Jayco 5th Wheels Questions

krusegroup wrote:
We optioned a lot of the items in your second column onto a 35' Eagle HT BHXB. I didn't want the auto-level, but have almost everything else. We've just had it for a few months, but really love it!

I went online and loaded those options we really wanted into the smaller unit and it took the price up 6 grand which is not bad for auto level, 2nd a/c, and fireplace. I also upgraded the windows to frameless dual pane windows as well

Also thanks BarryG20 for your feedback. I'm glad your happy with your unit. It makes a person feel better before taking this big of a plunge knowing others that have done it and are satisfied.

If I'm going to order a unit I might really consider the 28,5RSTS HT the floorplan is similar but it has an island which the wife prefers.

Is there a Jayco Users Forum? I'd like tp look and see what people are saying

We optioned a lot of the items in your second column onto a 35' Eagle HT BHXB. I didn't want the auto-level, but have almost everything else. We've just had it for a few months, but really love it!

We have a 2016 27.5 RLTS

We have one 15k btu air conditioner. And so far for us it has been fine. however have not used it in the desert in the middle of the summer

Would love to have the auto level but to be honest wasn't willing to pay an extra 3 or 4k for it. I can add it myself for that much if I wanted too.

Didn't want an outside kitchen

Didn't want W/D prep

More awning would be better but the one there seems to work ok but due to the slide it cant be any longer which could be nice

The water heater works fine for us. If using both gas and elec it heats up pretty quick. We have not run out of HW but we don't lounge in the shower either.

The fridge is not overly large but has not been a problem for us.

We have 50 amp service we do not have the second ac unit which is the only reason I can think of the unit might need 50 amps.

The counter top well that remains to be seen on how well they hold up but so far so good.

Ours does have the fireplace which is only used for a bit of heat instead of running the furnace uses less elec draw. Wont keep up the whole trailer when cold out but does fine when it is only cool and you just need a bit or for like overnight again if not too cold

TV is fine. Did not want an outside tv see no reason for one myself and I darn sure don't want to hear anyone else's but to each his own. There is a space for a tv in the bedroom and has blocking for mounting one but it is in a very poor place and don't see how you could really hang one there without it being in the way entering an exiting the room. It above the curbside window and a bit towards the door ours is marked for it. Not a problem for us as we don't watch much tv while camping.

The tires/wheels while I will change them out from the 15 to 16 size they do have a decent load rating and are not undersized for the trailer. IIRC they are rated for 2540lbs, trailer max weight is 9950 lets call the pin weight 1500 though it is more that leaves 8450 on the tires and the tires have a 10160 load rating so there is a good cushion. I also have a TPMS system added to the trailer and the tire temps are good with very little variation in temps between tires making me think it is fairly well balanced as well.

So far we have been happy with the 27.5 trailer. It has not been perfect but none/few are. Nothing really major. Just yesterday I did change out the bathroom fan as it got pummeled by hail and leaked. I felt that the plastic covering for it was way to thin to be of any real value. Replaced it with a Fantastic Vent that moves much more air and the cover has a lifetime warranty. Though the new one cant really be ran in the rain like the old one was supposed to be able to due to its design. I think it really comes down to what you want in a trailer. If those items on the bigger one are must haves then there is your answer. You can also order a Jayco HT with much of that stuff included or what you want included. Obviously the price will go up as well. I wanted as short a unit as possible wife wanted longer well just more room. The triple slide gives you a ton of room in the living area. So we both sort of got what we wanted in that respect.

I think it is a given that those features are worth $11k. Question is, are those features that you want? If a majority of those features appeal to you, then it is probably worth it to you.

Keep in mind that you are comparing an HT model (half ton, light weight model) to a regular model. So in addition to the features you mentioned, you will have the features that are standard on the heavier models. I didn't check the Jayco site, but I would bet the heavier model is also taller.

There are several different Mor-ryde suspension systems. They range from equalizers between the springs up to a full blown independent suspension. Just saying it has Mor-ryde suspension doesn't mean much unless the version it has is mentioned. Most likely it has some Mor-ryde equalizers only. They help a little to provide a smoother ride.

B.O.

The $11,000 difference is probably worth it, if you want a 37' FW as opposed to a 31' one. When we bought our 2102 HT 26.5 RLS, we didn't want a trailer that was 37' long due to where we store it next to our house and the capacity of the Ram 2500 six-speed manual that we had. After nine months, we traded for a GMC D/A combo crew cab that probably would have carried the Eagle you are looking at. For us, with just the two of us, the 26.5 works great and we have no desire to upgrade to a heavier, longer FW. As far as quality, I think that, as said above, at each price point, you will probably find that Jayco quality is at least equal to anything else out there. And, the 18 gal equivalent is, I think, a six gallon water heater with the ability to throughput 18 gallons of hot water an hour using both gas and electric. Our water heater is six gallon but is rated at a greater equivalent then that.

Understanding that all you're going to get are opinions, Jayco is, in my opinion, as good or better than other RVs AT ITS PRICE POINT, at least when it comes to the mid-range 5th wheels. And, yes, the additional features are worth every bit of $11K - you couldn't go back and add them to the smaller 30 amp rig for $11K.

Background for the above - we've owned 3 Jaycos, a Cardinal pop-up (our first RV) and 2 Designer 5th wheels.

Rusty