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Old 04-06-2021, 07:27 PM   #1
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Forest River Sunseeker/Forester vs Entegra Esteem

In my C search and research there are certain ones that pique our interest. On the E-450 chassis the FR Sunseeker/Forester Classic 3010DS and an Entegra Esteem 29V. As stated both on the E-450 chassis and nearly identical floor plans. Basic similar construction as best I can tell. MDF cabinet framing, porcelain toilets, simulated solid surface counters, RV queen beds, 2 slides each, split bath features, etc. Similar options such as body paint, theater seating IPO couch. basic solar setup. The Forest River has the 10.7 cuft 12V fridge as standard and the Entegra has the 8cuft gas/electric with an optional 12cuft. gas/electric. Both fiberglass roofs. Optioned out FR around $130K, Esteem $150K

Anyone else done some research between these 2. Is there 20K improvement in the house part on the Esteem over the Sunseeker/Forester? Any subjective or objective comments appreciated.
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Old 04-07-2021, 06:27 AM   #2
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I bought a 2019 Esteem 29V 2 years ago. A big factor for me was the 2 year warranty and the J Ride suspension improvements to the E450 chassis. Also in 2019 Full Body Paint was standard on the Esteem. No regrets so far.
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Old 04-07-2021, 07:30 AM   #3
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Forest River Sunseeker/Forester vs Entegra Esteem

What he said ^^^^.

Check into the Entegra Esteems sister brand, Jayco Greyhawk 29MV and the 29 MVP. Both made on the same line. The MVP is the Prestige model which includes solid countertops, slam latch storage, large bunk window/power shade, bunk has a 750 pound capacity, exterior tv and upgraded interior trim. It is also available in full body paint. The Forest River has an easier to see main tv in the living space but cabinets (big, big difference in quality), upholstery and hardware are much higher quality in the Jayco and Esteem over the Forest River. As an example, the hardware in the forest river actually has sharp edges. There is a whole slew of new standard features for the 2022 models (Jayco and Entegra) such as smart TV, new interior colors, netting for the bunk area, 190 watt solar panel on the roof, second air conditioner energy management option so you can run both at the same time etc. there’s more that I’m forgetting.

The floor plans are all similar but storage is different. The Forest River has pretty much the same exterior storage but the rear storage has a very short, maybe 6-7” pass through from side to side which is part of the larger rear storage areas. This results in an interior step up from the living space to the rear bedroom in the Forest River products. Great area for fishing poles or small ladder but still requires that step up.

On the Jayco-Entegra brands the larger refrigerator option will mean that you loose a large amount of kitchen pantry storage. The shower is also larger in Jayco-Entegra and the dinette is smaller vs a “U” shaped dinette in the Forester. In the Jayco-Entegra there is better access and more room around the bed.

When we were looking I was concerned with the Forest River build quality. Also didn’t like their use of spray foam under the chassis to makeup for their poor fit and finish.

We decided that there was enough difference in quality throughout the unit and things we liked better that we ordered a Jayco Greyhawk Prestige, 29MVP in full body paint instead of the Forester. So yes we thought the additional cost was worth it. This is our 5th and last RV. [emoji16]

If I remember or find the new 2022 standard features for the a Greyhawk Presige I’ll add them to this post.

Good luck with your decision and don’t forget you can expect to get around 30% off MSRP.
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Old 04-07-2021, 07:36 AM   #4
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Forest River Sunseeker/Forester vs Entegra Esteem

Heres the new upgrades for the Greyhawk and Greyhawk Prestige.
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Old 04-07-2021, 08:37 AM   #5
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What he said ^^^^.

Check into the Entegra Esteems sister brand, Jayco Greyhawk 29MV and the 29 MVP. Both made on the same line.

This is our 5th and last RV. [emoji16]

If I remember or find the new 2022 standard features for the a Greyhawk Presige I’ll add them to this post.

Good luck with your decision and don’t forget you can expect to get around 30% off MSRP.
Never say NEVER or LAST RV. That will jinx the whole plan.

I mentioned the MSRP as just a reference for starting point not the end result. A couple years ago 30-40% off MSRP was a normal discount for anyone with the slightest ability to negotiate but I'm sure that doesn't exist for the time being. I haven't engaged in any serious negotiations yet since I am still researching. 25% should be easy but much over that likely difficult. I live in south Alabama and some model/brand RVs are not available. Right now I'm in the middle of a trip that has has me in AZ now. Very little too look at in the Tucson and Phoenix areas. My return leg is going to take me to the DFW area and I'll go by Motorhome Specialist RV in Alvarado and look there also. They have been hard to contact due to being busy. Hopefully a day or 2 will be productive.

