Narrowed our two fifth wheel choices down, opinions?

Chuckdog wrote:
The wife and I looked at two fifth wheels that we both really like. Both are at the same local dealership that so far we like and both are within our price range. One is the 2014 sabre 34 TBOK and the other is the 2014 Eagle 34.5 BHTS. The wife likes the sabre more but the sales guys think the jaycos are better built in their opinion. Looking for opinions from you experts.

I've been hesitating to post this thread or even really talk about my Sabre experience until I was able to see it through from start to finish. The Sabre quality had some catching up to do with the price that they were asking for it. Overall, I was pretty happy- some fit and finish things, but in the end, I don't stress over those things. My big issue came when a slide starting having issues and it was out of my dealer's league - so it because a factory return. I just got back from Goshen to examine my unit before it is shipped back to me and I have to say- I'd happily buy a new Sabre again after talking to the warranty and plant managers.

As others have said, the extra year of the warranty for $150 makes the Jayco 2-year warranty a non-issue.

Wiscampsin wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I'm not opposed to the Sabre and the 2 year warranty option sounds great.
But why is the additional year a secret?
Add $150.00 to the price and promote it!

It's not a secret. It's just that dealers don't make a commission on it like they do from 3rd party extended warranty companies. I agree about adding it to the cost up front and making it standard.

I agree with this. You are supposed to buy the second year within 10 days of purchase. Since my dealer sent in the warranty info, and it was with it, I didn't learn about this until 8 months later. I called Forest River and they had no problem extending the period to buy it. I bought it since it seems like a no brainer to me.

Maybe if the dealer had told me this first it would have worked against him trying to sell an extended warranty (big commission). I didn't buy the extended 3rd party warranty, so the 2nd year factory warranty sounds great for $150. I have owned my Palamino Columbus about 9 months and love it. I also owned a Jayco a number of years ago. Also a great trailer. Go with the floorplan you like best.

Lantley wrote:
I'm not opposed to the Sabre and the 2 year warranty option sounds great.
But why is the additional year a secret?
Add $150.00 to the price and promote it!

It's not a secret. It's just that dealers don't make a commission on it like they do from 3rd party extended warranty companies. I agree about adding it to the cost up front and making it standard.

Oaklevel wrote:
Dealer will not offer the Forest River 2nd year warranty but it is available for the $150. If you buy the Sabre the offer will be in the owners manual for the 2nd year warranty. The dealer should give you an offer sheet as well.

I'm not opposed to the Sabre and the 2 year warranty option sounds great.
But why is the additional year a secret?
Add $150.00 to the price and promote it!

Dealer will not offer the Forest River 2nd year warranty but it is available for the $150. If you buy the Sabre the offer will be in the owners manual for the 2nd year warranty. The dealer should give you an offer sheet as well.

We looked at dozens of manufacturers/models and went with a Sabre. We had a 2008 Jayco Eagle TT but didn't need the BH anymore. Local dealer had both Jayco and Sabre 5th wheels, among others, and we went with a Sabre because others didn't have a floorplan that met our needs/wants list. We really like our Sabre but like others have said, If mama ain't happy ..... We did go with the 2nd year warranty from Forest River, for $150 it's a no brainer. I'm not knocking Jayco, they make a great camper and I think you'd be happy with the build quality and fit & finish of either.
BTW, who's your dealer in Wisconsin?

Chuckdog, you'll run into pin wt. issues, IMO. In no way can you compare a flatbed GN trailer to an RV FW. On the GN, you can shift the load to make sure you're not over wt. on the ball; can't do too much on a FW. When my brother and I load our two antique tractors on our GN, his Model B =always= goes on first, with my A on the back, if I'm towing with my D'max. If we're towing with his F350 Dually, then my A goes on first and his B in the back, since he's got a lot more capacity than I do.

Lyle

wife wins mine did

Sabre would be my pick of the 2. Yes extended for warranty. Fwiw I think they are pretty equal in build quality.

Forest River offers a second year of factory, (not aftermarket) warranty coverage for about $150.00. That should pretty well solve the warranty issue. Either is a good unit.

B.O.