Purchase Dilemma: Forest River vs Nexus

[tnedator]

Ok, my wife and I are ready to purchase our first RV. My sister and brother and law have been RVing for 20 years or so and full time for over five years, so I've gotten some insight from them. Beyond that, I've been reading forum posts and other stuff for a month or so.

We plan to use it for short weekends up at the lake, Branson, etc. or to use on long trips (rather than flying), where we will sometimes park and check into a downtown hotel, but use it for overnight stops along the way or for the wife to move around a bit if I decide to drive through.

In the end, the only floorplans I've found that will fit my wife and our two standard poodles are the following:

Forest River 2431S (E450 and its 2430S in Sunseeker line)
Forest River 2401W (Sprinter and its 2400W in Sunseeker line)
Nexus Viper 25V - E450

For all practical purposes, those three RV's have the identical floorplan, which is based on a full wall slide, making a 25' RV much bigger than its short length would provide otherwise.

I think I have eliminated the Sprinter version, because it only has 1100 CCC and the best I can tell that's dry. Even if it's wet, that's not much and if I ever tow, it's only a 4200 pound rating. Also, small propane tank and I don't think there is a diesel generator option.

Without going into details of why, I don't want a used coach (even though I know there are some advantages to going that route) and since I'm new to this and don't want to start towing right away, I want to stay in this size range to make it easier to use as my only vehicle on trips.

So, the dilemma.

While I've read a lot of people very happy with their Forest River RVs, they also appear to have major quality control problems coming out of the factory, it would seem like in line with or worse than Thor.

With Nexus, It seems like forum posts have owners posting positive reviews many times more often than negative. While I've read about unhappy Nexus owners, I'm thinking it seems like 8 positive posts to ever 1 negative or so.

Since they are both the same chassis, generator, fiberglass roof, etc. What are the differences.

Forest River uses Luan in walls and roof, Nexus uses Azdel.
Forest River frameless windows, Nexus Framed with automotive seals.
Nexus gives a few options Forest river doesn't like in motion satellite, solar panels and outside TV/Entertainment.

I guess the other difference, probably bigger to the wife than me, is that Nexus will let us customize more in terms of colors and such in the coach, and will also let you decide where you want various power and low voltage outlets which would be nice.

Also, the 25V floorplan I like was just introduced fall of last year, so it is a new floor plan for Nexus.

Beyond those few differences, these coaches look very similar in and out and have very similar features/options and pricing is in the same ball park.

So, it really comes down to manufacturer and which is likely to turn out the better product, and then issues dealing with issues down the road.

The Forest River dealer is nearly two hours away. I was impressed with them, a laid back dealership, but friendly, low pressure. Claim to have the only master RV mechanic in Arkansas (not sure if that is a reality or BS). They seem focused on customer service and do things like arrange get together with their customers four times a year at places like Branson, Biloxi, etc. where they arrange entertainment and the like and get 130 or so campers for each of them. That indicates to me that they might be focused on getting and keeping customers happy for future purchases.

With Nexus, it would be independent RV service. One in the same town as the Forest River dealer and one about 1:30 from me. He has a handful of Google reviews that are positive.

So, it really comes down to what I should be more worried about? Forrest River quality control issues or dealing with a smaller, boutique company in business for seven years that seems to have mostly good reviews, but certainly some reviews where people complained about problems getting issues resolved.

I would love to have some thoughts.

[tnedator]

While the floorplan isn't exactly what I had in mind, I must admit that I'm warming up to Phoenix Cruiser based on happy most of the customers are with their coaches and how well thought out so many aspects of the coach are done.

[Snowman9000]

I will add that we are perfectly happy with our Sunseeker. We knew it was a value brand. We still have the money we saved by not buying upscale. All of the things we have had to deal with are penny ante things that are more aggravation than money. Fit and finish things. Plus I made some charging system improvements, but I've had to make those on every RV so far.

Any value brand you buy, you better plan on dealing with assembly, fit, and finish glitches. If you are handy, it's usually not a big deal. I call it bonding with the RV. 🙂 My wife says to me, "I can't imagine dealing with this RV stuff if you were not handy."

All that said, if we buy another RV, we hope to treat ourselves to a more upscale brand.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

tnedator wrote:


So, it really comes down to what I should be more worried about? Forrest River quality control issues or dealing with a smaller, boutique company in business for seven years that seems to have mostly good reviews, but certainly some reviews where people complained about problems getting issues resolved.

My take? RVs are still fairly generic creatures. You will always be able to find someone to fix problems, no matter the brand. The E-450 is a bullet-proof motor that can be dealt with by any truck-repair center. The components within a Nexus, like fridge, A/C - are still common to many (all?) brands. I suspect that when one buys a well-built RV, you will still have a trip to the dealer to "tweak" any issues you find; and then the rest of it boils down to how long the components last. The "boutique" aspect doesn't scare me at all.

