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JR_257's avatar
JR_257
Explorer
Jan 29, 2015

Nexus 24P with slide on a Ford E-350

Considering buying a 2012 Nexus 24P with 1 dining slide on a Ford E 350 chassis . Concerned that and owner said he ordered unit with the E 450 but Nexus said they ran out of the E 450 so they gave him the E 350.
My question is will the E 350 be a problem on this size rv, I am not planning on towing a veh.
  • JR 257 wrote:
    Thank you all for your imput I should note it only has 1000 miles on it never slept in and still winterized from 2012 has the new michelin tires from the recall have agreed on a price of 36500.00 I guess I just need to be reassured that the E 350 was not a mistake thanks


    Congratulations! That is a smoking good price on a great coach. I recommend adding a Scan Gauge ($139 on Amazon), I use mine all the time running with active displays for trans fluid and coolant temps along with real time and average mpg. The only other mods I have added are:

    Had Nexus install a custom (welded), spare tire mount up under the rear of the coach

    Had them install an additional seat belt at the dinette (now I have two)

    Installed a Max Air turbo Vent over the rear hatch and a Max air cover over the forward hatch

    Also switched to full synthetic oil and trans fluid

    Nothing else has been needed in 22,000+ miles. enjoy!

    :B
  • Thank you all for your imput I should note it only has 1000 miles on it never slept in and still winterized from 2012 has the new michelin tires from the recall have agreed on a price of 36500.00 I guess I just need to be reassured that the E 350 was not a mistake thanks
  • I have seen heavier rigs on the E-350 chassis. It will do OK. However, I much rather have the E-450 chassis due to the heavier suspension, wider stance, and the ability to get with a third party and tow non-trivial stuff with it.

    Plus, there is the added GVWR which doesn't hurt.
  • I have a 2012 Nexus 24P with the E450 chassis. I like having the higher carrying capacity,larger disc brakes for stopping and the wider stance of the E450, but I ordered it that way, I'm sure it will do fine on the E350 chassis. Which is the way the new models are coming through.
  • An E450 is chassis overkill for a 24 foot Class C.

    However, chassis overkill is exactly what we wanted when we shopped for a new 24 footer. Our E450 is carrying around 11,800 lbs., so it never overheats with full air conditioning on at any outside temperature and on any grade, climbs any hill easily (4:56 rear differential ratio), brakes smoothly and confidently under all conditions, and is very stable on curves and in cross-winds because of it's rear track being wider than an E350's. We load it up with no concern for any negative affects because it's always way under-loaded. The E450's frame steel is thicker than that of the E350, so platform stiffness is improved for less stress on the coach structure if used occasionally off-pavement, too.

    I couldn't imagine driving a vehicle around that is constantly loaded as close to it's max capacity as is the case with most small Class C motorhomes on only the E350 chassis.

    Of course one can get away with the E350, but IMHO it's only adequate ... but not the best. There's reasons that certain Class C manufacturers like Lazy Daze build only on the E450 chassis - including their smallest models.
  • I have a 2012 Nexus Phantom 23 P on the E-350 chassis (V-10 - 5 speed Torque Shift trans). Your 24 P will have absolutely no issues with the E-350 chassis. My 2012 has GVWR of 11,500# with 3,363# of payload. You will have a 4:10 rear axle vs the 4.46. You will get better mileage and have a smoother ride. In a 24/25' Class C the E-450 is more overkill than necessity. Either works very well and for the record my E-350 is rated to tow 5,000#.

    One last thought... check the tires. My 2012 had Michelin LTX M/S tires that were right smack in the middle of the big recall. Michelin bought me a set of 6 brand new LTX M/S 2's (mounted and balanced), for free!

    Bottom line, if you are half as satisfied with your Nexus as I am with mine you will definitely be one seriously "Happy Camper."

    :B
  • The folks at Nexus have a long track record in building motorized RVs, with the owner/managers being out of the old defunct Gulfstream RV Motorized Division. Since they sell direct to the consumer, I wouldn't think it would be logical to sell an under-powered lightweight chassis if you didn't have a dealer between manufacturer and the owner. Could come back to haunt them very quickly.