Looking at new camper

wasitim · 09-25-2021, 04:32 AM

Hello All,

Wife and i have been TC'ing it for a number of years. We're looking to get out of Dodge for the winter and have put a deposit down on a 2017 Jayco 321RSTS. TC won't cut it for extended stay but we're still keeping it for local and beach travel.

The FW is really nice inside, can't find any real flaws to it. This style of camper being new to me, I had a couple of question about the underside and suspension.

Since we're heading cross country, I'm putting new rubber on it for sanity sake. Something like Goodyear Endurance E or F.

The underbelly of these things seems to have a plastic material in a lot of the units we looked at. They all seem to have varying degrees of "hanging down" to them. I've attached a couple of pictures. The images also include the jacks, some slide gearing and suspension. Any/all comments on what I'm looking at and all is well from what you see. From what I'm reading here, the rust is a common issue??

Thanks ahead of time. Looking forward to being part of a new forum.

mokurt · 09-25-2021, 07:23 AM

Our 2019 Jayco has the same Coroplast panels that bulge like in your pictures.It's normal.

The rust is common probably more so on trailers that are subject to lots of rain and snow.The mfg's just use a light coat of paint that is not high quality.

Being a 2017 I would have the brakes checked and service the wheel bearings.

RoadrunnerII · 09-25-2021, 07:36 AM

Hi
We bought our 321 new.
We have had a few problems with it... Kitchen slide was the biggest issue. We had to bring it back to factory to get fixed.
Front cap oxidized so it got painted. Jayco warranty
Rear spring on drivers side rear had flattened this year. LCI provided replacements.
I was able to get them to provide 3500 lb springs instead of 3000.That kitchen slide is very heavy. I paid the difference in cost of the springs.
The gas electric fridge would not cool properly. I added 2 more fans in the back and 1 inside fridge. Added insulation above fridge and down the range wall side.
Those are the biggest problems we have had.
I pulled the coroplast and insulated from basement to rear bumper.
Also stuffed front bubble with insulation thru the cabinet in back of closet.
I had a leak on seam between front cap and roof.
Bought a roll of eternabond and did everything on roof.
That self levelling stuff works but is a yearly maintenance item. Eternabond and done.
Ran the eternabond right over the cap to roof seam.

The minor items
TV went bad Jayco replaced. the Microwave went bad Jayco replaced.
washer cabinet door split Jayco replaced
dinette table pedistal broke
Jayco replaced

We added front AC unit 2 years ago. On 80*F days the 15K unit in rear just could not keep up

This year pulled brakes found one set greased. seal had failed. We spent the money and put disc brakes on trailer. Will never own another big trailer without discs. Just night and day difference.

With all that said we still really like this trailer.
It meets our needs and is comfortable and handles well. We have no intentions of trading it off any time soon!

RoadrunnerII

wasitim · 09-26-2021, 05:52 AM

Wow. Given all of the issues you ran into RoadrunnerII, it's great to hear you'd still get another one.

Like the AF truck camper we have, quality of so many things we buy doesn't match the price so you learn to deal with it.

Thanks for the feedback from both you and Mokurt. I will be checking the breaks and bearing when the tires get swapped.

Stan&Sharon · 09-26-2021, 07:02 AM

Welcome to Jayco Owner's Forum from New Hampshire

wasitim · 09-26-2021, 09:14 AM

Thanks Stan&Sharon.

RoadrunnerII · 09-26-2021, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasitim

Wow. Given all of the issues you ran into RoadrunnerII, it's great to hear you'd still get another one.

Like the AF truck camper we have, quality of so many things we buy doesn't match the price so you learn to deal with it.

Thanks for the feedback from both you and Mokurt. I will be checking the breaks and bearing when the tires get swapped.

No problem sharing. Do a quick check of tire to underside of slide floor. That was the tell tale on the flattened spring. It was 1.5 inches closer.
LCI has a 6 year axle warranty so it made it a lot easier.

RoadrunnerII

wasitim · 09-28-2021, 03:09 AM

We're going to have a demo tomorrow on this camper and if it passes, we'll own it.

I have a couple last questions.

I've attached a couple images of the dining room slide. One shows how the slide is angled down on an angle from the floor (not parallel with the floor) and the other is a close up of where the slide connects.
Is the angle of the slide expected? The connection looks a bit rusty.

The other is of the driver side rear break. There are a couple of wire connectors (orange and black) dangling. Should these be connected?

Probably nothing but thought it was worth asking.

RoadrunnerII · 09-28-2021, 07:07 AM

Wires need some slack from axle to frame for movement going down the road. A black uv resistant zip tie can be used.
That spring looks pretty flat as well.
As for the dinette slide you can adjust it. Beware that the strip may not line up when done on slide to main trailer. There are YouTube videos on the process or visit the lippert site to download the manual.

RoadrunnerII

wasitim · 09-28-2021, 07:57 AM

Thanks RoadrunnerII.

Does your slide have a downward slant like that? I'm more concerned with whether that's normal or not.

JB13502 · 09-28-2021, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasitim

Thanks RoadrunnerII.

Does your slide have a downward slant like that? I'm more concerned with whether that's normal or not.

The dining room slide is a flush mount slide, meaning that it pulls itself up at the end of its travel so that the floor is flush with with rest of the living room floor. It's perfectly normal.

RoadrunnerII · 09-28-2021, 08:37 AM

We adjusted ours for height, level and front to back so it sealed properly.
It was low so top seal barely touched. Front to back was crooked and top to bottom when closed.
It took me half a day to figure out and adjust properly. Ours also had grit in the tubes. That took two cans of lube to get it washed out. Slide is now very quiet and smooth and seals properly

RoadrunnerII

wasitim · 09-28-2021, 11:20 AM

Appreciate the feedback folks.

We're doing the demo tomorrow so if you have any particular things you think should be looked at based on your experiences, I'd sure appreciate it.

JB13502 · 09-28-2021, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasitim

Appreciate the feedback folks.

We're doing the demo tomorrow so if you have any particular things you think should be looked at based on your experiences, I'd sure appreciate it.

May or may not be helpful to your situation, but here's a sticky on PDI and things to look at before taking possession of a unit.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ted-36094.html

wasitim · 09-29-2021, 05:54 PM

Wow, that PDI sheet was awesome!

We bought the camper today and spent a few hours using to do our review.

Thanks so much JB13502.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-29-2021, 06:41 PM

snip...

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasitim

Thanks for the feedback from both you and Mokurt. I will be checking the breaks and bearing when the tires get swapped.

We're glad you've joined us here, and have upgraded to the next level of enjoyment and memories!

I do notice that it looks like the brake backing plates are rust free, clean, and probably new. I bet they've been replaced recently. Congratulations on your new-to-you Jayco!

You may also like: