Forum Discussion

Mike_Up's avatar
Mike_Up
Explorer
Jul 14, 2012

Don't judge by floorplans only especially with Ameri-lite.

We are looking at getting a Jayco Jay Flight 26BH but found that the Gulf Stream Ameri-lite campers with superslides are just as light or nearly as light as the Jayco.

So we compared the Ameri-lite 255BH and 259BH models and I couldn't even stand being in there.

I'm 6' even and the roof was scraping my hat. The brochure says 6'4" but I don't believe it, it felt more like 6'2". I have Claustrophobia and I couldn't wait to get out of this trailer. Also, even though they have a superslide, both models only offered a walkway about 1' wider. Definitely not worth the trouble of a slide.

Then we checked out the bunks. Our 19BH and the 26BH have double beds at 48" wide. These Ameri-lites bunk was much narrower maybe a twin or smaller. At areas without the slide, the width was narrower than the Jaycos. It's exterior width was only 7'6" wide where the Jayco was 8' wide.

The Ameri-lites also had no storage cabinets. They did have a shelf instead of a cabinet but that's of little use for our needs.

The Ameri-lite 259BH was 5200 lbs dry from the factory where the Jayco Jay Flight 26BH was 5050 lbs dry from the factory. Even so, the Jayco was much larger inside with a ceiling height of 6'9" and 1/2' in areas other the slide. Also had more storage cabinets and larger beds. Even the bunk mattresses on the Ameri-lite were flimsy looking to be 2" thick compared to 4" thick with the Jayco.

Also price wise, the Ameri-lite 259BH was about $1000 more expensive than the Jayco 26BH.

Now I'm not bashing the Amerilite as the size difference, other than the beds, didn't bother my step son or wife who are in the lower 5' range. And I realize this is a budget brand so they are going to cut corners so this isn't a surprise. I just wanted to point out some differences that can be overlooked when looking at a floorplan sheet.
  • Thanks for an honest opinion. We notice big differences when we go to RV Shows to see what's new. The tall men almost hit their heads on some mfgers ceilings. Floorplans don't tell the whole story.
  • Wait Mike! Here's more differences!


    Amerilite tanks are Black 27, grey 27, Fresh 30 gallons.
    The Jayco is Black 32.5, Grey 32.5 and 90 gallon fresh!

    The 6 GAL GAS DSI WATER HEATER is optional on the Gulfstream...but the Jayco has standard 6 gal Gas/Electric DSI water heater! The AM/FM CD Stereo is standard on Jayco...not on the Ameri-lite. Jayco has two 30 lb propane tanks vs the Ameri-lites dual 20 lb. tanks.

    Jayco has a standard big double door 6 cu ft refrigerator vs the Gulfstreams small 4 cu ft single door. The Jay Flight has standard ceiling ducted A/C, the GS is non-ducted. Jayco has a Porcelain toilet vs Gulf Streams plastic. Jay Flight has a double bowl ceramic sink, GS single bowl plastic. Jay Flight has pleated shades vs the Gulf Streams "plastic mini-blinds". And outside speakers and shower.

    Jayco


    Ameri-lite


    And Jayflight is the #1 selling travel trailer in North America for 8 years, and the 3rd biggest RV Builder too. From a 43 year old family owned business.

    Good luck!
  • Snip
    Mike Up wrote:

    Now I'm not bashing the Amerilite ...
    snip

    Lol! Really? From your thread title all the way through your post you bashed the hell out of them!
    It's not what you say it's how you say it.
  • A TT should never be chosen ONLY on the basis of a floorplan. IMHO the floorplan is where you start, then compare the different brands offering the layout you want.
  • RVs are all different and do not appeal to the same degree to all customers. You may find that brand wanting to satisfy YOUR needs but many make the decision in the other direction. For what it's worth, floor plans are ALWAYS the worst way to choose a trailer since nearly all manufacturers offer the same floor plans with minor variations. construction quality and reputation are far more important than the exact size of a particular feature or how it relates to another one. YOu can easily learn to love either of the options but it's VERY hard to learn to love an RV that constantly does not perform. As long as you are happy with your choice, that should be enough to make your RVing experience a happy one.
  • Some floor plans are so popular that it seems every manufacturer has their version. An example is we started looking at 14 ft TTs and the Spree was two inches taller than the Sportsman though they look close from the outside.

    We do own a Amerilite and really like it. I'm 6'4" and yes I can stand, just not under a light or the AC unit. (5 more inches would be nice)

    There are Amerilites with cabinets over the bed, better mattresses etc. It really depends on what level of package came out of the factory. Our bunk mattresses are thicker than 2 inches but our queen bed should have been for show only. The premium package has a nicer foam mattress, two door fridge etc.

    The best thing about our TT is the fact that it has functioned perfectly even in harsher situations. There were no warranty issues to be corrected off the lot and nothing has failed yet in 5 trips. Search the forums and you will find few complaint about Amerilites.

    We did consider trading up to a 25 ft with a slide. We would consider the two Amerilites because of the lack of issues we have had but wouldn't rule out others. We like the 255 because it has a bedroom but the 259 has a walk around queen which is nice too. In the end we have found the more time we spend in our none slide unit, the more comfortable we are in it. It just fits us.
  • Yeh, we had exceptional service with Jayco. I feel the Jaycos, for the most part are built just as good or better than most, but their quality control really sucks. The dealers usually finish assembling them correctly.

    I originally had a bad dealer that did more damage than he repaired. The trailer had to go back to the factory to get everything repair correctly or replaced.

    So the dealer's repair center is a crucial part in getting a good unit, at least with Jayco.
  • The Jayco IMHO is a much better brand in terms of overall quality. Well worth the slight money difference. Also good costumer support after the sale.