Purchasing First Trailer

[Shani]

Hello,

I hope this is the correct place to post this. I am new to this forum as well as trailers. Have been looking to purchase a camping trailer and have narrowed it down to a few choices:
- Jayco Jay Flight SLX 264BHW
- Keystone Hideout 24BHSWE or 24BHWE

I know the Jayco offers a 2 year warranty over the 1 by Keystone. Does anyone have any feedback on the quality of these two brands. My wife and I really like the Keystone but I have been reading a lot of forums the mention the lack of quality on the Keystone Trailers. I know that there are also negative reviews out there for the Jayco but it seems there are a lot for the Keystone. Am I overthinking it or is there a big difference in the two brands.

Being new to this and my first Trailer just looking to make an informed decision. Appreciate any thoughts or experiences.

Thanks.

[Shani]

Forgot to add, its a 6.2L and has trailer break controller (not sure if that makes any difference).

Thanks

[Shani]

Hi folks,

I've been doing some research this weekend on the actual towing capacity to ensure I am picking a suitable trailer for safe towing.

The tow vehicle I have is a 2014 Yukon Denali AWD. I did get some numbers and wanted to see if my thoughts were correct:

- Vehicle maximum tow weight 8100lbs (from GM)
- GCWR is 14000lbs (from GM)
- Label on inside of Yukon door:
-- GVWR 7300lbs
-- GAWR FRT 3550lbs
-- GAWR RR 4200lbs

Being on the safe side I figure since the GCWR (total max weight) - the GVWR (maximum of the Yukon) = 6700lbs

I won't be near the GVWR as there is only 2 adults and 2 children (it is a 7 passenger vehicle).

If I stick with a trailer with the Gross Weight under the 6700lbs, I am guessing I should be okay.

Would I be correct on the above or is this much to conservative? The Keystone trailers I was looking at (Hideout 24BH / 24BHS) are coming in at 7490 and 7720 Gross Weight respectively. After reading some forums online I am now considering they may be too heavy for the Yukon for safe towing. The trailer dealers have not been much help, they just seem to be okay selling something to me that is below the 8100lbs limit. I know I will require a distribution or equalizer hitch.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, again I am less concerned on what is the MAXIMIM I can possibly tow but more so what would be the recommended maximum weight trailer I should go with for safety and ease of travel in mind.

Thank you again for any guidance.

[Shani]

Thanks for the feedback all. Much appreciated!

Don't have any dealer in my city, will be heading out in a few weeks to have a look and decide on one.

Cheers

[DutchmenSport]

Thor Industries child companies are Dutchmen and Keystone. I've had both a Dutchmen and 2 different Keystones. Dutchmen - 2 and 1/2 years. 1st Keystone - 8 years. 2nd Keystone - going on 3 years now. All have been good campers. All of them had minor initial warranty items that were fixed relatively easy. After that, problems have been zip! Good self-maintenance and attention to all details, and never letting anything slip and slide, even a little, and we've had good success with all 3 campers.

[deltabravo]

Keystone - in some of their models, they put the thermostat is some of the most ridiculous, inaccessible places possible. Quite a few I saw, the t-stat was in the lower bunk area.

Also, there's no A/C power outlet under the table, or near the table, so using a laptop there would be limited. In fact, they were seriously lacking in quantity of AC (120 volt) outlets

[handye9]

Shani wrote:
Hello,
- Jayco Jay Flight SLX 264BHW
- Keystone Hideout 24BHSWE or 24BHWE

Am I overthinking it or is there a big difference in the two brands.

Overthinking ??? Probably

Not much of a difference. When we drag these things down our bad roads, things are going get loose or come apart. Doesn't matter who built them.

Many of the systems (brakes, axles, stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, entertainment systems, furnaces, water heaters, etc) may be the same in both trailers. They are only made by a few manufacturers (not the RV builders) and carry their own warranties.

As for warranty length, if you are unable to fix little things by yourself, then the longer warranty may be better.

RV builders with bad reputations, don't stay in business. Keystone and Jayco have been around for a long time.

[Hannibal]

I'm partial to Jayco for the chassis and slide mechanisms. Cousin has a Keystone with no slides that he's happy with. We recently ordered our third Jayco.

[SoundGuy]

Opie431 wrote:
We have an 03 Which has needed no warranty work.

That's helpful :R ... an '03 WHAT? :h

[Opie431]

We have an 03 Which has needed no warranty work. We camp in ours
60 to 100 nights a year.

[SoundGuy]

Shani wrote:
I know the Jayco offers a 2 year warranty over the 1 by Keystone. Does anyone have any feedback on the quality of these two brands.

I'd agree - 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. You could have great luck with almost any trailer you buy OR the worst luck, and in fact that's what it most often comes down to - luck. :E I had a 2 yr warranty with our previous KZ Spree but as it turned out the only issues we had were addressed in an effective manner by our dealer so the 2nd yr of warranty was moot in this particular case ... with a different trailer the story could have been entirely different. And that raises the issue you should really be concerned about - the quality of the dealer and your relationship with that dealer, particularly it's service department and service manager, as that's who you'll need to turn to if / when you do need help with your trailer. Ignore this and you could easily be in for a world of hurt so my advice is - pick a good dealer and put some effort into getting to know the staff and they you, 'cause chances are pretty good you're going to be having a "relationship" with them whether you want to or not. :W

[Anmacc2]

We like our keystone. Other than a little tweaking we've had no problems with it. We've had it 16 months and dragged it cross country and back. It tows well, is spacious and comfortable..... I know nothing of the jayco. I'm thinking its six of one and a half dozen of the other. Get the one you like better.