First, notice that I put quality into question, because I have been here for going on three years now, and from what I have noticed thruout this time is that it is virtually non-existent.That being said, some people will get a camper that is virtually free from any significant problems where as others will have a rolling horror story. I have read many posts where people swear by Jayco, and some where people swear at Jayco...guess it's just the luck of the draw or maybe unrealistic expectations.Anyway, my question:Is there any relationship to weight vs a better build?I have been looking for the past two months now and several different manufactures produce similar models, but some are considerably heavier. Are the building materials and methods getting better to where a lighter weight trailer can be just as structurally sound as one that weighs more, or is it in most cases, they're cutting corners to save weight to the point of you're towing nothing more that a flimsy shed behind your vehicle?Have looked at Jayco, KZ and Crossroads in person but have looked at several others on-line.

Like you said - It's hard to say.Back story for us: 4 trailers. 3 "light" and 1 heavy.Generally the heavy one has been the best of the bunch quality wise.But, all I can say is that if you own an RV you better be handy with tools and keep up meticulously with maintenance.

I have often wondered the same thing... but I'm willing to bet you will get every single type of response on this forum with nothing concrete to further your curiosity.My TT is of the heavier version and I do attribute that to a better build. It's not to say I didn't have some initial issues with it, but all of those got fixed. Heavier TT also would lend to more features, slides, etc. Also, keep in mind that for all "appliances", those can generally be the same across the board for more expensive, cheap, light or heavier TT. So failing appliances would be mostly independent of the build quality.

patperry2766 wrote:Is there any relationship to weight vs a better build?Are the building materials and methods getting better to where a lighter weight trailer can be just as structurally sound as one that weighs more,..?Yes. No.Heavier, as with batteries, is better. It's virtually impossible for a cheaper, lightweight trailer to be 'as good as' a heavier, more expensive one. Doesn't make business sense.

I have seen the about a 1300 lb weight difference in the various models with Jayco & Sun Valley (Evergreen) weighing the most where KZ and Shasta weighing the least.

I suppose some of the factor is how you define Quality?If you focus solely on initial build defects, then it seems like any of the makers can have a bad day/week/team. But then once those things are ironed out, other factors can come into play.If you measure by durability, I think some design choices aimed with that goal in mind could lead to heavier components being used. You definitely see that on threads where people discuss frames (usually Lippert versus in-house built).

Correlation between weight and "quality" build | Good Sam Community

78 Replies

Campfire_Time
Explorer
May 29, 2015
RedRocket204 wrote:
I have often wondered the same thing... but I'm willing to bet you will get every single type of response on this forum with nothing concrete to further your curiosity.

X2.

I don't buy into "heavier or more expensive is better". We're on our 2nd lightweight trailer. Both Jayco. The first we bought new and owned for 10 years. Got a nice trade in price for it too. The dealer had it only a month before it sold. As said by others, both had a few small issues that had to be dealt with. Finish work is not a strong suit of the Amish apparently. But overall construction is rock solid.

I will also say this, it's like your stick and brick house. How you care for the unit has a lot to do with longevity. I've seen very expensive rigs where the owner used it, never cleaned anything, never fixed anything, in 5 years it was a piece of junk. My dad has a '77 Jayco 21'. Looking old now, but has held up great due to his keeping up with things.
beemerphile1
Explorer
May 29, 2015
Lite RVs are lighter because they use flimsy, thinner materials. That said, most all RVs use the same appliances.
TInmania
Explorer
May 29, 2015
2oldman wrote:
It's virtually impossible for a cheaper, lightweight trailer to be 'as good as' a heavier, more expensive one. Doesn't make business sense.

To be fair the heavier one is not usually the more expensive one. You often pay a premium for lightweight.

One could build a lightweight TT using aluminum and carbon fiber that is, on average, stronger than its heavier counterpart. But that price premium would be higher than it already is.

Mike
BubbaChris
Explorer
May 29, 2015
I suppose some of the factor is how you define Quality?

If you focus solely on initial build defects, then it seems like any of the makers can have a bad day/week/team. But then once those things are ironed out, other factors can come into play.

If you measure by durability, I think some design choices aimed with that goal in mind could lead to heavier components being used. You definitely see that on threads where people discuss frames (usually Lippert versus in-house built).
patperry2766
Explorer II
May 29, 2015
I have seen the about a 1300 lb weight difference in the various models with Jayco & Sun Valley (Evergreen) weighing the most where KZ and Shasta weighing the least.
2oldman
Explorer II
May 29, 2015
patperry2766 wrote:

Is there any relationship to weight vs a better build?

Are the building materials and methods getting better to where a lighter weight trailer can be just as structurally sound as one that weighs more,..?
Yes. No.

Heavier, as with batteries, is better. It's virtually impossible for a cheaper, lightweight trailer to be 'as good as' a heavier, more expensive one. Doesn't make business sense.
RedRocket204
Explorer
May 29, 2015
I have often wondered the same thing... but I'm willing to bet you will get every single type of response on this forum with nothing concrete to further your curiosity.

My TT is of the heavier version and I do attribute that to a better build. It's not to say I didn't have some initial issues with it, but all of those got fixed. Heavier TT also would lend to more features, slides, etc. Also, keep in mind that for all "appliances", those can generally be the same across the board for more expensive, cheap, light or heavier TT. So failing appliances would be mostly independent of the build quality.
downtheroad
Explorer
May 29, 2015
Like you said - It's hard to say.
Back story for us: 4 trailers. 3 "light" and 1 heavy.
Generally the heavy one has been the best of the bunch quality wise.

But, all I can say is that if you own an RV you better be handy with tools and keep up meticulously with maintenance.

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Correlation between weight and "quality" build

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