RE: Are Jaycos' Good Trailers?
We have a Jayfeather and love it. I have a hard time seeing how the Jayfeather is "low end", as some have said. Very well made product.
RE: Who is thinking they made right decision to go ultralight?
We've been very happy with our Jayfeather. I was honestly looking at a larger unit when we found it last May but the deal was just too good to pass up. In retrospect, I'm glad I chose it. My TV is an 06 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73s, and it pulls it well. One thing I like is that if I move to a more effecient TV for daily use I still have a lot of options to chose from in a new TV while still being able to tow the Jayfeather. I've found my F150 gets about 10-11 mpg when towning, no matter if it's the tt, atv trailer, boat, etc., it's all the same if the wind resistance is similar.
RE: How does your trailer make you feel?
I have a weekly ritual. Every Tuesday when I drop my Daughter off for guitar lessons I run down to where our Jayfeather is stored and check on it.
RE: Does "lite" = cheap quality
This may apply more to new or newer models than 6K will buy, but I think it's worth noting: Some ultra lights are just TOO LIGHT. Here's what I mean - Take two different makes of a similar floor plan and length. Some have way less mass in them than the similar counterpart, which can, not always, means less product. Before I get roasted and flogged, let me say I'm referring tp comparing apples and apples. I own a Jayfeather 213, and we researched a lot before buying. There are other good brands besides Jayfeather, but the Jayco dealer in our community was also a deciding factor due to their service department's reputation. Back to the subject: Ever wonder how some brands can be 1000 or so pounds lighter than the other brand's ultralight of the same dimensions and floorplan? It's not due to titanium frames and space age manufacturing techinques, it's due to thinner cabinets, frames, etc. Yes, the Jayfeather models are heavier than many other ultralights, but there's just some compromises better manufacturer's aren't willing to make. It hard enough to keep the staples in place and the vinyl laying flat on the floor without shoddy engineering. Even the best will break,and sometimes the better brands spit out a major lemon (these are travel trailers, it happens). Just be sure to use the net to your advantage and research whatever you find. We started out with the same budget, actually 5K cash, and went with a very nice used pop up for our first camper and loved it. We waited until we were ready and shopped for the Ultralight.
RE: so disappointed in jayco and rv direct
Sorry to hear of your bad experience with the 213. We have the same unit, 213 EXP, and have had an enjoyable experience with it. Have you consulted the owner's manual for the manual way to retract the slide? A little noise is normal during use, but it sounds like yours may be in some kind of a bind, or the electric motor may be having issues. Look under the interior portion of the slide to be sure nothing gotten caught in the gear mechanism that would have made it stop working.
As for Jayco, keep in mind it was a dealer, and not the company (Jayco) that wouldn't service you. I'd call Jayco directly and see what they recommend. Some time back there was another post about a bad run of vinyl flooring that made it's way into Jayco's warehouse, another person posted having the same splitting problem. Good luck, I know this has got to be very, very frustrating!
RE: RV Sidekick Grill
I've got the sidekick and really like it. I'm a big barbecue nut, and actaully prefer to cook with wood or charcoal, but for convenience this is a good grill. Be sure to line the front and back of the bottom with foil, it makes clean up real easy. I've seen people saw off the little top rack, it really gets in the way. This little grill actaully gets hot enough to put a pretty sear on your steaks as well. Be sure your hose is the same fittings as what's on your tt, mine wasn't and I had to get the right fittings, so test it at home before heading out to the campground. If you search for sidekick grill you'll get some more comments. Hope this helps!
RE: Proud new Jay Feather owner!!!!
Congrats on the new Jay Feather! We moved up to a 213 from a pop up last May and love our Jayco product, you'll have many fun years with it. Enjoy!
RE: Jayco 29bhs Maxistor
We have the maxi-store door on our Jay Feather 213 EXP; it's a little smaller version that the one on the 29 BHS. In oder to know if one of the kids has opened the door at night, why not go to Radio Shack and purchase an inexpensive battery powered alarm that sounds if the door opens? It mounts, by sticky tape or screws, to the door itself, or sidewall, and has a small metallic strip that contacts when the door is closed. When the door opens, it beeps. It's pretty loud, too. I had one on our pup up, but haven't installed on the 213. Just an idea.
