What brands of mid-price 5 ers are quality and reliable?

stetwood wrote:

The 2 on my short list are a Jayco Eagle HT and a KZ Durango 1500. My preference is the KZ for several reasons, mostly due to larger tanks and an intangible perception of a touch better quality. Both have 2 year warranties, and that's uncommon in the industry.
Lyle

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Just took possession of a KZ Durango 1500 251RLT. The floor plan is not ideal, you need to open the slides to eat on the road and to use the on-board bathroom, but the length, and water capacities are important to us. The drawer quality material is better than some, but I still removed them, sanded the edges, sides and interiors and coated them with water-based polyurethane. We opted for the booth and the cushions foam (probably a 1.5# density) will be replaced with a 4 or 5 pound density foam. I do like the location of the utilities, with exception of the electrical hookup, which is mid line and would be better in the rear.I have added an additional 20 amp line separate from the main box and will carry another 50 foot 10-3 20 amp extension cord for use at home and on the road.

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Thanks for the info. I've noted these as things to look for if I ever get to actually =see= one.

Lyle

Jane,

Look carefully at what the all RV brands warranty coverage, what it covers and what is not covered. "Warranty" is just a word without the details and they differ so greatly. What a couple posters are getting at is that the Jayco 2 year warranty covers from hitch to rear bumper and also includes FREE roadside assistance for the 2 years too. Several of other things are also included too. Ask for a copy of their warranty at any Jayco dealership. It's free too!

BTW, Open Range is owned by Jayco too. one of the new lines will be called Highland Ridge. Jayco is huge and is privately owned and always has bbensince the 1960's, not corporate conglomerate held or owned. Jayco is the largest privately owned RV manufacturer on the planet Earth.

My post is just for your information and NO, I do not have any financial ties in any way to Jayco and do not own a Jayco manufactured RV but would be very happy to.

Sanibel also has a 2 year warranty.

GBuilders wrote:
Im a Jayco fan since I bought mine in 05. Ordered from the factory and have been on 55 trips so far and counting. Jayco is a strong family owned company that cares about its products. Good Luck

And a 2 yr warranty

Im a Jayco fan since I bought mine in 05. Ordered from the factory and have been on 55 trips so far and counting. Jayco is a strong family owned company that cares about its products. Good Luck

Not really...besides...we really don't have the time or the energy to drive all over creation to shop for one. I have not been well for quite some time due to mold exposure. If it is not within a 3 hour drive, it will just not happen.

The worst part of it, is that although I keep saying that I will take anything that does not smell, the artist in me kicks in and I have a visceral reaction to tacky and poor quality...! : (

The new ones definitely will have the chemical odors - mine did. But being able to keep the windows open for a week or so definitely helps in that regard.

As you probably know, mold and mildew can be a real problem in the S.E. USA. So keeping a used one closed up while it's For Sale only contributes to that problem. May not be feasible, but shopping for one located in a northern state might be a possibility. Do you have friends that can help you look ?

Stetwood, that's a lot of kitchen counterspace for a small trailer! And good bit of wardrobe space, too!

We looked at a Jayco HT yesterday, and there was light coming in from the outside in a wall crack near the floor in the rear kitchen model. It led to the outside storage compartment. No insulation whatsoever in that area, so that if you open the storage door, whatever temps are outside will go right in.

I am getting so frustrated....between the musty smells of the used ones and the chemical odors from the new ones, I am about to give up on them altogether. Being in a push to get one does not help either. It has been waaaaaay too stressful! I am looking into other modes of temporary habitation...I don't think that buying an RV can be rushed...especially for someone as sensitive as I am! : (

If only I could find a nice one that is about 3-5 years old, with time enough to have lost the new smell, but not so old that it looks worn and outdated....

The 2 on my short list are a Jayco Eagle HT and a KZ Durango 1500. My preference is the KZ for several reasons, mostly due to larger tanks and an intangible perception of a touch better quality. Both have 2 year warranties, and that's uncommon in the industry.
Lyle

Just took possession of a KZ Durango 1500 251RLT. The floor plan is not ideal, you need to open the slides to eat on the road and to use the on-board bathroom, but the length, and water capacities are important to us. The drawer quality material is better than some, but I still removed them, sanded the edges, sides and interiors and coated them with water-based polyurethane. We opted for the booth and the cushions foam (probably a 1.5# density) will be replaced with a 4 or 5 pound density foam. I do like the location of the utilities, with exception of the electrical hookup, which is mid line and would be better in the rear.I have added an additional 20 amp line separate from the main box and will carry another 50 foot 10-3 20 amp extension cord for use at home and on the road.

Don't get discouraged, get smarter and you'll never regret it! You will open a whole new very fun chapter in your lives and gaining the knowledge from others will make it so much easier, faster, and save you big bucks too. Like the rest of us: You "ain't" getting any younger and that clock just keeps on a ticking!