This is how campers should be built.

[jetlag-JAY]

This is a bit offbeat and off the Jayco brand, but have some of you seen the newest kid on the block? If this kid is allowed to grow, it may well put a lot of other companies out of business, but hopefully, force them to drastically improve their offerings. We met a couple this spring at a campground in Savannah who had jut ordered one. We had never heard of them and quickly forgot. That is, until an RV magazine arrived this month with a review of one of their models. They are not budget priced, yet not out of reach for most here. Yes, I am teasing and enjoying it, lol. This new kid is called Brinkley, and wow, what a splash they are making! They are all over YouTube, and I just watched one of many factory tours and how they build them. If and when they make a bath and a half model, my wife is already there. We should get a chance to see these folks new camper in October when we camp near Richmond, and where they live. Check them out

 

[SmokerBill]

This is a bit offbeat and off the Jayco brand, but have some of you seen the newest kid on the block? If this kid is allowed to grow, it may well put a lot of other companies out of business, but hopefully, force them to drastically improve their offerings. We met a couple this spring at a campground in Savannah who had jut ordered one. We had never heard of them and quickly forgot. That is, until an RV magazine arrived this month with a review of one of their models. They are not budget priced, yet not out of reach for most here. Yes, I am teasing and enjoying it, lol. This new kid is called Brinkley, and wow, what a splash they are making! They are all over YouTube, and I just watched one of many factory tours and how they build them. If and when they make a bath and a half model, my wife is already there. We should get a chance to see these folks new camper in October when we camp near Richmond, and where they live. Check them out

Here you go. Bath and a half, $197,247.00.
https://www.rvusa.com/2024-brinkley-rv-model-g-3500-toy-hauler-3724479

 

[jetlag-JAY]

No, I wasn't specific enough. We had seen this monster. It is a toy hauler, so lots of wasted room, and at around 21K max gross weight and almost 42' long, not sure what you can pull it with. We like our 36FBTS floor plan, so anything similar would probably work.

 

[Jerry713]

I agree they are built much better but I have to respectfully disagree that they are affordable for most here. Personally they are far far out of my reach but honestly even if that wasn’t the case there’s no way I would spend that kind of money on something that will depreciate really fast. At this point we can only make assumptions on the “down the road resale” but I wouldn’t expect drastic improvements in resale in these units compared to current RV’s.

I do agree there are improvements that should be made in workmanship across most of the RV manufacturing landscape. There are improvements that could be made in quality too in many areas but that comes with a price. The workmanship should not in my opinion.

 

[txloser]

IMO Resale doesn’t so much come from quality in a market like this but branding. Look at HD and Airstream. Is an HD bike better than a metric bike? Not really. At least not from a quality/dependability angle. However, the brand provides some premium pricing and ok resale. Airstream… same issues as other trailers, but again the brand. Until they build a brand following, they’ll plummet in value like all the others. Unfortunately.

It is cool though so see someone doing something to provide a potentially better product for those that have the coin and the f550. I have neither. It’s such a balance between weight and durability.

 

[norty1]

Well, I'm back to considering the dog bowl as our 2nd bath?

 

[Grumpy]

Most "limited build" units are always better, the problem arises when, instead of producing 10 a week, they have to produce 20 to meet demand. That puts more hands in the pot and things start to go South. If they could be built like automobiles things would be much improved, but that is impossible.

 

[MichaelO]

I was surprised at how my Jayco was built. My 1978 prowler was built much better. As a carpenter I feel I would have been much better off if I had built a tiny house to tow behind my pickup.

 

[jetlag-JAY]

Most "limited build" units are always better, the problem arises when, instead of producing 10 a week, they have to produce 20 to meet demand. That puts more hands in the pot and things start to go South. If they could be built like automobiles things would be much improved, but that is impossible.

True, however, I don't think they aim to be a niche builder. More new floor plans on the way. We will see how it works out. Their customers, based on what I read ,and the couple we met that now has one, are rabid fans of the company and its management. If It forces the big boys to improve their offerings, we will all be better for it.

 

[norty1]

Maybe Thor will buy them?

 

[jetlag-JAY]

Maybe Thor will buy them?

Lol, the kiss of death

 

[Camper_bob]

Yeah, those look nice. A bit out of my reach for now by the time you buy the rig, and then the truck that can tow it.

But their website includes GOBS of support! It's pretty amazing, everything is right there, and LOTS of video content detailing important maintenance, repair, and operating procedures!

I too hope they "up the game" for the rest of the players in the market. And stay out of the clutches of the Thor monster!!

 

[F350guy-JAY]

We had 3 Excel fifth wheels thru the years. Our last one was traded in our Pinnacle. They were built like tanks. Excel was in business for many years but folded in 2015. There were several reasons given for their demise but in my opinion the added expense of creating a quality product could not compete with the glitz and glamour of other less well made and less expensive mass produced fifth wheels. The market narrows as the price goes up.

Affordability is important which is why you see a whole lot more lower priced rv's on most dealers lots. Unfortunately many if not most rv buyers are more concerned about the price rather than the quality. I wish the new company well and hope they succeed. They are not entering the market at the most opportune time though.

 

[RSerendipity]

Saw one in Colorado a few weeks ago & was able to go inside. Well make & lots of thought put into the Design & Build.

Brinkley will have 2 Models @ the Hershey RV show next week.

 

[jetlag-JAY]

The folks I mentioned on the first post in this thread just texted, and looks like they have arranged a tour of at least one, maybe more Brinkley models while we are in Richmond in October.

 

[kirkelli]

I want one but unfortunately i don't have room to park the Semi to tow it.

 

[Toddguy99]

IMO, Jayco’s have gone downhill in quality. We just traded in a 2012 Coachmen Freedom Express for a 2023 Jay Feather 22BH. Our Coachmen was showing its age, but was built head and shoulders above the new one. Disappointed in Jayco. The dealer is even worse, which is part of the problem.

If anyone wants to buy a barely used 23 Jay Feather, I’ll make you a deal on it!!

 

[Eric H.-JAY]

They sure have put a lot of thought into making a lot of upgrades standard equipment. They're also warranted for full time living which accounts for a lot of the price. Pretty comparable prices for luxury livable rigs but they come with more standard features.

 

[Let'sGo!]

Yes, it would be so welcomed to have trailers built with quality. It is disturbing how every time we take the trailer something else breaks that has no reason to break! What has happened to the pride a company would take in their name and product! I too hope this new competition will have these companies reevaluate their business practices!!

 

[TomC_AZ]

At the end of the day its all about the money they can make. The story behind Brinkley is that they are built and designed by those who camp and use trailers... They have done some things differently and they are nice. We have looked at a couple of their models and the cabinetry and interior designs are nice. Thats about where it ends... They use all the same parts everyone else does and thus still have the same issues. Their walls are made of the same materials, their axles are the same, their suspension is the same and the way they build it (While they will claim different) is still the same. In the end it will be how much they can make from their ventures and get bought out.

What would be REALLY nice is to build something truly better. Matts RV review did the show in Germany recently and they shared some really nice RV's. Are those built any better, I don't know?

I don't subscribe to belief that its a rolling earthquake and thus things break theory. Which everyone touts, including the MFG's and dealers. Why is it that something like 90% of airstreams are still on the road? Why is it that Oliver, Scamp etc. can say similar things? Why is it that NO MFG is truly using any automotive level designs or quality? Heck even a Yugo (for those who know you know) is built better than any RV and that thing had plastic bumpers!

Real innovation and quality will not come until the customers do it or are allowed to really get involved, but it will cost more, however it will last longer as well. But it will still be a depreciating asset, which really does not make it an asset at all.