Pinnacle 36 KPTS

Larry G. · 12-13-2011, 01:34 PM

Hi everyone,

Posted the following in the new member forum but thought I would bring it in here as well.

We have been lurking here on the forums for quite some time and there is a lot of good information to be had and we thank everyone.

With that my wife is planning on retiring in 2012 and she wants to hit the road for extended periods (months) of time. So we we have been researching fifth wheels and will be moving up from our current travel trailer our 25 foot Nomad travel trailer. The Nomad has been a great RV for us over the last two years but our trips are short usually 3 to 5 days and we want something that will be more comfortable on our future trips.

Our research has narrowed our choices down to two manufacturers and series the Jayco Pinnacle and Dutchmen Infinity.

The Pinnacle 36 REQS was the model we settled on on a recent trip (November) to San Diego where we had a chance to see. Our local Jayco dealer here in Reno had recently took on the Pinnacle line however their initial orders were not in yet.

The San Diego dealer also showed us the new Infinity which looks to be a great product also. Another dealer here in Reno just signed up for the Infinity line at the recent Louisville show so we will have both the Pinnacle and Infinity available locally.

Last week at our local Jayco dealer called and said they had their first Pinnacle in and we stopped by over the weekend to see the Pinnacle 36 KPTS. My wife fell in love with this brand-new model with the enormous pantry storage and I have to admit I agree. So we have a new number one.

My question is does anyone have any experience with the new 36KPTS and the Pinnacle in general?

This past summer we bought the 'puller' so we are set there.

Thanks in advance.

cutrell01 · 12-13-2011, 01:43 PM

I believe the Jayco Pinnacle is what they are manufacturing after Jayco bought out Travel Supreme. We owned a Travel Supreme (36ft) 5th wheel for three years and loved it. If Jayco is making them to the same standard that Travel Supreme did, they should be very nice. One thing we did not like was that the tires were not rated high enough for the RV. Check them out because some manufacturers are putting on tires rated for the "empty" weight of the RV and not the loaded weight.

Donr827 · 12-13-2011, 02:06 PM

We are looking at the Pinnacle 31 RLTS. If you look closely at the build quality I think that the Pinnacle will be superior to the Dutchman. JMOP
Don

Larry G. · 12-13-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutrell01

I believe the Jayco Pinnacle is what they are manufacturing after Jayco bought out Travel Supreme. We owned a Travel Supreme (36ft) 5th wheel for three years and loved it. If Jayco is making them to the same standard that Travel Supreme did, they should be very nice. One thing we did not like was that the tires were not rated high enough for the RV. Check them out because some manufacturers are putting on tires rated for the "empty" weight of the RV and not the loaded weight.

Yes well aware of tires and would want the G rated made in the USA if that is possible. The G's should cover the weight issue I believe.

Thanks.

DonandDonna · 12-13-2011, 03:46 PM

We recently acquired a new 2011 Pinnacle 36RETS. This is our fourth fifth wheel, each one getting slightly bigger than the last, and we love the set up and the build seems to be superior to the brands we have had in the past which were built by Keystone. Jayco offers a two year warranty where others offer one. The only problem we have encountered so far is the quality of the slide motors. They are electric and apparently built in China. I do believe that the dealers are replacing the motors, as they go out, with better and bigger motors. I hope so anyway because ours is in the shop to get one replaced right now. I haven't seen the 36 KPTS so I can't comment on it. The reason we went with the RETS was because we wanted to have access to the refrigerator while traveling without extending slides. We have friends who have a 2006 Jayco Designer and they have not had any issues with it. Good luck on making your decision and congratulations to your wife on her upcoming retirement. I retired this year and highly recommend it. Happy traveling.

2011 Jayco Pinnacle RETS
2012 Ford Super Duty 350 DRW

Larry G. · 12-13-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donr827

We are looking at the Pinnacle 31 RLTS. If you look closely at the build quality I think that the Pinnacle will be superior to the Dutchman. JMOP
Don

Do like the Jayco build quality backed by their 2 year warranty.

The Infinity quality looks good also but does not have the warranty like Jayco.

Things have changed quite a bit in the industry since I retired in 2006 selling RV's back in Green Bay but Jayco was always very good competition...another dealer close by had the Jayco franchise.

Rob_Fla · 12-13-2011, 04:01 PM

We have a Pinnacle 35LKTS, again not the same floor plan you are looking at.
We had been shopping for a new 5th Wheel for several years, been to many RV Shows and dealer lots.
We looked at the Dutchmen Infinity, Heartland Bighorn and Crossroads Rushmore which are all good products and in the same general price range but in the end we came back to the Jayco Pinnacle.
We just felt there is a lot of "Bang for the Buck" with the Pinnacle, good quality, solid construction with good materials used, plus it just felt right.
Not to say the Pinnacle is a perfect product, but we though it was a better product than the other brands and models we looked in the similar price range and a 2 year warranty to back it up.
We are very happy with our Pinnacle and think we made the right choice.
We do agree our tires are not the right tire for a 5th Wheel the size and weight of our Pinnacle and are looking upgrading to at least a "G" Rated tire too.

Larry G. · 12-13-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Fla

We have a Pinnacle 35LKTS, again not the same floor plan you are looking at.
We had been shopping for a new 5th Wheel for several years, been to many RV Shows and dealer lots.
We looked at the Dutchmen Infinity, Heartland Bighorn and Crossroads Rushmore which are all good products and in the same general price range but in the end we came back to the Jayco Pinnacle.
We just felt there is a lot of "Bang for the Buck" with the Pinnacle, good quality, solid construction with good materials used, plus it just felt right.
Not to say the Pinnacle is a perfect product, but we though it was a better product than the other brands and models we looked in the similar price range and a 2 year warranty to back it up.
We are very happy with our Pinnacle and think we made the right choice.
We do agree our tires are not the right tire for a 5th Wheel the size and weight of our Pinnacle and are looking upgrading to at least a "G" Rated tire too.

