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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / June 2006Jayco 1206 vs. Fleetwood Utah
Hi all, Our family (3 kids age 1-8) are looking to buy a tent trailer and went shopping today. I have it narrowed to these two brands and am considering the pros/cons and would like input. The new 2007 Jayco 1206 has some nice features (new sofa, tinted windows, and cup holders). I would appreciate comments on these differences: 1) Roof, Fleetwood states needs no vent (more breathable fabric) but worse warranty. Any problems with leaky Fleetwood roofs? 2) High density foam on Fleetwood vs. Jayco's thinner mattress 3) Basic construction differences - any specific problems with either system? (Pulley vs. push-rod, pressboard vs. plywood, etc) 4) Showers/toilets/faucets similar? Thanks Terry > 1) Roof, Fleetwood states needs no vent (more breathable fabric) but > worse warranty. Any problems with leaky Fleetwood roofs? The 2007 Fleetwoods are coming out with a new "Filon" roof. It's fiberglass, it's new to Fleetwood, (they have always used Aluminum). There have been issues with Fleetwood 2004-2006 roofs leaking if they are not properly caulked during manufacture and assembly. If the dealer recaulked under the encaps, everthig should be fine. > 2) High density foam on Fleetwood vs. Jayco's thinner mattress Virtually all PopUp mattresses are a little uncomforable compared to your bed at home, but a world better than the ground in a tent. The Fleetwood mattress is comfortable if you weigh under 180lbs. 2" thick memory foam works wonders on top of any PopUp mattress! > 3) Basic construction differences - any specific problems with either > system? (Pulley vs. push-rod, pressboard vs. plywood, etc) All new PopUps will provide shelter and some nice amenities of a little "house". The build quality is very similar. You will find sticky drawers, crooked electrical outlets, and sawdust remnants in any brand or model. However, the underlying design and engineering are VERY different with different brands. Fleetwood PopUps are heavier than any competitor for many reasons: Stainless steel roof pillars, rivets instead of screws throughout, steel frame seating instead of wood, leaf spring suspension instead of rubber torsion axles, steel box frame instead of wood, tubing trailer frame instead of c-channel, one piece screen door instead of two sections, integrated stepper door instead of steps, rotomolded PET plastic front storage bin on some models where you can safely store wet or filthy items, Sunbrella fabric tenting instead of renamed vinyl, bungee cord under bunkend tenting - safer than velcro to keep little ones from falling out of bunks, ...etc. > 4) Showers/toilets/faucets similar? Yes. All brands use Thetford cassette toilets in models which feature an inside shower. However, some models feature an outside access panel to remove the cassette for easy maintenance. >>1) Roof, Fleetwood states needs no vent (more breathable fabric) but >>worse warranty. Any problems with leaky Fleetwood roofs? [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > an inside shower. However, some models feature an outside access panel > to remove the cassette for easy maintenance. Thanks for the input. I guess I am concerned regarding the roof warranty as I feel this is the most likely area that the warranty will be used. Any comments on how much people like/use the roof vent and room fan in the Jayco lines? >>Any comments on how much people like/use the roof vent and room fan in the Jayco lines? Bringing fresh air through a roof vent in a popup isn't all that important. However, light and seeing the sky through the vent (as small as it is) is kind of nice. Also if you cook inside, I think hot air can get out of that vent somewhat easier than a side window. Eventually, I used my vent in my popup for an AC and I missed the vent. In my travel trailer, I have a vent and AC...best of both worlds.  SignatureJimbo 2000 Toyota Tundra 2005 Sunline 1950 Hello, I am curious... did you look at viking too? I would like toknow what folks think of the new vikings. i have an old one(99) when it goes, i will buy another p/u. this info might help me when the time comes. I wont upgrade to a TT like alot of pop upers do. I dont want to have to buy another TV thanks gig >>>Any comments on how much people like/use the roof vent and >room fan in the Jayco lines? