2014 Jayco Eagle vs. Columbus Palomino

Jayco has a two year warranty. Not sure on the other. Jayco has great customer service, as we have experienced many times. There is a reason the other is cheaper. I can't tell you what to buy but if you have ideas of being full time with kids I would get the Jayco.

Why do you say the Columbus is a 3 season trailer? We have a new 2014 Columbus. Some heating vents go into the insulated fresh water, black and grey water tank areas. In addition, ours has electric tank heaters. The tank heaters may be an option, but ours has them. I turned them on a few weeks ago when it got down to 18 (which is really cold for Louisiana). I just wonder what your definition of 4 season is?

I have owned a Jayco, it was also a good trailer. I have owned my Columbus about 9 months. Forest River let me buy an additional year of factory warranty for $150. That makes the warranties the same. We love our Columbus. I don't know how good it would do below zero, but that is really not a concern for me.

I have looked under cabinets and storage compartments at the construction quality. Having owned 5 previous RVs, I think its pretty darn good for a fifth wheel with an MSRP just under $70K.

I would tell you to pick the floorplan that suits you best. I don't know that I would recommend fulltiming with small kids, but that's certainly your call and I wish you the best of luck.

I don't know anything about the Columbus. However, you mention the Jayco was a 4 season and the Columbus was not. Something to consider is that the added insulation in the Jayco also works to your advantage in the heat, not just the cold. It tends to get warm and humid in Florida in the summer. With that thinking in mind, how many Air Conditioners does either have? As far as quality, my 36' Jayco is a 1995 model, and still going strong. I do not know about the quality of the Columbus. Wish I could be more helpful.

We had a Jayco Eagle bunk house and loved it! However, it ended up being too big for us (kids grown with own family now). If we ever go with a 5er again I would not hesitate to look at Jayco again. We were completely satisfied. Good luck!

Tough decision!

I'm part of both the FR and Jayco owners forums. The Columbus had a rough start with some frequent complaints about construction and design, but it always seemed that FR was working to make it right. Newer owners seem pleased overall.

Jayco has been family owned for decades, has a standard two year warranty, and is a well built coach. I'm no brand cheerleader so I'll stop there.

I'd spend an afternoon in each and make a list of pro and con's of each unit. Pick the one who has the least con's and the dealer with whom you can develop a relationship with.

Best of luck!

We were in the exact situation a couple of months ago. After all the research, including which dealer I wanted to deal with we went with the Eagle. After spending some time in it I'm happy with the decision we made, good luck with yours.

have you looked at the Eagle Premier .... its interior is a step up over the Eagle .... both carry 0 - 100 degree certification via independent testing by Dometic .... as others have noted, when camping under circumstances where you pay your own electric bill, the overall insulation package of the Eagle and Eagle Premier will save you money every day

Jim

We have had our Columbus 320RS for 2 years. It had the 2nd year warranty from Forest River.
Here are some things I really like about my Columbus.
1) HUGE shower, something to think about with the family.
2) 10 Gallon water heater with quick recovery. Something else to think about with the kids.
3) STANDARD convection/microwave oven with a gas oven.
4) 100" wide with 6 sided welded frame.
5) R-38 floor/R30 roof
6) standard heating pads for holding tanks
7) A light in the shower; it's the little things don't ya know.
8) 3-20 Gallon propane tanks makes it easy to swap out at many places.
We looked at a Jayco fiver, but went with the Columbus and very glad we did. Good luck with your decision.

There is no question on the coach--Jayco is byfar a better quality unit. My next thought is how are you going to bring it home without a truck. Your rv dealer should be able to give you the weights you will need to decide on a truck. When you goto purchase the truck do not believe what ever the salesman tells you, take your weights with you and have him show you in writing the abilitys of the truck. First hint start by looking at at least a 3/4 ton diesel and if your considering a GM product make sure it has the Allison 6 speed transmission. If somebody recomends a dual rear wheel pick-up remember they will not go threw a full service car wash. Good luck and pleasant travels

jay5er wrote:
There is no question on the coach--Jayco is byfar a better quality unit.

And another Jayco owner chimes in....

If you haven't owned a Columbus also, how can you make such a statement?

Being in the RV industry, I've seen just as many issues with Jayco/Starcraft as all the others.

The Jayco Eagle doesn't even have near the same R value as the Columbus, so I'm not sure how the OP said it is 4 season rated and the C is not..

To the OP, get what YOU like, and do the homework in person.