dspencer
Missouri
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We currently own a Trail Lite HTT and were just in the very preliminary stages of looking at and considering upgrading to a regular travel trailer. We have been looking at a couple of Forest River trailers and while on vacation last week in the Ozarks we stopped by a local dealer who handles both the Forest River and Jayco line up. My question is what is your opinion of who makes the better trailer? I have always thought the Forest River was the better but according to the dealer the Jayco is far superior. We liked both but are really leaning towards The Forest River line up. I would appreciate good and bad from you guys on both of them. I would appreciate any advice you can give us.
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sbowman871
Wilmington, Ohio
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I owned a Jayco. Very good TT, IMO, better than Forrest River.
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padave
Richland PA
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sbowman871 wrote:I owned a Jayco. Very good TT, IMO, better than Forrest River.
This is a funny statement....Jayco makes, what 3 or 4 types of trailers...Forest River is a very diverse corporation. There is no way that Jayco is better than Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Blue Ridge, Sand Piper or Prime Time...all are Forest River companies. They are very close equivalents to Rockwood, Flagstaff, and Wildcat. You are really comparing apples to oranges. A better comparison would be to choose a single Forest River company to compare to Jayco and not this over generalized statement.
I recommend that the original poster of this topic consider Prime Time....I really like mine....
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kcgaz
Arizona
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I had a Forest River TT for years and enjoyed it very much. I have recently seen many postings about frame cracks and it seemed to me that it was somehow connected to FR products. You may want to do a search on these forums under that topic prior to making a decision.
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dspencer
Missouri
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I am actually looking at the Gray Wolf and maybe the Salem line up.
padave wrote:sbowman871 wrote:I owned a Jayco. Very good TT, IMO, better than Forrest River.
This is a funny statement....Jayco makes, what 3 or 4 types of trailers...Forest River is a very diverse corporation. There is no way that Jayco is better than Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Blue Ridge, Sand Piper or Prime Time...all are Forest River companies. They are very close equivalents to Rockwood, Flagstaff, and Wildcat. You are really comparing apples to oranges. A better comparison would be to choose a single Forest River company to compare to Jayco and not this over generalized statement.
I recommend that the original poster of this topic consider Prime Time....I really like mine....
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mwebber78
New England
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That is an odd statement. If you are comparing two specific units than I can understand the assertion that one may be better than the other. Given the multiple plants FR has (and Jayco too) it varies by the line. I would argue that the Rockwood Signature Ultralight, for example, is far superior to the Jayco Jayfeather line (I owned a Jayco Jayfeather so I speak from experience on my unit).
When comparing Class C units the dealers I spoke to chose the FR over the Jayco and I confirmed that with my shopping. As far as Salem vs. the Jayflight I would pick the Jayco as the Jayflight is their #1 seller and they improve that product year over year. Jayco is tough to beat in the stick n' tin market but loose their luster (IMHO) when you move to ultralight and fiberglassed units.
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Disclaimer for the daft: Don't confuse my opinion with facts.
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lottknox1
north carolina
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I previously had a 23B Jayco Jayfeather. I currently have a 831BHSS Flagstaff which is very much like the Rockwood Signature Ultralight. I really like my current Flagstaff and have no major complaints but comparing these 2 lines I would say the quality was better on the Jayco.
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extremis
Ab
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The FR Salem line is identical to the Wildwood line from FR. I own a Wildwood T19XLT, and Salem has the exact same unit and model #. These are typically a less expensive entry model line. They do have some nicer models, but most are the basic sort of units.
Mine hasn't been terrible, but there was some early build quality issues. I had a nicked water line behind the tub/shower wall, quite a lot of hinge screws that fell out, nail popping through counter top, brake wire came apart on 1 wheel, and main entry door wasn't square and had to be removed, the frame planed and squared and re-installed so it wouldn't rub and hold the corner open. This was all within the first couple months. Its been ok since (2010 model, purchased feb 2010).
Just a couple screws loose on the bathroom door hinge, the rest appears to be holding.
Most of the basics (appliances, upholstery)are all the same as the other forest river (and other brands). There is only so many makes of fridge and heaters out there. Its the build of the unit you need to examine closely.
Look carefully at fit and finish. Look at the way things are built, look at how its assembled. Check out the seams between panels on wall, edges around the counters that type of thing.
Ask the dealer about how their dealings with the manufacturer have been, ease of getting parts, who they prefer dealing with for the small stuff. What their typical turn around time is on repairs things like that. If these are the guys that will be fixing the minor stuff down the road, then you want to consider who they have had the best dealing with as well.
Overall, I think most of the brands are comparable. They will all have issues of their own. Each manufacturer will have brand lines that are fancier and/or better built than their others.
I probably would not buy another Wildwood/Salem, and would examine closely the other FR lines before purchasing them. These new trailers aren't designed to last the same as ones from days gone by. Unless you spend the big $ on the higher end units. I will still consider other FR products though.
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Vvvv1010
San Antonio, Texas
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I own a Jayco Jayflight and have been very satisfied from a quality of unit standpoint. Everything is as sturdy as the day I purchased it. No boards, nails, seams, or other objects coming loose or breaking off. This is my first travel trailer and am glad it hasn't been a maintenance nightmare for us.
I have seen Forest River travel trailers at the campgrounds and they to seem like solid units.
2011 Jayco Jay Flight G2 32BHDS
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chevor
US/Canada
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I gotta say The Grey Wolf is an airdynomamic trailer. there low to the ground and have that nice rounded front. You'll get better fuel economy pulling that trailer than most of the others.
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