Jayco Eagle vs. Open Range Light

Lantley wrote:
You have decided that 4 point vs. 6point leveling is the criteria to judge a frame strength based on your response from big foot.

you are partly correct .... a 4 or 6 point leveling system does speak volumes about the strength of a camper's frame .... just as manufactures pick slide systems based on cost and weight they do so with most components .... 6 point systems with stabilizers cost more and weigh more than 4 point systems without stabilizers .... the reason a manufacture would go with a 6 and not a 4 is they know that the frame of their camper isn't sufficiently rig to provide the stability buyers expect form a camper when it is parked and in use .... if a cheaper/lighter 4 point system would deliver that level of stability, they would use it .... when they know it won't, they have to go in another direction .... we have a 4 point Bigfoot system (no additional JT type stabilization needed) installed on our camper which has a very strong triple stacked box tube frame .... the same type frame still used in some Double Tree units .... it is so solid that the OEM rear stabilizers have been removed .... it might be worth your time to check out an Eagle Premier with a 4 point Atwood auto leveling system .... I was in one at an RV show last September .... there had to be a dozen or more folks in it as well and it didn't move .... here again, I'm happy you have found a camper that you like and that meets your needs .... the reality is all frames are not created equal .... one indicator of the frames strength is number of points of support and other reinforcement it may need to be an stable platform .... here again, I'm trying to provide facts and its up to other folks to determine if they have any relevance

Jim

Jim while your intentions maybe good your comments are biased and misleading.
You have decided that 4 point vs. 6point leveling is the criteria to judge a frame strength based on your response from big foot.
Actual Open range owners have not had major issues with weak frames. That does not mean there has never been or will never be a frame issue with OR. But to date is has not been a chronic problem with actual owners.
I agree OR's frame and slide system are innovative and not built like most other units. Most OR owners commend OR for their ability to think and design outside of the box.
OR's interior and exteriors are unique and trendsetting.
In the end as with all RV brands some like OR and some don't,however implying that OR is producing units with inferior or substandard frames is not supported by those that actually own OR.
Furthermore I agree OR is not perfect. They suffer from the same lack of quality control that permeates the entire RV industry from top to bottom.
Nevertheless OR has a good reputation for standing behind their product. My personal experience with OR has been very positive.

I suggest the OP checkout both the OR owners forum and Jayco's forum . I think you will find both groups of owners are satisfied and happy with their units.

Dandy Dan wrote:
Open Range does use cable system on their slides. If JEBar would investigate the slide system he would find that it is aircraft cable, the system has been around for some time and there are more companies using this as it reduces the weight of the vehicle as much as 500 pounds per slide. I got our Open Range in May of 2008, have pulled it over 25000 miles and the slides have worked flawless and mine was the 165th unit they built. Check out the BAL website and make your own decision instead of taking gospel by someone who doesn't own the brand he states is best. (Sorry Jim) just my opinion Don't you trust airplanes?

first of all, I do hope your current camper gives you many years of good service and that you continue to be pleased with it .... the cable slides system used today is much improved over the one in the Zingers of a few years ago .... as stated they are installed because they cut weight and are cheaper .... my problem with cable slides isn't the cable, its the system .... over the years I've watched/helped folks with Open Range campers replace/adjust slide cables and its a most interesting process .... I find they way some leave a bow in their cables so water runs away from the slide seals and not into the camper to be very interesting .... its also interesting to see folks point out that they require no holes to be cut into the camper's frame .... when manufactures lighten their frames they do so to cut weight and save money (pretty much the creed of many companies today).... when a camper has a frame that is so strong/rigid that they can offer a unit on which a 4 point auto leveling system doesn't require additional stabilizers, they also design them to accommodate holes cut for the slides .... in short, no problem .... when a company saves money and weight by weakening their frames to where they require 6 points of stabilization plus JT strong arm stabilizers it would seem to be logical that it may not be good to make such cuts .... it also requires them to install stress relief joints (to prevent cracking in the wall caused by the frame flexing) in the sidewall under the bedroom slide .... I have no problems with flying and do so when necessary, my preference is to drive and take out camper .... we own the camper we have because its what we can afford and meets our needs at this time .... in the not too distant future we may well purchase a new one so we are doing our home work .... we took a good look at going lighter and for us that isn't a viable option .... our pending choices right now include the Pinnacle/Eagle Premier, Mobile Suit, and Excel with Heartland being a distant 4th .... not a cable slide in the bunch, all can be equipped with 4 point stabilizers .... info given to answer questions, not to say others should do anything

Jim

JEBar wrote:

goducks10 wrote:

JEBar wrote:

Trail-Mate wrote:
JEBar is way off base on his OR comments. 4 and 6 point systems and standard JT strong arms are an upgrade from most systems in this price point.

facts are facts .... a frame on which a 4 point leveling system without any stabilizers can be used is much more solid/rigid/strong (pick the term you like) than a frame which requires 6 jacks plus JT's stabilizers .... as noted, Open Range uses a slide system that cuts weight, they also cut weight in their frame .... for some folks that is fine .... for others it is a point of concern

Jim

I don't see where either of these 5'ers offers any kind of 4 or 6pt leveling. It's not in either of the options list. No where in the build and price list for Jayco. OR doesn't show an option for it either. Where are you getting your information from?

correct, not a factory option .... when we were looking a few months ago I called Quadra Manufacturing (Bigfoot) and asked about having a system installed on an Eagle, Open Range Lite and three other lines .... they said yes to the Eagle without additional stabilization .... no to the others

Jim

Okay, well clears that up. Cool.

