Community Forums

devildog305 · 01-09-2018, 08:54 AM

Hello All!

New to the forum but not entirely new to RV'ing.

My question to y'all is :

Which brand and/or model would you guys suggest between the Keystone Outback 266RB and Jayco Whitehawk 27RB?

Both are similar and both have rear bath, just curious to know which one is "better"? better warranty, better materials, etc.

Please feel free to chime in!!!!

SkiSmuggs · 01-09-2018, 09:11 AM

If different RV sellers, I'd get the one with the best service department and reputation.

devildog305 · 01-09-2018, 09:26 AM

I know everyone says find which lay out is best for you ... blah blah blah...

but I want real honest opinions here regarding which is better and why? (obviously personal opinions).

FYI I am leaning towards the jayco whitehawk 27RB in this case HOWEVER the keystone outback 266RB is grwoing on me with the auto leveling feature (but does one really need this?)

Scarab0088 · 01-09-2018, 09:57 AM

Both brands are subsidiaries of Thor Industries, so these companies were attractive enough for Thor to acquire.
https://www.thorindustries.com/get-t...the-companies/

And the financial backing of Thor means the companies are at no risk for the long term.

Finally, Thor does not micro-manage their subsidiaries, so no worry about the RV's being just duplicates.

A quick look seems to show these two models are very close for build and materials...laminate welded metal frame walls and roof, fiberglass exterior, tandem axle...but check that to be sure.

So, don't want to sound cliche' but pick the one that you like best...floor plan is paramount.
And auto-leveling (7 point Level-Up on the Keystone) cannot be overvalued. Just spend a night sleeping off center, or an afternoon trying to level with blocks and you will see.

Best luck

We are not affiliated.

JLWoodward · 01-09-2018, 10:27 AM

Or trying to level in the rain and mud as you watch the neighbor pull in and press a button [emoji481]

devildog305 · 01-09-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLWoodward

Or trying to level in the rain and mud as you watch the neighbor pull in and press a button [emoji481]

Great point!!!

schrederman · 01-09-2018, 11:01 AM

I've never owned a Keystone product... but I have a very good friend that had one for the same amount of time I owned my Surveyor (Forest River product). I worked on his much more than I worked on mine... yes he's that good of a friend... When he got his Jayco that has slowed tremendously, and helped me decide when I traded up. From that experience I'll never own anything Keystone makes. Both of our trailers have been solid values.

Sudsy · 01-09-2018, 02:58 PM

I have had three Travel Trailers. 2 Forest River Rockwood's and I started with a Starcraft 31FKS. The Starcraft failed when the side de-laminated after the rubber roof was cut by a falling branch (I guess). The insurance totaled the camper. It was only 4 years old and a very nice camper. 100th Anniversary edition. That got me watching smooth sided campers and I see a lot of it. In Myrtle Beach this year I just drove around one of the large campgrounds and looked for de-lamination. I also saw a lot of failing fiberglass nosecones(?) on fifth Wheelers that are almost bare of gel-coat. So we took the kids shopping for their second Travel Trailer and bought a Jayco with aluminum siding. It can be repaired if there is a problem.

Sudsy

N Vee · 01-09-2018, 05:09 PM

I am zero help here, I have a 99 Jayco and my friend has a 11 Keystone. I think both are top notch. Does it come down to dry weight or storage spaces?

Cumminsfan · 01-09-2018, 05:31 PM

Cougar floor plan is nicer IMO. Jaycos 2 yr warranty is nice. You take your chances I guess.

Sudsy · 01-09-2018, 05:47 PM

It's just the two of us so I have always had a Front Kitchen floor plan. I also like the fact that the bathroom on all of my TTs were full width of the camper and had corner Garden Tubs. Larger than my current Motor home bathroom. The systems location is also something to keep in mind. The furnace in the last Rockwood was under the bedside stand and the water heater was on the other side of the bed. A little noisy if the heater was on but we use electric heaters mostly. The water Heater probably made the bedroom a little warmer in the summer.

Just things to think about.

Sudsy

Dropthejacks · 01-09-2018, 07:07 PM

We looked at both and we bought an Outback. It seemed the fit, finish and furnishings were better on the Outback. We haven't had any issues since our purchase last summer. I would recommend the Outback over the Whitehawk.

1361 · 01-09-2018, 08:28 PM

I'm not a fan of Keystones. Their model shows it holds more freshwater and has a larger black water tank. Both important features for me. Leveling out isn't that difficult. Anderson levelers are quick and work great. The real benefit would be stabilizing that large of a trailer. That 7 point system might really help here. But I have no experience with it. I have found my rear bath and black tank really change the way my trailer handles coming come. It's more difficult to get weight onto the front of the trailer with less fresh water and full black water. But both designs will have this same issue.

What ever you choose, have fun with it...

Sudsy · 01-09-2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1361

It's more difficult to get weight onto the front of the trailer with less fresh water and full black water. But both designs will have this same issue.

What ever you choose, have fun with it...

Tank location is pretty important too if you have to travel with contents. I usually ran the trailers with just enough water in the fresh tank to flush the toilet if needed on the road. I do about the same with the MH. I don't boon-dock but have. I like RC airplanes and have been to a couple meets with a TT but not with the MH. But for towing weight I would think you would dump before leaving.

Sudsy