May be new guy to a hybrid/jayco ?'s

JeepGuy wrote:
So we were shopping for a class c to get out of our smaller fun finder 160x and are limited to a light weight camper due to our tow vehicle well we happend upon a twice used 2014 jayco jay feather slx 16xrb. it seems to be a good deal at $11,500, was bought and the wife didnt like camping so its on cosignment at the dealer where we were looking at the class c. SO my question is will we be happy in this unit? we really needed more space for sleeping from the 160x and with the pop out beds we can still have beds AND a table and small couch. how is jayco quality?

first, to really enjoy a hybrid, the idea of sleeping under canvas HAS to be something you'll love, no matter the negatives.
most hybrid owners are former popup owners and feel this way and are willing to deal with the few negatives, to continue the canvas experience.
many new hybrid owners don't take the canvas into consideration and end up selling theirs after one season, apparently like these former owners.

and don't believe the salesman that "sure you can tow this".:(
many newbies are sucked into this, only to find that their tow vehicle is inadequate.

so, what is your tow vehicle and its specs? does it have the factory tow package? have you ever owned a popup?

My trailer is small, but not this small. Once you subtract the back bumper and the tongue yours is about 15'.

Couple things: 9 gallon black tank for us wouldn't make it through a 3 day weekend, 15 gallon gray is small but doable if you scrimp. Is there enough storage? in place of the couch in the Jayco we have a closet, drawers, and cabinets. Couches are popular but waste valuable space in a small traile.r The bunks are only 70" long, is that enough for you? The trailer is 7' wide, less on the inside. You're going to have a wheel well under the dinette making the leg room only enough for 2 people. Same goes for under the couch, if it's supposed to be storage there won't be that much of it there.

Just my opinion but I think this is really a starter unit, unless you are a real minimalist you'll want something bigger before too long.

We have a 2005 Kodiak 160 Hybrid. TV is a 2003 Ford Explorer with tow package and after-market auxiliary fan. TV overheats in summer when towing in the mountains. We have to run the heater to keep the engine cool, which is very uncomfortable!

We owned two pop-ups previously, a tiny Coleman and then a Coleman Avalon. We wanted a bathroom, so we moved up to a hybrid. We've camped for three weeks at a time and were quite comfortable.

We enjoy sleeping under canvas. We like feeling close to nature.

we did have a popup before the fun finder, wife wanted a bathroom, main reason we got the fun finder. dont mind 'canvas" sleeping at all. we will mostly tow with a 98 grand cherokee 5.9 limited (only year with the 5.9L 360 motor) rated for 5000lbs, 2 times a year i will towing with a 07 unlimited rubicon, rated for 3500lbs but have added a aux tranny cooler and it has lower than stock gearing and a perf tuner. both jeeps have factory tow packages although i know on the wrangler it doesnt make it tow more, just adds a hitch and correct plug for trailer brakes.
What are the downsides to "canvas"sleeping?
we were really ok in the fun finder but the problem is now that the kids need seperate sleeping areas (2 and 4)so we figure one in the bunk and one on the dinette and well have the other bunk.
things ive noticed the jayco doesnt have are outside speakers, outside hose and stablizer jacks, now jacks are cheap and i can add , can prob rig up something with speakers also but outside hose would prob be hard depending where the factory run the water lines to tap into and add outside water.

Cons, from someone who likes their hybrid.

External noise, we use a white noise machine to get around it.
Mine being small, I have to setup a bed to sleep, can't turtle.
Gets cold, but manageable, when it drops to around freezing.