JEBar wrote:
I believe the Jayco is a much better built unit with a much larger base of dealer support .... it has a stronger frame which can be fitted with a 4 point auto leveling system .... Open Range has cut its frame to where in order to support it and keep it from bouncing takes a 6 point system .... on top of the 6 jacks they usually require additional stabilizer bars between the jacks .... while some think they are fine, they also use the cheapest (cable) slide system on the market .... they do a good job of spinning their system to make it look good but spin is spin .... if you are going to park it most of the time, they are OK .... if you plan to travel, the Jayco is the way to go

Jim

Open Range does use cable system on their slides. If JEBar would investigate the slide system he would find that it is aircraft cable, the system has been around for some time and there are more companies using this as it reduces the weight of the vehicle as much as 500 pounds per slide. I got our Open Range in May of 2008, have pulled it over 25000 miles and the slides have worked flawless and mine was the 165th unit they built. Check out the BAL website and make your own decision instead of taking gospel by someone who doesn't own the brand he states is best. (Sorry Jim) just my opinion Don't you trust airplanes?

FYI the 305 designation does not reflect the actual length of the unit but the square footage of the interior.

Good Luck in your shopping and Happy Camping.

Duck wrote:
When I was looking at a Jayco Pinnacle 2 years ago the auto level system was electric and not hydraulic. Do not know if this is true today.
Don

I believe you are correct and the system is made by Atwood

Jim

goducks10 wrote:

JEBar wrote:

Trail-Mate wrote:
JEBar is way off base on his OR comments. 4 and 6 point systems and standard JT strong arms are an upgrade from most systems in this price point.

facts are facts .... a frame on which a 4 point leveling system without any stabilizers can be used is much more solid/rigid/strong (pick the term you like) than a frame which requires 6 jacks plus JT's stabilizers .... as noted, Open Range uses a slide system that cuts weight, they also cut weight in their frame .... for some folks that is fine .... for others it is a point of concern

Jim

I don't see where either of these 5'ers offers any kind of 4 or 6pt leveling. It's not in either of the options list. No where in the build and price list for Jayco. OR doesn't show an option for it either. Where are you getting your information from?

correct, not a factory option .... when we were looking a few months ago I called Quadra Manufacturing (Bigfoot) and asked about having a system installed on an Eagle, Open Range Lite and three other lines .... they said yes to the Eagle without additional stabilization .... no to the others

Jim

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I don't see where either of these 5'ers offers any kind of 4 or 6pt leveling. It's not in either of the options list. No where in the build and price list for Jayco. OR doesn't show an option for it either. Where are you getting your information from?

I believe the 2nd post was talking about four point and six point stabilizers, not levelers.

OR does have six point stabilizers on some of the larger models. And many models higher up the chain/ price list than the Light/Lite line do offer auto leveling.

OR, or at least the OR dealers in the Dallas area, does offer extra stabilizer bars like the JT system on every Light/Lite I've seen as an option. I've also seen those stabilizers on the Mesa Ridge, Roamer and full size OR models in the various dealer lots.

IMHO a six point stabilizing or auto leveling system is superior to a four point system. The more points on the ground, the better it can do the job.

I notice that most big toy haulers have stabilizers right behind the rear axle and again at the rear of the body.

I've seen Dutchman, Jayco, DRV Suites, Landmark and other Heartland brands all with six point systems. Even on trailers as short as 32 feet.

Either way they're not options for either of the OP's choices so I just don't see the reason for the conversation if they aren't available.
If they are options they don't show up on either's web sites.
They are options or standard on the non lite versions.

When I was looking at a Jayco Pinnacle 2 years ago the auto level system was electric and not hydraulic. Do not know if this is true today.
Don

I have a regular Open Range. The frame is excellent. And it uses the 4 point auto level system. And has the JT Strongarms too. When parked, this trailer is solid as a rock. No bouncing or rocking or rollin'. The 6 point system might be offered now. It would be a slight upgrade. Certainly not a compromise as a means to support a weaker frame. That thinking is just bad advice. Simply not true.

The slide out system does use cables. And it does allow for a better frame. Because the frame is not cut out for the slide out mechanicals. The cable slides seem to work quite well. If you study the system, it works the same way your garage door opener works. An electric motor turns a sprocket that move a bicycle type link chain that is attached to a aircraft strength (same as used on airplanes) cable. The motor goes one way to bring the slide in. And reverses to bring the slide out. All mechanical parts are inside the trailer and easily accessible for service.

I cannot vouch for Jayco. But have heard they have a solid reputation too. I do know that the folks at Open Range are great folks and stand behind their product. Have been out to their factory. They are constantly working to improve their product. They did authorize some repairs for me, that were 6 months after the warranty had expired.

I just wanted to chime in to correct some of the mis-information that may creep in to this forum, sometimes.

Personally I think you cannot go wrong with either.