Jay Flight 29RKS Owners (past, present, or future)

FeatherFam · 08-27-2017, 04:40 PM

If you own, have owned, or will own a Jay Flight 29RKS, I am interested in knowing your impressions and experiences with the model. I find myself increasingly interested in the floorplan. What are your thoughts about it mated with a 1/2 ton? We have 1,600 payload capacity and about 10,000# tow rating. I wonder how heavy the tongue becomes once the propane, battery, and hitch are all dialed-in. Thanks in advance!

FeatherFam · 08-27-2017, 04:42 PM

I would also appreciate your thoughts on this unit as an extended stay model - not full time, but 1-3 months at a time (hosting and work camping).

wabirch · 08-27-2017, 06:34 PM

Give yourself more TV. I think you'll enjoy the floor plan. Haven't camped anywhere that long in one campsite so no help on that front.

**Crabman** · 08-27-2017, 06:42 PM

We have the Coachmen version and love the floorplan. In comparing it to rear living floor plans the rear kitchen won out with us.

kaykat93 · 09-12-2017, 02:40 PM

FeatherFam, did you purchase the 29RK? I am debating between the Jayco 29RK and the Forest River Cherokee 274RK. I like the kitchen windows in the Cherokee, there is a long window on the side and a smaller on in the back. I prefer the exterior color and the interior design of the Jayco.

FeatherFam · 09-12-2017, 07:01 PM

No, we are not buying one at this time. We like the floor plan. We were excited to go see one in person. We spent a day looking at several models including the Jay Flight 29RKS. The workmanship (dare I use such a term) was pretty shoddy, worse than other Jayco model years. We were not impressed at all; in fact, we were disappointed.

For now, we are enjoying our Jay Feather 23RBM. Our 2016 (March 2016 build) was the last model year before the Thor acquisition kick in to impact production. It is pretty well put together (all things considered). We think that we got a decent one, and we are going to milk it as far as we can. Maybe by the time we are ready to purchase again, Jayco will be worth considering. I have not been in a 2018 Jayco (Feather, White Hawk, or Flight) that I would purchase. All of them were noticeably cheapened.

jbrnigan · 09-12-2017, 08:11 PM

We purchased our 2017 - 29RKS and received it last fall. We have a seasonal camp site so we spend a LOT of time in it. Our 29RKS "fits" our life style; empty nesters, occasional grand baby over nights (we like the dinette for the bed and storage), the picture window overlooks our scenic view of the Ohio river, The rear kitchen is "roomy" and well laid out. The shower is also roomy. The recliners are nice if you have "company". Our dual A/C keeps the interior very comfortable. The bed needed a mattress topper. We moved the Furion TV to the bedroom and installed a better TV in living room. We have no quarrel with the quality of our Jayco, everything has worked since day one. It tows like a dream, Equal-I-zer weight distributing hitch, 3/4 ton, big block Chevy V-8. (I think a 1/2 ton is not enough truck). Our trailer weighed in at 8000 lbs - full propane, battery, 20 gal water, misc personal items - tongue weight was 1170 lbs. I'm not sure what we would change. (the pantry needs slide out drawers, a project for another day)

kaykat93 · 09-13-2017, 03:24 PM

Thank so much for the replies FeatherFam and jbrnigan. We travel alone or with our son and his fiance, our granddaughter occasionally goes with us. Having a sofa that makes into a full bed is important as well as kitchen counter space. I had been debating on the 29RLS vs the 29RKS, but the RKS has more counter space. I do have a question - if the slideout is in, can you open the fridge at all?
Another question to jbrnigan - you mention a half-ton truck is not enough. We have a 2017 Chevy 1500 4x4, it says we can pull just over 9,000lbs. What are your concerns with a half-ton pulling the 29RKS?

jbrnigan · 09-13-2017, 03:51 PM

I cannot open the refrigerator with the slide "in", but only have to open the slide about 18" for access. Your 1/2 ton Chev. is rated to tow 9K - the important number is CVWR, weight of the truck, passengers, fuel and trailer, as loaded for travel - others on this site are certainly more knowledgeable than I on this subject. My opinion - 3/4 to 1 ton trucks have beefier suspensions, drive trains, and more powerful engines. There will always be the debate over "capability", and you will quickly experience whether your tow vehicle is capable or not (depending your expectations). My experience has been more is better when it comes to tow vehicles. A quick search of this forum will give you more insight and perhaps a less biased opinion.

Moseh · 09-26-2017, 03:47 AM

Can anyone tell me the differences in the 2017 29RKS vs 2018?

