New Trailer Arrived- Missing Kitchen Skylight

[rklavoon]

I called my dealer today so see where my 2020 32BHDS trailer was at since we placed the order on 1/26/20. With the COVID issues going on, I know things were going to be delayed, I was just looking for an update.

He called me back and told me it arrived on Monday, but they "forgot to install the skylight". He said that they had the parts on hand to install the skylight and would cut in the roof to install it prior to my delivery on 5/2.

It was the owner I was talking to and sounded like he was running the whole place himself to coordinate delivery, etc. He couldn't tell me if it was the vent in the bathroom or the $112 kitchen skylight that I paid for as an option. I would assume it was the one in the kitchen. I would think it would be kinda hard to ship it without the bathroom vent being installed. He said that Jayco was in a rush to pump out as many units prior to the Indiana plant shutdown and that is why it got missed. The bathroom vent is the only vent in the whole camper, there is not one in the rear bunkroom or front sleeping area.

Should I allow him to cut into the roof and install the kitchen skylight? He assured me that the 2 year warranty would still be valid. He also told me that the framing for the skylight was already in the roof trusses, that it would be a matter of zipping out the plywood and dropping in the vent. I could kinda see that Jayco would go this route in order to mass produce roofs and then just drop in the skylight itself when it was requested as an option.

Thanks for weighing in....I am just wondering how much trouble I am in for down the road.

[Lake Huron]

Well, that.all.depends on how good of a service crew your dealer has working for them. If its installed right the first time it should be good, as long as you maintain the exterior sealing like you're supposed to do with all the exterior sealing. Installing one is not a big deal really, but the old saying, if you want something done rght,...

[Siamese]

I'd let them do it. It's not rocket surgery, after all.

[LawnFlamingo]

I would pass personally. I have the sunlight option in my 2019 32BHDS, and don't feel it adds much value vs the risk of leaking or damage, especially if it is a dealer installed option. It doesn't vent, you will end up just cracking a bedroom or kitchen window for airflow.

Did you figure out your TV mount?

[LuckyDuck]

If it’s the kitchen, I would pass, and push for my $112 back. One less thing to be a possible problem.

[norty1]

I would also pass. IMO, another roof opening with no means for ventilation is not worth it. Most I have seen have a sun blocker on them most of time.

[Route 66 Traveler]

I would pass for a couple of reasons. If the installer makes a mistake you’ll have to live with it. It’s not only the roof that needs to be cut, but also the ceiling inside the trailer.

The second reason is that in the summer it transfers a lot of heat to the inside the trailer. We have a skylight in ours and I made a cover out of styrofoam to block it off in the summer. Plus, a few years down the road it will probably get brittle and need to be replaced. It does let in tons of daylight and seems like a good idea, but it isn’t very practical. Just my $0.02.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

I would pass for a couple of reasons. If the installer makes a mistake you’ll have to live with it. It’s not only the roof that needs to be cut, but also the ceiling inside the trailer.

The second reason is that in the summer it transfers a lot of heat to the inside the trailer. We have a skylight in ours and I made a cover out of styrofoam to block if off in the summer. Plus, a few years down the road it will probably get brittle and need to be replaced. It does let in tons of daylight and seems like a good idea, but it isn’t very practical. Just my $0.02.

I will add my 2 cents to the above and agree!

Murff

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by rklavoon

snip...... couldn't tell me if it was the vent in the bathroom or the $112 kitchen skylight that I paid for as an option. I would assume it was the one in the kitchen....... snip

It could also be the skylight over the tub/shower..., I would confirm so everybody is on the same page. The statement .. "He said that Jayco was in a rush to pump out as many units prior to the Indiana plant shutdown" raised my proceed with caution flag on this unit.

If it is the kitchen skylight I would revisit the pros/cons of having it.

Bob

[finalcountdn]

I would pass as well. Our new 32KBS has the kitchen skylight and we would prefer that it didn't.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Siamese

I'd let them do it. It's not rocket surgery, after all.

X-2

[Jagiven]

I love light, and most campers are to dark.

Personally if you want it get it. However, I would tell them instead of using decor to goop all over the top of the fasteners and edge, to apply eternabond. Done the first time right.

[rklavoon]

Thanks everyone. I will call the dealer back to see which skylight it is.

I forgot about the skylight over the bathtub.

I really want some additional light in the kitchen area as it is really dark in our current 29QBH, but I also don't want any long term problems.

[norty1]

To bad that Jayco did away with the 351RLTS floorplan. Ours has lots of huge windows and it was one of their very popular fp's for a good many years.

[MichaelO]

Originally Posted by norty1

To bad that Jayco did away with the 351RLTS floorplan. Ours has lots of huge windows and it was one of their very popular fp's for a good many years.

The 29RKS has a big window too. I love that big window.

[Screwby]

I guess I’ll be the odd man out and say I love the skylights in my campers. Let’s a lot of natural light illuminate the kitchen/dining area for me. I like the roof vents there as well because it goes a long way venting kitchen smells/steam straight up and out if needed instead of pulling it across the camper to a different vent or window.

[Craiger]

I also like the skylight in the kitchen. The more light the better.

[norty1]

It's good to have the option to get it as an extra or not if you don't want it. At one time some mfg's were putting skylights in that some did not want to pay extra for.
We looked at a rv show years ago that had one in the slide out roof so they were a popular addition at one time.

[MichaelO]

I like the skylights in my trailer.

[rklavoon]

Update: So it was the $112 skylight in the kitchen that was not put in.

After talking to him today, parts would not ship from Jayco until this Thursday, putting our delivery of this Saturday in jeopardy.

So, we decided to pass. We are getting the $112 back and we are putting it toward a TV mount. My wife was nervous about it leaking and I really dont want to have a brand new camper with problems out of the gate. With the LED lights inside, I will be OK without the kitchen skylight.

Rob