Just to muck up my own plan I also looked at and drove a Thor Omni XG32. Yes a whole "nuther" category with the F-550 chassis and Ford diesel. Also a price point and increase I may not be able to justify with our use. Sadly none of the ones we've looked at offer dual pane windows. Winnebago Minnie Winnie does but other things I didn't like.

"And the beat (search) goes on".
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Old 04-07-2021, 08:52 AM   #6
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At our age this is definitely the last. [emoji4]. Jayco and Esteem have seen price increases of over 6.5% since September 2020 and I’m sure that given supply line issues and materials cost that will continue to be the case.

Great American RV superstore in Grandbay Alabama had a Jayco 29MV no paint and a Esteem full body paint that we looked at back in late February.

Their price for the 2021, 29MV no paint was $101498 w/o tax or plates. We ended up ordering a 2022, 29 MV Prestige with full body paint from a different dealer for about $300 more. It pays to shop and compare. We shopped 7 different dealers, three were out of state.
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Old 04-07-2021, 08:53 AM   #7
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I duplicated this post on both a Forest River and Jayco owner's sites to get particular comments from them I expect that most owner's will defend their choice in products so it may take a while to accumulate enough comments to see trends. It's hard for me to spend 10-15 minutes in an RV and get much more than a cursory opinion. My GF is with me on this trip and she see the form, I look for the function.

Reference $$$$$, a highly optioned FR should be around $91K, Esteem or equivalent $105K and Omni $161K assuming 30% off the average posted MSRPs. This all of course before any "hidden fees" and TTL.
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Old 04-07-2021, 09:49 PM   #8
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At our age this is definitely the last. [emoji4]. Jayco and Esteem have seen price increases of over 6.5% since September 2020 and I’m sure that given supply line issues and materials cost that will continue to be the case.

Great American RV superstore in Grandbay Alabama had a Jayco 29MV no paint and a Esteem full body paint that we looked at back in late February.

Their price for the 2021, 29MV no paint was $101498 w/o tax or plates. We ended up ordering a 2022, 29 MV Prestige with full body paint from a different dealer for about $300 more. It pays to shop and compare. We shopped 7 different dealers, three were out of state.
If you don't mind sharing where did you end up? Dixie/Great American RV tends to be like CW meaning overpriced and not much in discounts. I am planning to stop by Motorhome Specialist in TX but apparently they don't carry Jayco brand but do have the Esteem which we'll look at.
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Old 04-08-2021, 07:37 AM   #9
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If you don't mind sharing where did you end up? Dixie/Great American RV tends to be like CW meaning overpriced and not much in discounts. I am planning to stop by Motorhome Specialist in TX but apparently they don't carry Jayco brand but do have the Esteem which we'll look at.

I’m in the Great Lakes region and purchased from Seven O’s in Kirkville NY.
I also got a good price from Gillette’s Interstate RV in East Lansing Michigan.
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Old 04-08-2021, 07:52 AM   #10
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I’m in the Great Lakes region and purchased from Seven O’s in Kirkville NY.
I also got a good price from Gillette’s Interstate RV in East Lansing Michigan.
Thanks that's quite a distance from where I am. But I'm currently in AZ and looking here. My return leg is going to go by the DFW area and there are some notable dealers there.
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Old 04-09-2021, 07:03 AM   #11
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Our close friends had a Sunseeker for around three years. Bought it new. It was one of those rigs that spent more time in the shop than at a campground. I was appalled at the problems they encountered.

I do understand clearly that sometimes one just rolls snake eyes, regardless of brand. However, it was shocking to see the extent of the issues.

They were first-time RVers. Their experience nearly drove them away from RVing altogether. They nicknamed the rig "The Funsucker".

YMMV, of course. This is certainly only anecdotal.

Thanks for attending my TedTalk.
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Old 04-09-2021, 05:13 PM   #12
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A couple of days ago I looked at a FR Sunseeker classic, not the LE lower end, and the cabinets were flimsy and plastic feeling and sounding. Counters looked like a plastic compound rather than a solid surface, even the "simulated" solid surface often seen in RVs. Other than viewing the TV straight on, nothing was particularly outstanding given the $$$$$ they were asking.

Underwhelming!!
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Old 04-09-2021, 05:37 PM   #13
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For the price I would go for the Sunseeker or Forester. Used to be before the covid rv boom you could get about 30% off the msrp. Now good luck getting 1% off. I got my new Sunseeker 4 years ago for $77000, Msrp was around $114000.
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Old 04-10-2021, 06:53 AM   #14
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For the price I would go for the Sunseeker or Forester. Used to be before the covid rv boom you could get about 30% off the msrp. Now good luck getting 1% off. I got my new Sunseeker 4 years ago for $77000, Msrp was around $114000.

The 30% off is still doable. We ordered a 2022 Jayco Greyhawk Presige the first part of March and got a big discount.
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