I have an older Pace Arrow "A" and we're going to look at an '05 Jayco 30'-2 slide C class later today. Starting to take the grandkids along, etc and the A just doesn't have the right sleeping capacity. I don't want to go longer to get a bunkhouse A, we just want the extra bed setup and the slides, which we don't have now. Seems like Jayco has very good quality compared to some others and this one has practically no miles on it.
That said, do these V10 Ford chassis handle well or am I looking at a squirrely vehicle? I've read lots of posts so far but would like some first hand opinions. Also, how does the V10 work for pulling a small toad occasionally? My A with the older 460 and Banks setup still struggles with the extra weight and there are a lot of hills here in Calif where we do most of our driving.
I drove a C class years ago and have driven vans off and on over the years, so issues like legroom, etc up front are not a problem. Thats a minor tradeoff for having front doors, etc. Thanks for any help-I know I'll get lots of posts telling me to get a such-and-such class A instead but I haven't seen anything that fills the bill yet. Jerry
jbbrick wrote: I have an older Pace Arrow "A" and we're going to look at an '05 Jayco 30'-2 slide C class later today. Starting to take the grandkids along, etc and the A just doesn't have the right sleeping capacity. I don't want to go longer to get a bunkhouse A, we just want the extra bed setup and the slides, which we don't have now. Seems like Jayco has very good quality compared to some others and this one has practically no miles on it.
That said, do these V10 Ford chassis handle well or am I looking at a squirrely vehicle? I've read lots of posts so far but would like some first hand opinions. Also, how does the V10 work for pulling a small toad occasionally? My A with the older 460 and Banks setup still struggles with the extra weight and there are a lot of hills here in Calif where we do most of our driving.
I drove a C class years ago and have driven vans off and on over the years, so issues like legroom, etc up front are not a problem. Thats a minor tradeoff for having front doors, etc. Thanks for any help-I know I'll get lots of posts telling me to get a such-and-such class A instead but I haven't seen anything that fills the bill yet. Jerry
Hello! We have an 06 Jayco Greyhawk 30GS on the Ford chassis. It's a 30' rig with 2 slides; could be the same model you are considering.
We moved to the "C" from a 5er, so my transition is different than what yours. My observations:
When we bought the rig, it did take a bit of getting used to on the interstate, especially when getting passed by the big trucks. I got the front end aligned, and that made a big difference. But I think getting shoved around a bit by passing trucks and strong winds is probably a fact of life.
As for towing, we bought a Jeep Wrangler to tow behind us. On the steeper climbs, you'll be dragged down to about 45mph. We towed from our home in Western Washington to Idaho, north to Jasper, AB, then home via the Coquahalla / Vancouver BC, I-5 south. During that time, the only a few occasions where the toad slowed us down - with the Coquahalla in BC being the notable exception. I should've disconnected the Jeep and had the Mrs drive it through there. In general, towing was a breeze; I won't be without the toad on future trips.
As for Jayco quality - we bought on the rep that Jayco has developed over the years. We haven't had any major issues with our rig - but we've had a plague of annoying problems that have resulted in trips to the dealer for repair. (broken faucet knob, tv antenna handle fell off, cabinet separated, bed doesn't track straight when slide-out is used, trim needed to be renailed into place, etc). One more trip to the dealer is scheduled to make them recaulk the trim all around the vehicle - they did a poor job in the factory. So hopefully, the important major components will hold up. Only time will tell.
Somehow, I doubt my experience with quality would have been much different with any other make - I think they are all a bit suspect after hanging out here for a couple of years.
Pretty much the same experience as grimmwit here.
I tow a Chevy Cavalier and I don't really know it's back there...although I will say that I think my toad tends to dampen the blow from a big rig passing. It may be my imagination....but it seems to hold the rear end a bit steadier.
Also the CCC may be a factor to consider. I run my unit loaded down with stuff and for a family of 3, I weigh in just under 14k. About 300 lbs to spare, if I remember correctly.
As for handling, I have become accustomed to the unit and find it easy to drive. I will say that I don't care much for the lack of comfort in the driver's seat. But that too has an upside: I stop and take a break more often.
The only real downside to my rig is the lack of levelers. I may add them or trade up.....heck, there's always somethin'
Happy Hunting.
The V10 gives you plenty of power. I found that adding a Trac-Bar (Panhard Rod) to the rear end made a lot of difference in handling in a cross wind and with passing trucks. I echo the comment about front end alignment.
Tom and Judith and Yappy Schnauzer Sable
2006 Coach House Platinum 272
Saturn Vue Tow Car
I just drove an 07' Jayco 31ss today. I think it drives better than all the super c Kodiak models I've driven. it's obviously not as powerful, but the feel is much more confidence inspiring. It doesn't feel like it's going to tip over when traversing speed bumps and it leaned way less than the Kodiak in the corners. Just my opinion.
The V10 is great. I've passed struggling A gassers up steep grades.
EVerytime I drive it I still am amazed at its power.
The one thing I DID notice is that from brand to brand the
HANDLING and NOISE in the coach IS different.
I had my mind set on one particular brand and everyone I drove
felt sloopy in the front end and the noise from all the rattling
drove me crazy.
My advice would be to drive them first and ON AN INTERSTATE before
you decide on which one you like. There where 'many' dealerships
that wouldn't let me take them out......they didn't get my business.
I want to know how they handle at 55 not going around the block.
Good Luck on your search.
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
We have a Jayco 2005 31 ft Granite Ridge which we bought new and have been very pleased with. We had some issues, but Jayco took care of them with no hassel. We tow a Saturn ION and the V10 handles it well. When I get into the hills of New England I use the Tow Haul option and haven't had any problems.
As far as the hydraulic jacks, I had them installed at the factory and wouldn't buy another MH without them. My last MH did not have them and I learned from that experience.
We have a 2006 Jayco Greyhawk 27DS. We now have over 10,000 miles on it and are quite happy with it. We think that the Jayco quality is a bit above the industry norm but still nothing to "write home about". We've had only a few minor problems with our motorhome which the dealer has fixed.
We did replace the standard shocks with Bilsteins - which provided better handling and tracking. As has been mentioned, the V-10 has plenty of power to handle a toad. Our Mariner Hybrid weighs about 3,600# and tows quite well.
Doug Craw
2006 Jayco Greyhawk Model 27DS
Towing 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid with Brake Buddy
We were in the identical situation - had an older class A and were often taking grandchildren. Went back to a class C for the same reason.
We purchased a new 2005 Winnebago Minnie 31C after looking at many others. Comments:
1) Not really familiar with Jayco quality. We dropped Jayco from consideration after finding that the coach had only one coach battery in a rear compartment not large enough for two batteries. We've RV'd for many, many years, often in very cold weather, and have always found even two batteries marginal - one totally inadequate. I couldn't help but wonder if the designers had ever used their own units and looked no further.
2) We tow a Honda Element - approximately 3600# - one doesn't know it's there. The Ford handles a toad of this weight with ease.
3) We had a 29' Itasca Class A on a Chevy chassis, and I'll assure you the Ford/Winnebago handles infinitely better. Even with aftermarket steering stabilizers, the Chevy was a nightmare in cross winds. The Ford appears immune to them - more like driving our SUV than a MH. I do miss the shorter turning radius of the Chevy, however.
4) I've been inpressed with Winnebago quality - we've driven over 25k miles - including Alaska - and the coach has suffered two very minor problems - a poor antenna connection in the outside radio and a small drip from a split plastic fitting in the outside shower.
Gary & Liesel
Cocoa, our Chocolate Lab companion
2005 Winnebago 31C
2004 Honda Element Toad
I have a 31 ft Coachmen class C on a Ford v10 chassis. I tow a Jeep Wrangler and don't even know it's back there most of the time. it has plenty of power. As far as the coach, I got so tired of taking it back to the dealer for "Mickey Mouse" repairs. Unattached molding, carpeting not properly tacked/glued down, drawers jumping off tracks, leaky roof, house battery not holding a charge, etc. etc. etc. The dealer is some distance from my home, so I finally gave up and started doing the Mickey Mouse repairs myself. I hope Jayco's quality is much better than Coachmen if you decide to go with the Jayco. Good luck.
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