/23/2014 8:17 AM:
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #7 – August 24, 2014, 12:29:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148099While It's true that many class C motorhomes use, for example, Ford chassis and Dometic appliances, there are huge differences in how those part are put together to make a coach. That's where quality matters, and it matters a lot to most of us here!Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #8 – August 24, 2014, 01:26:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148100As a young man I spent a few years working at a factory building class-b camper vans and class-c mini motorhomes. I can say there are tremendous differences in quality.How the wiring and plumbing are run. How the units are assembled and sealed. How cabinets are fastened, materials used... Everything.For example, most people don't know that Lazy Daze upper cabinets have steel frames running through them. This helps the structural integrity to prevent sags and squeaks and rattles and even strengthens the wall-to-wall stiffness.The only thing that squeaks or squeals or rattles in my Lazy Daze is the dishes and pans. I have driven my 23 year old LD completely empty and there isn't a peep.If you really want to know about build quality, open it up. It's the stuff you CAN'T see that proves how much a builder cares.-Bill
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #9 – August 24, 2014, 01:54:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148101I could not disagree with you more. Over 8 years, we spent weeks at the Tiffin factory campground in Red Bay Alabama and observed several friends suffer considerable trouble and inconvenience with their SOBs. Stringent Quality Control is critical. That means how carefully and reliability all those parts are installed and how stringently the manufacturer tests everything before the RV is turned over to the buyer.Lazy Daze is head and shoulders in its Quality Control above every other rationally priced manufacturer of RVs. That's the reason we returned to a Lazy Daze for our next RV.
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #10 – August 24, 2014, 01:57:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148102In the RV world a person needs to their homework. Questions that need to be asked and answered ....... Is all information available in an easy and understandable manner? What is brand and model number of the parts used? Can you tour the factory to evaluate the methods and workmanship of construction ? Are all the specifications available? Is the company using 'official' definitions of weights and measures? Not playing games with the numbers to make it look different then it is. Is the company web site just a place holder of cotton candy or packed with appropriate RV information. Some places 'make' you call them so they can hit you with a sales pitch.Quality in doing business can be only be evaluated by actions and time.Glen
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #11 – August 24, 2014, 02:00:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148103I think Nexus are much lower priced. That might be the main attraction. I think you can get a new Nexus for $60,000. Compared to $85,000 for the smallest LDz.I saw the Nexus at last year's Pomona RV show. They seemed equivalent to the average class-c. I would not put them at the Lazy Daze level of quality.They have a much higher roof so that could be attractive to taller people.--
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #12 – August 24, 2014, 04:10:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148104Laze Daze has one thing over all other brands, their layout. As far as I can tell no one has anything to compare. That said if you read all the postings you can see they have plenty of quality issues. They also build a very popular model that is almost over weight as it leaves the factory. But there is nothing that looks as pretty or is as livable in the class C as the LD. And I have looked at a lot of others and owned a few. Still watching for my LD...
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #13 – August 24, 2014, 04:36:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148105"If you really want to know about build quality, open it up. It's the stuff you CAN'T see that proves how much a builder cares." --- Indeed. An aunt who was a professional tailor told me that if a finished garment didn't look as "perfect" on the inside as it did on the outside, you could be sure that the maker had taken plenty of shortcuts in fabrics, proper techniques, and construction details and had attempted to mask poor quality and hide sloppy workmanship behind a fancy "shell". The garment might look good for a little while, she said, but it wouldn't last. I don't know of any product that is "wart-free", certainly including RVs from any manufacturer. And, we are living in a time of a lot of cheaply-made, short-lived, disposable junk, so perhaps some are so accustomed to a *lack* of quality that its presence isn't readily recognizable. But, in my experience, *quality* in product design, engineering, materials, and construction are still well worth seeking out. Well-made products may cost more initially, but maintenance and repair costs - expensive enough with the best of products, again certainly including RVs from any manufacturer - will very likely be a lot less if the product lacked the POS tag in the fist place.Quality counts.As ever; YMMV.Joan
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #14 – August 24, 2014, 05:43:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148107In addition to Bill's remarks I can add that in the Lazy Daze products steel tubing runs from wall to wall through the roof structure in several locations. About 1-1/2 years ago I had to open up a ceiling (not our own) to straighten one of these tubings this tubing. Having owned several R V's thruout the years I still think that Lazy Daze is one of the better manufacturers of Class "C" motor homes.Aad Rommelse
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #15 – August 24, 2014, 08:56:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148114"As an owner on his third SOB, let me suggest that "quality" is often overrated." I say baloney. Having owned 2 other SOB Class C's and suffered thru the crappy wiring, electrical problems in the middle of Baja Mexico where there are no parts, water leaks from cheap plumbing and inferior roofs, and a myriad of problems due to cheap construction and poor engineering I learned the hard way. I have had my 01 LD for 3+ years now with no other problems than a failed igniter board on the water heater. I did have a taillight problem, brought on by a non-factory mod I had done. I off-road extensively in the Desert and have put my LD thru the paces. No leaks, no headaches, just a rock solid product I can depend on. When I off-roaded my SOB that starts with "Fleet" a cabinet full of canned goods fell off the wall. The cheap Dicor roof sealant and rubber roofs that sprung numerous leaks, causing rotted interior paneling, etc. I could go on.I think there are 2 kinds of educated Class C RV owners. Those that own a Lazy Daze, and those that wish they did.Bob 01 23.5 TK, Jeep Cherokee Toad, Honda 90 Tagalong.
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #16 – August 24, 2014, 11:01:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 148120Amen to"baloney". We sold our 2004 Lazy Daze 27 and never stopped regretting it through several expensive supposedly quality Class A diesel pushers.We're coming home again with a 2015 Lazy Daze 31.
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #17 – August 25, 2014, 12:00:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 148124I don't think any of us would argue that the Lazy Daze is a well-built motorhome. I was a previous LD owner. However, I don't think we should just write off all the mass-produced SOB's as being of universal poor quality. We owned a 1987 Winnebago Elandan for 12 years. During that time we drove it all over the country and Canada. As far east from Oregon as Alabama. Towed a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Honda Accord at various times during those 12 years. When we weren't towing a car, we pulled a trailer with a GoldWing motorcycle on it. Most of the problems we encountered were with the Chevrolet 454 engine. The motorhome was nearly perfect, except for some leaks we developed in the air-controlled tag axle. No roof leaks. Nothing fell apart. Everything worked. Just another perspective on quality. And I am intimately familiar with the Lazy Daze motorhome. The factory is/was in my home town of Pomona. I have probably visited the factory at least 100 times. The last time was in 2013.Dick
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #18 – August 28, 2014, 10:33:07 am Yahoo Message Number: 148237Welcome back! I've thought of a Class A a few times but when I compare notes with A owners, the LD always comes out way ahead. I even had a fellow wanting to trade even up for a fairly new 40' diesel pusher. I smiled and walked on. He called and said he was serious!I still have my '06 30 IB AE! {:>)Bob SE 5
Re: Nexus Weight (Finding a Topic) Reply #19 – August 28, 2014, 11:22:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 148238Well, I've owned 2 Lazy Daze and 2 Foretravel DPs.I'd say you met the wrong DP owner.LazyDaze and Foretravel are both fine motor homes.And, of course, the comfort a 40ft motor home offers is great. And our 40ft DP towing our Honda Element can get better mpg than either one of my Lazy Daze.best, paulcentercentercentercentercenter