Jayco Designer 5th wheels model year 2001 and later.
DRV Select, Mobile and Elite Suites 5th wheels.
Lots of others, but I know of these firsthand.
Rusty
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Jayco Designer 5th wheels model year 2001 and later.
DRV Select, Mobile and Elite Suites 5th wheels.
Lots of others, but I know of these firsthand.
Rusty
Most of the better brands now build them with aluminum frames now including my HitchHiker but here is something a prospective buyer should consider:
First, all trailers use a steel frame under the body. The only parts that use aluminum or wood framing are the walls and ceilings.
Until 2010, NuWa built their top of the line Champagne model which is a very high quality fifthwheel using hardwood framing but had shifted the middle level Discover America (my model) and the lower priced HitchHiker II now HitchHiker LS to use aluminum framing.
I have had several lengthy discussions with one of the older, experienced NuWa regional sales managers about the subject. He becomes visibly angry and very animated when he gets into the discussion. He said that hardwood framing is actually much better and much more durable than aluminum for several reasons and is actually more expensive to build.
He says that wood framing will flex and give a little as the long unsuspended middle section of a large trailer between the axles and the kingpin in the upper section of a fifthwheel or tongue coupler of a conventional trailer sags and flexes while traveling. Wood framing is less likely to split and break while the aluminum frames often break at joints because the welded joints fracture under stress. The sales manager claims that weight difference is actually very small. He said NuWa built two identical trailers several years ago then weighed them. One used wood framing and the other used aluminum frame members. The weight difference was very small according to him.
He says the reason NuWa shifted over to aluminum was because the Elkhart brands began advertising aluminum frames as superior about 10 or 15 years ago and persuaded the buying public aluminum is better. He said they had to deal with the question for years and found it difficult to convince prospective buyers that hardwood framing was actually better. Eventually they surrendered and changed over to aluminum.
He claimed that the only real advantage of aluminum over wood was when roof seals or joints or windows/doors leaked and allowed water intrusion over a long period of time. Wood framing will eventually rot but it is actually the floors that fail, not the wood framing. All RVs use some sort of wood product flooring.
When the sales manager and I speak of wood framing neither of us mean the thin, flimsy, low grade sticks attached by an occasional staple in the cheapo brands.
First, all trailers use a steel frame under the body. The only parts that use aluminum or wood framing are the walls and ceilings.
Until 2010, NuWa built their top of the line Champagne model which is a very high quality fifthwheel using hardwood framing but had shifted the middle level Discover America (my model) and the lower priced HitchHiker II now HitchHiker LS to use aluminum framing.
I have had several lengthy discussions with one of the older, experienced NuWa regional sales managers about the subject. He becomes visibly angry and very animated when he gets into the discussion. He said that hardwood framing is actually much better and much more durable than aluminum for several reasons and is actually more expensive to build.
He says that wood framing will flex and give a little as the long unsuspended middle section of a large trailer between the axles and the kingpin in the upper section of a fifthwheel or tongue coupler of a conventional trailer sags and flexes while traveling. Wood framing is less likely to split and break while the aluminum frames often break at joints because the welded joints fracture under stress. The sales manager claims that weight difference is actually very small. He said NuWa built two identical trailers several years ago then weighed them. One used wood framing and the other used aluminum frame members. The weight difference was very small according to him.
He says the reason NuWa shifted over to aluminum was because the Elkhart brands began advertising aluminum frames as superior about 10 or 15 years ago and persuaded the buying public aluminum is better. He said they had to deal with the question for years and found it difficult to convince prospective buyers that hardwood framing was actually better. Eventually they surrendered and changed over to aluminum.
He claimed that the only real advantage of aluminum over wood was when roof seals or joints or windows/doors leaked and allowed water intrusion over a long period of time. Wood framing will eventually rot but it is actually the floors that fail, not the wood framing. All RVs use some sort of wood product flooring.
