|
01-09-2019, 10:20 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 16
|
Narrowing the search: BayStar vs Precept
Hello all and Happy New Year
Thank you for the welcomes and advise on our "Norcal Newbies" post.
We have been actively investigating and driving various makes and models and have decided that class A is the way to go for us (most comfortable driving for us, and we like the roominess).
We are looking to stay 30' or under at this stag of our adventure however. This is based mostly on rumors that we have heard about many state parks not allowing larger units into the smaller parks (and that size feels the most comfortable to us).
We have test driven 27-31' Winnebagos, 26 and 29' Entegras, Newmars 32' BayStar Sport and a 32' BayStar. Our favorite test drive so far has been in a 30' Bay Star.
We are thinking of purchasing a 3014 model Bay Star, but are also looking at a 29V Jayco Precept. I havent driven the Jayco yet but am hoping to this week. If it handles nearly as well as the BayStar, I think that may be our purchase. I'm not expecting the same cabinet quality as the Newmar, but we do like the warranty (2 yr) and all the extras the Jayco offers for about the same floor plan (outdoor kitchen and entertainment for example) at a more entry level price.
Any thoughts or insights you motor homing veterans may have are always welcome. We hope to see you on the trails out there by this spring/summer.
Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
01-09-2019, 11:09 AM
|
#2
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
|
Good luck on your search and welcome to the RV world. I would say that floor plan and use ability for how you expect to travel are the most important followed very closely by the build quality. We have a 3124 Bay Star (32’)and National and State Parks are not an issue anyplace we wanted to go. Mine is a 2018 and already has 17000 miles since Feb 2018.
I would check the tire/chassis size. The Bau Star is on a larger and heavier than Precept I think. Also the bay doors on Bay Star open bigger and it sits higher so some bays have room on top that goes all the way through to other side. Nice for patio rugs, ladders, fishing poles and inflatable toys etc. Newmar builds them like a house...16” centers, insulated like a house and plumed like a house then exterior side walls are attached so no sandwich wall under pressure.
I’m a fan of Newmar but have 8 different motorhomes including 2 pushers so I tend to look at the little stuff and have been happy with this brand.
|
|
|
01-09-2019, 07:05 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 143
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kdstarman
Hello all and Happy New Year
Thank you for the welcomes and advise on our "Norcal Newbies" post.
We have been actively investigating and driving various makes and models and have decided that class A is the way to go for us (most comfortable driving for us, and we like the roominess).
We are looking to stay 30' or under at this stag of our adventure however. This is based mostly on rumors that we have heard about many state parks not allowing larger units into the smaller parks (and that size feels the most comfortable to us).
We have test driven 27-31' Winnebagos, 26 and 29' Entegras, Newmars 32' BayStar Sport and a 32' BayStar. Our favorite test drive so far has been in a 30' Bay Star.
We are thinking of purchasing a 3014 model Bay Star, but are also looking at a 29V Jayco Precept. I havent driven the Jayco yet but am hoping to this week. If it handles nearly as well as the BayStar, I think that may be our purchase. I'm not expecting the same cabinet quality as the Newmar, but we do like the warranty (2 yr) and all the extras the Jayco offers for about the same floor plan (outdoor kitchen and entertainment for example) at a more entry level price.
Any thoughts or insights you motor homing veterans may have are always welcome. We hope to see you on the trails out there by this spring/summer.
Thanks again!
|
Why do you think Jayco offers a 2+ yr. warranty? Maybe because they need it. VERY FEW Newmar owners EVER regret buying Newmar quality. The people that built my Baystar, are the same people that build the much higher end diesel units. They stand behind their quality. I would ask more questions.
Good luck with your decision.
|
|
|
01-09-2019, 09:52 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 54
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by STORMY 1
Why do you think Jayco offers a 2+ yr. warranty? Maybe because they need it. VERY FEW Newmar owners EVER regret buying Newmar quality. The people that built my Baystar, are the same people that build the much higher end diesel units. They stand behind their quality. I would ask more questions.
Good luck with your decision.
|
Excellent point, totally agreed.
|
|
|
01-09-2019, 10:31 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 370
|
Warranty and jayco precept
Quote:
Originally Posted by STORMY 1
Why do you think Jayco offers a 2+ yr. warranty? Maybe because they need it. VERY FEW Newmar owners EVER regret buying Newmar quality. The people that built my Baystar, are the same people that build the much higher end diesel units. They stand behind their quality. I would ask more questions.
Good luck with your decision.
|
Well the comment on the warranty offered by jayco is short sighted imho. Yes i own a 2016 Precept 31ul. I have only had a few MINOR issues at the beginning. The worst item on our check list was a broken generator exhaust pipe bracket which certainly is minor.
