Resent 2016-2019 Jayco qualiity?

[Coach_Cleats]

Considering going to a Jayco Prestige Class A gas. Just wondering what others think of the quality and workmanship. I am aware that Thor is involved with JAYCO.

[steved28]

My friend purchased a 2018 Precept (new) and I purchased a 2019 Winnebago. Both 35ft class A. We payed almost identical prices. He had a laundry list of warrenty repairs, including leaks in both front/side windows, paint issues, door issues. I had no issues. I know this is just antecdotal data. But in looking at how things were built and engineered between the two, I would not buy the Precept. At least not when I could get a Winnebago for the same price.

[way2roll]

GCSuper wrote:

Coach Cleats wrote:
Considering going to a Jayco Prestige Class A gas. Just wondering what others think of the quality and workmanship. I am aware that Thor is involved with JAYCO.

The Jayco Precept Prestige is their top of the line MH and not entry level as someone mentioned. Before we bought our 2019 Prestige, we looked at a lot of units from Thor, Coachman, Forest River, and Tiffin. The Jayco won out easily over all but the Tiffin, and it was eliminated due to cost and floor plan.
We've now had our Precept Prestige 36U for 14 months. I consider this coach well above average in quality, as we've had no issues attributed to the Jayco build process. All drawers, cabinets, etc. are straight, level, and plumb and any caulking was done by someone who cares. We've not had one issue due to Jayco's build process. Our AGM panel and one air conditioner have been replaced but no other issues. We put a little over 9K miles this first year and are continually impressed with how quiet it is. No annoying squeaks or rattles. The F53 chassis could use improvements, but that's the only option for the builders to use. It's true Thor owns Jayco, but they continue to run separately.
We feel that down the road we may switch to diesel to increase our towing capacity, but for now we still have a year of warranty left and are very pleased with our Jayco purchase.

Ignore me....

[GCSuper]

Coach Cleats wrote:
Considering going to a Jayco Prestige Class A gas. Just wondering what others think of the quality and workmanship. I am aware that Thor is involved with JAYCO.

The Jayco Precept Prestige is their top of the line MH and not entry level as someone mentioned. Before we bought our 2019 Prestige, we looked at a lot of units from Thor, Coachman, Forest River, and Tiffin. The Jayco won out easily over all but the Tiffin, and it was eliminated due to cost and floor plan.
We've now had our Precept Prestige 36U for 14 months. I consider this coach well above average in quality, as we've had no issues attributed to the Jayco build process. All drawers, cabinets, etc. are straight, level, and plumb and any caulking was done by someone who cares. We've not had one issue due to Jayco's build process. Our AGM panel and one air conditioner have been replaced but no other issues. We put a little over 9K miles this first year and are continually impressed with how quiet it is. No annoying squeaks or rattles. The F53 chassis could use improvements, but that's the only option for the builders to use. It's true Thor owns Jayco, but they continue to run separately.
We feel that down the road we may switch to diesel to increase our towing capacity, but for now we still have a year of warranty left and are very pleased with our Jayco purchase.

[scbwr]

Based upon my research a couple of years ago and our purchase, I'll suggest the following. Consider buying used as motorhomes (especially gas) take a big depreciation. Combine that with the fact that if it's your first motor home, your likely to trade it in at some point when you've had more experience and know what you would like to have in terms of space, floor plan, size, etc. For gas motorhomes, from what we saw, go for a used Newmar, Tiffen or Winnebago/Itasca. I believe you will get a better unit and more bang for the buck than buying new.
We ended up with our Newmar because it was the right size and we were able to get it at a price that we could afford. It had the added bonus of coming with an extended warranty that only cost $100 and has already been used to replace a AC unit.

There is a bonus to buying new as you do get a warranty. However, by buying used, you may save enough to pay for an extended warranty. I've never thought of extended warranties being a very good idea when we had popup tent campers and two travel trailers, but with a motorhome, I'm feeling a little different. I'm considering extending our warranty when it's due to expire, depending on what kind of coverage I can select, deductable, etc.

