Buying New Travel Trailer Jayco or Z-1 Crossroads??

Understand in that price range you are going to most likely get a stick and tin built trailer. There's nothing wrong with that and is what I own now. Inside you are going to have the same appliances across the brands, the same luan walls and ceilings, and the same furniture. I'd find it hard to believe if you could tell me what brand you were in if I were to blindfold you and sit you down on the dinette.

I own a Crossroads Zinger and have not had any issues with it. It is built strong and we enjoy it. I've toured the Crossroads factory and they seem to be built just like all the others.

On the other hand I owned a Jayco highwall popup from 2005-2009. We had nothing but problems with it. So much that the factory transported the trailer back to Indiana for extensive repairs all of which were covered by Jayco's warranty but nonetheless that entire experience put a real sour taste in my mouth about Jayco.

As always pick the floorplan that suits your needs and don't worry about the brand name.

Is your guard going to have full hookups? Just curious! :P

2006 Jayco, across the country 4 times, no problems.

Jayco for the warranty, both are great units - I really think the Zinger Z1 and Jayco are more alike then different.

I have had my zinger for 2 yrs now and love it. It has been a good trailer that has withstood many things that my DH and I have done go it as rookie mistakes. I have had a couple of small issues while I was under warranty and crossroads fixed them without issue. when we were shopping, I was not at all impressed with jayco. I noticed a lot of what I felt were exposed wires (checking the tt out from the standpoint of a parent of a toddler). The one advantage jayco currently has over crossroads is jayco has a 2 yr warranty whereas crossroads recently decreased their warranty to 1 yr. Check out owners forums for both brands to get a better feel for yourself.


Oh and there is nothing wrong with using it as a guard shack just make sure you have the correct electric hookups and somewhere to dump your grey and black tanks. Enjoy your new unit, whichever you decide to get.

Jayco stick and tin for durability. Best company to buy from. Excellent company support.

There has been no exposed wires at all in either of my Jay Flight 19BH or 26BH so I have no idea where that comes from. Jayco does use plywood and the best construction methods. Some makers use partical board/press board and use less expensive construction methods so I'd do some actual research on the Crossroads construction in that regards.

I have no experience with Crossroads to say negative or positive things. Only positive things to say for Jayco.

Why not a construction trailer for a guard shack? They are designed for it.

Only once has my company used an old TT when their guard shack trailer was being upgraded.

Did you make a purchase? I'm in the same boat. I really liked the Z-1, when I looked at it, and then I went and looked at a Jayco Jay Flight and the Jay Flight Swift. The salesman demonstrated the strength in the construction, and I was impressed. If it was a show and nothing more, it got me thinking. I will be traveling it my trailer quite a bit, and even long lengths of dirt roads.

I want something that is going to last. I might have to re-visit the Z-1 again and convince myself, which is built for the long haul.

On the Jayflight (not sure of Swift models) the roof is the new Magnum construction. There are videos showing the differences and actual static load testing.

We're wrapping up our first year with a Crossroads Z-1. We've had no issues whatsoever. Fit and finish is good and we really liked the floor plan - we got the bunkhouse version.

Never owned a Jayco, so I can't speak to them. The number of them on the road I think, is a pretty good testimonial.

killerdoberman wrote:
Did you make a purchase? I'm in the same boat. I really liked the Z-1, when I looked at it, and then I went and looked at a Jayco Jay Flight and the Jay Flight Swift. The salesman demonstrated the strength in the construction, and I was impressed. If it was a show and nothing more, it got me thinking. I will be traveling it my trailer quite a bit, and even long lengths of dirt roads.

I want something that is going to last. I might have to re-visit the Z-1 again and convince myself, which is built for the long haul.

come check out both the Thor owners forum. (Thor is crossroads parent company) and crossroads owners forum. as well as the jayco owners forum. these will get you answers as well as a chance to search for problems or good customer service stories.