We're looking for a travel trailer in the 28-30 foot range and are having a hard time deciding. There are so many different makes that have models so close to together and of course one wants to get the better quality for the price. So, my question is what makes/model series would you place in the low, mid, and high quality groups? For instance, looking at the Jayco's I would think the Jay Feather would be low, White Hawk would be mid, and Eagle would be high. I am just looking at the relative quality groupings of travel trailers to help me sort things out.Thanks,Eddie

there are sooooo many different campers it would be pretty difficult to list them all. I think you've got the Jayco line pegged correctly though. But out of those lines really the only difference is exterior. Dad has a Jayflight, I have and Eagle, and best friend has a White Hawk. All are same quality interior. Dad was actually going to get the White Hawk but they are a lot shorter on the insides and were a family of giants lol. Were all very satisfied with the quality on these 3 Jayco models.

When we went looking we started to get overwhelmed with the choices. We certainly are not seasoned shoppers but we did realize that there are a few parent companies and then what seems like hundreds of names under them. We even found trailers made by the same company, same everything identical but a different logo/name.We noticed that whatever brand or $$$$ trailer we looked at, quality sure was lacking in all of them.I would do my homework as best as possible on frame and structure and don't get wrapped up with all the "fancy" stuff. We all will have opposite opinions and it will all come down to personal choice.

You got some good advice right away. Listen to what LouLou said about the frame. First you are buying a trailer, so get the best running gear and frame you can find, then look at the fancy stuff in the box.Compare axle sizes, tire sizes and number of lug nuts. Check the size of the brakes. Axles are rated in the lbs they can supposedly carry, but go for overkill. Most use the bare minimum and call it light weight, but I call it cheap.

Buying a TT can be overwhelming. Understand every brand makes good trailers and every brand (even the $100,000 5ers) make lemons. The best you can do is find the Floorplan that you like best and is well within your weight requirements. (remember do not shop by dry weight as you will never tow a dry or unloaded TT). Once you have a good understanding of your weight restrictions (see anyone of a thousand what can I tow posts for how to figure this out correctly) then think about your usage. How do you want to camp? ie rv park w/ fhu, state park w/ partial hook ups (w/e only) or boondocking w/ no hookups? This will affect need for larger fresh, grey and black tanks. it can also affect the size of TT you want. Next think about what you like/want in a Floorplan (ie rear living, bunkhouse, rear kitchen. etc).now go sit in these trailers and imagine your use and where you will put things (ie dishes in this cabinet, moms clothes in that cabinet, toys in that drawer, outside chairs in pass thru etc). Act out your daily activities (ie mom cooks, dad walks to bathroom, watches TV, kids play etc. Don't forget about possibly tripping over pets). As you run through these things create a spreadsheet with things that are important to you (ie L shaped kitchen counter, walk around queen etc) across the top and makes/models down the side. Doing this really decreases your options to a few TT that you can check out better. Going to an rv show puts a lot of TT in front of you with little traveling/dealing with salesman. Just take notes as they will all run together after awhile.

You might give RV Consumer Group a thought. They rate RVs according to safety, economy and reliability. Some folks don't place much value in their evaluations. However, a 20+ year history in the industry is a testament that many do. The nice aspect of their work is they also cover used models now that the brochures have long flown off the shelves when those units were new. Due to the accumulated information, all at my fingertips, I saved untold time, legwork, and expense when I was in the market in 03. Membership isn't free. But the price is a paltry sum when considering the overall cost of ownership and more importantly, meeting your specific needs.

How would you group different makes by price point/quality?

Lynnmor
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
You got some good advice right away. Listen to what LouLou said about the frame. First you are buying a trailer, so get the best running gear and frame you can find, then look at the fancy stuff in the box.
Compare axle sizes, tire sizes and number of lug nuts. Check the size of the brakes. Axles are rated in the lbs they can supposedly carry, but go for overkill. Most use the bare minimum and call it light weight, but I call it cheap.
loulou57
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
When we went looking we started to get overwhelmed with the choices.

We certainly are not seasoned shoppers but we did realize that there are a few parent companies and then what seems like hundreds of names under them. We even found trailers made by the same company, same everything identical but a different logo/name.

We noticed that whatever brand or $$$$ trailer we looked at, quality sure was lacking in all of them.

I would do my homework as best as possible on frame and structure and don't get wrapped up with all the "fancy" stuff.

We all will have opposite opinions and it will all come down to personal choice.
rayford118
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
there are sooooo many different campers it would be pretty difficult to list them all. I think you've got the Jayco line pegged correctly though. But out of those lines really the only difference is exterior. Dad has a Jayflight, I have and Eagle, and best friend has a White Hawk. All are same quality interior. Dad was actually going to get the White Hawk but they are a lot shorter on the insides and were a family of giants lol. Were all very satisfied with the quality on these 3 Jayco models.

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How would you group different makes by price point/quality?

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