Grand Design Solitude vs Jayco North Point?

[StuartS]

Grand Design Solitude vs Jayco North Point.
asking for a friend that is in the market for a 35'-37' 1st 5er...
What can you tell me about these 2 5ers?

[Alpine36]

I can say, without hesitation, the last two new Jayco products (2018 and 2019) bought by people we know no longer own them.

[StuartS]

Originally Posted by Alpine36

I can say, without hesitation, the last two new Jayco products (2018 and 2019) bought by people we know no longer own them.

What were they?
Were they 5th North Point 5th wheels?

[JDT]

I would say the Jayco Pinnacle is a closer match for the Solitude. The North Point is a step below the Pinnacle. Our Pinnacle has been almost flawless after 40 nights and about 3K miles. The 32RLTS is a perfect size for 2 people in my opinion. We considered the Solitude but liked some of the features and trim work better on the Pinnacle. We may just be lucky with the lack of issues but I think that is a factor in almost any rv you buy.

[Toby Dog]

Jayco is no longer the company that their reputation is based on. Like all other RVs now quality is a crap shoot. I'd like to see Federal/State laws governing the industry but that's wishful thinking.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by Toby Dog

Jayco is no longer the company that their reputation is based on. Like all other RVs now quality is a crap shoot. I'd like to see Federal/State laws governing the industry but that's wishful thinking.

Any Fed/State regulations would only add to the cost of building the RV which would then get passed on to the consumer. Besides, any regulations would be a one size to fit all and that just don't work. Let the consumer decide what they want to buy, not some government regulation!!

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Any Fed/State regulations would only add to the cost of building the RV which would then get passed on to the consumer. Besides, any regulations would be a one size to fit all and that just don't work. Let the consumer decide what they want to buy, not some government regulation!!

Thats exactly what makes manufactures happy. There's no need to raise the bar any higher as of now they don't have to build the perfect RV since the "If they build it they will come" philosophy is working out just fine.

Grand Design is a great example of not reinventing the wheel while becoming a big player rapidly in the RV market. They new they couldn't or didn't have to make anything QC better, so they went the other route and created a new way of running the CS end. Instead of saying we are building the best, they are saying we're building them the same as everyone else but when you have problems, we're there for you.

Due to the way the RV world is structured there's no support when a dealer goes under. Unlike buying a truck and your local dealer goes under you can go to the next nearest dealer and get brand service.

I think most people would be willing to pay a little more for an RV that would come with a standard 3 year warranty and controlled construction requirements. I'd gladly pay $1000 more to not have to go through what I have with my trailer.
I know I would.

[grindstone01]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

I think most people would be willing to pay a little more for an RV that would come with a standard 3 year warranty and controlled construction requirements. I'd gladly pay $1000 more to not have to go through what I have with my trailer.
I know I would.

I think your estimate of a $1000 increase is way too low for a 3 year warranty and RV build standards. Look what happened in the auto industry, regulations doubled the price of vehicles in the 80's (fuel/safety). For example, RV regulations would not stop at just a frame weld standard, there could be endless regulation potiential. Even a warranty regulation could require RV manufactures to keep a 10 year availability of OEM parts for each model, like what is required for auto manufactures. Can you imagine the added expense for a RV manufacture to store parts for up to 10 years in their warehouse for each model they produce? This is what the auto manufactures have been forced to do under regulations.
Also, RV dealers being the responsibility of the RV manufactures would change the RV world greatly. RV manufactures would then be forced into a dealer network ownership, which would be very expensive.

I still say, let the consumer decide, if there is a demand for a high quality RV, then manufactures will build them, but they are going to be expensive.