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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / July 2007Pro and Cons?
The wife and I have been looking at pop-ups. We both like the highwall style because the appliances seem to be more usable. We both like campers with a bump-out. She is partial to the Jayco 12HW. http://www.jayco.com/php/products/floorplans.php?id=119 I am partial to the Starcraft RT34. http://www.starcraftrv.com/2008_starcraft_folding_campers/starcraft_34rt.html I know there are significant differences in ruggedness, cargo and carrying capacity between these two campers as well as price. Has anyone else used either of these models? What pros and or cons can anyone contribute to either? Are there significant differences in quality between either manufacturer? Would you suggest anything else for us to look at? Our TV will be a 2001, S-10, 4X4, Crew Cab with an advertised tow rating of 5200lbs. Thanks for any input. Denny > The wife and I have been looking at pop-ups. We both like the highwall > style because the appliances seem to be more usable. We both like campers [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Our TV will be a 2001, S-10, 4X4, Crew Cab with an advertised tow rating of > 5200lbs. Those are two entirely different trailers for different purposes. The Starcraft RT is a toy hauler and built much stronger than a typical pop up. It can handle light off road conditions with a greater ground clearance. It's dry weight is 3,000lbs. Add luggage and ATV's plus water and you may be too heavy for your tow vehicle. It can haul quite a bit more weight than the Jayco and built for it. I would stay under 4,000lbs fully loaded to have a satisfactory towing experience with your S10. The Jayco has a GVWR of 3750lbs which is 1300lbs less than the Starcraft 34RT. Your S10 should be able to handle it unless you're traveling with 4 large adults or heavy dogs! Jayco and Starcraft are my two favorite brands. Both made very well. Visit your local dealers and talk to the service people and see which one you get the best feeling about. Which dealer will handle your after sale needs the best? >> The wife and I have been looking at pop-ups. We both like the highwall >> style because the appliances seem to be more usable. We both like [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >> Our TV will be a 2001, S-10, 4X4, Crew Cab with an advertised tow rating >> of 5200lbs. > Those are two entirely different trailers for different purposes. The > Starcraft RT is a toy hauler and built much stronger than a typical pop [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > you get the best feeling about. Which dealer will handle your after sale > needs the best? I should have mentioned that we don't have an ATV. I can't imagine approaching the GVWR of the 34RT with typical camping equipment. I like the idea of having a rack to put things on to keep them out of the way: fire wood/charcoal, extra water/fuel, kids toys, etc. I like the idea of having a stronger frame and here in Nevada some of the camping areas are off the beaten path. I'm sure that a camper not specifically designed for some off-road use, like the Jayco, could manage just fine Can you say if there are significant differences in how the mechanical functions (roof lifting, bed/dining slideouts, canvas design, etc) are designed? > I should have mentioned that we don't have an ATV. I can't imagine > approaching the GVWR of the 34RT with typical camping equipment. I like the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > functions (roof lifting, bed/dining slideouts, canvas design, etc) are > designed? I haven't looked at the mechanics of the Jayco. I own a Starcraft Hybrid and the slide out is very well made. Just have to grease the runners now and then. The canvas has had no problems, no leaks and after 3 years looks good as new. I've had one very minor issue with the canvas. On the underside of the bed platforms are small hooks. On the canvas are small bungie cord loops that are stretched onto the hooks to hold the canvas down. They work very well but the loops come apart now and then. I bought some extra bungie cord and a crimp tool to make my own loops as needed. It was cheap and I just keep it on hand. I prefer such an easy do it yourself repair method over some of the other canvas hold down methods. Figure about 500-1000lbs for gear in the trailer, water (8 lbs per gallon) etc. Most people underestimate and don't realize how much pots, pans, bedding, plates, cups etc. weigh. It adds up! Since the Starcraft RT has a much heavier frame and axle I tend to prefer it over standard popups. As long as you can keep it around 4000lbs loaded you'll be fine. Does the toy hauler portion of the RT cause it to have less interior room than the Jayco? >> I