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Billkoz's avatar
Billkoz
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015

Starcraft with a happijac bed

We are getting ready to pull the trigger on a Starcraft Launch Ultra-Lite 28bhs TT. This model has happijac beds in it. I was hoping to get some advice on the reliability of the happijac beds and Starcraft in general.

While we were testing the model, my wife raised the bed to the top and one of the bolts snapped because she held her finger on the button a little too long. The dealer said it's because a latch was put in the wrong place. Wondering now if there is a reliability issue with these beds or this might have been a fluke.

I'm also curious about Starcraft's quality in the more recent models. From reading through threads on here, it sounds like they were their own company, than Jayco bought them, but then they might be making their own again??? Would love to hear from those who have purchased Starcraft in recent years, how has the quality been?

Thanks in advance!

2 Replies

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  • BLT2002's avatar
    BLT2002
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2015
    We bought a 2015 Starcraft Launch Ultra-Lite 28bhs with the happijack beds. We have gone out for a total of 12 camping day so far including being rained in for 3 of those with 3 young kids. We have been happy with it so far. A few minor cosmetic things have popped up but nothing that can't wait until the fall when we are done camping. We have used the beds up and down a lot and have a pin that stops the beds from going up to far. So far no problems. The dealer did tell us to make sure to put the pin in if we ever take it out or it will wreck it. Be aware there is a TSB that is out for a cover plate on the front seam near the plating. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
  • Farm_Camp's avatar
    Farm_Camp
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2015
    We're on camping season three with our StarCraft (see sig). I can't call it perfect, but I can say it has been (for all intents and purposes) trouble free. My dealer did a great job taking care of our minor issues under warranty.

    Starcraft is owned by Jayco. For some period of time in the depths of the recession Jayco closed Starcraft's factories and both brands were made in Jayco factories. If you look at Starcraft and Jaycos from those years they are nearly identical ( the ones I looked at anyway.)

    To the best of my knowledge both brands are now once again operating in their own factories.

    Edit: I can't speak to the beds, but every brand out there uses the same basic components from the same set of OEMs, so, I doubt beds alone will give you a great idea about the brand itself.

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