Whatever you do, take your time and really look. In our case, we were originally going to buy something from the 2005-2008 models. But after looking at how they are typically worn and dated, we decided to go a bit newer and not have to get into replacing carpeting, floors, furniture so soon. On our Newmar, we have taken out one of the two sofas and replaced with a smaller recliner and end table/cabinet. Eventually, I'd like to replace the other sofa only because I would like to change the color.

Best of luck!

[DFord]

Find a used unit someone else has already taken the big hit on when they bought it. They will have had the worst things fixed already. Perform a PDI getting into as much detail as you feel comfortable with or hire it done.

[msturtz]

DownTheAvenue wrote:

msturtz wrote:
Get everything in writing period. Don’t pay any attention to anything anyone tells you that isn’t in writing. If someone tells promises something verbally follow up with an email to that person confirming the contemporaneous conversation.

While there is a lot of good information in this post, this section is completely wrong. I can tell you as an attorney this is incorrect. Because you send an email to someone "confirming" what they said does not mean they actually said it, or if they did if you did not misunderstand and your email then contains your misunderstanding. Most states have laws that specifically disallow any verbal contractual agreements. Unless it is in writing with both party's signature, you do not have an enforceable agreement. Another thing to consider is if the signor for the company has the authority to make the commitment.

You are absolutely correct that an email follow up confirming a verbal representation does not create or modify a verbal contract. Not only do many states disallow verbal contracts every purchase and sales agreement that I have seen does as well.

However, what I was referring to are representations of material fact to induce me to purchase the RV or vehicle. For example I have had sales people state “…yes the rig has a locking differential or electronic limited slip…” or “…yes the rig has a spare tire…” or “…yes we will replace all the batteries with new prior to delivery…” when in fact we discovered post-delivery that it did not. I have had many cases where a salesperson told me something that ended up not being true but because I documented to them in an email confirming the verbal conversation the company honored what they said. Now, there have been things that were so important to me that while in the F&I office I hand write what we actually agreed to such as optional components or features of a particular vehicle that were material to the purchase. The F&I manager usually doesn’t like it but I have never had them kill a deal because I insisted that they document on the agreement our complete agreement. When normal people take 15 – 20 minutes in the F&I office we have taken 1 – 2 hours because we read the entire contract and insist that everything be documented for the terms and conditions of the entire deal. I refuse to even accept the “we owe” paperwork stand alone because of the “…entire agreement…” clauses baked into some purchase agreements. If the dealer does what they say they would do and the vehicle includes exactly what the sales person stated it does then everything is great.

I can tell you I have literally had a member of a dealership senior management in front of me and call a salesperson and the sales person lie to them and state that they never said the vehicle had that feature. Then I calmly pull out the email thread to that exact salesperson that was sent contemporaneous to the stated conversation. That didn’t go well for the sales person. Because I had the documentation and proof of what I was told they couldn’t dispute it. Again, yes for anything covered under the terms of a written agreement cannot be modified by anything verbal. However, at least for representations other than sales puffery it can’t hurt to have it in writing. Usually, I ask that the sales person reply to confirm what was discussed to avert any dispute.

[ScottG]

Research the dealership before buying.
Check the reviews closely and don't ignore the bad ones even if they're in the minority.

I bought from two very credible dealerships. The RV's had issues (especially NW) and I took them anyway because I knew they would stand behind them - and they did. Yes, bad paint, busted doors, defective roof (not leaking), vibrating AC and the list goes on. I arranged to have things fixed out-of-season so I didn't have to miss any camping.
So yes, I would absolutely accept the RV with defects under these conditions.

[dougrainer]

The MAIN thing is simple. NEVER take delivery or sign the papers until you have gone thru the unit with the delivery person and had the items noted fixed. If it is a cabinet door or trim, that does not mean to wait. But defects and paint or broken items and things that do not work, YES, tell them until these things are fixed and after you inspect you will not sign and pay. This gets the dealer to work quickly. He WANTS his money and the Salesperson wants their check. IF they delay this for more than a few weeks, you have an idea on how the rest of your warranty items will be addressed. Doug

[DownTheAvenue]

msturtz wrote:
Get everything in writing period. Don’t pay any attention to anything anyone tells you that isn’t in writing. If someone tells promises something verbally follow up with an email to that person confirming the contemporaneous conversation.

