New first purchase maybe

Pagoda Pacer · 02-01-2015, 01:33 PM

Hi all,
We have been looking for a camper for about seven months.
Moving up from a popup after 10 years.
Thought we wanted a big 34' rear kitchen. Springdale Denali etc.
Found these smaller units
2011 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 256 RKS

And 2011 JAYCO JAYFEATHER 242

both about the same price, What's the difference?
We like the dream dinette. Is the eagle an upgrade?
Thanks for reading and input.

Paintinfool3 · 02-01-2015, 01:41 PM

Well i would say you have to look at the three of them and see the differences .... we bought the eagle ,i know it is probably heavier but we loved the expensive look of the interior and amenities it offered and the high gloss gelcoat ... i would definetly see them in person and walk through each of them before i settled on one though

oldmanAZ · 02-01-2015, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pagoda Pacer

Hi all,
We have been looking for a camper for about seven months.
Moving up from a popup after 10 years.
Thought we wanted a big 34' rear kitchen. Springdale Denali etc.
Found these smaller units
2011 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 256 RKS

And 2011 JAYCO JAYFEATHER 242

both about the same price, What's the difference?
We like the dream dinette. Is the eagle an upgrade?
Thanks for reading and input.

Welcome to the forum. Lots of folks here that made the move from a popup. I'm sure some JOF members will have information that should help you.

robkelly · 02-01-2015, 02:18 PM

Welcome!

Parcany · 02-01-2015, 03:10 PM

Jayco Jayfeather is entry level. Jayco Eagle is a upgrade. Best advice is go see both of them and look for yourself at the difference. Which one will work for you better and which one is better suited for you. It is all up to you.

fielro · 02-01-2015, 03:16 PM

Welcome to the forum

Pagoda Pacer · 02-01-2015, 03:41 PM

Thanks.
That's what I thought as well.
Wee took a video of the 'feather and liked it. tomorrow I'll look at the Eagle.
I know we do like the "Dream" dinette.
Anyone ever use an independent inspector?
All the dealers claim they never heard of that because they inspect everything.

max2bob · 02-01-2015, 05:04 PM

we have the dream dinette and love it. it was one selling point of the trailer we have now. I would be curious if that could be retro-fitted to the feather or not?

Doodlebug · 02-01-2015, 09:21 PM

I've never heard of an independent inspector. I'm sure that service must be available. I would at least take someone knowledgeable along. When we started looking, many of the units we looked at had soft spots. Scared us to a new trailer. Some of those trailers were at dealers!!!

goducks · 02-02-2015, 10:31 AM

JMO but I'd would recommend buying the best you can tow. Too many people just settle for something. Then after a year or two want to move up to what they really wanted in the 1st place. Save some money and get the biggest best trailer you can tow with your truck/SUV.

Pagoda Pacer · 02-03-2015, 08:09 AM

I think we are 90% going with the Eagle. Good price as far as NADA.
We really don't need a long camper. 26' is plenty as we go to state parks and national forests. Easier to get in a smaller site. The Eagle has plenty of room for us and the old Lab dog.
However, there is a mount for an outside grill with a quick connect. But no grill with the purchase. I am thinking of asking them to include one ($250.00 their quote). We are charcoal folks, but any recommendations on a small grill to heat up some pizza etc?

eldermike · 02-03-2015, 09:04 AM

In many cases people buy a camper based upon towing limits of current truck/SUV. Then they go out very soon after camper purchase and buy a bigger truck. Then they start right back camper shopping because now they can pull a bigger camper. It's a very common story.

And it's not a bad thing it's just an expensive process of getting to where you are headed from where you are.

3'senough · 02-03-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pagoda Pacer

I think we are 90% going with the Eagle. Good price as far as NADA.
We really don't need a long camper. 26' is plenty as we go to state parks and national forests. Easier to get in a smaller site. The Eagle has plenty of room for us and the old Lab dog.
However, there is a mount for an outside grill with a quick connect. But no grill with the purchase. I am thinking of asking them to include one ($250.00 their quote). We are charcoal folks, but any recommendations on a small grill to heat up some pizza etc?

Welcome. Don't get the grill. There are cheaper better options out there for you that you should research first. If you really want the side mounted one then check out Amazon. They have a SS Camco unit that is easier to clean and longer lasting for 100 less.

Camco Olympian.

Agree with all setiment that Eagle is an upgrade and to try them on for size. Having a knowledgeable set of eyes to go over each unit with you is a wise choice. Don't just take the dealers word for it.

Paintinfool3 · 02-03-2015, 12:15 PM

Well on the grill i am sure alot of people have good ideas ... on ours when we ordered it i didnt order the grill but when it came in it had one in the basement and i wasnt going to complain... didnt figure i would use it as i am also a charcoal guy but now i use it quite a bit ... for cooking breakfast ... to bake potatoes instead of heating up the inside of the camper and it keeps me outside where the others are so even if you dont get jaycos grill you might think about getting one ... just my 2 cents

Pagoda Pacer · 02-04-2015, 06:38 AM

We will be looking at both on Saturday with a lean toward the Eagle!

Anyone know what a Cooling efficiency test (Delta T) on the a/c is?

And how about tire age. How do you read the code?

Thanks!

**norty1** · 02-04-2015, 07:07 AM

Here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...150204130539:s
is one site of many that tell you how to determine the birth date of your tire. I will not buy a tire that is over 6 months old. When I bought my G614's they were still warm!

Pagoda Pacer · 02-04-2015, 10:12 AM

Thanks...I also found about the a/c test...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flz9...5DC8E&index=55

Imnaha.Mansion · 02-04-2015, 08:55 PM

I like my Eagle. As far as Tires and BBQ depends on the price of the trailer if it's cheap enough you can get the other stuff later. Picked up our never used 2013 Trailer in 2014, the 2015's were coming soon so dealer sold the trailer at a loss (so they said). Bank told us, it so cheap we didn't have to put down a deposite if we didn't want to, we did. Now it's paid off.

Pagoda Pacer · 02-08-2015, 12:12 PM

Looks like we will putting a deposit down on this model on Tuesday.
2011 JAYCO JAYFEATHER 242

the Eagle looked a bit hogged up and did not feel like home.

One other question..
What about graphics. Does anyone add their own i.e. a big flag on the back or something cool.
Do you need to go to a sign painter for the service?

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