As far as cost, their business model is factory direct pricing. On their website it is somewhat confusing as they label everything as "sale price", but that price is just the sum of the base price plus options. They told me that that price is what a dealer would pay for a similar unit. Take that for what it is worth.
Annual maintenance should be no different than any other RV. Depends on what you do vs. have done. One of the plus sides of the trade off compared to a DP is there are fewer systems to worry about, i.e., air brakes, air suspension. Also, your service options are much improved due to the accessibility of the engine.
I had a couple issues to be fixed at the factory, and they were helpful, but I did have a couple emails ignored later on when I had some questions. They have authorized repair centers around the nation, but I have no experience with them.
As far as diesel performance is concerned and whether it is worth it, 300 HP seems adequate to me. Compared to a gasser it is a matter of whether you prefer the low RPM torque of the diesel or one that gets its torque by downshifting and running at high RPM. With the same HP they both get the job done.
As far as reviews, the Dec 2015 of Motorhome did an article of the 33SC and this link will take you to one on this forum.
The wiring is the same as the phantom- inverter next to water filter.
Aside from that, it is a nice coach. The durastar chassis is built like a tank and should hold up well. The coach portion is nice quality, and has lots of storage. The ghost needed an alignment and they said to take it to a shop and they would pay me back. I went to a nearby truck place and got it done. Nexus sent me a reimbursement check. The unit drives well and gets about 11 mpg when not towing.
I looked at the Jayco Seneca and Dynamax Force in comparison. I'm happy with my choice.
Butch
I try to always leave doubt to my ignorance rather than prove it
2021 Winnebago View
Butch50 wrote:
Question for the Phantom SC, does it come with an exhaust brake? I figure that the Ghost would have one as the 6.7 Cummins probably has one the same as the Rams 6.7.
Question for the Phantom SC, does it come with an exhaust brake? I figure that the Ghost would have one as the 6.7 Cummins probably has one the same as the Rams 6.7.
It does not. They told me I wouldn't need it, but said that one customer had added it. Personally, I miss having one.
Gary LeBoeuf
Destrehan,La
2017 Nexus Phantom 35SC
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I noticed on the Motorhome magazine review specs said that the chassis has rear air suspension. I think that is a mistake, at least mine doesn't.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
I read about that on the other review that you had listed. I measure where my receiver is on my Ford Super Duty(current tow vehicle) and it sits @17inches, I didn't have a ruler when I went to the plant, so I asked them how high the Phantom was. He didn't know off hand, but got back to me yesterday via email and it sits @10inches. I don't if they come already on the chassis mounted or if they mount the hitch(I will find out) and see if that is something I can get them to do on the build or if it will be less expensive for me to have it done here. I will also find out about the rear air suspension. ThanksUpdated: Confirmed with Nexus that the Phantom does not have read air suspension, they apologized but said the article was wrong. With that said the unit we test drove had a real nice ride compared to other Rv's we have rented in the past. I was pleased that there wasnt a lot of rattling or creaking as we went down the highway. It had good getup and go. Also talked to another owner who was there for service. And he was telling me that he gets what I wouod consider good gas mileage depending on speed maintained. He never has gotten under double digits, of course towing a racecar trailer I would expect less. But overall very good news on MPG.
* This post was edited 05/04/16 07:30am by cajundrag *
Congrats on your new rig. I think you are going to enjoy it.
Funny that you were just at Nexus in Elkhart as we are presently on our way home from there ourselves. We now have a 36DS on order. We had a number of customized items done. I don't like the absorption fridges so we are having a Nova Kool DC fridge. It is a 9.1 cubic fridge. So l gave up a 12 cu ft to go to this but I don't have to mess with being so level. They are adding the wiring for the solar which I'm going to go to 400 watts. They are taking out our sofa and installing theater seating in its place. there are a lot of extras that we added.
Oh this the Ghost that we ordered. It has a Cummins with 325 hp and 750# lb of torque and the Allison 3000 trains with an exhaust brake. The one that I drove was impressive. Can't wait for it to be built.
Again congrats on you new rig and I guess you could say we joined the Nexus Club.
Thanx
Butch50 wrote:
Cajundrag,
Congrats on your new rig. I think you are going to enjoy it.
Funny that you were just at Nexus in Elkhart as we are presently on our way home from there ourselves. We now have a 36DS on order. We had a number of customized items done. I don't like the absorption fridges so we are having a Nova Kool DC fridge. It is a 9.1 cubic fridge. So l gave up a 12 cu ft to go to this but I don't have to mess with being so level. They are adding the wiring for the solar which I'm going to go to 400 watts. They are taking out our sofa and installing theater seating in its place. there are a lot of extras that we added.
Oh this the Ghost that we ordered. It has a Cummins with 325 hp and 750# lb of torque and the Allison 3000 trains with an exhaust brake. The one that I drove was impressive. Can't wait for it to be built.
