Community Forums

EastTexan · 02-21-2016, 08:57 AM

Well after 3 months of looking we've narrowed our choices down to a OR 3X 427 and Jayco North Point 375. We are leaning toward the 3X and I'm just trying to get an idea of their quality being somewhat of a newer model. Any info good or bad would be appreciated. Thanks -Arthur-

wingnut60 · 02-21-2016, 10:55 AM

Aren't Open Ranges now made by Jayco?

EastTexan · 02-21-2016, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Aren't Open Ranges now made by Jayco?

Highland Ridge is owned by Jayco, but still completely separate. Not much info on OR frames? I know Jayco uses true one piece I-beams and builds their own frames. They also 0*/100* test their RV's the longer at 8hrs vs Open Range's 5hr. Test.

wingnut60 · 02-21-2016, 12:08 PM

Are you saying that they test each trailer at 0 degrees up to 100 degrees?

glennwest · 02-21-2016, 02:11 PM

When I looked at them a couple of years ago they had 10" chassis on a 40+ footer. We passed because of this.

dcarver · 02-21-2016, 06:38 PM

So at the Houston Rv show I talked to a OR rep and asked about the frame. They use a 10" but the slides do not have the motor and hydraulic arm going through the frame. So there's no holes in the frame and this allows them to have a 10inch frame that is more structurally sound. He also mentioned the front cap is bonded to the sides in a way that will in no way allow for water penetration. Im looking between the OR and the Grand design for my 1st 5th wheel.

glennwest · 02-22-2016, 09:59 AM

Still a lightweight 10" frame. We heard their sales pitch also. They are less money than others. That says tons.

EastTexan · 02-22-2016, 12:03 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

Well after finally getting on the OR forum I found they use a loppers frame, and experience frame cracking. The latest I found was into the 2015's. Jayco uses a one piece structural I-beam, and seems to have a better customer service record. If we could find a better built unit in a bunkhouse we would love to check it out. The Big Country(12" frame) has a new mid sofa/loft floorplan but it doesn't work for us. Any other models we might be overlooking?

justafordguy · 02-22-2016, 12:45 PM

What items do you need on your bunkhouse? We love our Gateway 3650bh, it has a 12" frame, laminated floors with aluminum joists not wood, 5" metal roof trusses, not wood, very good insulation ratings and 5 hydraulic slides. There are several different bunkhouse floor plans.

Namlehse · 02-22-2016, 01:40 PM

We didn't want a full on bunkhouse. To us, it's wasted space if you don't have a boy scout troop with you. We went with the Solitude 365DEN. Has a second bathroom which my wife wanted, while also giving you a full room that has two fold out beds. We also found most bunkhouse beds aren't very adult friendly, so it makes bringing friends/family along more difficult.

We got ours really cheap. 90k MSRP, we paid less than 60. They're hard to find however, as it's dealer stock only.

We also liked the 376FBH, however I wasn't liking some of the things I read on the OR forum as well. It also wasn't a whole lot less for the options it doesn't have.

Solitude Fifth-Wheel 365DEN Gallery | Grand Design RV

EastTexan · 02-22-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justafordguy

What items do you need on your bunkhouse? We love our Gateway 3650bh, it has a 12" frame, laminated floors with aluminum joists not wood, 5" metal roof trusses, not wood, very good insulation ratings and 5 hydraulic slides. There are several different bunkhouse floor plans.

We looked at the same Gateway and a Elkridge. I know the ER has a 10" frame and seeing the GW in the same class I assumed it was the same since I couldn't find the info on their site. Plus I didn't see an option for the (22' or 23') residential fridge? Food storage is a must for our crew.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Namlehse

We didn't want a full on bunkhouse. To us, it's wasted space if you don't have a boy scout troop with you. We went with the Solitude 365DEN. Has a second bathroom which my wife wanted, while also giving you a full room that has two fold out beds. We also found most bunkhouse beds aren't very adult friendly, so it makes bringing friends/family along more difficult.

We got ours really cheap. 90k MSRP, we paid less than 60. They're hard to find however, as it's dealer stock only.

We also liked the 376FBH, however I wasn't liking some of the things I read on the OR forum as well. It also wasn't a whole lot less for the options it doesn't have.

Solitude Fifth-Wheel 365DEN Gallery | Grand Design RV

We almost have a troop with 4 kids lol.

topcat69 · 02-24-2016, 07:52 AM

We have a mesa ridge 337rls, I like the wide body, cable slides, (lighter weigh) search for highland ridge on YOUTUBE, nice video on manufacturer.

bfast54 · 02-26-2016, 09:46 PM

To clear up misconceptions open range is not owned by Jayco // Jayco gave them a cash infusion ...So they could do an expansion-- I recently did a tour of their line and spoke to them specifically regarding this.

That is their answer from one of the big wigs.

I was impressed with many of the things I saw on the tour.

Cumminsfan · 02-27-2016, 02:49 PM

That's why they're called Highland Ridge now. Open Range is just one model of their line up. But really it's not much different than asking about a Montana 5th wheel, which is made by Forest River which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
Berkshire Hathaway probably has no more input into Forest River than Jayco does into Highland Ridge. I'm sure Jayco probably wants to see Highland Ridge do well, but it's probably pretty slim that Jayco is hanging around HR telling them how to build trailers.