RE: Rotate air in tires?
The last time I changed the air in my tires, I removed the valve stem and slipped a Viagra in each tire. Now my tires will aways stay up!!! Stiff sidewalls forever!!! So now, when I'm ready to go camping, my tires will be ready too.
RE: Do you put Chemicals on Your Tires
Mecreature, you're right about the 7 year old tires. IMHO, you should junk your tires after 6-7 years. Tires are the only thing between your family and the pavement.
RE: I bought a new Camper from a crook
Congrats! Thats one good looking TT! During my years as a commercial loan officer, I had a guy come see me about a small business loan. He had just gotten out of prison for extorsion and he told me his long, sad story. Then I went to help him fill out an application, which I had to do anyway in order to answer his request, and when he told me he lived on Crooked Lane I had to excuse myself to the coffee room.
RE: Any problems with rear slides?
No problems with leaks or such on our 2006 Jay Feather 213. We camp with several that have rear beds, all Jaycos or Surveyor, never heard of any complaints from either brand.
RE: Any body with a Jayco Jay Feather out there?
We've had our Jay Feather 213 almost a year, been out 31 nights with it, and love it. It's a well made unit, and I'll ditto what others have said for service. We'll be trading up in a bit to a larger unit and will probably stick with Jay Feather due to our experience with the Jayco and a great dealer, Bus Supply Company, in McComb, MS.
RE: HELP ME NARROW DOWN MY CHOICES!!!!
We looked at a Savoy LX at Dixie RV in Hammond, LA, a month ago; drove over there about 60 miles just to see that particular model (28sks, I think). It was an attractive trailer, but for the price the fit and finish was a little less than expected. The exterior and underneath was very impressive, but he interior was a little rough around the edges for the price. Perhaps we saw a bad example, as the HR lineup is very highly regarded by many.
RE: LIFTED TRUCKS
Here's how my insurance company rep explained it to me, and it makes sense to a degree......the Federal Government forces automobile manufacturers to comply with their stated bumper heights for various vehicles.....automakers comply........which makes for a pretty good case against not altering the vehicle to a juror......a lifted truck has a bumper height perhaps made quite above that of even an tractor trailer truck......a highly lifted truck rear ends a family in a factory standard vehicle and a four year old dies from it.....you get sued.......how do you defend yourself? Really? I have a 2" leveling kit on my 2006 F150, nothing drastic, so mind you I'm still not knocking lift kits. Also, does changing the center of gravity affect sway control? Sure seems like it would. You'd have the tail wagging the dog again, depending on lift height.
RE: LIFTED TRUCKS
If you put a lift kit, say 8" or more on a tow vehicle, then had an accident pulling your trailer (or not), the other vehicle is damaged and occupants injured, and it's your fault, does the insurance company bail on you and leave you exposed to loose what cash and equity in investments you may have because you wanted a cool truck? Does your insurance policy have a clause where the policy becomes null and void in the event you "alter any factory designed engine, suspension, frame, etc. components"? I'm not stating this would always be the case. However, I was in the tire and truck accessory business for a few years, and we got out of the business of installing lifts because of this. My garage coverage underwriter pointed it out to me. I didn't want to be another pocket a trial lawyer could dig into. BTW, I've lifted three of my personal vehicles, so I'm not knocking lifts, just wanted to offer my two cents.
RE: Restoring finish
Our Jay Feather 213 is fiberglass, here's what I do: First, I wash it thoroughly, not missing any part of the exterior, with Mequires car wash. Then, I wax it, one side at a time, with Mequire's NXT liquid (not paste) wax, using an orbital buffer to apply the wax, and removing it by hand with a cotton towel. Be sure to hit the spots you can't get into with the buffer by applying by hand. I've done this once since buying it new last May. It was a left over 06, so by the time I waxed it in September it was starting to dull a little. It still looks like I just waxed it. I wash the unit about once a month with a good combo rv wash/wax solution as well. I would think the nu finish brand wax would also be a good cleaner/wax.
RE: Frame question on Fay Feather 29A EXP
Yep, yep, and I agree too. I was hoping to find that the 07 29A had a different frame. It looks fine under the 213, but I wouldn't want all those holes and light tapered steel at the ends on a longer unit.
