New member here. Just about to buy my first travel trailer and I've narrowed my choices down to a couple of models that I like the most. Which one is considered to be the better of the two?
A new 2010 JAYCO EAGLE SUPER LITE 318 RLS TRAVEL TRAILER 33 ft. long.
Or a new 2008 ROCKWOOD 8315 SS Front Kitchen 2 Doors 31 ft. long.
"Better than the other" is such a subjective thing! Every company can produce a lemon every now and again, some are better at keeping their customers happier, and build a better product with more pride than others. Here are some facts about both RV's you are looking at. You actually did very well on your research! You picked two very good, popular brands. I wish you the best of luck on your first RV purchase! Lots of great folks here to help you along, so feel free to ask!
The Jayco Eagle Super Lite 318RLS has a 2 year warranty with free roadside assistance, towing, lock smith service, tire changes, battery service, and trip interuption insurance...as well as free maps and trip planning. Rockwood 8315BSS has one year. Jayco has around 30 items standard that are extra cost options on the Rockwood (or not available!). And Jayco has just 9 options to Rockwood's 36!
Jayco comes standard with Air Conditioning, Microwave, Oversized Oven, Carefree Power Awning, Spare tire, carrier and cover, outside speakers, powered vent, 4 jacks, folding stove cover, sink cover cutting boards, AM/FM/CD/DVD Surround sound 4 speaker stereo with MP3 jack, two 30# propane tanks vs Rockwoods 20# tanks, Dexter Nev-R-Adjust brakes, Torq-n-go wheel lugs and EZ-Lube Axles, Chrome Hub Caps, 15" Goodyear American Made ST Radial Marathon tires, pleated day/night shades instead of "mini-blinds", Tinted Safety glass, foil and bead foam wall floor and roof insulation and real crafted by Jayco's wood mill oak drawers and cabinet doors, screwed and stile construction, not glued like Rockwood. Jayco makes all their own furniture and mattresses, too.
Jayco has made nothing but Jayco's for 41 years, is still owned by the original family. They are the 3rd largest RV manufacturer in the USA, and the biggest Family owned operation...having built over 560,000 Jayco's so far. Their motto is "Treat our customers like family!" And they prove it with the best customer service around!
As a quick and easy test...Try calling Jayco's customer service number 574-825-5861 and ask them a question about the trailer you are interested in. You'll get a quick answer from a real person, maybe even from a daughter or grand-daughter of the owners Bontrager family!
Then call Rockwood 574-389-4600! Rockwood is a mega corporation owned company (Forest River) that makes around 40 brands, some differing only in the brand name on the side. Lots of folks here on RV.Net love their Rockwood RV products!
Best of luck! We've had 7 Jayco's so far, been camping for around 30 years, and #8 Jayco forr some serious RVing as soon as the Dear Wife finally retires!
After reading about the numerous roof replacements and axle issues Jayco has had with the Jayfeather line (same as Eagle SL series now) I would pick the Rockwood. You can get the optional factory 2nd year warranty for $150 from Forest River, so you'll have a 2 year warranty like the Jayco. You rarely hear a bad word muttered here regarding the Rockwood Signature Ultralights.
Forest River does a more a'la carte option sheet. Jayco has forced options, Rockwood allows you to pick n' choose as you go. I think you'll find in the end they are very similar in price. I have found the Forest River Rockwoods to be slightly more asthetically pleasing inside (color choices, designs) then the Jayco SL. My wife and I shopped the Eagle SL 5th wheels and my wife thought they were a bit to "industrial" and the colors were "gaudy".
It's all personal preference, get out locally and look them all over. RVDIrect.com is the site to price a Jayco online. Rockwoods can be found on RVDirect, too. RVWholesalers.com is a big seller of Rockwoods online and you can build one to meet your needs there.
Of course, JMHO.
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's in Southern Maine 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB 2008 Chevy 2500HD LT 4X4 Camping Pictures
Thanks guys for the quick responses.
