Outback vs Jayco vs Reflection

Jayco has me sold on their Magnum Truss Roof. The fact there is some pitch means almost no "ponding".

Dealer is key. All RVs will have problems. How the dealer handles them is how happy you will be. (make sure you take 1 or 2 short "shakedown" trips within the first 90 days. That is pretty much the limit of a "bumper-to-bumper" warranty unless you pay extra.)

While you can not schedule a break down, it can be very discouraging if it take multiple weeks to just get in the repair bay.

If i found a good dealer willing to work for you (who is going to be there after the sale) then i would buy any of those brands that offered the floorplan and equipment that i wanted.

We actually looked at the Outback 298RE, but after seeing the other models with the bed on a slide and having the huge wardrobe in the nose, this one took a back seat. We have an 85 lb. lab who needs here space in the bedroom and the 298RE just doesn't have enough for us.

DutchmenSport wrote:

bailer6334 wrote:
...On the Keystone look how the slide moves in and out. If using a cable a lot of reported problems by Keystone owners.

I'm just giving my experience and information about the camper I actually own here. But, my Outback has real wood cabinets (not particle board covered with wood looking wall paper like some of the lower end Keystone campers have) and the slides are on a gear and track system (whatever that's called).

Good point on the cabinet doors. Also look at drawers and countertops. Also good on the accessibility with the slides in. That's one of our #1 requirements to be able to get to the fridge and bathroom with the slides in while on the road. A large shower with head room is also a must.
Ease of accessing the plumbing hook ups and valves is also important with the slides in or out.

Whichever one doesn't have cable driven slide mechanism would be my choice. I'm partial to simple rack and pinion slide mechanism. Cables stretch and can be a pita to adjust or repair. Hydraulics can leak and solenoids can stick. Wife crawls around inside and I crawl around underneath. When we agree, we take it home. Beyond that, they're all pretty nice and they're all thrown together like bird's nests to get them to the lot asap.

bailer6334 wrote:
...On the Keystone look how the slide moves in and out. If using a cable a lot of reported problems by Keystone owners.

I'm just giving my experience and information about the camper I actually own here. But, my Outback has real wood cabinets (not particle board covered with wood looking wall paper like some of the lower end Keystone campers have) and the slides are on a gear and track system (whatever that's called).

I agree with Colo Native. Grand Design by far has the best customer service of the 3. Will get you parts within 24hrs if emergency. They were just bought out by Winnebago late last year.

Their quality is also good. Real wood cabinets, higher rated tires, thoughtful deigns.

Jayco was also bought out mid 2106 (not sure by whom).

On the Keystone look how the slide moves in and out. If using a cable a lot of reported problems by Keystone owners.

No experience with the Grand Design or the Jayco. But, before settling, take a look at the Keystone Outback 298RE.

We've had ours for over 3 years now. The basic floor plan has not changed in 5 years now. No problems at all with it at all, except for stupid things I've done myself (like turning on the water heater with no water in it, and forgetting to remove caned cola from the fridge and they exploded when temperatures got to -20 below zero (F). Tows wonderful, perfect for 2 people, Queen bed, with slide out closet, rear living room with opposing slides and outside camp stove and sink.

Ours came with a free standing table and chairs. We removed them and the 2 rocker chairs and replaced everything on that slide with a household style full 3 seater recliner couch. I put wheels on it, can turn it facing the rear window when the slides are out.

Also, everything is accessible when the slides are pulled in. We often use the camper with all slides in. Especially in the winter to help reduce the space to heat when we winter camp. We put a second television in the bed room, so don't need to depend on the one in the living room when slides are in.

We love this camper. If we ever lost it, I'd get another one just like it.

Your model has a larger slide which includes the kitchen, mine does not. Yours has a King bed in the slide, ours has the closet in the slide with a Queen bed walk around. Ours has a corner cabinet right by the door, yours has a cabinet by the refrigerator. Some differences, but still worth your time to take a look at the 298RE.

My choice would be
1.Grand Design
2. Jayco
3. Keystone there seems to be a lot of warranty issue brought here about them