Again congrats on you new rig and I guess you could say we joined the Nexus Club.
Cajundrag,
Congrats on your new rig. I think you are going to enjoy it.
Funny that you were just at Nexus in Elkhart as we are presently on our way home from there ourselves. We now have a 36DS on order. We had a number of customized items done. I don't like the absorption fridges so we are having a Nova Kool DC fridge. It is a 9.1 cubic fridge. So l gave up a 12 cu ft to go to this but I don't have to mess with being so level. They are adding the wiring for the solar which I'm going to go to 400 watts. They are taking out our sofa and installing theater seating in its place. there are a lot of extras that we added.
Oh this the Ghost that we ordered. It has a Cummins with 325 hp and 750# lb of torque and the Allison 3000 trains with an exhaust brake. The one that I drove was impressive. Can't wait for it to be built.
Again congrats on you new rig and I guess you could say we joined the Nexus Club.
Well Congrats on your order. I really like the Ghost climbed thru the black one they had in the showroom. Very nice. Really like what they did with the outside storage areas for the 2017 models. The Ghost is just a little out of our price range(or at least what I want to spend) but really a super looking coach.
- A massive engine and body structure in front of me instead of a short area of fiberglass
- Less worry about a flying stone hitting a huge windshield
- Several things are easier to reach while driving, i.e. sunvisor, things on the dash
- Like having the cab door for easier exit
- Seems more natural having the steer wheels out in front instead of under or slightly behind me
- The road seems wider since I am sitting closer to it
- The rig seems narrower since the cab portion is not as wide
(Those 2 characteristics lets my wife feel confident enough to drive it)
- Feel less concern over possible breakdowns since more truck repair places would welcome me
On the con side;
- The ride seems harsh compared to the air suspension
- The noise level is much greater than the DP
Those are the main things of concern relative to driving. Since I have made the commitment to a Super C, I am required (by my wife) to say I prefer driving it.
RichNewcome wrote:
az99 - Like most comparisons there are trade-offs. For me the Super C pros are;
- A massive engine and body structure in front of me instead of a short area of fiberglass
- Less worry about a flying stone hitting a huge windshield
- Several things are easier to reach while driving, i.e. sunvisor, things on the dash
- Like having the cab door for easier exit
- Seems more natural having the steer wheels out in front instead of under or slightly behind me
- The road seems wider since I am sitting closer to it
- The rig seems narrower since the cab portion is not as wide
(Those 2 characteristics lets my wife feel confident enough to drive it)
- Feel less concern over possible breakdowns since more truck repair places would welcome me
On the con side;
- The ride seems harsh compared to the air suspension
- The noise level is much greater than the DP
Those are the main things of concern relative to driving. Since I have made the commitment to a Super C, I am required (by my wife) to say I prefer driving it.
Thanx for that in depth comparison. What about the actual driving? Like passing trucks,wind,grooved road,bridge humps and side to side rolling?
az99 - Like most comparisons there are trade-offs. For me the Super C pros are;
- A massive engine and body structure in front of me instead of a short area of fiberglass
- Less worry about a flying stone hitting a huge windshield
- Several things are easier to reach while driving, i.e. sunvisor, things on the dash
- Like having the cab door for easier exit
- Seems more natural having the steer wheels out in front instead of under or slightly behind me
- The road seems wider since I am sitting closer to it
- The rig seems narrower since the cab portion is not as wide
(Those 2 characteristics lets my wife feel confident enough to drive it)
- Feel less concern over possible breakdowns since more truck repair places would welcome me
On the con side;
- The ride seems harsh compared to the air suspension
- The noise level is much greater than the DP
Those are the main things of concern relative to driving. Since I have made the commitment to a Super C, I am required (by my wife) to say I prefer driving it.
az99 wrote:
Thanx for that in depth comparison. What about the actual driving? Like passing trucks,wind,grooved road,bridge humps and side to side rolling?
Thanx for that in depth comparison. What about the actual driving? Like passing trucks,wind,grooved road,bridge humps and side to side rolling?
As far as trucks passing and crosswinds, I think it is about the same as with the DP. It was a 33' Newmar with a 190" wheel base. A lot of folks say that a short diesel doesn't handle well. It seemed fine to me, but that's all I ever drove. The Nexus WB measures 240" (which doesn't agree with the Motorhome article) so that may give some advantage. When you hit a bridge bump you know it, but I never really noticed side to side rolling with either RV.
Until recently I would have strongly recommended Nexus as a manufacturer. I have owned a Nexus 29V for several years and liked it enough that I now full-time in it, having installed a very pricey lithium battery system. Look me up and you will see I have said nice things in the past.
