Jayco class A experiences

[vandave]

We've been camping for 40 years and now want to move up to a class A. Started in the back of. suburban to a tent to a pop up to a class c to a couple of TT. Although we have had a great experience in the past 10 years with our Arctic Fox, it has become more difficult for my with to get in and out of the tow truck. With a toad behind, traveling will be easier when we stop at sites and use the toad. We are looking at a Jayco 31U since it has a large shower. I also like the fact they have a 2 year warranty and a fiberglass roof. There are "lemons" with every manufacturers but have Jayco owners, over all, had good experiences with their Claa A and is a fiberglass roof, if taken care of, longer lasting or more durable than TPO roofs? Thanks so much for any comments/ ideas.

[J-Rooster]

I last looked at a Jayco coach in 2004 when I was shopping for a new Class A RV and walked off the Jayco lot before seeing the inside of the coach! The outside seams on the Jayco at that time looked inferior (Craftmanship was not up to the level of other coaches) compared to the seams on a Tiffen, Newmar or Winnebago! I hope they have changed and wish you Good Luck with your new Jayco. This post was not intended to bash Jayco, I'm sure they have really improved there craftmanship it's just IMHO!

[Godsey97]

Any MH is going to have some issues. They are complex beasts. That and they are also homes that are travelling 60+/- mph down the sometimes poor roadways of America. One must be either patient with the service department or handy with basic hand tools to own one, REGARDLESS of brand. Also routine maintenance, to include checking to make sure things don't come (or work) or work themselves loose is a regular part of ownership.

We have owned Jayco's (HTT's) and currently own a Winnebago Vista 35F Class A. Remarkably, as most everyone already knows, most of the "parts and pieces" come off the shelf from vendors and the "Brand Name Manufacturer" just screws them together....most typically on a Ford F53 chassis.

We learned on our last trip that the TV in the salon was in black and white while hooked to the portable satellite dish. This was the first time we hooked up the satellite dish so we enjoyed tinkering around trying to figure out why the Exterior TV had a crisp color picture but the salon TV was snowy and B&W, yet on over the air crisp color. Chased wires and splitters for an afternoon and even dismounted TV's to determine that it was apparently the TV. When you take the TV from the bedroom and plug it in the spot in the salon the dish is crisp, clear & color. Plug the 40" salon TV back in and fuzzy black and white. Was this a problem with Winnebago??????? No, they wired the coach properly, how are they to know that one subsection of a major brand TV doesn't work properly.

Jayco makes a nice unit and the thousands of people who are satisfied don't take time to come to a message board to brag, they are out using their units.

I have found that some, NOT ALL (don't flame me) people who get on message boards to complain are people who can't be pleased under any circumstances, so I am always hesitant to take serious people who complain without backing their complaint up without any specifics to frame it.

[malexander]

I bought a new Jayco class C in 1997. If Jayco would have had a Class A DP when I was shopping, I would have certainly looked at it.
I was extremely pleased with my '97 model.

On a side note about the "old" Jayco Co.
My C was out of warranty. The slide was dragging on the carpet, trying to roll it up when it retracted. I Took it to my dealer. The techs pulled the slide out, found it to be out of square. They sent pictures to Jayco. Jayco said "this isn't the customer's fault, fix it". So they did, under warranty.

[nma33]

We purchased a Jayco Precept 35UN and couldn't be happier with it. We had a leak on the main slide room which Jayco Fixed at the Jayco service center, There were about 7 or 8 other minor issues that Jayco took care of also, The only thing we didn't like about the 2015 35UN was the accordion door to the bedroom, Jayco modified our coach to fit the solid sliding door from the 2016 model. I didn't pay a penny for any of this, including the trip to and from IN from NJ, or the door. Their customer service to me has been nothing but outstanding, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another Jayco product. All manufactures have their issues and that is what you usually hear on these forums, those of us who are happy with our Jayco's generally do not say so. Good luck in your quest to find the Motorhome right for you. We have.

