Wow, excellent responses, thanks y'all!
I appreciate all the thoughts. Yes, I looked at the specs on the Jay Flight versus the SLX. Looks to be about a $4k difference in price give or take.
The brochure language on the second to the last page concerned me where it talked about construction materials and it said "NA on the SLX" which tells me there is a difference.
I guess in the grand scheme of things $4k more is not a lot when considering a new rig that I'd want to keep 10yrs. I do like the large handle on the entry way of the regular Flight, I like the aluminum wheels, larger fresh tank capacity (that is really nice) and then little things like the black tank flush (no more having my wife use the spray wand at the dump station), the plastic slid out cubbies under the dinette seats, ETC.
Also seems like the regular flight is higher off the ground (more ground clearance?) On my 89' Layton I did an axle relocation and changed it to over-slung from under-slung, which gave me about 3" more ground clearance (was too low going into and out of my driveway) I checked and the Flight SLX is under-slung. The sewer connection on it seems pretty close to the ground, so that is a concern for me.
I'd go with the regular Flight especially if they are built with better materials for the framing members and such. The rear ladder is a huge plus because I like to check roof calk joints twice per year.
How long do these Rubber roofs last typically? Of course my Layton is still wearing the original, one piece aluminum roof after 27 yrs and it's still in great shape. That's going to be very hard to beat in a new rig I'm afraid. I guess that's one reason I've always liked the 80's rigs, built heavier when weight was not as much of a concern. My Layton is 93" wide and the Flight is 96 so not much difference there. I can't help but feel like my Layton has more interior storage compartments, even when looked at against the larger Jayco. Could be just me though. The Layton has a 20' box and is 23' overall ball to bumper. It's 6,000 GVW so heavy for what it is, but I don't mind that.
As far as Payload, yes, I know that's a consideration. I don't know what the GVW is on the regular Flight, but the SLX is 6500, so only 500 more than my current rig, so I'm not to concerned. My 15 Chevy CC 4x4 has a Payload of 1740 I think, so over 3/4 ton of pay. I figure with me, my wife, two boys and gear in the truck that's probably 7-800 lbs or so, including the hitch (boys are 9 and 12) so that leaves me with over 1,000lbs for tongue weight. Even if the 800lbs for us and the gear is light, I'd still have 8-900 lbs for tongue weight so I think i'd be OK and within all limits. Absolutely agree on a good (new WDH and sway control) what I have now is not heavy enough for the added weight of the Flight 26 BH. I've been RVing for a long time now and want to do it safely. It's a big responsibility running down the road with a TT of the size/weight of even my current rig. The speeds some folks run with TT's is crazy. I got passed just this past week on a local highway by a GMC Yukon Denali towing at least a 30' trailer. He passed me when I was doing 70mph so he had to be 75-80. I was just thinking at the time when I'd see him along the side of the road with blown out tires. Hopefully for his sake that didn't happen.
That is exactly why I wanted to stay with a 7000lb GVW trailer MAX. Any more than that I'd really have to think about 3/4 ton trucks because I like extra margin. Really, the regular Flight 26 BH is probably the most I'd want behind my Silverado.
What other OEM's out there have similar, no slide floor plans? How does the cost compare to the Jayco? Quality compared to Jayco?
The other option is to just put some money into the Layton and keep it another 4-5 years, I haven't completely ruled that out, but the thoughts of a brand new rig with a 2 yr warranty is appealing to me with how much we have been camping the past few years.
Thanks again,
G