Recently we looked at some new units both Jayco and Newmar gas coaches. Didnt look too much at Bay Star or Bay Star Sport but Canyon Star models as well as bigger Precept models. As many others have said floorplan is the most critical. I felt the units we looked at had less internal storage space inside the coach. Maybe it just appeated that way and maybe Newmar has more storage inside but it wasnt apparent.
The Precept DOES have pass thru basement storage in the basement in front of the rear axle. Depending on length of Precept coach they are built on 22500 chassis or larger.
The OP mention the 29 v Precept. I personally would look at tge 31uL . Exterior deminsions almost the same but the one thing about the 31uL that everyone whoever visits our coach is how roomy the living area is with the 2 OPPOSING SLIDES up front. It really gives you a nice area .
We got lucky we got the rv we did as we never owned a rv before. Been very happy with it. In 3 summer seasons (along with living in FL and doing some long weekends in the winter months) we put on 23k miles. Been to maine 3 times midwest once across the southern states we have been very happy. I know Newmar is a good product but do not scoff at another brand because of their warranty.
Good luck in your chosing a rv
.
|
|
|
01-10-2019, 08:29 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Full Timing From SW Florida
Posts: 1,950
|
A few years ago we were shopping for a class A gas. One of the ones we drove was a new Jayco Precept. Out of all the test drives it was the worse. Not sure why but you had to really concentrate and fight the wheel to keep it in your lane, and that was of course empty.
I'll be curious what you think after your test drive.
__________________
Stand For The Flag.....Kneel For The Fallen
Gave Up Full Time RV Traveling 2023.
U.S. Army: VN 71-72 (64B20)
|
|
|
01-10-2019, 10:31 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 479
|
my brother in law worked for camping world and came home at lunch really upset because the morning was spent drilling a hole in the grey water tank of a jayco, because it was delivered WITHOUT a drain and outlet. just saying.
|
|
|
01-10-2019, 11:19 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Ridgeville, OH
Posts: 2,455
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FLJOE
A few years ago we were shopping for a class A gas. One of the ones we drove was a new Jayco Precept. Out of all the test drives it was the worse. Not sure why but you had to really concentrate and fight the wheel to keep it in your lane, and that was of course empty.
I'll be curious what you think after your test drive.
|
Prior to purchasing our Bay Star, my research on Jayco motorhomes led to quite a few discussions re poor handling of the 29' models. Owners of 32' or longer models didn't report nearly as many problems. As with most gas motorhomes, there is always discussions re improving handling. But from what I read, I wouldn't own a 29' Jayco MH unless I tested it extensively and was very, very confident that there wasn't a problem.
I also suggest that if considering a gas motorhome, you check out the information on this link:
https://axleaddict.com/rvs/Why-RV-Wh...o-Is-Important
The formula discussed is certainly not the only consideration, but can be useful. Handling of the F53 chassis certainly seems to benefit from a variety of mods i.e. CHF, tracking bars, Summo springs, etc.
__________________
Retired but busier than ever!
2012 Newmar Bay Star 3302
5 Star Tune, SumoSprings, Roadmaster Steering Stabilizer, Blue Ox Avail
Brake Buddy, 2015 Chevy Malibu
|
|
|
01-13-2019, 06:36 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Full Timing From SW Florida
Posts: 1,950
|
We ended up with a Challenger 37GT with the F53 chassis. Even though it drove better than most of the gas coaches we test drove it still drove like an overloaded bread truck. We did the CHF, had the front end aligned, and Sumos installed. It did okay after that.
__________________
Stand For The Flag.....Kneel For The Fallen
Gave Up Full Time RV Traveling 2023.
U.S. Army: VN 71-72 (64B20)
|
|
|
01-13-2019, 11:14 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,434
|
Personally, I don't think the Jayco compares favorably with the Bay Star. Thor vs. Newmar? No contest. Bay Stars are on bigger chassis, have more cargo capacity (all the storage space in the world doesn't matter if you can't use it). It's been a couple of years since we've looked at a Precept but we weren't impressed. Limited and poor floor plans, inferior quality and materials, smaller chassis and tires, less cargo capacity. etc.
In short, all class A's aren't created equal. It's the things you can't see. Everyone makes a good looking coach. But not everyone pays attention to the details like insulation, chassis selection, livability, materials, workman ship, etc. Plus Newmar's customer service is second to none. You're Bay Star may not be perfect but they will take care of you, even beyond your stated warranty period. You won't regret going with the Bay Star and Newmar. We don't.
__________________
2018 Newmar Bay Star 3113 - "Chewie"
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon - "Battle Born"
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|