I am about to take the plunge and buy my first travel trailer.I can buy a brand new 2015 Jayco 267 BHSW for $16,900 hitch/sway included. Of course, this includes Jayco's 2 year warranty.I can buy a 2014 Forest River Wildwood 26TBSS for $14,500 hitch/sway included. It is immaculate for a used trailer. Includes also all sheets for beds, linens, 32" LCD TV. Also 2.5 years left on bumper/bumper extended warranty that is transferrable.What is the better value?I like both equally. Except, it does seem nice on the Forest River to have the remote control/electric jacks, awning, and slide.Thoughts?David

I've been doing a lot of research including those brands. I'm leaning Jayco mainly due to the positive feedback I've heard on this and other forums. Also, I own a FR product and am not exactly blown away with the quality.Since the warranty on the FR is an obvious selling point you might look into who/where it's honored. RV warranties are not like cars at all. Often times dealers are unmotivated or simply refuse to work on a unit.I have a bumper to bumper on my FR and really look at it like a major medical policy. My dealer usually has a wait of at least a month to get in and blames me for causing everything that goes wrong. Or, just hacks it back together. Honestly, for most things I just take care of it myself and avoid the frustration.Just make sure you walk through both and really envision yourself using it. Think through the steps to cook a meal, where everyone will sleep, bathing/showering, etc, etc. Things like auto-jacks and awnings are of no value to me.... but that's just me. Honestly, I prefer it to be manual. One less thing to break.

For my money id go with the jayco in a heart beat i havnt met anybody with a wild wood that had anything good to say about it.

After having looked at the RV show here in Seattle the last three years, I would lean towards the FR product.

I would go with the Jayco. New, two year warranty and accompany with a very good reputation. I'm willing to bet that the extended warranty is not as good as you may think. But, look carefully at both and think it out. Then do what you wish......just listen to that little voice in your head and your gut instinct!

I've owned 5 truck campers (still have an Alpine 11') and two travel trailers. In 98 we bought a brand new Arctic Fox travel trailer and then in 2008 bought a Forest River Wildcat which we still have. Of all the rigs we've owned, all but the current Forest River Wildcat have suffered from dry rot or delamanation to one degree or another. Things happen.Really, most RV's are made the same way. They all have the same components on the inside. Warranties are mostly worthless in my opinion, the major catastrophic failures seem to happen beyond the years of coverage. I've been around these forums for years now and I can't ever recall some bashing Jayco, though I do recall some serious issues with some lightweight models. Do your homework, good luck with your purchase, and if at all possible, build a carport for your investment. All the best. Hans

Forest River Wildwood 26TBSS or Jayco SLX 267BHSW

25 Replies

HJGyswyt
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015
Too late James, he already bought the Jayco. Have fun with your new trailer Revdwheel. Hope you use it lots, and the boys are around long enough to enjoy camping with the folks. All the best.
jamesbeam4ever
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
i gaurentee if you buy the wild wood youll regret it. our camping buddys got one brand new cuz it was cheap and it started fallin apart they day they got it and hasnt stopped.id go back to a tent before id even look at a wild wood. itd be way less headaches.
jamesbeam4ever
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
i gaurentee if you buy the wild wood youll regret it. our camping buddys got one brand new cuz it was cheap and it started fallin apart they day they got it and hasnt stopped.id go back to a tent before id even look at a wild wood. itd be way less headaches.
revdwheel
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
we are planning a trip for this next week... it is spring break for our family. wife is a teacher. 2 boys in high school. pondering a beach camping trip... maybe Texas coast.
scbwr
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2015
Congratulations on the purchase and I hope you are on the road soon and enjoying your first camping trip with the new trailer. There's nothing like starting with a new unit and then making it your home on wheels as time goes by.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2015
Congrats on the new trailer now get out and enjoy it.
dadmomh
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
Congrats! I totally agree on the double bunks. Hadn't noticed the sink being outside the bathroom, but that's certainly a good feature. Now, come on warm weather!!!
RDMueller
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
We are on our 2nd Forest River now. First was a Flagstaff pup we had for about 5 years and never had any problems with. Just bought a new Wildwood TT and am totally satisfied with it so far. I looked at a few Jaycos as well and IMHO, build quality was similar. I'd say get the one you like the best.
heckufaguy
Explorer
Mar 10, 2015
revdwheel wrote:
the reason WE ARE BUYING THE JAYCO besides the financial, more long term resale issue--

1) The sink is outside the bathroom-- so someone can be showering while another is using the sink and mirror in a separate room/area.

2) The double/full size bunks are much more suitable for our teenage boys and also not as cramped in general as the triple bunk in the FR.

3) The water tanks are MUCH larger on the Jayco.

there are others-- but these 3 were huge.

Sound similar to our gulfstream. I personally like the sink in the bathroom until my wife pointed out the obvious. Both our bunks are full sized, and we went to 51 gallons of fresh. That's at LEAST 2 more nice showers than our 40 gal. Or, one more day without dumping the grey, minimum.

Congrats on your purchase!
revdwheel
Explorer
Mar 10, 2015
the reason WE ARE BUYING THE JAYCO besides the financial, more long term resale issue--

1) The sink is outside the bathroom-- so someone can be showering while another is using the sink and mirror in a separate room/area.

2) The double/full size bunks are much more suitable for our teenage boys and also not as cramped in general as the triple bunk in the FR.

3) The water tanks are MUCH larger on the Jayco.

there are others-- but these 3 were huge.