Jayco vs. Other brands experiences?

We bought our 2011 Jayco new in the spring of 2012. We are now in our second 5 month trip init. It has travelled about 15000 miles so far. We had a couple of very minor issues that were taken care of under warranty with no hassle. The trailer is standing up very well. Nothing is loose. Everything works as it should. As well, it does tow very well.

When we were shopping last year it came down to three builders: Jayco, Coachmen, and Starcraft.

In the end we went with the Starcraft because the layout was exactly what we wanted more than anything else. Many campers *look* like they have the exact same floorplan but there are many times little differences that you will notice when you visit one in person.

Starcraft is owned by Jayco and has the same 2 year warranty. For awhile both units were even built in the same plant, but no longer.

Our unit was delivered from the factory with some very minor fit and finish issues as well as a electrical outlet not connected to the breaker, and a black tank gauge that was not connected to the sensors causing it to always read empty. All delt with promptly in one visit to the dealer.

But, goes to show you the state of the industry. It's sad that all brands seem to have issues. Some maybe more than others.

Anyway, we visited a lot of brands. 100s of units over a couple of years of looking. I would not hesitate to by a Jayco if they had the exact unit I wanted. But there is no perfect brand out there that I've found.

I had a coachmen TT prior to my current Jayco, and I think the Jayco is a bit better made. Now it is 12 years newer, so many of the things that were standard on the Jayco were not standard on any TT back when my coachmen was made. I do like the look of the Jayco over some of the others... the way the dinette and cabinets are designed just doesn't look as "cheap" as some of the others. I would consider another brand if I were looking, but I would be sure I was comparing apples to apples. I never want to try to light a waterheater at 7 in the morning when it is below freezing, I never want to have to go outside and switch over the propane tank in the middle of the night. Yes these are some things that I had to do with my previous one and tend to color my view of that brand.

floorplan and amenities are important. I also had a great dealer . he was honest and worked with me on price and being sure I got what I really wanted. My Jayco never went in for any type warranty work... only because I did dumb things that required repair. or because I wanted a mod done that I couldn't do (like a rear view camera mounted on trailer)

We chose a different brand this time, but our first one was a Jayco. Our Jayco salesman was honest and they totally stood behind our prior RV which had very few issues, and none of them that were major.

The comparable Jayco trailer to our current one was very well made and we would have had no problem at all with it, except for a few tiny things we wanted which our choice had.

Good luck.

We bought our 3rd Jayco product last year. A Pup in 1993, a 17ft hybrid in 2003, and now our current HTT. All well built and solid. Never any real problems with any of them.

That said, if another manufacturer had a floor plan we liked, we would not dismiss it. In fact before we bought ours we looked at several others including KZ and no one had a floor plan quite like the X20E. It was the slide with couch that won us over.

The one negative "skeleton in the closet" I would say is that the fit and finish can sometimes leave one rolling their eyes. Our current trailer had a slightly mis-aligned bathroom door that wouldn't latch. Easy fix. A piece of the plastic weather cover over a retaining rail on the outside was cut short exposing a couple of screws. Another easy fix. That kind of thing. Nothing big, just annoying. With our 2003 model I caught a couple of minor things on the walk through that the dealer fixed right away.

BTW, I'm on the Jayco owners forum. Good suggestion. There really aren't too many complaints. In general, Jayco seems to be pretty good about backing up their stuff, but there is at least one person who really went through the ringer with their trailer and never did get it resolved. but I think that can happen with any manufacturer.

I suggest checking out the Jayco owners forum (Google it). You will read of lot of good information there. While Jayco has a good reputation and 2 yr warranty, they have skeletons in the closet just as any other RV manufacturer.
I have found that brand x can produce a quality rv on Tuesday and one full of defects on a Weds. Some brands more than others. I for one am happy with my Keystone product. I have also been happy with other previous brands. You just sort of have to do research, look at a lot of units and go with your gut.
Steve.

We just went through the process of buying a new trailer last summer and looked at Jayco units along with so many others. Ultimately, we went with a Winnebago 2201DS due to great storage space, outside kitchen, and longer awning than any comparable Jayco unit. But the Jayco 2 year warranty is a big plus. If possible, take a look at the Winnebago towables and compare to what you like in the Jayco line! Buy the best trailer with the floorplan and features that will meet your needs!

I have owned two jayco's... One travel trailer and one fifth wheel. Both were excellent without any problems at all but on the heavy side for 34 and 35 feet compared to some others. Full timed in both.

My current keystone/springdale is also a good trailer without any problems yet in 4 years but it isn't a jayco, as I new them.

My next trailer will be a smaller one to get into places I can't get my 30ft in the hills and the jayco (Idaho build) is at the top of the list followed by lance and keystone premier.