1st post and a question

[Russell50]

We (my family) are about to go full time in an RV. I've narrowed my brands down to two: JAYCO 5th wheel with a BH or a Forest River with a BH. I know that this is a JAYCO forum, but I really need your opinions concerning this the pros and cons in connection to each listed above manufacture.
I've owned a JAYCO pop-up many years ago and it was great. However, when a person is about to spend $40,000.00+ on a new trailer, its a whole new animal.
Thanks!

[dmax_83]

All we have ever owned was Jayco, so I can't really compare the two for you. For what it's worth, I have been very happy and will without a doubt buy another Jayco when we outgrow our current one.

[clutch]

Jayco warranty is for 2 years which is a real PLUS.

[clubhouse]

Both Jayco and ForestRiver make several lines of 5ers. Might be helpful for honest reviews to specifically state which model/floor plan you are considering, maybe folks have actual experience with it.

For me Jayco's two year warranty was very important since many other Mfgs only offered one year. Retrospectively it didn't matter, I made one claim in the first year and no others.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by clutch

Jayco warranty is for 2 years which is a real PLUS.

This was one of my main reasons. I would suspect it would be for you too, since you will be full-timing and not strictly for recreational use.

[Threebutchers]

Originally Posted by clutch

Jayco warranty is for 2 years which is a real PLUS.

X2

[stjohneyre]

There is a regular contributor to this forum that hauls Rv's for a living. In one of his postings he shared that the Jaycos where one of the best to haul. He also had opinions about other brands, both TT & 5ers. According to 'greenenvy1' he says the bigger and heavier the 5er the better it tows. He also shared that units with rear kitchens are usually more difficult andmumits with front kitchens have heavier tongues. Since you are looking for a BH model these scenarios dont seem to apply. I dont have experience with a Forest River product but I'm on my 2nd Jayco and the warranty is what keeps us coming back and when you look at dealer lots used Jaycos dont seem to sit very long and I personally think their resale value is higher then their competators.

[clutch]

The reason I cite the two year warranty is because our trailer needed repairs several times a year for the first two years. The warranty on ours is up and now all repairs are on us.

[Flyrotor]

My experience with Forest River: I owned a Wildwood, it was built in Oregon, the quality was good but not great, I personally did not have any issues with my trailer, however, I was also on active on the Forest River Forums.

It seems that the quality of Forest River products were lower than that of the Jayco brands, in fact, I heard several times in various posts "it's not a Jayco", and they also referenced that the Forest River brands were cheaper ($$$) than Jayco, but it came at a price.

My current trailer is a StarCraft, owned subsidiary of Jayco company, personally I feel the StarCraft is of greater quality that that of the Wildwood that I owned, again I will say, I had no issues with the Wildwood trailer.

Honestly, I think the two companies are strong competitors for a reason, that they both have strong, good quality trailers, and they both have issues.

Look at what works for you best, what warranty is offered, and especially what trailer actually works for you.

Good luck

[tinlizzie23]

I have never owned a Forest River product, but know a friend who has. Bottom line, while he agrees that all companies have some problems, the the Forest River had so many problems, brand new, that he "will never again own a Forest River". He bought a Jayco, and seems very happy with his Pinnacle.

As for me, I have owned several TTs over the years, different brands, and my current Jayco is the first. We like it so much, and have had so very few problems with it (all minor), that if and when we need a new one, it most definitely will be a Jayco.

[exjay1]

Jayco. Again, because of the 2yr warranty and overall better (solid) construction which you will really start to appreciate years down the road.

[msturtz]

I don't think the Jayco warranty applies to full time use.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by msturtz

I don't think the Jayco warranty applies to full time use.

We are not full time but we do live in our trailer about 9 months a year. Jayco warranty paid to fix everything that the different dealer techs were capable of fixing.

[Flyrotor]

Also let it be known that Forest River owns several brands at various quality values. It would be wrong to stereotype all Forest River products from one basket of bad apples. It would be like comparing the Chevrolet cars against any of the higher quality of the Cadillac cars.

They also vary in price, with each of the different brand that they carry, for the most part, you get what you pay for.

My opinion, Jayco is not known as the best price trailers, but rather they seem to be a reasonable balance between quality and price.

[msturtz]

Originally Posted by clutch

We are not full time but we do live in our trailer about 9 months a year. Jayco warranty paid to fix everything that the different dealer techs were capable of fixing.

Here is a quote form the Jayco manual:
Jayco recreation vehicles are manufactured for use as temporary
living quarters for recreation, camping and travel uses, all as defined
by the bylaws of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).
This recreation vehicle is not intended for use as a full-time residence
or for commercial use. Commercial use means using the RV as a
business asset such as a mobile office or using the RV for lease or
rental purposes.

EXTENDED DRY CAMPING
Your motor home has been built for enjoyment in a recreational manner. It is not
intended to be used as full-time living quarters.
CAUTION
Continuous living in your motor home could cause accelerated wear and
damage to component parts. Use of the motor home other than for its
intended purpose of recreational travel and camping may affect your warranty
coverage.

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by Flyrotor

Also let it be known that Forest River owns several brands at various quality values. It would be wrong to stereotype all Forest River products from one basket of bad apples. It would be like comparing the Chevrolet cars against any of the higher quality of the Cadillac cars.

They also vary in price, with each of the different brand that they carry, for the most part, you get what you pay for.

My opinion, Jayco is not known as the best price trailers, but rather they seem to be a reasonable balance between quality and price.

I'm glad to see you posted this as I was wondering about Forest River. I believe Coachmen is a FR trailer and their prices seem to be comparable to Jayco's.

Jaycos' 2 year warranty also played a big part for us as well.......

[eldermike]

I have owned both. Our last TT was a windjammer, had it 2 years with zero issues. Our current Eagle is more stable on the road and setup. To be fair the Forest River was designed to be 1/2 ton towed so it was much lighter. Fit and finish about equal and the quality of components about equal.

[clutch]

Regardless of who makes it, the end product is the result of getting the lowest bid from all the component suppliers. Most frames are Lippert, most axles are Dexter, LG supplies a lot of microwaves and Duo Therm is usually good for furnaces. There are just a few choices for refrigerators, water heaters, toilets, ranges, air conditioners, etc.