Jay Flight G2 vs the newer "Jay Flight" models?

[Blue Grouse]

As some of you have read, we're seriously considering buying a new 22FB, due to the floorplan plus also the optional thermal package.

While snooping around on the net, I did find a used 2008 G2 23FB for sale...supposedly excellent condition plus did have the covered/insulated/heated underbelly. We are really leaning towards "new", but if the right used unit came along, we'd take a hard look

A few cosmetic differences I see - more overhead cabinets in the G2, shower on opposite side of the more modern Jay Flights. TV's came standard (I think), standard elec. awning. Otherwise the G2 23FB is almost identical to the 22FB. Maybe the G2's were offered with a few more bells and whistles "standard" ???

A few questions:

What are the differences between a G2 and the new Jay Flights?

Would a 2008 G2 that has the insulated underbelly have the better R-value insulation in the walls/floors like the current "thermal package" available?

Again, THNX in advance.

[Crabman]

When Jayco offered the G2 and regular Jflight there was more standard equipment on the G2 and some items were just not available even for order on the standard Jayflight. When we ordered ours the G2 was about 2 grand more, and what it offered in my view we did not need (TV, power awning, carpet, ladder, a few interior amenities such as fancier lights, wallpaper border, etc I`m sure I`m forgetting a few) The thermal package/heated underbelly was available as an option on both late in the 2010 model year. Last year Jayco discontinued the G2 line and simply offered a large list of options and packages available on the Jayflights, so you really only have to order what you want and need.

[dewey02]

I could be wrong, but I do not believe that the thermal package actually has any more or thicker insulation in the walls, and only the regular fiberglass insulation in the ceiling. However, it does have the addition of reflective foil in the ceiling. The walls are only so thick, so you can't really put much insulation in there. See the following link that shows the actual construction of what I believe is a 2009 22fb. The whole video is interesting, but check it out at 2:43 seconds for how little insulation is actuall in those 1.5 inch thick walls: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbcnews.c...68163#32468163

From my understanding the thermal package has the following: Reflective foil in the ceiling in addition to the regular insulation. Nothing more or different in the walls. And the insulated underbelley with a hole cut in the ductwork so that hot air from the furnace is sent to the area of the FW tank which is just over the axles. I do not believe that any hot air is routed directly to the black or grey tanks, which are in the back, but I suppose they get some heat that filters from the area of the FW tanks.

In short, having thermal package is better than not having it, but it isn't like getting a thermal package on a much more expensive RV. I don't think there is any difference between the current Jayco models and ones that are a few years old - I think you are getting the same thing in terms of insulation. Of course this is mostly presumption on my part, but I did a quite a bit of checking on this a year or two ago, including asking the factory, and this is what they told me.

[Blue Grouse]

Dewey, you make sense. You're right, you can only get so much insulation in the walls and ceiling.

I do wonder if the G2's that had the enclosed/heated underbellies also had the "foil" insulation??? I'm curious if Jayco added the foil insulation then?

Speaking of foil, would the reflective foil really bump up the R-values?

That video makes constructing a travel trailer look easy!

[dewey02]

I'm not an expert. Here's some info on how the foil works. http://www.energyefficientsolutions.com/rbhow.asp

[nitrohorse]

My 2013 26RLS has the thermal package. The underbelly is heated, and the salesman told me that included both
the grey and black tanks in addition to the water tank. The roof is R24, the walls are R8, and the floor is R22.
Hope this helps.

[dewey02]

I don't know what a 26 RLS looks like, but for a 22fb, it is pretty hard to figure out how the roof could get that much insulation with a thermal package.
The R value of fiberglass insulation is 3.14 R per inch. This makes sense as the 2 inch walls would be around 6.5 and even the thin inside panelling and yes, the aluminum siding have a minor R value probably adding around another 0.5 R together. (the company claims the regular walls have an R7).

So for a ceiling to have R24, you are looking at a ceiling space of around 8 inches. But the roof is built with 4 1/2 inch tapered trusses, so they are 4.5 inches at their widest. Probably the best you could do is around an R of 14 (only at the widest part of the roof), and that would include the R values of the 3/8" plywood roof deck, the ceiling material inside the trailer and the rubber roof material.

The floor is probably more do-able, since you could put more insulation down there, and they are probably factoring in the insulation property of the 5/8 inch plywood floorboard,(which has an R value of 0.77R) the insulation under that, and then the insulation on the belly cover and the plastic belly cover itself. Even dead air space has some R value.

The radiant foil barrier in and of itself has NO added R value. It does function to reflect radiant heat, so it does help you stay warmer, but claims of packing that much R value into such a narrow space just cannot be justified. Do some checking on radiant foil and R values on your computer search engine. I don't mean to be a nay-sayer here, but RV salesmen will tell you almost anything to get a sale. Is a thermal package on an economy TT worth it? Yes, it can be depending upon your fall/winter camping schedule. Does it help? Yes. But don't expect miracles, or believe the exaggerated claims of salesmen.

[joe in calif]

I don't know about the insulation but I had an 08 23 FB G2 and loved it. I now have a 2012 29RLDS, to me it is no better at keeping heat or cold out. Both of them I think are insulated real good. Now the G2 has some extras that my new 2012 doesn't have and if I would have noticed that I would have taken them off my G2 before I traded it in. My G2 had a cover for the stove, 2012 doesn't, my G2 had chrome covers that covered the wheel hubs and lug nuts, my 2012 doesn't. A few other minor changes also. The G2 is great trailer but my wife wanted more room and a slide so that is why we got a bigger trailer. I don't know what price range you are looking at for the G2 but the dealer offered me $8000 on a trade in.

[nitrohorse]

Originally Posted by dewey02

The radiant foil barrier in and of itself has NO added R value. It does function to reflect radiant heat, so it does help you stay warmer, but claims of packing that much R value into such a narrow space just cannot be justified. Do some checking on radiant foil and R values on your computer search engine.

I scoured the Jayco site and could not find a definitive answer as to the R24 roof claimed by my salesman. I did do a Google search on foil and came up with this. I agree that foil has no "R" value, but it's reflective properties certainly increase the "R" value of the existing insulation.

" In summary, you increase the R-Value of your existing insulation by installing a radiant barrier foil insulation product.

Studies have found the following about radiant barriers to be true:

A Tennessee Valley Authority study based on radiant barriers used in the summer found that radiant barriers combined with an R-11 insulation has the same affect as an R-19 insulation alone. Add a radiant barrier to an R-19 insulation and you have the effect of an R-30 insulation alone. The Florida Solar Energy Center specialist Philip Fairey found that a radiant barrier combined with an R-19 insulation produced a LOWER peak demand than an R-30 insulation alone.

So in closing, I would venture to guess that the insulation, foil, 3/8 ply rood, and roofing cover may have the same effect as R20.

[kampfirekid]

Im looking at a used 2011 G2 32BHDS right now. I have the 2011 literature and 2013. The 2011 states R-22 in ceiling. Now, the thermal package includes foil on roof and slide roofs only, not floor. Supposedly, for 2013, the slideout floors are insulated, too. Not sure if slide floors is true. I do see the G2 is more equipped with some niceties not on the current models- even not available as options.

The used 32BHDS Im considering has not been used more than 2X, and could save me close to $10k. Lookjng better every day, if I can get there before its gone.