Moseh · 10-07-2017, 06:18 AM

Just thought I would add my (brief) experience here. We just purchased a 2017 29RKS a week ago. My TV is a 2017 F150 V6 Ecoboost, 2.55 diff,with max tow package. I'm using a Curt WDH with 1400lb bars, and 1 friction sway bar. It tows just fine, although I can definitely tell I have a load behind me. I have not yet been near any scales to check weights, but I can feels some bounce, so suspect I need more weight up front? I also probably need to add a second sway bar. If I did not already have a brand new F150... I would probably go with an F250.

bamabouie · 10-10-2017, 05:05 AM

I have a 2018 29RKS, I have been on 4 or so trips so far, really like the camper with no major issues, I tow with a 13 F250 6.2 gas engine, it pulls ok but when you start carrying firewood and other camping stuff it maxes out the truck at times, Diesel would be nice but pricey, I would take some short trips until you get used to it, enjoy!!

homer1959 · 05-09-2018, 06:24 PM

29rks owner please tell me, I am considering this floorplan however many many peoples talk me against the rear kitchen floor plan, saying its shaking real bad, that one have to basically wrap everything before any trip , that the fridge becomes a mess, cabinet door opening , drawers name it... well you get the picture ...so what is your experience so far ?

Moseh · 05-09-2018, 07:27 PM

Homer1959, that has not been my experience so far. We have been on several short trips (1 to 1-1/2 hours away) and one extended trip from NC to Destin, FL and Fort Myers, FL (2500+ miles round trip). Nothing out of place, no drawers open, no excessive shaking. My tow vehicle is a 2017 F150 ecoboost 3.5 with 6.5 ft bed. I am maxed out on payload capacity, but it pulls the 29RKS like a champ (although If I could have a do-over I would have gotten an F250 diesel).

The one thing I have found about the 29RKS is that the food in the pantry gets warm, due the heat generated by the refrigerator. I installed an 8" wide Rev-a-shelf pullout in the top part of the pantry and solved two issues. 1- my wife loves that she can fully use the cabinet space and pullout the shelves to get to things in the back; 2- when camping we generally leave the pull-out partially pulled out, which allows the heat to dissipate.

homer1959 · 05-09-2018, 08:04 PM

Mosey , thanks a million, btw I have basically the same truck 2014 f150 eco max tow supercab 6.5 bed 145 wheel base
with 3.73 , my max payload is 1998 pounds , that must be enough ? Do you know by any chance your tongue weight ready to camp and with water or not ?
thanks again for your post
Also watch that if you look at a 250 diesel, you may end up with not a whole of a lot more payload and in some configuration probably less if not equal to the 150 alu body :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moseh

Homer1959, that has not been my experience so far. We have been on several short trips (1 to 1-1/2 hours away) and one extended trip from NC to Destin, FL and Fort Myers, FL (2500+ miles round trip). Nothing out of place, no drawers open, no excessive shaking. My tow vehicle is a 2017 F150 ecoboost 3.5 with 6.5 ft bed. I am maxed out on payload capacity, but it pulls the 29RKS like a champ (although If I could have a do-over I would have gotten an F250 diesel).

The one thing I have found about the 29RKS is that the food in the pantry gets warm, due the heat generated by the refrigerator. I installed an 8" wide Rev-a-shelf pullout in the top part of the pantry and solved two issues. 1- my wife loves that she can fully use the cabinet space and pullout the shelves to get to things in the back; 2- when camping we generally leave the pull-out partially pulled out, which allows the heat to dissipate.

Patsfan · 05-20-2018, 08:04 AM

I have been on 3 road trips with my 29RKS in Florida. Each trip about 2 1/2 hrs long and of course not very hilly or bumpy we've had no problems with cabinets flying open or refrigerator being a mess. My wife and I absolutely love this layout!!!

homer1959 · 05-25-2018, 08:49 AM

one question for you guys, how can you lock the tv mount arm when you travel ? I have this mount now that I would like to transfer on my new 29RKS but i dont think that I will have the room to pull the chain activating the locking mechanism
https://www.amazon.ca/Master-Mounts-...6B8CXMBXR0WZ1T

well I can always use a longer pulling chain for the lock but any other mount or idea to suggest ?

homer1959 · 08-19-2018, 09:19 PM

Can you just open the slide partly and close it with the type of slide out you have or you need to go full open to full close

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

I cannot open the refrigerator with the slide "in", but only have to open the slide about 18" for access. Your 1/2 ton Chev. is rated to tow 9K - the important number is CVWR, weight of the truck, passengers, fuel and trailer, as loaded for travel - others on this site are certainly more knowledgeable than I on this subject. My opinion - 3/4 to 1 ton trucks have beefier suspensions, drive trains, and more powerful engines. There will always be the debate over "capability", and you will quickly experience whether your tow vehicle is capable or not (depending your expectations). My experience has been more is better when it comes to tow vehicles. A quick search of this forum will give you more insight and perhaps a less biased opinion.

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