cjsx5
Nebraska
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Joined: 09/05/2008
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We are looking to upgrade from our pop-up as our 3 boys and 2 girls keep growing. We have been looking for floorplan that provide quad bunks, a queen bed, and weigh less than 5,300 lbs unloaded. I have been looking hard for used trailers to ease the dent in the wallet.
We like the Jay Feather 25G and 26L floor plans. I realize these are discontinued models from Jayco. Through other postings it sounds like several have had a problem with the right rear end of the trailer 'sagging'. I was hoping to get some help from past or present owners of these models with the following questions:
- Does anyone know if the 'sagging' issue was a universal problem with the these models, or just on a few trailers?
- Any other issues (good and bad) that should be considered on these models?
- Any other advise on buying a used trailer would also be most welcome.
Thanks!
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Ah, the power of the internet!
To my knowledge there is one (1) first-hand report of the frame sagging on these trailers. One. Not several. Not a few. One.
Seven folks will be a load in the trailer! There are several 3-queen bed trailers available that depending on your children's ages will provide outdoor sleeping for all. If they're older (and bigger) the dinette will have to be setup for one of the boys though. Two fit nicely in a queen bed regardless of their ages, it's that 3d boy that's the trick to fit in.
The unloaded weight of the trailer is immaterial, you won't be towing it unloaded. Don't even look at "dry weight" as the trailer exited the factory heavier than that.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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phemens
Montreal, Canada
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There was a problem with early model Jaycos in terms of the frame and there was warranty work done to address the problem. However, neither the 25G or 26L are included in this category. As Chuck mentioned, there is 1 reported case of sag on a 26L and it is being inspected by Jayco in November (Kampfirekid is the owner). We appreciate the large amount of storage on our 26L, and we can comfortably sleep 8 (10 in a pinch). With 5 children, I would suspect that you would greatly appreciate the slide on the 26L when it rains, as it opens up the inside somewhat. Keep in mind that you won't have room to sit everyone around the dinette with either trailer.
Good luck!
Jayco 2008 26L behind a 2005 'Burb out of the Great White North, eh!
1 DW, 1 DD, 1 DS, 1 SD (shedding dog)
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bmet2000
North Carolina
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Joined: 07/09/2008
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We are new (to us!) 26L owners and love it! We have had it out twice and we couldn't be happier with the space and the storage. I ran a string down the side of mine and there is some sag in the back section, but I think it is due to the fact that it is not the same frame section. This is our first travel trailer of any kind and we love having the tent end as it makes it more open and airy. We have not experienced any leaks, but are aware that having canvas means checking the end more carefully than solid ended TT. We have looked at dozens of makes and models and there is not one other that we would rather have. The quad bunks in the back are great for the kids (and their friends) and the slide opens the floor up so we aren't on top of each other. It only goes out 12-18 inches, but that makes a big difference, when trying to walk past each other. The dinette is small, but all of us are under 200lbs, (DW is under 100!), so cramming 4 of us in it is no problem. The sofa is right across from the dinette, so you can talk to and face each other, which we think is a plus. I wouldn't hesitate in buying another 26L, if you need the quad bunks and like have the hybrid end. We love ours!
(Larry the RV) 2007 Jayco 26L Tornado Installed, Ipod Mod
(Rambo the Ram Truck) 2006 Dodge Ram MegaCab 4x4 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel 6 Speed Manual Transmission, Dark Blue
Prodigy Brake Controller, Equal-i-zer Hitch
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Kampfirekid
Northern Illinois
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Hello! I am that ONE case of the left rear sagging issue with our Jayco 26L. With that said, our 26L is everything we could hope for in a hybrid, and more. Even though I am living the ordeal, I still would not have any issues buying another Jayco. I am trying to be very confident we will have a better trailer after Jayco looks at it first hand in November. The DW and I are just having a real hard time (without any knowledge of what they intend to do) envisioning our trailer being "just fine" after it is wracked and pulled if the put a new frame under it.
To address the OP, I searched HOURS trying to find others with the same issue, and alhough there are some very isolated cases of Jayco frame issues, I could find none with a 26L. The cases I found, were purely different prblems than ours. Again - VERY remote cases. We whole heartedly believe ours was a build issue, and not something that has happened over time.
Do not use our case to justify your purchase. Go for it. Jaycos are very nice products, and we believe they build a hybrid second to none. If I was in the market,for a hybrid, Jayco is what I'd chose again. We are in a dilemma now, because if we do not want the trailer after it is fixed and decide to trade our of it, there is no hybrid that comes close to the 26L. Maybe the 29A, but it has some things we do not want. Then, we may have to go TT or fiver. Good luck to you!
2009 North Trail 31BHD
2008 Ford F-150 King Ranch Supercrew
Equalizer & Prodigy
Me, the DW, and the Two Rugrats
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cjsx5
Nebraska
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Thanks for the information, especially Kampfirekid. Our pop-up is a Jayco product, Jay Series 1207, and we have been happy with it. We bought the pop-up new from a dealership, so I am in new territory looking for a used trailer.
