New to Rvs but have been looking to purchase a used Class C. Found a fairly nice 03 Jayco Granite Ridge RV with a little under 50k miles in price range of $33-35k. It has an overhead bunk, clean inside. Outside needs some buffing as some faiding appears. Does anyone know the good and bads of this RV if any? Any suggestions? We are a bit nervous to get one but our kids are growing up faster than we would like and as much as we are worried about the money to purchase an RV we are hoping we can make a lot of good memories together as we just never get away. Any advice is appreciated.
As with any 8 year old RV, it has to be checked for previous or current water damage from leaks. Also has the engine and driveline been properly maintained? Tires with current dates..or at least no older than 5 years.
I found in a private seller search 3 of them, one for $40,000 (was $50,000) in El Paso with 11,000 miles (!), one for $55,000 in Vancouver with 14,000 miles and one for $57,000 in Iowa with 8300 miles!.
But it's a Jayco! In 2003 Jayco offered 3 models of Class C motorhomes, and the Granite Ridge model was right in the middle of the 3 Class C's available.
Well made, good craftsmanship, quality materials and made by a 43 year old family owned company.
Info on a 2003 Jayco Granite Ridge-
Optional Features *New for 2003
12V awning with remote
13" TV with remote and swivel base
400 watt inverter
4000 watt Onan¨ generator
6-way power driver's seat
Attic fan
Convenience package (rechargeable flashlight, wet-dry vacuum, AM/FM radio in bedroom)
DVD player
Decor package (includes clock, framed decorative prints and decorative pillows)
Deluxe AM/FM stereo with cassette
Exterior cab privacy shield
Exterior entertainment center
Front cab-over window
Front entertainment center with 27" TV (std. on 3200 SL)
Full body paint (pine forest, mountain berry)
Hardwood trim package (slide-out models only)
Holding tank sprayer*
North Ridge maple cabinetry throughout
Patio awning
Portable BBQ grill with carrying case
Premium stereo with CD and cassette
Rear vision video system*
Rear window (most models)
Refrigerator with ice maker
Satellite dish with digital elevation sensor*
Ultraleatherª power driver's seat with leather passenger's seat
VCR
Standard Features...as you can see, it's very well equipped!
Bathroom-
Bath skylight with light (most models)
Foot-pedal stool
Linoleum floor in bathroom
Pleated shower door
Power vent
Recessed towel rod in bathroom door (most models)
Removable clothes rod in tub (most models)
Shower or tub/shower (see floorplans)
Toothbrush holder, soap holder
Wood medicine cabinet with mirrors
Standard Bedroom Features
Bed struts for easy lift-up beds, finished storage underneath
Day/night shades
Deluxe bedspread
Halogen reading lights
Jalousie windows
Large bedroom wardrobes with home style handles (most models, see floorplans)
Queen bed with pillow top mattress (most models)
Recessed TV shelf (most models, see floorplans)
Two pillow shams (queen bed)
Standard Cab Features
Auxiliary start switch
Deluxe AM/FM stereo with CD
Deluxe cab floor mats
Lap and shoulder safety belts
Padded fabric head liner
Recliner seats with full front/back adjustment
Woodgrain dash kit
Standard Chassis Features
Automatic transmission with overdrive
Deluxe remote control side-view mirrors
Dome light
Factory air conditioning and cruise control
Hellwig¨ helper springs
Power brakes and power steering
Rubber body mounts
Tilt steering wheel
Windows and door locks
Standard Exterior Features
* New for 2003
110V exterior receptacle
Class A motorhome-style baggage doors
Dead-bold lock on entrance door
Double-valve access door on full basement models
Electric double entrance step
Entry assist handle
Fiberglass running boards
Filon plus sidewalls (including entrance and baggage doors)*
Lockable exterior storage compartments with door pulls
Outside shower (full basement models)
Pass-through storage compartment with light(s) (most models)
Patio light
Radius-cornered entrance door
Rear corner caps
Roof ladder
Slide-out battery tray
Spare tire with crank-down mechanism (full basement models)
Steel powder-coated rear bumper
TPO Roof
Third break light
Tinted safety glass
Towing hitch and wiring
Utility center (full basement models)