When the sales manager and I speak of wood framing neither of us mean the thin, flimsy, low grade sticks attached by an occasional staple in the cheapo brands.
Jayco tells a very similar story. Our 1996 and 2000 Jayco Designers were wood framed. The 2001 Jayco Designer switched to aluminum framing primarily because of marketing pressure - the brands that were using aluminum framing had convinced customers that wood framed RVs were inferior, were going to rot away, etc. We never had any structural problems whatsoever with our wood framed Jaycos. The top line custom built units such as Tetons were, AFAIK, wood framed until they finally folded.
Rusty
Rusty
The extra bedroom closet slide out in a Discover America 339 used to be available as bunks or closet. You might find a 2 or 3 year old one with bunks. I believe NuWa dropped the bunks because of low demand. Due to the price of their trailers, I belive most of their customers are older.
Newt
Newt
I had the day off today so I went RV "window shopping". I looked at new and used Jaycos, a brand I consider "decent" for our usage as well as Nash and Outdoors RV, both of which I consider " a cut above the rest". I found a Zinger ( made by Thor ) with a really cool floor plan but I could see and feel the difference in quality between that and the Creekside ( a model of Outdoors RV ). It has tons of storage cupboards and drawers as well as front bunks. For example the drawers in the kitchen on the Zinger had sliders on them that were light duty ( our old Prowler has just wood on wood for the drawer slides ) while the Creekside had ball bearing metal slides and the drawers themselves just felt "heavier" and better built. The Creekside was also a "4 seasons" model and was about the same price as the fancier Zinger. When I do find a floor plan that I think will satisfy my DW I will show her only the ones on quality brands and not even show her the "cheaper" brands.
Up here in our neck of the woods the difference between a "cheap" model and a "good quality" one can be as much as 50 % more when looking at new TTs. But I would rather buy a used Mercedes than a brand new Kia with all the toys for the same money, if you know what I mean. Unfortunately most customers don't see it that way. With our dollars nearly identical the price of new ones has come way down. The sales pitch is always "But you get a warranty with this one and it is 'loaded' " for the same or less money. I looked at 2 Jaycos today, a 2008 model and a nearly identical 2011 model. The 3 year old model was about 30% less and was in good condition. I'll take that. I can't always afford the models I want or would really like, but that's life for most of use.
I has learned a great deal about RV's on this site, and it's not even a dedicated site for that. One salesman today even complimented me on my knowledge.
BTW Outdoors RV Manufacturing is owned by Ron and Shirley Nash of Northwood fame see here for more info Outdoors RV Mfg: About Us
Shadrach
Up here in our neck of the woods the difference between a "cheap" model and a "good quality" one can be as much as 50 % more when looking at new TTs. But I would rather buy a used Mercedes than a brand new Kia with all the toys for the same money, if you know what I mean. Unfortunately most customers don't see it that way. With our dollars nearly identical the price of new ones has come way down. The sales pitch is always "But you get a warranty with this one and it is 'loaded' " for the same or less money. I looked at 2 Jaycos today, a 2008 model and a nearly identical 2011 model. The 3 year old model was about 30% less and was in good condition. I'll take that. I can't always afford the models I want or would really like, but that's life for most of use.
I has learned a great deal about RV's on this site, and it's not even a dedicated site for that. One salesman today even complimented me on my knowledge.
BTW Outdoors RV Manufacturing is owned by Ron and Shirley Nash of Northwood fame see here for more info Outdoors RV Mfg: About Us
Shadrach
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I would not consider one of the "three digit" Discover America fifthwheels during the period 2006,2007, 2008, and maybe 2009 or one of the larger HH LS models. They were built on Lippert frames using Lippert imported running gear. During those years it was easy to identify the trailers built on Lippert frames as the frames and kingpin box were painted black. The superior quality Young's Frames frames were powdercoated white and used more and stronger frame members and Dexter running gear.
