Solitude vs. Pinnacle

[Ulspeed]

I've narrowed it down for our next RV, either a Grand Design Solitude or a Jayco Pinnacle. We're fulltiming it and going for under 36'. Any opinions on which is the nicer 5'er between the 2?

[psmiller]

Our friends have a 2014 Jayco Pinnacle (OP) and have been quite happy with it. They tow it with a 06 F350 dually...nice trailer and nice rig.
Can speak for the Solitude as I an unfamiliar with it.

[tuffr2]

I would pick the Jayco Pinnacle hands down. They are very nice with all the features possible.

Grand Design was bought by Winnebago which is not bad but the Pinnacle is a top of the line 5 th wheel.

[Cumminsfan]

Check out the sidewall crack issues on Jayco

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...tup-63985.html

[Ulspeed]

That's what I'm thinking, I'm getting the impression that build quality is higher.

[Fiesta48]

Jayco is one of 3 manufacturers I would not buy from. Hands down a Grand Designs are the most popular, best built trailers and fivers built today. We have a 28'. You will not find anyone that bought one talk bad about them. They also have the best after sale factory response team.
Get more info before buying.

[Ulspeed]

Thanks for sharing the info on Jayco, I'm still learning the ropes on that company, as well as Grand Design.

[Tdave]

1) the equivalent to Solitude in the Jayco line is North Point, Pinnacle is a higher finish than Solitude. Not apples to apples.

2) the sidewall cracking mentioned above plagues all front slide mid tier 5th wheel manufacturers, not just Jayco. Keystone has the same issue, as does Grand Design.

[JDT]

We went thru the same thing last year. We narrowed it down to our Pinnacle and the Solitude which was a 310GK if I remember correctly. Very similar in many respects but we felt the interior of the Pinnacle was a bit nicer. I also liked that Jayco uses Dexter axles with the MorRyde LRE4000 suspension system. They also use Goodyear Endurance tires which are made in Alabama. The ride with ours is very smooth. Jayco also has a 2 year warranty vs 1 year for the Solitude.

The only issue we have had is a non operating a/c from day one which was immediately replaced and an adjustment of the kitchen slide. We've not had any signs of the sidewall cracking issue around the bedroom slide. My understanding is Jayco addressed the issue with the 2020 models.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by Tdave

1) the equivalent to Solitude in the Jayco line is North Point, Pinnacle is a higher finish than Solitude. Not apples to apples.

2) the sidewall cracking mentioned above plagues all front slide mid tier 5th wheel manufacturers, not just Jayco. Keystone has the same issue, as does Grand Design.

And they all use Lippert frames.

Ken

[Tdave]

Originally Posted by JDT

My understanding is Jayco addressed the issue with the 2020 models.

Mid year 2020 they added an expansion joint below the front edge of the front slide. Whether or not that relieves the stress that causes the crack remains to be seen, as other manufacturers have that joint and still get the cracking.

My opinion is that air cushioned pin boxes and hitches go a long way to preventing the cracking, as it relieves some of the tugging forces on the front lateral frame member. The increasingly poor conditions of our roads in this country seem to correlate with the increase in crack reports.

[JDT]

Originally Posted by Tdave

Mid year 2020 they added an expansion joint below the front edge of the front slide. Whether or not that relieves the stress that causes the crack remains to be seen, as other manufacturers have that joint and still get the cracking.

My opinion is that air cushioned pin boxes and hitches go a long way to preventing the cracking, as it relieves some of the tugging forces on the front lateral frame member. The increasingly poor conditions of our roads in this country seem to correlate with the increase in crack reports.

We use a Reese Goose Box which has 2 shock absorbers and an air bag. It rides really well so maybe that will help keep the cracks at bay. So far so good.

[Tdave]

Originally Posted by JDT

We use a Reese Goose Box which has 2 shock absorbers and an air bag. It rides really well so maybe that will help keep the cracks at bay. So far so good.

Ditto, us too. 15k miles and the only time a crack started on my rig was when I over filled the airbag (ride was harsh, too). Developed one about 1/4” long there during that tow.

Since then, about 5k miles ago, I’ve been running 40psi regularly in the airbag and the crack has not grown.

I think the dual pivot action of the goose box also helps. It pivots on the ball and where the airbag assembly pin is.

[sellis1053]

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

Jayco is one of 3 manufacturers I would not buy from. Hands down a Grand Designs are the most popular, best built trailers and fivers built today. We have a 28'. You will not find anyone that bought one talk bad about them. They also have the best after sale factory response team.
Get more info before buying.

If you research Grand Design owners, you'll find plenty that complain about them, just like other brands.