Wheel liners
White radius-cornered windows
Standard Heat, Power & Water Features
13,500 BTU ducted central air
28' power cord
6-gal. gas/electric auto-ignition water heater
63-lb. chassis-mount LP gas tank
Auto-ignition furnace with wall thermostat
Carbon monoxide detector
City water hookup
Conveniently located water pump switches
Deluxe 110V to 12V converter
Ducted/radiant-heated holding tanks
Fire extinguisher
Generator prep
In-floor ducted heating
Interior Command Center¨
LP leak detector
ShurFloª demand water pump
Water heater bypass kit
Standard Kitchen Features
Battery switch
Bi-fold range cover
Coffee maker
Cutting boards (2)
Divided silverware drawer
Flush-mount double-door refrigerator
Hardwood floor in kitchen
Microwave oven with carousel
Mini blind in galley
Plexiglas splash guard
Recessed sink and stove
Single-lever chrome faucet with sprayer
Three-burner range with oven
Water purification system
Wood-edge countertop
Standard Living Room Features
Cable TV hook-up
Crank-up TV antenna with signal booster
Day/night shades
Deep pile carpeting with thick padding
Fabric-covered lambrequin valances
Fairfield oak cabinetry throughout
Fluorescent and halogen lighting package
J-Steelª sofa with drawer storage (most models, see floorplans)
Labeled light switch center
Overhead TV cabinet (n/a with front entertainment centers)
Ozite¨ ceiling liner throughout
Padded wings behind cab
Roomy overhead cabinets
Satellite prep
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
We have a 2005 Granite Ridge and love it. The Granite Ridge was the top motorhome model Jayco made at that time. The Escapade was the lowest model and the Greyhawk was the mid-level. The Granite Ridge model has a lot of extras.
If the unit is the floorplan you think works best for your family, you can afford it and the price is right, and it checks out sound mechanically and is in good shape I say go for it.
We didn't buy ours until our daughters were out of the house...and the younger one was almost out of college. It would have been nice to have it while they grew up but that wasn't an option in our situation. We couldn't have afforded it back then..but we do have many fond memories of camping in our popup camper with the girls as they grew up. They are some of the best family times we had.
Once we get to retirement we hope to use our motorhome to visit our daughters who sadly both live out of state.
The kids are only young once.....and as you're finding out they grow up in the blink of an eye.....and you can't get that time back.
We have a 2004 greyhawk 31ss with 64,000 miles - no real problems. I would suggest you have a pressure test performed on the unit to determine if there are any leaks in the roof an side walls - the RV dealer can then fix them. I have this done every other year costs about $100.
Good advice. Never knew about that. The owner has never done anything to the roof yet. He sasays he has never had any sign of leaking. How is the construction on these rvs?
We have a 2005 Granite Ridge and just love it. We have the entertainment system in front, not the bed. We bought it after my girls left the nest and we wanted a real bed in a real bedroom. The only problem that we had was the Big Foot levelers leaking a little bit of oil. We found that the vent in the cap was blocked and it forced some leakage. We got help from the Big Foot people. Good luck and enjoy it. We do.
WOW. We have had our 2002 GR since November 2005 and have enjoyed it much. Unfortunately, we are gonna have to sell it due to unfortunate circumstances that will probably end our RVing days. One thing I will caution you on: don't own an RV in the sticks unless you are mechanically inclined! We have to drive 50 miles for ANY kind of maintenance and then we have to make an appointment. We can, of course, get excellent repairs when we are visiting large communities but that's tough when the RV is sitting in the driveway with a minor problem, such as water pump replacement. Anyhow, good luck in your endeavor.
Rick Roberts
RV Part-timer
2002 Jayco Granite Ridge 32'
Offline
In 2003 Jayco offered 3 models of Class C motorhomes, and the Granite Ridge model was right in the middle of the 3 Class C's available. 