Speaking of getting out there and looking, the more we look the more confused we get. For the past 2 weeks now that's all my wife and I have done is look and just about every place we go we find another one that we like better than the last place we looked...or did we actually like the one that we looked at the place before that? :-) We've got brochures stacked up and now I can't remember which one I liked the best. ha
There was one we looked at besides the Rockwood and Jayco that was also interesting. It was a Zinger that had opposing slide outs on each side of the trailer and that made the thing look like an apartment living room it was so wide. I've never heard of the Zinger before so I was a little afraid of that one even though it did look nice.
It's all pretty overwhelming getting into this because of all the options a person has these days. Then there's things I've been warned to watch out for such as "stick and tin" which I hear is what is meant by all wood construction with metal siding. Some salesmen say there's nothing wrong with all wood construction others say the aluminum frame and fiberglass siding is the way to go so who knows? That's why I decided to come here. The sales manager at Crown Sales in Atlanta said I should check with you fine people here on this forum and he appears to have steered me in the right direction.
Thanks again guys I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I'll keep reading some of your old post here because it appears there's an answer for most all of my questions that other people have already asked in the past.
Jayco vs. Rockwood is a toss up. They are both respected units. Get the one equipped the way you like. They both generally make quality units and they both turn out an occasional lemon. Crossroads makes the Zinger. Crossroads is a bit newer to the scene but they seem to be making decent units and have developed a loyal following. Floorplan, price, how and where you camp will be important factors in making your final decision. The manufacturers you are looking at all have decent reputations.
In my opinion there is no clear winner or loser. Stick and tin vs. fiberglass is also a toss up. Aluminum sided trailers have been around for years and will continue to be around. Do a search on the pros and cons of each you will get lots of info. But to say watch out for stick and tin is just plain wrong. There is no need to avoid all aluminum sided wood framed trailers.
I like the looks of both of those models. For the most part Rockwood and Eagle owners seem to love their units. Tough choice. As for the salesman telling you what to get and what not to, TUNE HIM OUT. He wants to sell you what he wants you to have, not what you want. Keep looking and asking questions and get what fits your family, your budget and of course your tow vehicle. Also, stick and tin has been around forever and is a time proven design and is found in the lower priced part of the lineup. Fiberglass over aluminum is preferred by some for the good looks ease of cleaning and to save weight. Once again personal choices. Good luck with whatever you purchase.
fordsooperdooty wrote: oak drawers and cabinet doors, screwed and stile construction, not glued like Rockwood. Jayco makes all their own furniture and mattresses, too.
Sounds like the above pargraph was lifted from their brochure.
I've got a '06 Jayco PUP. The "folding" counter became separated from its support when I was stowing it for breaking camp. You could see where the screws had pulled out of the "porridge board".
I was planning on upgrading to a Jayco TT, but when I saw that they dropped the floorplan I was interested, I ended up w/ the Rockwood in my signature.
1986 Monte Carlo SS
2004 Chevrolet K2500HD (P3 controller, WD hitch T.B.D.)
2009 Rockwood 2106 Mini Lite
Retired GM of Canada Oshawa Truck Assembly Plant
Opened 1965 Closed 2009
Check out this thread. Just picked up our new Rockwood last week. We ended up going with the Rockwood because of the floorplan and what we could add to it. Also got a great deal with RVDirect.com. Let me know if you have any questions.
I'll tell you why I chose my Jayco. I liked the lighter wood (Oak), than the darker colors of other manufacturers. I also preferred Norcold Fridge and the Atwood (I think) oven. I haven't heard of problems from the Jensen stereo either. Also I did not get a headache from the outgassing of formaldehyde like many other models we looked at. Some brands I could hardly walk in, before my eyes would water. I'm not saying that Rockwood has that problem, but I know mine doesn't. They say it comes from particle board which Jayco doesn't use. It's true Jayco doesn't have many options (on the Eagle, anyway). That wasn't a problem for me since I got mine loaded up with options. We love our 324BHDS Eagle. It's big and heavy, and I hope it will last us a long time!
In the end, choose the one that best suits your needs and your budget.
(Eddie the Eagle) 2010 Jayco 324BHDS
(Rambo the Ram Truck) 2006 Dodge Ram MegaCab 4x4 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel 6 Speed Manual Transmission, Dark Blue
Prodigy Brake Controller, Equal-i-zer Hitch
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