Community Forums

repoman · 02-17-2015, 04:02 PM

Trying to decide on a new 2015 5th wheel. What's better, Montana or Jayco ? Major investment, and want to make sure. Opinions appreciated.

computernerd · 02-17-2015, 04:16 PM

First of all Jayco is a manufacturer and Montana is a Fifth wheel model. So that's like comparing an Impala to a Ford.
Narrow the field based on your budget, what you can tow safely and legally with your tow vehicle (TV), what floor plans, features and options interest you. I recommend going to an RV show. That way you can see the different manufacturers and models first hand. Also look through RVtrader.com. Some of the bigger manufacturers are Forest River, Heartland, Keystone, and Jayco. There are more, but you can start there.

Do your research. Join some rv owners groups online. The more you know, the happier you'll be with your choice and you will be less likely to wind up with a rig you hate.

repoman · 02-17-2015, 04:29 PM

I do realize that. Let me be more specific. Looking specifically at the Jayco Pinnacle and the Montana High Country. Both are 33 to 34 feet long. Weight is not an issue. My tow vehicle is more than able to accomplish this. Already been to the RV show in Tampa, FL. This is 2 two MANUFACTURERS we have decided on. Thanks for your input anyways.

halfwright · 02-17-2015, 04:37 PM

We have been full time in a 2007 Keystone Montana Mountaineer for 3 years and have had one problem that was not self-inflicted. The window in the hallway going to the bedroom shattered. I do not know what caused it.I have no experience with Jayco. I would buy another Mountaineer in a minute. There is a Montana owners forum, but, as you would expect, it is mostly people griping about the problems. No one ever praises an RV.

repoman · 02-17-2015, 04:44 PM

I guess there is no real true answer to this. Depending on who you ask. Some say Keystone is better than Jayco, while others say just the opposite. Kind of like the GM / Ford / Dodge debate. Just trying to ask everyone's thoughts !!

suiteowner · 02-17-2015, 04:54 PM

Look at frames suspensions and tires and wheels 1st and above all else...And then make your mind up what to buy...There is some very poor quality 5th wheel RVs being manufactured today...

suprdave1958 · 02-17-2015, 05:04 PM

Wise words suiteowner, and computernerd is right on about doing your research. When you start looking at some of these new 5th wheels, its like love at first site. Lots of eye candy out there right now. Budget is a huge deciding factor, but you can get some great deals on higher quality 5th wheels. Personally, from what I know now vs what I knew 3-4 years ago...I would take the Evergreen Bay Hill, the Forest River Cardinal or Cedar Creek, or the Redwood (Crossroads) over the Keystone Montana or Jayco Pinnacle. I researched, and visited shows for over 2 years looking at everything made, then I researched the base construction, MEP's of each unit, and many forums from owners with the complaints. Some manufacturers try to crank up production so much that their QC really goes down hill. Keystone, Jayco, Prime Time, and Heartland have fallen in that category many times. So like you've already read on here...do your homework so YOU can get the peace of mind you need to buy whatever you choose. If you want to spend a little more $$$, then look at the DRV's (kind of overated), Augusta Luxe, and Lifestyle. Actually the Lifestyle is more affordable than the DRV or Luxe....there you go!

mhs4771 · 02-17-2015, 06:30 PM

I will offer this: Jayco is still using a 10" I Beam main frame with an 8" drop frame, while Montana and almost all others in that price range have switched to a 12" I Beam with a 10" drop. I don't know what Jayco knows that the others don't that they've stayed with the 10"

Ranger Smith · 02-17-2015, 06:35 PM

We had a Montana and now a Jayco Pinnacle. We found the fit and finish to be nicer on the Jayco. The polar pack is awesome. We camped and are now camping in this cold front and we are nice and toasty inside. Getting ready though to go back to a Winnebago Motorhome because the wife likes a class A over the 5th wheel. Can just stop in a rest area and alll ammenities are there. Fire up genny make coffee etc. Jayco will be teaded in a couple weeks.

Rick03HD · 02-18-2015, 12:12 PM

I looked and researched for a solid year. I wound up ordering a Cedar Creek. The Jayco Pinnacle was a close 2nd. I just liked the construction methods better on the Cedar Creek
The regular Montana was 4th on my list. I am sure any that you like will be ok. We ruled out any units by Heartland because of de lamination issues.

C.B. · 02-19-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick03HD

I looked and researched for a solid year. I wound up ordering a Cedar Creek. The Jayco Pinnacle was a close 2nd. I just liked the construction methods better on the Cedar Creek
The regular Montana was 4th on my list. I am sure any that you like will be ok. We ruled out any units by Heartland because of de lamination issues.

X-2on the CC

gebills · 02-19-2015, 10:47 AM

Morning Repoman; sounds like most of your thoughts are already processed on what you plan to buy. We were a little discouraged with the Big Horn we previously owned and started looking at other RV brands last fall. Looked over the new Heartlands, Keystones and Jayco's. We found the same issues behind the walls (i.e. how the manufacturers routed wiring, plumbing, exhausts, TV cables, etc. etc,) and finally gave up the ghost and started looking at the Mobile Suites, Redwood and Dynamax Trilogy. Looked briefly at motor homes but decided we had more usable space in the 5'er and didn't really want to drive a bus oriented rig. We finally settled with the Trilogy, mostly due to floor plan desires/needs. Also had to get a bigger TV as well. The SRW 3500 Ram was borderline for towing the Big Horn but certainly wasn't up to towing the 19,000+ gross weight Trilogy. So, we're pretty deep in our new rig but happy that we didn't settle for the poor workmanship that we experienced on some of the other RV's. Attend some shows, and watch your weights carefully. Good luck with your decisions.

1960C182 · 02-19-2015, 11:26 AM

We have the Jayco Eagle 321RLTS which is as big but not as heavy as the some of the Pinnacles.we are very happy with Jayco.
what is a great thing about Jayco is the TWO year warranty vs one yr on most other brands out there.Would buy another if we wanted a bigger.
Also get the Polar package,its worth the extra.

Rob_Fla · 02-21-2015, 05:28 AM

We have never owned a Montana or any Keystone Brand but we have had two Jayco's.
We had a Jayco Eagle 5th Wheel and a Jayco Pinnacle 5th Wheel, both very good 5th Wheels that served us well with only minor issues.
Jayco is one of the few manufactures in the mid range that still provides an two year warranty.
We fulltimed in our Jayco Pinnacle for almost 3 years traveling Coast to Coast, it was a nice, solid, mostly trouble free unit.
The few issues we had with our Pinnacle, Jayco took care of quickly.