Nomad Euphoria RV - Interesting option

[GR8ADV]

We have owned a Euphoria XL since late August. Came out of a well-known manufacturer’s Sprinter van conversion after 6 years of use. Wife was wanting more ”comfort”, aka something more akin to an “RV” without losing too much of the ”van” benefits. With length and height being critical measurements for us (after what would be suspension, tire, etc., enhancements) it was critical not to exceed 11’5” due to our shop’s garage entry points. (Was built in 1982 with an 18’ wide door but sadly not a true 12’ height.).

This door entry constraint led to a year long struggle to find the right vehicle for “us”. The Euphoria XL TB fits that requirement and then some.

The twin bed lay out has removed the daily climb overs to use the head as one of us usually has a midnight need to recycle fluids. Love the quality of the cabinets which other OEM’s still haven’t figured out that the best product in an Offroad vehicle for durability is aluminum. Some brands we investigated had absolutely the worst cabinets regarding alignment, assembly, using staples, etc. Can’t imagine how that will hold up over time. Anyway, the amount of storage fantasic, the power system, HVAC, bath and all the other aspects of this build have been great. Was initially skeptical of the “diaper genie” toilet having become a fan of cassettes however the dry flush has really won us over for convenience. The rear cargo area, as demonstrated on a number of other brands, is such a benefit compared to the van. Sometimes “multi-purpose” becomes a headache over time when moving things around or reconfiguring for different uses. That headache so gone and not missed as I am sure anyone with this style truck can attest.

About the only negative is the lack of a true rotating front seat(s). The passenger seat can rotate 90 degrees however as previously discussed the bulkhead obstruction prevents more than that. Forget rotating the drivers seat.

So, with the many pluses and perhaps a few small cons, overall we are very satisfied with “Goldie”. She is a rig we expect to own for many years of exciting exploration around North America.

Thanks for posting your thoughts.

 

[taffyc]

We used the same panel manufacture that nomad uses. I can’t comment on nomads quality standards, but I can say assembling these boxes is incredibly simple. With proper lifting equipment and a few hands, any shop could do this with ease and there are relatively few ways to mess it up. It’s like legos. I wouldn’t be concerned about them assembling the box at all!


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Thanks this is super helpful. One question I have is regarding the subframe on the Sprinter chassis version of the Euphoria. In the Ujoint video I posted above about the upcoming E350 version, they stress the importance of a subframe to reduce torsion stress on the composite box. I also saw another vendor (Foundation Vehicles) who emphasize torsion reduction on the Sprinter cab chassis where they mount a composite box. I’m not sure if the current Euphorias have anything like this? We’d be keeping the rig for at least 10 years, so just wanting to make sure the construction is sound. Thoughts?

 

[PathNotTaken]

Thanks this is super helpful. One question I have is regarding the subframe on the Sprinter chassis version of the Euphoria. In the Ujoint video I posted above about the upcoming E350 version, they stress the importance of a subframe to reduce torsion stress on the composite box. I also saw another vendor (Foundation Vehicles) who emphasize torsion reduction on the Sprinter cab chassis where they mount a composite box. I’m not sure if the current Euphorias have anything like this? We’d be keeping the rig for at least 10 years, so just wanting to make sure the construction is sound. Thoughts?

Every company will have different philosophies on subframe design, and it differs drastically between different chassis. A lot of this tech trickles down from large expedition vehicles chassis in which a spring mounted or even pivot system is required. It also not as simple as just maximizing subframe isolation/making it as zero torsion as possible. There are also very real downsides of a subframe with too much isolation! That said, the sprinter chassis is extremely stiff in comparison to the E350, making this isolation less important. If I was a you, I would survey what some of the other sprinter box manufactures are doing on the sprinter chassis, total composites and boxmanufaktur are a couple that come to mind! You can also get body builders guides from the various manufactures with info on what they recommend (usually the safest bet)! It a balance of making the habitat and chassis happy.

 

[vintageracer]

Love it. How soon til they put one on an E-series cutaway?

Maybe NEVER!

My understanding is E Series Cutaways are now only available through Fleet Sales. Supposedly the only reason they still make E Series Cutaways is because of Uhaul wants them and orders enough to keep making them!

 

[PathNotTaken]

Maybe NEVER!

My understanding is E Series Cutaways are now only available through Fleet Sales. Supposedly the only reason they still make E Series Cutaways is because of Uhaul wants them and orders enough to keep making them!

The cutaway is available for purchase from ford. They are still being made for a variety applications!


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[vintageracer]

I did not say E Series Cutaways were no longer made.

I just said they are now Fleet Order Only according to my friend that owns the local Ford truck dealer.

 

[taffyc]

Maybe NEVER!

My understanding is E Series Cutaways are now only available through Fleet Sales. Supposedly the only reason they still make E Series Cutaways is because of Uhaul wants them and orders enough to keep making them!

