NeXus RV driving impressions

tpi wrote:
I generally don't come on here and crow too much about the E450 past the point that it is a durable workhorse. I'll agree it gets noisy at 4K+ RPM. Your post did get me thinking about the percentage of time it actually operates at 4000 or more RPM. At least in my case maybe a percent or two of the total run time. I don't even know if that is close but it isn't much. At least for me generally it is cruising along at 2500 RPM, and running into the low-mid 3000s under acceleration. For me the 4K RPM+ has come on grades, sometimes sustained, but frequently climbs grades in the 3000s. In general engine noise has not been a concern.

Enjoyed the review just the same.

tpi above said it exactly as I would have said it. The engine is very noisy at high RPM, but the amount of time it is noisy is very little.

I agree that it would be nice to get around inside the E-series without lifting a leg to pass the center console. I think the Chevy gets that extra space by making the cab that much longer. If counting every inch for a particular storage condition like us HERE, every inch counts. If our rig was built on the Chevy chassis instead of the E350, our rig would not fit.

I do wonder if Juan's lack of adequate cock-pit positioning is related to the motor home, not the chassis. Our rig and me at 5'-11", it is very comfortable once in position for driving with more front-back travel than I need. The 6-way seat is key for my comfort. If you have a slide-out wall or other house feature too close to the driver seat, you won't be able to adjust back far enough.

I do want to conclude that Juan's comparison between the Ford & Chevy is well stated. The Ford E350/E450 foot wells are smaller, the gas & brake pedals skewed, but surprising to me and my wife, we tolerate that goofy condition well. The GM/Chevy chassis is much more comfortable over-all for the driver and passenger, and the noise at acceleration is very real. If the house does not need the extra payload of an E450, and the length can tolerate an extra 6 to 9 inches, then the Chevy 4500 is the better choice to me.

One final point between these two is related to quality. The E350/E450 does have better ratings compared to the GM/Chevy. But that does not mean the GM/Chevy is bad.....just not as good.

Regarding a Super-C, that is a very personal thing. For me, a real diesel truck is just too much to wrap my brains around. I appreciate the domestic feel of a gasoline powered van.