As part of the move to full time, I have needed to get a manufacturer's certificate of empty weight for registration in South Dakota. It has been the tortures of the damned. I have had over a dozen emails over the span of months to Nexus trying to get this simple document that South Dakota assures me NHTSA requires a manufacturer to provide all end users. The emails to the owners, Claude and David, bounced -- something that other Nexus owners experienced as well.
I have made countless phone calls- not happy with one vehicle registered in South Dakota and one not. The Motorhome registration expires soon and the lender is not happy having the title on loan to a third party On the Nexus phone tree, the selection for "service" sends you to a non-working number. If I get the operator, I typically got put into a full voicemail box. Finally scored and got put in an owner's voice mail and even that resulted in nothing. I even posted on the Nexus facebook site in hopes of getting a response.
So, I called Claude's home number.
However, this morning I also received a more than nasty phone call from an Nexus employee asking if I had bought directly from Nexus. When I said I hadn't he told me, "Missy" that if I did not buy direct from Nexus that Nexus did not feel itself obligated to provide any support, whatsoever, and that if I did not change my attitude, I wouldn't get my manufacturer's certificate, and if I did, I would get it in his own good sweet time. I did get the certification, but no response on another service issue where it appears that Nexus failed to install a necessary component.
I wrote Claude and David this morning after receiving this belligerent phone call to ascertain whether in fact it is Nexus' policy that second hand Nexus motorhomes are manufacturer orphans. I have received no response. Unless Nexus reverses this policy, I would have severe concerns about buying a Nexus, even new, as orphan status on the resale market is obviously a serious impairment to value. I had hoped for an apology for atrocious service (most of which had no bearing on whether I was a direct or second hand purchaser), but obviously that was not to be.
I am copying Claude and Dave with this response in case they wish to clarify Nexus' policy on orphaning second owner vehicles. I would suggest you obtain clarification from them on this point as well before purchase if you care about resale value.
Galen & Amy
2006 Winnebago TOUR 40KD
Joined 06/2014
USN Retired
There are somethings that I miss that I have addressed and some that I will just live with. My wife misses the extra counter space. Our DP had nice level stovetop and sink covers that help make better use of the limited real estate. We don't cook many meals, so we live with it. The bed and bath areas are more cramped, but again we live with that. I plan to add some small bedside shelving for glasses, cell phone, watches, etc. while sleeping. We don't now have an icemaker, so its back to ice trays. I installed the Progressive surge protector from the DP in the Nexus. The storage compartments are more limited and aren't carpeted. I installed some rubber interlocking floor tiles which keeps things from sliding around so much.
I got the option for the Touch screen Stereo w/Nav/Backup monitor/Sirius/Bluetooth which I somewhat regret. With its location, the screen is hard to see because of reflections from inside the coach. Also I like to keep the rearview monitor up and also the GPS screen. Add going through menus for changing from one function to another while driving was a disaster waiting to happen. As a result I removed the plastic "cubby hole" from the dash and added an LCD monitor for the rearview camera. Next, I installed a GPS in a location similar to where a rearview mirror would mount. I just use the stereo now for listening. The speakers in the cab sound very tinny. I installed a subwoofer under the passenger seat which helps a lot, but I haven't addressed the main speakers yet. I also added a sound bar for the TV. It has Bluetooth which we sometimes use to listen to music off the cell phones. The TV volume was not sufficient to hear over the sound of the AC when parked or the road noise when the grandkids watched videos.
With the safety rail and ladder I added to the over-cab bunk, the grandkid's little hide-away is perhaps the biggest advantage the Nexus has over the DP.
We bought our 2012 Phantom 23P with just 6,205 miles on it nearly three years ago from the La Mesa RV here in Tucson. At the time I was actively negotiating with Dave Middleton on the purchase of a new Phantom. Simply could not pass up the deal on our coach as we saved about $15,000 and a couple of trips to Elkhart.
When I called Dave and told him what we had bought he was a gentleman. He congratulated me on a great deal, welcomed me to the "Nexus Family" and immediately asked if there was anything he/Nexus could do for us. I requested the specs from the original sale and had them in my in box the next day.
When we passed through Elkhart a year later I had Nexus install a custom spare tire mount under the rear of our coach along with another seat belt. Their labor rate was a very reasonable $75 an hour. I also had a constant problem with fueling, the hose kept burping off and it could take 20 minutes to fill the 55 gallon tank. I put them on the clock with instruction to find and fix the problem.
After an hour and a half they had the cure. Seems Ford twisted the fill hose which pinched down and restricted the flow. Nexus reinstalled it, added 5 gallons of gas to be sure it was working and despite my not being the original owner and the coach being 18 months out of warranty there was no charge. Their explanation: We build a better coach than that and should have caught it.
I recently needed to order some plastic molding for the interior and Jennifer in Customer Service was wonderful to work with. Always promptly returned my calls/E mails and when UPS lost/destroyed the shipment she was instrumental in ultimately getting it to me and facilitated getting UPS to refund my entire $123.90 freight charge as well.
