Thermal Package with Jayco

Without that thermal package my camping time in WY would be very limited. Unless I camped in my TT with no water or toilet use. Some people do that. Just not my idea of RVing. Been there done that when I was a lot younger.

On the Jayco Eagles the only difference is that the Thermal package provides higher insulation values on the walls, roof, and front cap, and has a slightly larger heater. Both models have the heated and enclosed underbelly.

Mine does not have the package because I bought a year old model off the lot at a steal of a price and it didnt have it equipped. That said - my sons race on a ski team and we camp every weekend up in the mountains all winter. Temps drop below the 20s frequently and we have never had a problem staying warm (condensation is another issue...but the thermal package wont help you there).

BUT....

If I had the choice I would have bought it - because - it is only a couple hundred dollars and you only buy your TT once....so....get the features just in case.

But....

Do not worry yourself if you end up with the model without the package, because, as i have stated - you do not need it to camp even in the dead of winter.

Get the thermal package. It is only about $400 more. I had a Jayco Jayflight 19RD with the themal package. We camped in Wyoming down to about 10 degrees. Furnace heat goes down into that compartment. The black water valve is enclosed in heated area. On the 19 RD the grey valve was just outside of heated area. When camping at 10 degrees I would pour just enough anti freeze in to cover valves. I liked my Jayco. Their warrant is terrible. Once I took care of all problems myself it was a good TT. Dealer will brag how it is 2 year warranty etc. They could offer 20 years for what it was worth. Would I ever buy another Jayco? Yes but I would have to have at least 30% off since unless you are real close to the dealer you will pay inspection fee first. I paid for all my warranty issues. Cost me approx $500 for all my warranty issues. I'm not sorry I bought it since I paid $14k new with every option they offered in 2012. I only traded because we wanted a larger RV & retired. JMHO

That's the thing, they don't exactly say. We looked at a 33ft unit with the thermal pkg at the dealer it had coroplast over the tanks and we were told there was a heating vent under there that comes on when we use the furnace. I believe the isulation is just the pink fluffy stuff. The tanks are not individually heated. Our current trailer doesn't have the underbelly enclosed and I do find the floors a tad cold when we first open up in the spring and during the our trip last thanksgiving. When the furnace is running though it is pretty toasty. Most of our camping is during the summer months. My husband does a good job checking our current trailer for possible holes the mice can get in and blocking those up. He is worried that you can't see the enclosed space and now you have a sealed, warm area, with fluffy stuff for mice to make their nest. I will look into that stuf-it stuff. Also not sure about the durability of that darco tarp like material that comes on the trailer without the thermal pkg. Thanks for your help handye9.

CountryKim wrote:
I cut this from the Jayco page which describes the thermal pkg.
*Insulated, heated and enclosed underbelly and 2-sided reflective foil insulation in main roof and slideout roof* The 26BH doesn't have a slide.

Thanks for your help.

Only you can decide if the package is worth the wait and expense.

The questions you should ask :

How exactly, is it insulated?
How exactly, is it heated?
What are the differences in "R" value, between trailers with and without the package?

RV manufacturers use terms such as "Polar Package", "Thermal Package", "Heated Tanks", etc, quite loosely.

"Heated Tanks", for example.

Some enclose the underbelly, assuming heat radiating through the floor, will warm the holding tanks.

Some enclose the underbelly and wrap the tanks with insulation.

Some enclose the underbelly, wrap the tanks, and run a heat duct near the tanks.

Some enclose the underbelly, wrap the tanks, run a heat duct nearby, and install a vent to blow warmed air on the tanks.

Some enclose the underbelly, install electric heat pads on the tanks, wrap the tanks, and run heat ducts nearby.

All of them say their heated tanks are part of some type of cold weather package. It's all marketing.

I had a TT that advertised having all the goodies for tank heating and cold weather use. I used it in cold weather and tank heaters worked as advertised, but, they hadn't done anything to protect the dump valve. All the poo poo was warm, but, I couldn't get rid of it.

As for rodent proofing, there is a product called Stuf-It. It is a copper mesh (like steel wool) that doesn't rust out. You crawl under the TT and stuff it in all the openings where those critters could get in. I've also seen a spray foam product that says it will keep them out. Do a goggle search for rodent proof foam. Here is one that comes up.