2000 Jayco Eagle 28 BHS fiver, good/bad/indifferent?

[Superdawg]

I just purchased a 2000 Jayco Eagle 28 BHS fiver. I believe I paid a reasonably low price for it but it was admittedly without much research... ... It is my second trailer. This one has a large living room slide with an aluminum one piece roof. Now I read up on the one piece metal roof and it is prone to expansion/contraction. Any thoughts from those who have had one of these or similar on the quality/durabililty on the Jayco Eagle fivers? It seems like a lot of trailer compared to my last one which was pretty bare bones.

I'm looking at the B&W turnover ball/companion hitch and maybe one of those extended pin box(right terminology? from the trailer). If I can do that, I wont need? a slider hitch for my shortbed. Auto slider=expensive.

Thanks in advance for the advice/constructive criticism.

Tom

 

[RustyJC]

Asking about brands of RVs is like asking about brands of trucks - you'll have those who love 'em, and you'll have those who hate 'em.



Over the years, we've owned three Jaycos - a Cardinal pop-up and two Designer 5th wheels. All have given us good service - that's why we kept going back until we moved upmarket with our current 5th wheel. Jayco has an excellent reputation for well-built RVs at its price point, and their customer service is excellent as well. The main thing is if you're happy with the RV - if you like it and it works for you, the rest doesn't matter.



Rusty

 

[Superdawg]

Jayco

Thanks for the info Rusty. I know with RVs its not if they will break but when. I was just looking for something reasonably durable. Did your Jaycos have the aluminum skin on the roof and if so, did you have any issues with it?

Tom

 

[RustyJC]

The pop-up had aluminum siding and a 2-piece aluminum roof. We never had any leakage problems.



The two 5th wheels (a 1996 Designer 3030RKSS and a 2000 Designer XL 3610RLTS) each had gelcoat fiberglass siding and an EPDM (rubber) roof. The only problem I had with the EPDM roof was when it would get a physical puncture (e. g. , losing an A/C cover at 70 MPH), but they are easy to repair - just not in the middle of a thunderstorm at 11:00 PM using a flashlight. :{



Rusty

 

[CCutshaw]

My 92 26. 5 Jayco has the one piece metal roof. Over the years I've had to reseal the roof vents a couple times. When the vents are screwed down they form a pocket for water to sit. This is a problem with several units that have a flat roof line. Last time I made some gaskets and put spacers under the metal roof.

Calvin

 

[JHudson]

I owned this same unit, 2000 Jayco Eagle 28BHS, bought new in October 99 and sold it in 2004. We just loved this unit, had two kids and the bunkhouse work great for them allowing them to create their own nests without interfering with the rest of the unit. We did not have any issues with it and towed it all over the country for a total of 30,000 miles. Great trailer, sold it for a 24E29 Titanium since the kids stopped going with us, because we didn't need the bunkhouse anymore. I am curious that your unit has a metal roof and my Eagle had the rubber roof. I didn't think the rubber roof was an option but who knowns... memory does fail me from time to time. Anyway, great camper, you will love it.

 

[Grizzly]

I looked up your 2000 Jayco Eagle 28 BHS in the latest version of RV Consumer Group and it has a 3 1/2 star rating. RV's are rated to a maximum of 5 stars and only one 5th wheel has that and that's a New Horizon, very spendy, and only a few have a 4 star rating. Your 5th wheel is rated very well. you did well.

 

[Superdawg]

Thanks Grizzly for looking that up. That's good to hear. I have been a little busy, we just added a baby girl to the family a couple days ago. Total-2 boys 1 girl, wife and aussie dog. This put the trailer on the back burner. In the near future, I am looking at flipping the axles on the trailer to get more height on my 2004. 5 4X4. I have decided on the pullrite 16 or 18k auto slider. I just haven't decided on how to pay for it... .

Tom

 

[DWeiler]

Love our Jayco Eagle 26. 6fbds,12ft slide---but its a travel trailer with the fiberglass side wall and rubber roof. So far we've had excellent luck with it,no major flaws and it serves out purpose. We just decided this year to purchase a rv lot at a local lake, do to getting tired of having to park our trailer on a tuesday,pay for 3 more nights just to get a weekend camping site. Overall most Jayco owners are happy with their purchase that i'v met traveling. David

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

By far, most recent roof related issues as far as leaks and puncture problems go, seem most related to rubber roofs. I cant' see that there would be any difference in expansion rates whether the aluminum was a single piece or made in sections that are properly sealed and crimped to form the roof.



Our Kit is made that way, and no leakage issues since the 5er was bought new in '88. Meanwhile, an RVing friend who had a rubber roofed RV had to virtually give it away after an undetected leak did so much structural damage that it had to be totalled out.

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Grizzly for looking that up. That's good to hear. I have been a little busy, we just added a baby girl to the family a couple days ago. Total-2 boys 1 girl, wife and aussie dog. This put the trailer on the back burner. In the near future, I am looking at flipping the axles on the trailer to get more height on my 2004. 5 4X4. I have decided on the pullrite 16 or 18k auto slider. I just haven't decided on how to pay for it... .

Tom

Your welcome TBees. Congratulation on your new addition to the family. PullRite is a good choice. For best prices, check with bigdicountrv.com

 

[TowPro]

Great trailer, sold it for a 24E29 Titanium since the kids stopped going with us

JHudson, have you seen the Titanium Forum ?



We have a Titanium 2005 31E36TBR and love it!

 

[ACerf]

I don't know much about a Jayco, but I think I would prefer a Aluminum roof over anything else. My Holiday Rambler has RV2000, which is much better than rubber, in that it does not streak!

As far as the hitch goes I prefer the B&W hitch! Great quality! If I had a short bed I would go with the B&W, and a 5th Airborne Slider pin box. This pin box will give you a 95 degree turning radius. Go to there web site and watch the video they have comparing there product to a pull-rite slider. I think you will be inpressed. www.fifthairborne.com

 

[JHudson]

JHudson, have you seen the Titanium Forum ?



We have a Titanium 2005 31E36TBR and love it!

Yes, I belong to the Titanium ovwners forum also. It is also a very good place for information and tips for your Titanium.



Thanks,



Jay