There are always two sides to every complaint and sadly here we usually only hear one. My Nexus experience has been nothing short of awesome from day one. Sure seems odd that they would treat me {who did not even buy from them}, so well and treat others so poorly.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/scratchead.gif "scratchead")
IMHO: Nexus builds some of the finest quality coaches on the market at an excellent price point. Buying builder direct has some financial advantages along with the ability to truly customize your coach but it requires a more knowledgeable, sophisticated buyer who is will to make at least two trips {repurchase and delivery}, to Elkhart. If you are unwilling/unable to be that buyer perhaps Nexus is not the company for you.
As always.... Opinions and YMMV
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool")
* This post was edited 06/03/16 09:06am by Desert Captain *
The sink does include covers, they are just not integrated into the countertop like the DP was. The option for induction stovetop should give a more uniform surface, but I haven't seen one.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/NON6XSwl.jpg)
Bunk guard mounting brackets
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/6xHMKV7l.jpg)
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/1yuQZ3ol.jpg)
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/NtTgrNrl.jpg)
Sound bar mounting is an aluminum bar, and some angle brackets
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/asPoqagl.jpg)
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/Wh1BEyT.jpg )
GPS and review monitor
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/q2CmYfyl.jpg)
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/4fcYwu0.jpg )
![[image]](https://nexusrv.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ghost_36DS_Super_C_Diesel_Motorhome_N841_kitchen.jpg)
* This post was edited 06/03/16 10:10am by cajundrag *
I wasn't aware of the countertop option. I found out later that there are several options available that are not listed on the website. When we took delivery of ours, they had not installed the outside shower we had ordered. We traded that for some nicer window coverings that we didn't know were available. The salesman said there was no way to list all of the available options. ????
) . Also added a exterior butane outlet on the tank so we can hook up a grill
To clarify my question, does the chassis slowly wander from side to side, is the rig drive-able with only one hand on the wheel, is it comfortable to drive for long distances or will it wear you out from constant steer corrections?
I recently drove a Super C on the Ford F550 chassis and was dissappointed with the driveability on the interstate. I was concerned about driving that particular rig on a long distance trip.
2008 Host 300 Super 'C'
2008 Ford F-550 Chassis
Diesel
4x4
Lariat crew cab
20' enclosed car hauler/garage
'87 Jeep rock crawler
Turbo'd
Is the Samsung TV you have in yours a smart TV? I'm curious as if it is that would let us use our Apple TV with it. Allowing me to show movies from my Ipad to it. I'm also looking at the sound bar like you installed. I know what you mean about not hearing the TV when the air is running. It was the same way in our Winnebago View till I found out that I could play the TV through the house stereo. Then all was OK.
Well we are getting close to the delivery date of our 36DS Ghost and are getting pretty excited about it. I know when we looked at the Ghost while we were there that it was a Samsung TV installed in it. I hoping that that is still what they are using.
We were not able to get the Nova Kool DC compressor fridge that we wanted because it was not RVIA approved so we ended up with the standard 12 cu ft fridge. They have sent us some pictures of our unit and the theater seating that we had installed looks great and is gong to be so nice to have some place to kick back and really relax. I had just installed theater seating in our Winnebago View and never even got a chance to use them cause we decided to get a bigger unit. So Nexus wanted the sleeper sofa instead of the recliners so I took them back out and installed the sleeper sofa back in. Now I have a set of recliners in my shop that I need to figure out what to do with them. I guess I'll be putting an ad on Craig's list to see if I can sell them.
Less than 3 weeks and we should be in our new rig and we plan on staying at their lot for a few days to check it out to see if we find problems so they can fix them before we leave.
Explorer1016 (Dennis),
I'll let someone else answer your question as to the handling as the Ghost comes on a different chassis than the Phantom. I know the Ghost handled great when we drove it but it is on the Dura Star chassis instead of the Tera Star.
Thanks for the response.
The Ghost I looked at and drove in May had the Samsung TV. I hope they continue on with them. I'm just not that fond of Jensen TV beside all of our house TVs are Samsung so we are familiar with them.
When we get it I'll post some pictures.
We're retired so we can take all the time we need as we well not be on a time schedule. We are taking it for a shakedown after staying there.
We have a trip to Whitefish, MT planned for Sept as we are having my class reunion then. This well be the first I have ever made in almost 50 years. From there we plan on heading to the coast and down the coast. If all goes as planned we should have about 7 to 8,000 miles on it. Then sometime later in the year it we well head out again and we well be going for about 3 months in it. Should have a good shakedown by then with around 15,000 or more miles on it.
I'm also one of those that have had a DP. We had a 36' Discovery a number of years back. We also had 3 other gas class A.