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Old 08-15-2016, 07:43 AM   #1
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Class C or A?

Moving from a newer 39' fiver. Thought we were pretty much set on the Jayco Greyhawk 29ME, but then we looked at the Jayco Precept 31UL.

For those on here that have had both a class A and class C, what are the pros and cons?

We are in our 60's, healthy, and very active but I can see where the Precept will be much easier to get from the drive area to the living area. The salesmen told us the Greyhawk 29ME would only tow a maximum of 5,000 so having a car and motorcycle on a trailer would be out. How about the Precept, would it tow for example up to maybe 7,500?

We are through with the "search" mode and are starting the final decision process today. Heading out now to look at a gently used 2015 Precept to compare to a new one. Any insight from experienced class A and C owners would be appreciated.
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Old 08-15-2016, 08:11 AM   #2
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The Precept can only tow 5,000lbs, As for the comparison I cannot comment since I have a Precept 35UN and never had a class C, I did look at the Seneca and liked the Class A better for the bus feel compared to the Truck feel of the cockpit.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.
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Old 08-15-2016, 08:20 AM   #3
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If you want to safely tow more than 5,000 pounds and up to 10,000 you should choose a Jayco Seneca.

We have owned two class As and a C.
There is nothing protecting you from harm in a class A such as the truck front end, airbags, and an engine designed to break away and down in the event of a crash.
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Old 08-15-2016, 08:24 AM   #4
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We went from a C to an A and then back to a C. Our preference is a large C due to better sleeping accommodations for adults. The cab-over sleeping area is much more comfortable than a pullout couch. The ride and drive in this MH is also much better than our Winnebago class A.
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Old 08-15-2016, 09:01 AM   #5
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I had a 32' 2014 Winnie Minnie and it drove like complete garbage too. Two hands on the wheel at all times; no relaxing - ever.
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Old 08-15-2016, 09:50 AM   #6
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Joe, we previously owned 2 Greyhawks and loved them both. But, we had to have the 2015 Precept with all the advantages i.e. space, storage, more horses, and best of all, the windshield. Neither one will tow all that you have. The 2015 vs the 2016 or 2017 UL is a matter of cosmetics vs price. If I can help more, contact me.

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Old 08-15-2016, 10:28 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by FLHTK-JOE View Post
Moving from a newer 39' fiver. Thought we were pretty much set on the Jayco Greyhawk 29ME, but then we looked at the Jayco Precept 31UL.

For those on here that have had both a class A and class C, what are the pros and cons?

We are in our 60's, healthy, and very active but I can see where the Precept will be much easier to get from the drive area to the living area. The salesmen told us the Greyhawk 29ME would only tow a maximum of 5,000 so having a car and motorcycle on a trailer would be out. How about the Precept, would it tow for example up to maybe 7,500?

We are through with the "search" mode and are starting the final decision process today. Heading out now to look at a gently used 2015 Precept to compare to a new one. Any insight from experienced class A and C owners would be appreciated.

Well I'm casually looking as well.
Both the Precept and the Greyhawk have the same Ford v-10 engine, and the precept weighs more, so Greyhawk should tow more. Pretty sure I saw one at a dealer with a 7500 lb hitch. Check the math.


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Old 08-15-2016, 10:28 AM   #8
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Check out the discussion on why people chose a C Class here:

Why did you choose a C Class
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Old 08-15-2016, 11:06 AM   #9
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I've noticed the Jayco Precepts have very low wheelbase/length ratios. How do they drive? I've read all over where you want 55-56% + - my Greyhawk has 58% but the Precept I just checked out was only at 51%. ???
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Old 08-15-2016, 01:13 PM   #10
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I have no issues driving my Precept, Actually I rather enjoy it, You cannot beat the view! But I have the 228 wheelbase. I believe the 31UL is 190.
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Old 08-15-2016, 06:18 PM   #11
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Well I'm casually looking as well.
Both the Precept and the Greyhawk have the same Ford v-10 engine, and the precept weighs more, so Greyhawk should tow more. Pretty sure I saw one at a dealer with a 7500 lb hitch. Check the math.


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We just purchased a 2017 Redhawk XK and it does have the 7,500 towing capacity. I believe this was a change with the 2016 Ford Chassis.
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Old 08-15-2016, 07:20 PM   #12
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New 31ul have 228 wheel base and 22.5in wheels .
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Old 08-15-2016, 08:03 PM   #13
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If you want to safely tow more than 5,000 pounds and up to 10,000 you should choose a Jayco Seneca.

We have owned two class As and a C.
There is nothing protecting you from harm in a class A such as the truck front end, airbags, and an engine designed to break away and down in the event of a crash.
We haven't looked at any Seneca's but we did check their floor plans and prices. I agree 100% with everything you stated but they are just a little out of our price range. We may have to just settle on towing the trike and leave the car at home if we stick with pursuing a Precept.
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Old 08-15-2016, 08:07 PM   #14
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I have no issues driving my Precept, Actually I rather enjoy it, You cannot beat the view! But I have the 228 wheelbase. I believe the 31UL is 190.
I still have to drive both. The 190" wheel base concerns me a little. While traveling the last several years pulling our fiver I have witnessed some shorter Class A's having problems on windy days. Guess I need to drive the Precept to get a "feel" for how it does.
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Old 08-16-2016, 07:15 AM   #15
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Wheelbase alone means nothing until you factor in the full length of the coach. Wheelbase/Coach length (inches) = Wheelbase ratio.

>56% usually lends itself to more stability while under way. Usually.
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Old 08-16-2016, 12:23 PM   #16
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Measurements
Exterior Length32' 2"Exterior Width101"Exterior Height with A/C12' 4"Interior Height84"Wheel Base190"
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Old 08-16-2016, 12:24 PM   #17
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That was from the Jayco 2017 Precept 31UL site. Although I was told at Jayco In late May on a factory tour that all the new Precepts were to have the same wheel base. Not so sure it was correct.
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Old 08-16-2016, 12:50 PM   #18
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So 32*12+2 = 386

190/386 = 49.2%. I just don't see how that's conducive to a safe driving experience.

That's just me though; I'd be awfully wary.
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Old 08-16-2016, 01:19 PM   #19
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Of the two class A's we've had and now the Seneca class C it is my opinion that none of them come from the factory with the best possible level of driveability.
On our first class A (gas 36') I added front and rear trac bars, Koni shocks and a Safe-T-Plus. We didn't keep the second class A (diesel 40') long enough for a full assessment or time enough to fix the handling issues--I did add 8 Bilstein shocks to the 8 air-bag chassis and a Safe-T-Plus, but it needed more. There's a 40+ pages of discussion over at IRV2.com with different ideas about how to make it better.
With our newest '08 Jayco Seneca (diesel 35') I've added front and rear trac bars, front sway bar (factory rear), Koni shocks, Safe-T-Plus, and Sumo Springs in place of the factory bump stops.
The reality is that the Seneca now drives and handles like a large SUV. Read; one finger driving possible.
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Old 08-16-2016, 01:24 PM   #20
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I would take your post as something very much in the pro 'C' column, at least so far as the Jayco Greyhawk is concerned. After adjusting the Hellwigs, my rig is a dream to drive as rigged stock from the factory. The whole J-Ride thing really helps on my Greyhawk. Coming from a Minnie Winnie that was 9 inches longer on the same chassis, its night and day different.

Not to say that's the only thing one should consider (obviously), I would just offer that there may be more suspension/chassis work needed on some of these A's to make them drive like one would expect them to off the lot.
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