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >popup for an AC and I missed the vent. In my travel trailer, I have a vent >and AC...best of both worlds. > Hello, > I am curious... did you look at viking too? I would like toknow what [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > to buy another TV > thanks gig The closest Viking dealer is an hour away, so I did not look at them. From perusing the NG it seems Fleetwood, Jayco, and Starcraft get the nod for the best Pop-ups. Will go by floor design, dealer reputation and then just take good care of it. Terry > Will go by floor design, dealer reputation and then just take good care of > it. This is generally the right answer. Everybody has their own manufacturer preference in pop-ups. However, dealer reputation and responsiveness to problems is by far and away the most important factor in buying a pop-up. tobe oh... i see.. i was just curious to see that was all... good luck with your purchase.please let us all know how it wwent.. >> Hello, >> I am curious... did you look at viking too? I would like toknow what [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Terry >> Hello, >> I am curious... did you look at viking too? I would like toknow what [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Terry Without question the dealers willingness to work with you AFTER the sale should figure prominently in your decision. Google back for our troubles with Fleetwood, and how our dealer stood up for us. They've got loyal customers here after that debacle! (Though I did just find out the shop manager is "no longer with us". The "new" guy has been with them for 15 years and seems to be as good or better!) SignatureKarl & Angela `02 Durango `05 Fleetwood Allegiance >I wont upgrade to a TT like alot of pop upers do. I dont want to have > to buy another TV Funny you should mention that. When I got the TT I really tried to get by with the TV I bought for the popup but after a year...I bought another TV. In fact, as think about it writing this...when I was in a tent I had a little B&W TV, then the first popup a little color TV, the second popup a slightly bigger TV, and now a 15" LCD flat screen for the TT. Go figure. :) SignatureJimbo 2000 Toyota Tundra 2005 Sunline 1950 >> I wont upgrade to a TT like alot of pop upers do. I dont want to >> have to buy another TV [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the second popup a slightly bigger TV, and now a 15" LCD flat screen > for the TT. Go figure. :) I use a 32 inch widescreen LCD HDTV in my pop-up. There is a counter that is the perfect size for the TV and progressive scan DVD player. I frequently take my computer with me and its 20 in Sony LCD monitor. Helps me to pass the time when I am too tired to want to go outside and do anything. > I use a 32 inch widescreen LCD HDTV in my pop-up. There is a > counter that is the perfect size for the TV and progressive scan [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > monitor. Helps me to pass the time when I am too tired to > want to go outside and do anything. A 32 inch in a popup?!? Damn, that's livin'! Aside from being an el cheapo, I've never wanted large TVs because I dry camp a lot and big TVs take too much power. LCDs are neat because they take less power relative to a tube TV of the same size. Nonetheless...I've thought about the idea of using a projector TV on a white sheet outside while camping during a campfire. I'll never do it though...too expenseive, too much power, and *that* would probably cross the line of good taste. Maybe. :) SignatureJimbo 2000 Toyota Tundra 2005 Sunline 1950 There are about 20 burn holes in the top of my bed-end canvas. They range from pinhole size to about 1/8 inch diameter. What is the best way to patch, plug or cover them? Thanks. > Virtually all PopUp mattresses are a little uncomforable compared to > your bed at home, but a world better than the ground in a tent. The > Fleetwood mattress is comfortable if you weigh under 180lbs. 2" thick > memory foam works wonders on top of any PopUp mattress! That depends on which "family" the Fleetwood one is looking at resides in. When we bought the Allegiance, we also looked at an `06 that was on the lot, Tucson, or Tacoma I believe. The difference in the mattresses alone were enough to sell us on the Allegiance. I am over 200#, and can kneel on the bunk without "bottoming out" in the Allegiance, not so in the other newer model. I find the mattress in the Allegiance to be pretty much as comfortable as any mattress I've slept on. SignatureKarl & Angela `02 Durango `05 Fleetwood Allegiance |
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