should have mentioned that we don't have an ATV. I can't imagine >> approaching the GVWR of the 34RT with typical camping equipment. I like [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > Does the toy hauler portion of the RT cause it to have less interior room > than the Jayco? The Starcraft dealer hasn't had a 34RT in stock but the interior is nearly identical to the Jayco 12HW. I didn't specifically ask how long the 34RT box length is. Based on open/closed length of each trailer and with the optional 11' canopy for the 34RT, I believe that they both have a 12' box. I'll have to remember a tape measure and ask that specific question next time I'm out looking. > The wife and I have been looking at pop-ups. We both like the highwall [snip] I can't speak to the quality of Starcraft, but I can tell you that my Jayco 1206 is about as durable as a cheap toy. Don't bump into anything or it will break. The shower is unusable because from the very first shower, the water leaks and under the knee-wall and floods the camper, smelling like mildew. The tent seams leaked early in the game. Handles on drawers, the fire extinguisher strap, the slide-out bed rollers, the air conditioning switch, the outdoor shower, the hot water heater: broken, broken, broken, .... well, you get the picture. I wasn't expecting a rolls-Royce, but for $14,000 I expected a little more quality. Yeah, I know I can keep fixing and spending, but I might as well have purchased a cardboard camper. Just my two cents, or is that $14K? >> The wife and I have been looking at pop-ups. We both like the highwall > [snip] [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > cardboard camper. > Just my two cents, or is that $14K? > I had the 23' Kiwi hybrid...It was just built too cheaply, eve the step was merely bolted to the floor and sagged in less than two years. I sold it and went with a Rockwood pop-up...much better... john We have a dealer that carries Rockwood pop-ups but he had a very small selection. The day I stopped in, he was quite busy so I only had a short time to speak with him. I prompted but he didn't offer any comments about the construction quality of Rockwood campers. I have noticed on the Forest River web site that some models show specific design/build differences to other un-named brands. > I had the 23' Kiwi hybrid...It was just built too cheaply, eve the step > was merely bolted to the floor and sagged in less than two years. > > I sold it and went with a Rockwood pop-up...much better... > > john > We have a dealer that carries Rockwood pop-ups but he had a very small > selection. The day I stopped in, he was quite busy so I only had a short > time to speak with him. I prompted but he didn't offer any comments about > the construction quality of Rockwood campers. I have noticed on the Forest > River web site that some models show specific design/build differences to > other un-named brands. Every brand tries to claim they're better than the others. I looked at Rockwoods and compared to Starcraft they were cheaply made inside and out. Simple things like the brand of light fixtures seemed cheap. Look up opinions of Forest River in general from owners on RV.NET forums. They're not good. However, that said owners of the Rockwood Roo Hybrids have been rather positive. When I was looking at Hybrids owners reviews seem to rank Starcraft and Jayco as the top choices for quality and their ease of warranty claims without an argument. I have a Starcraft now and my brother has a Jayco. We're both very happy with our purchases. Ooohhhh.... that sounds like a string of bad luck. I'll have to pay special attention to how these items are designed between manufacturers before I make a final leap. >> The wife and I have been looking at pop-ups. We both like the highwall > [snip] [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > cardboard camper. > Just my two cents, or is that $14K? > Ooohhhh.... that sounds like a string of bad luck. I'll have to pay special > attention to how these items are designed between manufacturers before I > make a final leap. Just remember: Even the BEST popup is cheaply made. When it comes to travel trailers, a folding trailer is the entry level of entry level towables. Cheap is to be expected. As with everything else, maintenance is important. Starcraft and Jayco and, perhaps to a modestly-lesser degree, Fleetwood, are considered "top-of-the-line". That, of course, is somewhat of an oxymoron given my previous [entry level] claim. A reputable, conveniently located dealership is probably more important than BRAND. Your S10 should be able to adequately tow just about anything, pop-up-wise, you'll get. Good luck.  Signature:) JR 2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000 |
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