Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE Fiberglass

NY RVer wrote:
Mike Up, thanks. I currently have deposits on two separate identical units, one with fiberglass and one with aluminum, and am trying to make a wide decision as to which way to go. I originally was going to pick up the fiberglass one because my family and I really liked the layout, but then stumbled across the aluminum one with same layout and decided that was the better way to go, but am rethinking it, as I like the look of fiberglass better. Although after just coming in from washing my fiberglass class c trade in and all it's delamination, it is obvious the way to go is aluminum. The only major concern I have about aluminum is denting from rocks, branches, etc., but at least it can be repaired if need be.

My previous 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 19BH got hail damage. Nothing was seriously damaged, it was all just cosmetics. Progressive cut me a pretty decent check. I decided to upgrade to a larger camper with the exact same floorplan but with the addition of a front queen bedroom. The 26BH added a large sleeping area and a lot of storage over the 2008 so the choice was obvious. If I couldn't have made the deal, I would had just repaired the 19BH as it was an easy repair. In honesty, it wasn't that bad and I could had just lived with it but why when I'm paying for insurance for this exact reason.

Now if I had laminated walls and they were damaged, the cost may have just totaled out the camper and with laminated wall damage, it needs to be repaired as cracks will let in water (dents will not :) ).

Unless I can't find a stick and tin version of a floorplan I want, I would never buy a laminated trailer after seeing so much delamination and how hard they are to repair correctly. Each to their own, but I feel the negatives out weigh the positives. BTW, how many old laminated trailers do you see?? I don't see many, if any at all. Most are all stick and tin. It lasts and is easily repaired.

I honestly am disappointed the higher end units are laminated build as I feel they just won't last for the high investment. Jayco's Eagle line use to be stick and tin but many like the flashy looks of laminated walls regardless of it's longevity. Many will just trade it when it gets a few years on it and probably can afford the higher depreciation loss.

Good luck on your choice.

Mike Up, thanks. I currently have deposits on two separate identical units, one with fiberglass and one with aluminum, and am trying to make a wide decision as to which way to go. I originally was going to pick up the fiberglass one because my family and I really liked the layout, but then stumbled across the aluminum one with same layout and decided that was the better way to go, but am rethinking it, as I like the look of fiberglass better. Although after just coming in from washing my fiberglass class c trade in and all it's delamination, it is obvious the way to go is aluminum. The only major concern I have about aluminum is denting from rocks, branches, etc., but at least it can be repaired if need be.

Since the Jay Flight line now has these fiberglass glued walls along with their traditional screwed framed walls with siding, has put the Jay Flights right below the Eagle line. The White Hawk line has different floorplans, but with the same interior offerings as the Jay Flight line. What is now in the Jay Flight benefit is that you can get laminated/glued fiberglass sidewalls but keeping a real floor with decking and joists opposed to the White Hawks laminated/glued floor. The Jay Flights are built now essentially as the Eagles except with inferior interior offerings.

Looks like the model line now goes in order of Jay Feather, White Hawk, Jay Flight, then top of line Eagle.

I still don't like laminated/glued walls, floors, or roofs, but it's nice to see the offering in a Jay Flight for only ~$1,500. Plus it keeps the floor and roof, wood framed, which are more important structural items.

As to your question, I've seen delamination on NEW Jay Feathers and Eagles, and wouldn't expect any better on the Jay Flights that obviously share the same walls. Just keep an eye out for delamination and pressure test and then seal your unit yearly. Use this as proof that you've kept the unit sealed from water if delamination does occur. On the bright side, people tend to use them for years with delamination, as I've seen. Only a few looked dangerous enough to have the fiberglass sheeting fly off the trailer.

Jay Flights and Starcraft Autumn Ridge (Jayco Clone) models didn't start offering laminated side walls until 2014. So being the first year with these models, there may not be many owners with this laminated wall option.

I love my Jay Flight and guess you will also.

Here's some comparision pics of the 2014 Jay Flight 26BH w/laminated walls vs my 2012 Jay Flight 26BH with Aluminum Siding:









(Yep, that's a 2006 Jay Flight 27BH behind my camper. It's the same floorplan as my more current 2012 26BH)