Thanks Rob.

Not sure what kind of tow vehicle you have but what are your thoughts on the Mor Ryde pinbox?

Larry G. · 12-13-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonandDonna

We recently acquired a new 2011 Pinnacle 36RETS. This is our fourth fifth wheel, each one getting slightly bigger than the last, and we love the set up and the build seems to be superior to the brands we have had in the past which were built by Keystone. Jayco offers a two year warranty where others offer one. The only problem we have encountered so far is the quality of the slide motors. They are electric and apparently built in China. I do believe that the dealers are replacing the motors, as they go out, with better and bigger motors. I hope so anyway because ours is in the shop to get one replaced right now. I haven't seen the 36 KPTS so I can't comment on it. The reason we went with the RETS was because we wanted to have access to the refrigerator while traveling without extending slides. We have friends who have a 2006 Jayco Designer and they have not had any issues with it. Good luck on making your decision and congratulations to your wife on her upcoming retirement. I retired this year and highly recommend it. Happy traveling.

2011 Jayco Pinnacle RETS
2012 Ford Super Duty 350 DRW

Thanks D and D. Seems today too many things are made in China but I am old school.

Hopefully the 2012 models will have the better slide motors and other improvements in the second year of the Pinnacle.

We are looking forward to the wife's retirement and she would buy right now but I have a little checking to do yet. I try and do my due diligence especially in this type of decision. Since we are not camping right now anyway I think we can wait a couple of months unless a real sweet deal comes along.

Thank you for your comments.

Rob_Fla · 12-13-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry G.

Thanks Rob.

Not sure what kind of tow vehicle you have but what are your thoughts on the Mor Ryde pinbox?

We love the Mor Ryde Pinbox, I pulled our previous 5th Wheel for many years and my BILs 5th Wheel a couple of times and I thought both pulled ok until I pulled our Pinnacle with the Mor Ryde Pinbox, man what a difference, much smoother ride in the truck for sure.
Glad we got the Mor Ryde, well worth the money!

Larry G. · 12-13-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Fla

We love the Mor Ryde Pinbox, I pulled our previous 5th Wheel for many years and my BILs 5th Wheel a couple of times and I thought both pulled ok until I pulled our Pinnacle with the Mor Ryde Pinbox, man what a difference, much smoother ride in the truck for sure.
Glad we got the Mor Ryde, well worth the money!

What do you have for a tow vehicle?

Larry G. · 01-13-2012, 09:25 PM

Two days ago, Wednesday, we ordered the Jayco 36KPTS with delivery in 5-8 weeks.

Excited and looking forward to using for the first time.

Thanks to all for your comments and have a great year whether full-timing or seasonal.

Rob_Fla · 01-14-2012, 04:49 AM

Congradulations on your choice of the Jayco Pinnacle and welcome to the Jayco Family.
Hope you enjoy your Pinnacle as much as we have enjoyed ours! :hihi:

Donr827 · 01-14-2012, 10:19 AM

I was at the Tampa RV show Thursday and looked at the two Pinnacles that were there. I noticed that the cable/sat connection on the rear of the trailer only had one connector. The regional sales manager could not answer the question as to how I would hook up both cable and sat at the same time. He had me call the factory and talk to customer service. Customer service guy told me that you have to order the tailer with two connectors if you want to hook up cable and sat at the same time. He also mentioned that if you want to put a automatic sat dish on top of the trailer that they could pre wire it to make it easier. Very friendly and helpful gentleman.
Don

Larry G. · 01-18-2012, 08:50 PM

Well we got word today that our new Pinnacle could be at the dealer at the end of February. With our scheduling (wife is still working) we are planning on going down (Menifee,CA) mid March.

With that we want to stay overnight and run things before heading back to Reno. Our sales person offered their dealership with water and electric which was much appreciated. He also recommended a RV Resort 20 minutes away...Pechanga RV Resort where we will probably go.

Everything working OK we will head to Reno (9.5 hours) and plan on stopping in Lone Pine, CA. on US 395 and staying at Boulder Creek RV Resort. This will help break up the trip as we are in no hurry.

Anybody ever stayed at either place?

We did notice there is a casino at Pechanga....nice!!

Rob_Fla · 01-19-2012, 04:27 AM

Larry, sounds like everything is comming together.

Congradulations, hope everything continues to go smooth.

Now for the WAIT !!!!

Larry G. · 02-01-2012, 10:22 PM

Sold our 2010 Nomad TT today...1 day on local Craig's list.

Things are progressing.....

Rob_Fla · 02-02-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry G.

Sold our 2010 Nomad TT today...1 day on local Craig's list.

Things are progressing.....

Wow, Larry that is great news.

We had a Sunnybrook TT a some years ago and sold it in 2 days, don't you just love it when a plan comes together.

Larry G. · 02-02-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Fla

Wow, Larry that is great news.

We had a Sunnybrook TT a some years ago and sold it in 2 days, don't you just love it when a plan comes together.

Indeed Rob.

We are excited!!

**Crabman** · 02-02-2012, 06:49 AM

I also sold my previous TT in one day on Craigslist, sold it for exactly what I paid for it and had two more serious inquiries! I had no idea it would sell so quickly resulting in us having no trailer for 6 weeks while waiting for the new Jayco to come in..........I dusted off the tents for an outing or two.

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