Any suggestions or lessons learned on buying a trailer used?
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phemens
Montreal, Canada
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Are you buying private or from a dealer? How long has the trailer been sitting there?
When buying a used trailer, common sense should be your guide. Your first impression is probably the right one. Look at the state of the roof, caulking, etc. Has the owner maintained it? Are all the major appliances working? Any warranty work been done?
Check the tires, look at the frame. Use your nose - does it smell musty inside? That's a sign of water infiltration. Look inside the cabinets for leakage, check the ceiling for water spots. Pop out the tenting and then peel back the velcro over the inside of the bottom hinge. If the wood is bubbled, water has come in - that can mean there is a faulty seal (or that the previous owner didn't know how to pack up the tenting).
When I sold our pup, I made sure that everything was fixed (up to the point of replacing part of the roof) and immaculate - not everyone is going to put in the effort.
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chilipyro
CT
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Joined: 01/12/2008
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The main issues that we have had with our 26L are:
- Design flaw with propane line placement in kitchen slide, which causes the line to be cut into by the slide movement. This is now a Jayco recall issue, and seems to affect many 26Ls. Ours has been repaired.
- Leaking in tent bed when closed. The hatch is not straight. Still working on this one.
- The sewer pipe is very low - which has been a challenge for us on emptying.
- There is no comfortable sleeping arrangement for DW and I, without opening up the tent bed. This makes quick one night stops on a long journey much less quick.
In spite of those issues, I can't think of another trailer that I would rather own. The bunk area for the kids is great. The volume of storage that is accessible from the outside is fantastic. The inside feels open and bright. It is a very comfortable trailer for our family of five. We love it.
We cook and eat meals outside, except for unusually bad weather conditions. When we eat inside, it is generally just a quick eat and run situation (rest stop, cereal breakfast, etc). So, for us, the lack of a table large enough to sit around is a non-issue.
Make sure you have great dealer service with this trailer. Jayco stands behind their trailers, but your front line is the dealer. My experience is that there are a number of build quality issues with this trailer. Things that show it was assembled quickly, and not often given a second look after assembly. You can probably expect issues to show up. As long as you have good dealer service, your issues will be dealt with quickly. But I wouldn't want to buy one of these from some discount wholesaler, for example.
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Kampfirekid
Northern Illinois
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cjsx5 wrote:Thanks for the information, especially Kampfirekid. Our pop-up is a Jayco product, Jay Series 1207, and we have been happy with it. We bought the pop-up new from a dealership, so I am in new territory looking for a used trailer.
Any suggestions or lessons learned on buying a trailer used?
You are welcome. I don't know how far you are willing to drive, but there is a Jayco dealer in Bloomer, WI that has some unreal deals on new Jayco units. You may be able to find a new (but older model) somewhere that could put you at ease.
The DW and I are settled (we think) that we will be getting a small fiver. If we had our 26L frame replaced today, I think ours would be at the curb and we'd be looking at a new fiver. Our 26L is new (bought last September) and only used a few times. I'm thinking that even with it's new condition, the economy will force us to give it away. Hopefully you can capitalize on this in your looking to purchase a new trailer.
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phemens
Montreal, Canada
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chilipyro wrote:The main issues that we have had with our 26L are:
- Design flaw with propane line placement in kitchen slide, which causes the line to be cut into by the slide movement. This is now a Jayco recall issue, and seems to affect many 26Ls. Ours has been repaired.
- Leaking in tent bed when closed. The hatch is not straight. Still working on this one.
- The sewer pipe is very low - which has been a challenge for us on emptying.
- There is no comfortable sleeping arrangement for DW and I, without opening up the tent bed. This makes quick one night stops on a long journey much less quick.
In spite of those issues, I can't think of another trailer that I would rather own. The bunk area for the kids is great. The volume of storage that is accessible from the outside is fantastic. The inside feels open and bright. It is a very comfortable trailer for our family of five. We love it.
We cook and eat meals outside, except for unusually bad weather conditions. When we eat inside, it is generally just a quick eat and run situation (rest stop, cereal breakfast, etc). So, for us, the lack of a table large enough to sit around is a non-issue.
Make sure you have great dealer service with this trailer. Jayco stands behind their trailers, but your front line is the dealer. My experience is that there are a number of build quality issues with this trailer. Things that show it was assembled quickly, and not often given a second look after assembly. You can probably expect issues to show up. As long as you have good dealer service, your issues will be dealt with quickly. But I wouldn't want to buy one of these from some discount wholesaler, for example.
A bit off-topic, but ya know, I was just looking at the rear bunk area, and I'm wondering if a lip installed across the sides of the 2 bottom bunks, with a plywood board and an upper mattress plopped on top might not create a fair sized lower bed. Think larger version of the dinette. Hypothetically, you understand...
Your leak in the front bunk, is it at the top or bottom?
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