Check the Ujoint video above. They're definitely sourcing new E350 cutaways.

 

[vintageracer]

Check the Ujoint video above. They're definitely sourcing new E350 cutaways.

I did NOT say cutaways were not available. I said they are now FLEET ORDER only!

 

[taffyc]

Every company will have different philosophies on subframe design, and it differs drastically between different chassis. A lot of this tech trickles down from large expedition vehicles chassis in which a spring mounted or even pivot system is required. It also not as simple as just maximizing subframe isolation/making it as zero torsion as possible. There are also very real downsides of a subframe with too much isolation! That said, the sprinter chassis is extremely stiff in comparison to the E350, making this isolation less important. If I was a you, I would survey what some of the other sprinter box manufactures are doing on the sprinter chassis, total composites and boxmanufaktur are a couple that come to mind! You can also get body builders guides from the various manufactures with info on what they recommend (usually the safest bet)! It a balance of making the habitat and chassis happy.

Thanks for the great info. Also good to hear that the Sprinter Cab Chassis is much stiffer than the E350. I will go do more research though based on your suggestions!

 

[taffyc]

I did NOT say cutaways were not available. I said they are now FLEET ORDER only!

OK understood - thanks for clarifying.

 

[taffyc]

We have owned a Euphoria XL since late August. Came out of a well-known manufacturer’s Sprinter van conversion after 6 years of use. Wife was wanting more ”comfort”, aka something more akin to an “RV” without losing too much of the ”van” benefits. With length and height being critical measurements for us (after what would be suspension, tire, etc., enhancements) it was critical not to exceed 11’5” due to our shop’s garage entry points. (Was built in 1982 with an 18’ wide door but sadly not a true 12’ height.).

This door entry constraint led to a year long struggle to find the right vehicle for “us”. The Euphoria XL TB fits that requirement and then some.

The twin bed lay out has removed the daily climb overs to use the head as one of us usually has a midnight need to recycle fluids. Love the quality of the cabinets which other OEM’s still haven’t figured out that the best product in an Offroad vehicle for durability is aluminum. Some brands we investigated had absolutely the worst cabinets regarding alignment, assembly, using staples, etc. Can’t imagine how that will hold up over time. Anyway, the amount of storage fantasic, the power system, HVAC, bath and all the other aspects of this build have been great. Was initially skeptical of the “diaper genie” toilet having become a fan of cassettes however the dry flush has really won us over for convenience. The rear cargo area, as demonstrated on a number of other brands, is such a benefit compared to the van. Sometimes “multi-purpose” becomes a headache over time when moving things around or reconfiguring for different uses. That headache so gone and not missed as I am sure anyone with this style truck can attest.

About the only negative is the lack of a true rotating front seat(s). The passenger seat can rotate 90 degrees however as previously discussed the bulkhead obstruction prevents more than that. Forget rotating the drivers seat.

So, with the many pluses and perhaps a few small cons, overall we are very satisfied with “Goldie”. She is a rig we expect to own for many years of exciting exploration around North America.

Thanks - great to hear your experiences. I understand the issue with the lack of room to swivel seats, but I guess the bulkhead and vanmade thermal curtain are probably great for thermal isolation. I wish they had an option with the table at the front and a large opening into the cab though.

 

[GR8ADV]

I wish they had an option with the table at the front and a large opening into the cab though.

Great company. They will build what ever you want. Unless this is just jibber jabber, then never mind.

 

[BoxNBenz]

For those wanting less of a bulkhead, ability to fully recline (or swivel) the driver and passenger seats, seat 4 in DOT certified seats and/or see a different layout for the Euphoria:



The scopema seat folds out to a 6’ 1” bed but also connects to the driver seat for over 7’ in length. This way you don’t have to hop over anyone if you have to get up in the middle of the night.

There are some other tweaks such as the galley placement/layout, changed up the fridge and sink, and dinette size.

In regards to mounting the habitat box on the sprinter frame, like PathNotTaken has mentioned, there are different philosophies but with the Sprinter being a unibody construction most are not using a subframe (from my understanding).

 

[GR8ADV]

For those wanting less of a bulkhead, ability to fully recline ( or swivel) the driver and passenger seats, seat 4 in DOT certified seats and/or see a different layout for the Euphoria:



The scopema seat folds out to a 6’ 1” bed but also connects to the driver seat for over 7’ in length. This way you don’t have to hop over anyone if you have to get up in the middle of the night.

There are some other tweaks such as the galley placement/layout, changed up the fridge and sink, and dinette size.

In regards to mounting the habitat box on the sprinter frame, like PathNotTaken has mentioned, there are different philosophies but with the Sprinter being a unibody construction most are not using a subframe (from my understanding).

Very nice indeed. Thank you for posting.

Some great options there. Everyone’s configuration ideas and needs are different, it is great to see how flexible they are.

Having seen these in person, they are very well done and a company that should be on everyone’s short list.