While there is a lot of good information in this post, this section is completely wrong. I can tell you as an attorney this is incorrect. Because you send an email to someone "confirming" what they said does not mean they actually said it, or if they did if you did not misunderstand and your email then contains your misunderstanding. Most states have laws that specifically disallow any verbal contractual agreements. Unless it is in writing with both party's signature, you do not have an enforceable agreement. Another thing to consider is if the signor for the company has the authority to make the commitment.

[mleekamp]

way2roll says it best in my opinion, with good comments from msturtz. While we have never owned a high-end RV of any type, we use the heck out of what we have.

Our towable Jayco products (and we've also had Forest River) were on the mid to low end, even though they were 30 foot TT's. For me, it was how it was built and ensuring the water lines/wires were not chafing, and things were assembled well.

In our current Jayco Class C (definitely not a Prestige class!), the inside is much like our TT's of old. Same "quality" and "feel". But again, I looked at water/wires and made sure things were done okay.

Also -- for us -- the components (furnace, fridge, AC, etc) in our C were the same or near same as those used in our TT's.

I agree an inspection is key. But I've not had major issues with Jayco or Forest River (I know you didn't ask about that brand) from quality perspective.

And the point here being -- these were (and are) lower end units we have. Our current Class C is the entry level C.

[msturtz]

We had a Jayco towable and were very happy with it. The quality was good and we used it a lot. We made the mistake of purchasing a Jayco Motorized without really considering other brands. Jayco's motorized units are much more expensive than other comparable units. The mistake we made is in assuming that the quality carried over from their towable units. Worse yet their customer service was a complete disaster.

Here is the bottom line from our experience from purchasing multiple RVS. Regardless of the brand pay for a complete pre-purchase inspection. It should cost between $400 - $800. Make the purchase contingent on the inspection. Don’t warn the RV seller or dealer that you are having a formal pre-purchase inspection. After you have an agreed price and deal but before you sign or take final delivery tell them you need to have a day with the unit to measure the drawers and other things for ordering anti-skid mats and other things for the unit. You can tell them that you need a weight from a certified scale with all the tanks full that way they will fill the water tanks and have all the plumbing working for your inspection. You can insist on this. Many units are overweight before you even load your stuff!

Get everything in writing period. Don’t pay any attention to anything anyone tells you that isn’t in writing. If someone tells promises something verbally follow up with an email to that person confirming the contemporaneous conversation. Finally, expect that the unit you like – regardless of manufacturer – will have flaws such as loose screws, water leaks, broken drawers, malfunctioning equipment, incorrectly installed or wired components. Don’t get discouraged this is all normal for hand built units as complex as RVs. The independent pre-purchase inspection gives you leverage to ensure that everything is the way you expect and or get commitments from the seller as to timeframes as to when you will actually be able to use the unit. Alternatively, you may chose to tell the seller that you will finalize the deal and take delivery after the list of items has been fixed. That way you are not paying for a unit that you can’t use and its stuck in the shop for months on end because they have no motivation to get it fixed quickly. The RV dealers don’t fix RVs that have problems when they are sitting on their lot for sale. They wait for them to be sold and then they fix the defects.

Our current unit spent a lot of time in the shop in the first two years (Not a Jayco!) but now that everything is fixed we are happy with it.

[way2roll]

I think the answer to these questions about quality is largely around what you will use it for and your expectations against cost. In the budget for this unit what are your expectations of quality? It's certainly not on par with a high end unit from Newmar. Precept is one of their entry level units so quality is going to be relative. If you have realistic expectations and it meets your need at your budget I would guess your issues would be on par with most other units in it's class. I think there are a few Precept owners on this forum and I haven't seen may complaints. Good luck! Rv shopping is so much fun.

[2oldman]

I think you mean recent.