First of all, I would like to say 'Thank You' to all for the great info in this forum and a cynical 'THANKS A LOT' for the brain-pain...I am on 'information overload' with all the reading and reseach I have been doing on the internet. So....now that I have a bigger TV, previously a PT Cruiser, I am going to buy a bigger PUP. Here are the contenders thus far.
2008 Jayco Jay Series 1008 (new, discontinued model)
GVRW: 2950
UVW: 1915
CCC: 1035
Dry Hitch Weight: 175
10' box with front storage trunk
Pros: storage space, layout, sofa/dinette combo, kitchen separate from dinette.
Cons: more $$ than simillar Rockwood, furnace appears to be under dinette.
2009 Rockwood Freedom 1910 (new)
GVWR: 2341
Unit Dry Weight: 1719
Hitch Weight: 241
Axle Weight: 1478
CCC: 434
10' box with front storage trunk
Pros: great layout, port-a-potti with privacy curtain, less $$ than simillar Jayco, kitchen separate from dinette.
Cons: CCC very low, less storage than simillar Jayco, too much sitting area for 2 people and a dog.
I will be going to see both units early August, during my next vacation. I can't go sooner as they are day's drive away, but would really like some input now. According to my TV Manual, I can tow 3800# with 2 people, but as we all know, keeping it much lower is better. On rare occasion there might be a friend (child or adult) coming along.
I guess my next step is to list my Bunkhouse soon and get it sold.
Thanks eveyone, I get a lot out of RV.net forum.
Happy Camping,
Martha
Martha
06 Grand Caravan SXT w/ Trailer Tow Package
06 Bunkhouse LX with mini-den, table package and A/C options Me (30 something)
DD 13 y.o.
Shih Tzu 14 y.o. (deaf and almost blind, but still camping with the energy of a puppy!!)
I've got a Fleetwood PUP, so I don't really have a horse in this race.
But, having said that, I can tell you from several months of researching PUPs and reading scores of owner reviews I would go with the Jayco in a heartbeat.
I'm sure there are exceptions to this but Jayco owners seemed almost universally happy with their campers whether they be a PUP, TT, Hybrid or whatever. Conversely Forest River owners had mountains of complaints, gripes and horror stories about the products, warranties and customer service associated with Forest River. I will say that most of the complaints had more to do with their larger trailers than with their PUPs but I would be leery of a company that inspires the levels of dissatisfaction that Forest River seems to inspire. You can find lots of examples here: http://www.rvreviews.com/. The reviews of the Rockwood PUPs are generally good, but overall the company makes me nervous.
But, as I said, I don't own one and all the information I've got was anecdotal. But, to me, it was overwhelming and convinced me to steer clear. And I'm sure you can find owners of each brand who love them, and owners who hate them.
I will now sit quietly while Forest River afficianados berate me mercilessly. And keep in mind I bought a Fleetwood and they just sold their folding camper division, so what the heck do I know?
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Me (69), DW (69), DD (95), DS (00), DS (01) and 1 camping toy fox terrier (08)
95 Fleetwood Utah, 02 Ford Explorer Limited (V8)
I'd go with the Jayco. I'd also check out Starcraft and see how it compares to the Jayco. Also....quality of the dealership can be a big factor in ownership happiness.
2001 Dodge 3500 DRW V10 Magnum
2002 Sunline T280SR
Arrow Hensley Hitch
10' Porta Bote My photo galleries.
i own a coachmen.. so like jt no horse in the race... those units look very familiar. I would look at the details are the heaters the same BTU... what kind of access to porta-potti.. NEVER enough seating space in a popup!!!..what kind of lift system, nothing better than a power lift if it is working..one has a pull out front storage... all those little details... and hitch weight.. if you load up a front storage box hitch weight goes up. and if you load the jayco to full ccc you r over your #3800... my two cents good luck
Welcome to California...now go home!
SIGMA NU
2005 GMC Sierra Ext. cab 5.3L 3.73
2004 Coachman Clipper Classic 1070ST
Chkster and Hapekampr A.K.A
Charles and Cheryl
:-D
I'd pick the Jayco in a heartbeat. I'm not a huge fan of FR products and found (a few years ago) that their finish wark was terrible and the floors to be very soft.
Jayco has a standard 2 year warranty, better structual warranty, etc.
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's of Maine 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB 2008 Chevy 2500HD Ext. Cab LT 4X4 Camping Pictures
I would go with Jayco (I must say I have a 2007 model 1207). You also should compare the warranty that comes with both pups. If I remember correctly Jayco had a lifetime warranty on the lift system, roof, floor, and frame.
I looked at both those units about a year ago, in my opinion the Jayco was much better made. The Rockwood got you more feature for the money, but didn't seem as well put together. Wound up with a starcraft.
We have a 2007 Jayco 1008, and we like it a lot. I'm not sure what you mean by the furnace being under the dinette, it most definitely is not. In fact it's in the middle which is nice for those in the king bunk up front. Under the short side of the dinette is the water pump, lines and valves, and the large side is storage.
Storage on the 1008 is great unless you get the model with the shower/toilet combo. We value storage way more than seating area, so for us the dinette is fine, albeit a little small/narrow. Our only drawback is to get to the fridge with the top down, one almost has to be gumby (usually me!). No complaints whatsoever, but for some reason this type of floorplan has never been a strong seller for Jayco which is a shame. I'd rather have this than a u-dinette anyday!
2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT
2007 Jayco 1008
w/Carefree of Colorado SuperSport awning
I admit I haven't read through the whole thing, but the first page is fairly indicative of the information I've come across in regards to Forest River as a company.
Again, I haven't really come across too many complaints about their PUPs, but as a company I find them dubious at best.
I just today bought a 2008 Jayco 1207. My dealer sells both Jayco and Flagstaff Forest River Because he sells both, I got to compare side by side. At first glance I really liked the Flagstaff 228, but when I looked closely there was no comparison. Both units were all set up in a sort of outdoor showroom. The Jayco was real tight with everything fitting well. The Flagstaff canvas/vinyl was ill-fitting and even had mud-dauber nests, The Jayco floor was undercoated and edge coated, the Flagstaff floor was plain old strandboard or particleboard.
The Jayco has lifetime warranty on floor,roof, frame and lift system. The Flagstaff has 5 year frame and roof, 25 year floor and limited lifetime on lift.
I am down-sizing from a Jayco Jayfeather LGT 29D so I am familiar with Jayco quality.
Larry
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