Jayco Vs Winnebago Quality

rider1520 wrote:
j-d.....I also understand about the wiring but my original point was that the workmanship is suppose to be of good quality, perhaps not as good as nine ago but to save $10,000 I would be ok with that. As I understand it the construction is similar to QWinnebago in that it is an aluminum frame but they use a vacuum bond side wall process as opposed to a "pinch roller" processed used by WInnebago. Can the poster who said they toured the Jayco plant comment? Thanks again

Jayco is Vacuum bonded, very little chance of de-lamination, and and it also has a greater insulation value than a rolled sidewall. Of all of the factory tours that we took, Jayco impressed us the most with the quality of the building process. Once again, any unit can have issues, but that's where the 2 year warranty proves it's worth.

The roof on the Jayco 31FK is one piece fiberglass like the Winnebago. I have a pole barn so the unit is garage kept when not in use but agree with you regarding your thoughts about the "attitude" overall. Thank for taking your time to respond. It is a big decision and just want to try as best I can to make sure it is a good one

There are some very high end Class C's with molded FG bodies, like boat hulls. Below that, high line "stick built" ones (frame and siding/roof) like Lazy Daze. I'd rate the LD the highest of these frame/siding/roof coaches. Then Winnebago. Below that, they form a herd. I'm comfortable putting Jayco next, but there's Nexus and Fleetwood.
I'll concede that the actual wiring issue I mentioned isn't a deal maker/breaker in its own right. It does, though, at least to me, reflect an attitude on the company's part.
I see you're in PA. Where will you use AND STORE your RV? Here in FL we have a long summer (read that as Hot, Sun, Rain) season. Our coach sits outside all year. Even if the Jayco you're considering has a rubber roof... If you do the prescribed annual roof maintenance (and EVERY warranty requires it) and even better store under cover for winter... I'd be very surprised if the rubber roof gave you a minute's trouble in 20 years' ownership.
If you don't like the layout, find yourselves falling over each other, miss the cab-over bunk, so on so forth THEN you're regret the coach every time you use it.

j-d.....I also understand about the wiring but my original point was that the workmanship is suppose to be of good quality, perhaps not as good as nine ago but to save $10,000 I would be ok with that. As I understand it the construction is similar to QWinnebago in that it is an aluminum frame but they use a vacuum bond side wall process as opposed to a "pinch roller" processed used by WInnebago. Can the poster who said they toured the Jayco plant comment? Thanks again

J-d. I agree we love the 31c layout and are looking to try and stay as close to it as possible. Winnebago only offers it in the entry level Class C, they don't even offer a cab over bed any more in the Cambria or Aspect it is just an snub nosed space for an entertainment center. Wanting to stay with Winnebago but no it having much luck with the class C selection, I began looking at entry level class A. But the layout I would like (the Vista 31KE has a wheelbase of 190" which according to the ratings from RV Consumer group is too short to recommend and they claim it would be too difficult to drive and be suceptable to wandering and being blown around by trucks. The only available option in that category is the Vista 31BE which is on a 203" wheelbase but the layout is awkward at best. The hallway is too narrow when the slide is out and in order to get to the rear bed with the slide retracted is to go through the pasasthrough bathroom. THAT lead me back to the Jayco's again. Please keep the comments coming as I do want to make sure a make a good decision and if the "right" choice means $10,000 more than I would rather do that and be happy every time we use it then save $10,000 and be reminded I made a mistake very time we use it.....thanks again

JRide Plus Package: Bilstein shocks, stabilizer bar, Hellwig helper springs and rubber isolation body mounts.

I'm suspect that they really aren't providing much suspension upgrade.

The shocks are an upgrade but Koni shocks would be more desirable. Did they upgrade "the" stabilizer bar or are they just stating that it has what Ford shipped it with? Many people upgrade front and rear stabilizer bars but Jayco only mentions one. Helper springs may or may not suggest that the chassis has no reserve weight capacity. I'd prefer air bags instead of additional springs because of the adjustability. Rubber body mounts are not unique to Jayco. I'm suspect that they really aren't providing much suspension upgrade.

Well,

We've owned both and taken both factory tours.

When we buy a house, we go a lot but how it feels when we walk in the door, we want that warm, cozy, welcoming feel... and we do the same with RV's

Jayco gave us that feeling, and the Winnebago didn't. Winnebago seems to be going to the colder European look, which we don't care for. The tour in their Forest City plant was nice, but they didn't allow us to take photo's, which was a first for us.

All RV's have issues, heck, they're very complex, and move around a lot. So the Jayco 2 year warranty is very important to us. Also, the folks at the factory, and at the factory service center are friendly, competent, and bent over backwards to accommodate us.

We've had many different brands of both trailers and motorhomes, and are on our third Jayco.

Hope that helps!

Happy and safe camping!

the winnie will have a fiberglass roof. what does the Jayco have?
bumpy

How can I go about a swap? Seriously, that 31C is one of my favorite WinTasca layouts. We own a Jayco and firmly believe the Winnebago stuff is better. I mean in materials, design, assembly. More importantly, I've found I could assist Winnebago owners with electrical problems via Web and Phone, because their parts and wiring diagrams were available and SO precise.
This may not be a perfect example, but in an Automobile, you can find documentation of not just which fuse feeds which light. You can also find where that wiring runs and even order a replacement harness. I've seen Winnebago to be just like that. All the way down to the two screws that held the DVD player to a shelf. But Wiring was where Winnebago said I'd find it and was labeled. Our Jayco is more like a Stick'n'Brick house. Breaker panel MAY say where a light or outlet is connected, but there's no telling how the wiring was accomplished.
I also find Winnebago construction, evidenced by water and wiring systems, to just be "neater" than many others.
New Jayco with a fiberglass roof, possible candidate. And remember that not every Winnebago roof has been fiberglass. Maybe all the newer ones now have FG again. There were years where some models didn't.
Our rubber Jayco roof is crowned at the rear but flattens toward the cab-over. Holds a lot of water, and has leaked.
But all said, FLOORPLAN RULES! Daddy gets worked up over the engineering. Mama better be happy in the house part!