Hmmm.... sorry to sidetrack things with the Nest reference, but it is one of the few serious new moulded fiberglass operations that I am aware of.
Robert Johans is clearly a smart and dedicated builder, but his approach is nearly opposite of Reace's in some ways, and it shows in the product. An Escape is designed to work as an RV at an economically viable cost; the Nest is largely the implementation of some design goals (largely visual), made to function adequately but without an emphasis on cost. Perhaps the curved door is an obvious choice for the Nest, and not such an obvious choice for an Escape? Also, the Nest has a cored composite construction, so the shell should be quite rigid - in fact, it is a composite monocoque (the body is the structure), with the suspension attached to the middle, the tongue attached to the front, and the bumper attached to the rear... all separately, with no frame joining them.
I have followed the design and creation of the Nest, and corresponded with Robert, but not actually seen it (I think there's only one prototype) in person.
Robert Johans is clearly a smart and dedicated builder, but his approach is nearly opposite of Reace's in some ways, and it shows in the product. An Escape is designed to work as an RV at an economically viable cost; the Nest is largely the implementation of some design goals (largely visual), made to function adequately but without an emphasis on cost. Perhaps the curved door is an obvious choice for the Nest, and not such an obvious choice for an Escape? Also, the Nest has a cored composite construction, so the shell should be quite rigid - in fact, it is a composite monocoque (the body is the structure), with the suspension attached to the middle, the tongue attached to the front, and the bumper attached to the rear... all separately, with no frame joining them.
I have followed the design and creation of the Nest, and corresponded with Robert, but not actually seen it (I think there's only one prototype) in person.
