is nexus extreme quality class c?

puttd wrote:
Ron, I have a Nexus Viper. Seems to me only reasonable to compare Vipers to PCs. Both B+s, both same market. Whatever gets made in a C class is not in the same market as PC. Having spent a year looking at Class B+/C for myself and another four months with Dad, I can tell you categorically that the back cap of the Nexus Viper is NOT the same as the back end of a low end Coachmen:

Here's the back of a viper: http://nexusrv.com/product/viper-29v-n540-2 Here is the back end of a Coachmen Freelander: http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=52 The side of the viper showing the front cap looks like this: http://nexusrv.com/product/viper-29v-n540-2 the front cap of the phoenix looks like this: http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2015-Phoenix-PHOENIX-CRUISER-PHOENIX-CRUISER-2552-113645782 Both have seaming. Nexis is away from the corner, phoenix is at the corner.

I will say this, two years ago, I spent two days at Hershey with my scooter comparing every aspect of construction on what I was considering. The nexus C was heads and tails nicer than any other Class C. I thought the 25P was really nice, but for a mushy mattress.

Nexus has adzel, PC does not. If the #1 killer of RVs is delam, that is an important difference. Looking at a lot of pictures of used PCs and more than a few in person, 1) PC did not update its interiors until very late in the game. Anything more than a couple years old is pretty ugly/granny looking. Newer ones have some nice bling -- like Corian countertops. 2) I seem to see more than expected rust on the photos of PCs that I would have expected.

I like the slide out pantries that seem to be nearly unique to PC. But for the models I liked, the shower was short, and I am 5'4". I have no idea of how a guy stands in it. I with the battery box were bigger, but I wish that about the entire B+ class. Phoenix has real wood floors, I have vinyl, and wood is nicer, but then again I don't want to do wood floor maintenance in an Rv.

I do know this. I have spent now three nights in below ten degree weather in my rig and it was perfectly warm and comfortable. Sure, I kept the slides in, but I could get around just fine.

Here is a brand new, nicely equipped 29 foot viper (2910T) at $99k http://nexusrv.com/product/viper-29v-n490 Here's the comparable PC at $109k: http://www.phoenixusarv.com/u?id=2015-Phoenix-Cruiser-2910T-10624 Count the windows. I think Nexus makes a pretty darn nice product.

puttd.

You make some interesting points.

The construction of the back wall of the Viper is not clear to me. Is the styled protruding perimeter with the built-in lighting and such, an added piece to an otherwise flat back wall? Or is it all one molded piece of fiberglass? The protrusions look like a separate piece with a rubber gasket in between materials. I ask because their Phantom has a similar but smaller added-on piece mounted up top to an otherwise flat panel rear wall with corner seam-work. I am not trying to be critical here and down-grade Nexus, I just want to understand.

The PC rear wall with integrated spare tire, rear storage compartment with inner and outer walls, and recessed curves to accommodate a variety of rear windows, all combined is a configuration that provides a rigid super-structure in back to keep the house squared-up, along with practical features for the owner.

PC's made since 2004 all have that super-structure rear wall. Corian counter tops came standard around 2004-2006, wood and wood laminate floors were introduced a few years ago as optional, vinyl flooring with some carpet standard, 100% vinyl also available.

I am not familiar with Adzel. I do know that the PC exterior side walls are gel-coat fiberglass, not fiberglass sheets like entry level rigs. You are right in that the interior walls of PCs are made of thin tempered hard board which has a durable finish that resembles textured wall paper. Interior and exterior walls are vacu-bonded together with the steel framing & block foam insulation in between. During that same process, they place steel sub-framing for all windows, roof a/c and such.

The floor is 3/4" marine plywood over rectangular steel tubing, foam insulation between framing, and a 1/4" corrugated-looking durable plastic barrier facing down to the street to protect it all.

You are surely correct in saying that showers in PCs are smaller than most other rigs. All PCs are scaled down to meet a different market segment, for people who want it all but not so big. If elbow room is a very high priority for you, then a Nexus Viper is sure the better choice.

The Nexus Viper does seem like a very nice rig, comparable in price to a PC, even a little less, but maybe not so less after negotiations are over. Keep in mind there are things about a PC that many other rigs don't have. More rigid curved walls, crowned roof and very solid door and door frame, twin batteries, 1800 watt inverter and all that stuff coming standard.....you pay more but get more. The Nexus Viper may have the same which is why it is priced nearly the same.

I would really like to examine a Nexus Viper one day and see for myself how the two compare. The internet just can't do it right. That one is sharp looking, roomy too.

About your comments on weathering and rust, I really can't say much about it because ours is garaged and not yet driven in winter salt. I do read on occasion that the threshold of the main entry door can get rusty if salted up a lot. Winter use with salt spray is naturally hard on every motor home.

I didn't get your comment comparing seam work of the two B+ caps as I can't see the differences you point out. Oh well.

One final comment here, I hope you don't think I feel Nexus makes an inferior product because all indicators state otherwise. They are surely made better than entry level rigs, but priced lower than expected. They appear to be a great value as long as it is "That Rig" you are looking for.

I enjoy these discussions.