I actually liked the layout of the 2007 HitchHiker DA 329 and 339 and looked them over at a local dealer until I learned from a friend that NuWa had begun using Lippert frames under the then new three digit models. I bought a two digit 32 LK on a Young's frame.
I actually liked the layout of the 2007 HitchHiker DA 329 and 339 and looked them over at a local dealer until I learned from a friend that NuWa had begun using Lippert frames under the then new three digit models. I bought a two digit 32 LK on a Young's frame.
Shadrach, you might want to contact Happy Trails RV (877 538-2120) in Grande Prairie and see what they have. My buddy drove from Abbotsford, BC to GP to buy his 30' Arctic Fox. Best price he could find was there. That's about a 4 hour trip for you I think.
2011 298RES Jayco Eagle Super Lite...
Looks like this one is fixin to get cut from the herd. . Only thing so far is that momma doesnt want the chairs in the living area, she wants the hide-a-bed option where the two chairs are.....
Please, everybody feel free to comment on this model... I would like to hear the good/bad/ugly BEFORE buying it...
Looks like this one is fixin to get cut from the herd. . Only thing so far is that momma doesnt want the chairs in the living area, she wants the hide-a-bed option where the two chairs are.....
Please, everybody feel free to comment on this model... I would like to hear the good/bad/ugly BEFORE buying it...
I cannot even find a designer series on Jaycos web-site, but then again. Im looking for travel trailers, not 5th wheels. ... I had a Designer Series" 5th wheel several years ago. . it was a VERY well built unit.
Be aware of why super light trailers are super light, regardless of brand. There are real compromises involved in the construction materials used to get the weight down. I'm not a fan of the super lights, but to each his own.
Rusty
I found a lot of the lite models had smaller water tanks as well.
I went shopping again today and found a couple of TT with a decent floor plan, but they are usually to long or too much $. I will have to rethink some of my ideas.
Does anyone know of an RV site that I gan get floor plans from? A lot of the manufacturers sites, like Nash, only list the current models and things change.
Thanks Superglide for that tip.
Shadrach
I went shopping again today and found a couple of TT with a decent floor plan, but they are usually to long or too much $. I will have to rethink some of my ideas.
Does anyone know of an RV site that I gan get floor plans from? A lot of the manufacturers sites, like Nash, only list the current models and things change.
Thanks Superglide for that tip.
Shadrach
Try this. Jayco 2011 Select the TT then floorplans on the left. I checked the archive and they still have my 2003 Eagle listed. If you find a used Jayco Eagle (2003 and up) you can check out the floorplan and specs.
I have seen the archives on Jayco's site before and found some of Nash's as well on this site: Northwood RV Owners Association - Welcome to the new Northwood RV Owners Association although that site in not run by Northwood. Anyone else know of others? When you are looking for used plans can change from year to year and it's nice to know the difference.
Does anyone know if Jayco makes a "four seasons " model as it's nice to have the better insulation and windows when you are in the mountains.
Shadrach
Does anyone know if Jayco makes a "four seasons " model as it's nice to have the better insulation and windows when you are in the mountains.
Shadrach
Been surfing Jayco alot here lately, it seems that when you "build and price" a unit, it gives you an option to add the upgraded thermal windows and more arctic package... . but I didnt see that on every model I looked at, just some...
I had not really thought of that... gonna have to investigate that more. I'm having to work lots of hours to keep her away from the RV stores!!. . She REALLY needs to go back to work...
The problem with the education and all the information I have learned on here about the quality ( or lack thereof ) of RV's is that now I am becoming too picky and that is gonna cost me $$ when I do find the one I want. 
I can find lots of TT with decent floor plans but now I am looking in places I didn't before, like under counters and inside cupboards. Shadrach
I can find lots of TT with decent floor plans but now I am looking in places I didn't before, like under counters and inside cupboards. Shadrach
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Digital Magazines
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Renew
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