Nash or Lance

Well, now that we're finishing up two weeks in a Nash 25c tomorrow, I can tell you I won't be buying it, and will look at the Lance on my short list. The Nash is simply heavier than it needs to be..and bouncier on the road. Might be a fine tow for a bouncy truck, but not an SUV. It's not aerodynamic either. That being said, it's well built, has great interior storage, decent insulation. Bunks and toilet were very small, and the slide isn't very deep, but I think the Lance bunkhouse has similar issues with the toilet/bunks. Living in the PNW, I'm also scared of wood, and the water and rot issues that come with it. Azdel and modern construction techniques are more appealing. Will be looking at the Coachmen Freedom express for the same reason.

NASH!

WoodGlue wrote:
Having a leak within a wall that is manufactured with 2" block foam insulation sandwiched between Azdel is a LOT easier to deal with than say, a leak in a wall with wood studs, and R-7 house insulation w/ luaun (Nash/Arctic Fox construction)

The incidence of delamination w/ walls layed up with Azdel and pinched rolled are almost too insignificant to mention.

WoodGlue

I beg to differ. I have operated an RV service shop for 13 years, I own a trailer made with Azdel(not because of the Azdel, just because that is what is used). When a laminated wall delams, it is incredibly difficult to repair regardless of whether there is Azdel or luan in the wall. Very few RV repair shops can do this repair because we don't have the lamination equipment or buildings to do it in. When you have a wood studded wall with with luan/fiberglass hung it is a repair we can do in our shop. When we get a laminated wall, it usually has to be returned to the manufacturer for repair.

In my experience there is no difference in the % of delam between an Azdel wall or any other side wall.

Having a leak within a wall that is manufactured with 2" block foam insulation sandwiched between Azdel is a LOT easier to deal with than say, a leak in a wall with wood studs, and R-7 house insulation w/ luaun (Nash/Arctic Fox construction)

The incidence of delamination w/ walls layed up with Azdel and pinched rolled are almost too insignificant to mention.

WoodGlue

With all due respect to the poster about Lance, I don't care if they use Azdel or not, springing a leak is still a big deal. Delamination of a pinch rolled wall is a problem that can happen with water penetration regardless of what materials are being used.

I prefer the Nash hands down especially if you get a unit with a slide out. I have done a lot of research and the Nash is built better & stronger and is also less money than the Lance. Don't get me wrong, Lance has done a good job but unless weight is a issue, take the 5K savings and buy a bigger truck. Last, Northwoods Mfg and their customer service has an outstanding reputation.

Just wanted to mention that Arctic Fox and Nash do offer a laminated side wall. Lance isn't entry level but I see the poster clarified that. The frames are the biggest difference - the heavy gauge steel and cambered all welded construction with heavy duty axles and larger tires is where a lot of the weight comes from. Not to mention, all the decking is T&G plywood - not light stuff.

firemedic85 wrote:
Yes you are right my mistake. What I meant was Lance is a lightweight designed to be towed with 1/2 ton and more appealing in that respect.

North woods MFG is built with a stronger heavier duty frame with shock absorbers,and also 15 inch wheels.

Lance has lighter not as strong frame and smaller whelels. Not sure about shocks or not. If I were going to go off road my choice would be Northwoods.
Also With bigger wheels comes a stronger and beefier axle.


Lance is a great trailer but hard to compare. To the Lance is my point 2 different builds and different era.

With Lance, you can always flip the axle and get bigger 15" tires if you wanted I suppose. Dexter Torflex are the axles that they use set on a BAL frame. The Dexter's are a trailing arm type, which is nice.

Not that many people really take their TT's off road, but I do see your point. Nash mfgs their frames in-house, which is great!

WoodGlue

Yes you are right my mistake. What I meant was Lance is a lightweight designed to be towed with 1/2 ton and more appealing in that respect.

North woods MFG is built with a stronger heavier duty frame with shock absorbers,and also 15 inch wheels.

Lance has lighter not as strong frame and smaller whelels. Not sure about shocks or not. If I were going to go off road my choice would be Northwoods.
Also With bigger wheels comes a stronger and beefier axle.


Lance is a great trailer but hard to compare. To the Lance is my point 2 different builds and different era.

firemedic85 wrote:
I'm sure if you had the choice it would be a flush slide out floor. I really liked the Lance but there fresh water capacity in comparison to Nash is not adequate. For someone that camps away from full hookups.

As mentioned these trailers compared to one another is not a equal comparison I see Lance as an Entry level light weight model.

Nash a more bullet proof heavyweight built much differently.

With all due respect, Lance could never be considered as an "entry level" trailer. There are 2 ways to build things; Heavy and good and that's Nash and Light and good and that's Lance. There is room in the RV Market for both types. Lance trailers weigh so much less due to the fact that they use an imported Spanish Poplar tree and they call it Lite-Ply. Almost 50% lighter than traditional plywood and it's a renewable resource!! Plus it's finished on both sides, which only adds to the aesthetics. Much lower VOC ratings too, as it's coming from Europe it has to be, so no off-gassing of formaldehyde and other nasties.

What Nash does is substantial with their builds, heavy marine grade tongue and groove plywood, wood studs and R-7 insulation. All good things to be sure, but heavy as heck.

Lance offers a very substantial build with extruded 2" foam core insulation, sandwiched between 2 layers of Azdel which carries its own fantastic R-value. Should a Lance spring a leak, no worries as Azdel doesn't absorb water, doesn't mold, mildew or grow algae - same with the 2" polystyrene. Also, Lance is pinch rolled as opposed to vacuum bonded. With Azdel, you don't get the telegraphing across the fiberglass finish. The chances of delamination with an Azdel substrate are MUCH lower!

Check out some into on Azdel:

Hanwa USA Made Azdel

Whereas if a Nash springs a leak, you're talking about major wood involvement and wet soggy insulation (all would need to be replaced) and then there is the issue of traditional delamination. Also, Lance seals it's roof vents using a inside clip in system, eliminating holes in the roof.

The water tanks are a side issue to most people. On several models, Lance offers an 80 gallon gray water tank, which most people would find sufficient for boon-docking. I'm not up to speed on the sizes of Nash water tanks so I'm at a disadvantage here to speaking about Nash's abilities.

To dismiss Lance as an "entry level trailer" is a huge disservice to Lance as well as the RV buying community as a whole. Don't forget Lance offers a fully functional 4 seasons package, with dual pane windows, heated enclosed holding tanks, dual stage furnaces, vent covers, Azdel, winterizing bypass switch, etc.

Thanks,

WoodGlue