[Flanz]

bsinmich wrote:
Jayco was just taken over by either Thor or Forest river so all new management there now. .

Jayco was purchased by Thor Industries not too long ago. Got any proof that ALL management has been removed?

-paul

[Effy]

Jayco 31U has 3 steps and one retractable. I suspect most entry level A's are similar.

[Rick_Jay]

Effy,

As a shirleyj62 mentioned, it depends upon the motorhome. Your "Ace" is on the smaller side of Class A's. Our gasser Cruise Master has 3 exterior steps, plus two more inside. From ground level to floor level, there are a total of 6 steps which must be taken to get in the coach. Although our dogs usually try to bypass the exterior steps and leap into the base step in the coach. 🙂 But most "full size" A's I think will be similar. Perhaps DPs might have a few less as they can be lowered once parked via their air bags.

The advantage of the extra height, as was also mentioned, was near cavernous storage space underneath.

I do agree, though, that anyone with mobility issues should consider this in the purchase. And possibly even consider some of the rigs which include wheel chair lifts if mobility may further be limited in the near future.

All of which has nothing to do specifically with Jayco. When we were shopping, Jayco didn't have any Class A's, but their Class C's seemed OK, but that was 12+ years ago.

If I was purchasing a new gas rig today, I would probably limit my scope to Tiffin & Newmar, and possibly Winnebago. If I was looking for a used DP, I'm beginning to see the wisdom in a well taken care of high-end coach in the 10-20 year age range.

Good Luck in your search,

~Rick

[Effy]

shirleyj62 wrote:
I should also mention that most Class A's have 6-7 steps in the entry.

Huh? I would say that most in the entry level have about 3-4. I can't recall the last MH I have seen with that many steps. That's like a half a story. Mine has 3 interior and 1 retractable.

[pslocum]

The Winnebago vista has a big shower and also a fiberglass roof with a 10 year warranty on parts and labor we have been happy with the Winnebagos that we have had. I've never had a Jayco so I can't comment on them.

[shirleyj62]

I should also mention that most Class A's have 6-7 steps in the entry. We have two dogs and going up and down those steps many times a day gets old. Of course the reason for that many steps is to provide the owner with lots of lower storage.

Something to think about, especially if you are older.

Shirley

[bsinmich]

Jayco was just taken over by either Thor or Forest river so all new management there now. Just a couple miles away is Newmar who have excellent service and reputation. The Miller family has owned Newmar and not sold out to anyone. I would go for another Newmar if I was looking for anothe big Class A.

[msturtz]

Many times things as complex as motorhomes have QC issues and even design issues. What I look for is being treated fairly and ethically. I strive to treat service people including manufacturer representatives with respect. The RV business is very price sensitive. Unfortunately, what sells is glitz and glam, cool looking colors and wiz bang features. What we as consumers are actually purchasing is a house on a medium duty truck or bus frame. Frequently, these vehicles are sold at or over their GVWR. The reason manufacturers can get away with this is because most consumers don't even know what to ask.

[Tripalot]

While waiting for service on our unit at the dealer, we met a fellow who had bought a new Jayco M.H. It was a lemon. He used it a few times and according to him, things kept falling off and other stuff did not work. He had it back to the dealer several times and they offered him a different Class A at a very attractive price. He ended up with a new Winnebago and was happy with it and few issues.

Personally we have no experience with Jayco or Winnebago.

[shirleyj62]

We had a Class C Motorhome (Sunseeker) for at least 5 years. Made an impulse decision to acquire a Jayco Class A. BIG MISTAKE. The coach spent more time in the service center being fixed than out camping. We sold it after 14 months and purchased another Sunseeker. We are much happier. Never again. Jayco may make good trailers and class C's, but a Class A is another animal. Most of the items being repaired are items found in 50 amp Class A's.

Don't think Jayco is ready for the Class A market.