[tnedator]

TheLuvShack wrote:
For what it's worth.... I sense you're leaning towards the FR for two reasons. The dealer is close by and they offer opportunities to get together with other RVers. Coaches (the house part) are warranted by the manufacturer. All other parts are warranted by each manufacturer of that part. Could be Dometic, Cummins, Norcold, etc. and these can be serviced by any authorized dealer. I also sense that you really want the Nexus, in my opinion, a much better coach.

You sense well.

I've spent a lot of time on the FR forum, as well as here and other places. I think the FR's are really nice. Look nice. Have nice features, but it seems like quality control is lacking at times. I know all coaches have issues though, so it's hard to get a good sense if the leaking issues I've heard, for instance, are worse on the FR's.

I've also seen my share of headaches from owners of FR's getting good service when that occurs, so I guess you just have to deal with the growing pains of a new coach and hope yours aren't too serious.

[TheLuvShack]

For what it's worth.... I sense you're leaning towards the FR for two reasons. The dealer is close by and they offer opportunities to get together with other RVers. Coaches (the house part) are warranted by the manufacturer. All other parts are warranted by each manufacturer of that part. Could be Dometic, Cummins, Norcold, etc. and these can be serviced by any authorized dealer. I also sense that you really want the Nexus, in my opinion, a much better coach.

[ctilsie242]

It would be like comparing a Chevy and a Buick. A Chevy isn't bad, but a Buick is a notch ahead in quality. With a Nexus, you can customize it pretty well.

You can order options not specified. I remember a Nexus that had a custom 10,000 pound rated hitch (I don't think it could pull that much, but it could handle the person's 4WD F-150 with ease.) You can also see about additional Hushmat/Dynamat insulation to help with the engine noise.

[dblr]

I agree with trying to test drive, a friends parents bought a Nexus with a overhead bunk in it and while driving the engine noise was so loud they could not hear each other, they traded it in right away on another Nexus with out the bunk and are very happy. Can not imagine how much money they may have lost doing that but they are happy and that is all that matters. Good luck on your choice.

[Desert_Captain]

"The FR's have a lower internal step so they don't need the external. I like that."

My Nexus 23P also has the lower internal step which I like. Retractable stairs are about as problematic as slides and leveling jacks and am glad I don't have any of them. I do have an 8" step {with folding legs}, that makes entry easy for old doggies and and older guys like me {with a very bad knee}.

:C

[rcmiller32]

Take a quick look at the Coachmen line of units. I know on the class A units they use the Azdel board and believe they us it on the class C units also.

[Snowman9000]

tnedator wrote:



I forgot that FR puts Azdel in the walls, it's just the luan on the roof vs. Azdel that is different.

Thanks for the info. I'm curious if there were any things in particular that you at the factories that has you suggest I go with Nexus if I want the Ford?

Also, I think I'm remembering correctly that the Forest Rivers in the size I was looking at didn't have retractable steps. I wonder if that means they are lower to the ground?

Nexus uses steel outside storage compartments. FR uses poly tubs screwed to whatever, cheaply. I would not be shocked if some day one of ours ends up in the ditch. 🙂

The FR's have a lower internal step so they don't need the external. I like that.

[DutchmenSport]

Hope you have an opportunity to actually test drive your choices before making up your mind. Once you actually "feel" how they drive and handle, you may have a no brainer choice! But the only way to know, is to actually test drive. (if the dealers will allow you!)

[WayneLee]

I purchased a new Forest River Sunseeker after doing a lot of research on Class C's. We were downsizing from a diesel Class A, and were looking for certain features in a C. I did not like the fact it would be difficult "kicking the tires" of the Nexus, since I live far from the factory.

We ended up with a 31' Sunseeker with the full wall slide. Did we have some problems with it? Yes, nothing major but I have never heard of a new coach without some quality control issues. The closest was my Holiday Rambler 36' diesel, but even then the $260,000 coach still required several trips to the dealer.

Ours is a E450 with the newer V10 and 6 speed transmission for 2016, which has a hitch capacity of 7,500 lbs. They have a fiberglass roof and a one piece front cap.

One of the reasons that I chose Forest River is that they are part of the Berkshire Hathaway group with some 23 manufacturing plants in the US making a complete range of RV's from towables, 5th wheels, Class A, Class C, park models, transit vans, and even pontoon boats. I don't think they will go out of business too soon.

[Sully2]

As long as they dont start screwing with the $$$$$.....my next one will be a Nexus..!

[tnedator]

Snowman9000 wrote:
We own a 2014 Sunseeker on a Chevy. It has Azdel walls, not sure about the roof. Recently we toured the factory and the Nexus factory. Forest River is still using Azdel, and they vacuum form their walls.

If you are buying a Ford, I would buy the Nexus. They are better built. We like the Chevy ergonomics and handling better than the Ford, but that is not what you are asking. For house build quality, I'd vote Nexus.

We are happy with our Sunseeker, though.

I forgot that FR puts Azdel in the walls, it's just the luan on the roof vs. Azdel that is different.

Thanks for the info. I'm curious if there were any things in particular that you at the factories that has you suggest I go with Nexus if I want the Ford?

Also, I think I'm remembering correctly that the Forest Rivers in the size I was looking at didn't have retractable steps. I wonder if that means they are lower to the ground?