Jayco vs Forest River | Difference Between Two Heavyweight Brands of RV
Jayco and Forest River are two heavyweight brands in the RV industry, producing popular models across all categories like travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and motorhomes. In this comprehensive article, I will scrutinize everything from construction quality to pricing, warranties, and customer reviews on specific models like the Jayco Eagle JX6 266RK and the Forest River Wildwood FSX 178BHSK to determine the best RV manufacturer.
Jayco RV Brand
Operating since 1968 under Lloyd Bontrager, Jayco has become synonymous with high-quality construction and livability innovations for RVs over their 50+ year history. Today, Jayco employs skilled Amish craftsmen at their Middlebury, Indiana HQ and operates multiple manufacturing plants producing around 130,000 RVs per year.
Popular Lines: Jay Feather, Pinnacle, White Hawk, Octane Toy Hauler
Forest River RV Brand
Founded more recently in 1996 by Peter Liegl, Forest River has expanded rapidly to become one of the industry’s largest manufacturers. They produce over 500,000 units across 150,000 sq feet of factories based primarily in Indiana. Although not match Jayco’s bespoke quality, Forest River is hugely popular thanks to affordable pricing and diverse options.
Popular Lines: Wildwood, Salem Hemisphere, Rockwood Mini Lite, Cherokee Grey Wolf
Quality & Construction
Build Quality & Materials
Both utilize aluminum framing, laminated walls/roofing, and similar construction techniques but Jayco’s immaculate fit and finish plus attentive detailing gives them an edge that keeps resale values strong. Forest River optimizes for production volumes rather than craftsmanship. But for most buyers, build quality meets expectations.
Testing Procedures
To confirm quality standards, Jayco conveys extensive detail on materials sourcing and conducts multi-point inspections with transparency to buyers throughout the process. Forest River also batches test units from each plant at centralized pre-delivery inspection sites but provides less visibility to consumers on testing specifics. Both are satisfactory.
Frames, Roofing & Insulation
Jayco employs frames like the Norco NextGen and patented Magnum Truss XL6 reinforced roofing capable of supporting 4,500 lbs along with high-performance Climate Shield insulation (0°F – 100°F rating). Forest River relies on sturdy aluminum framing and robust laminated roofing matching competitors but avoiding the custom reinforcements seen with Jayco.
Warranty & Customer Service
Jayco offers an exceptional warranty of up to 2 years compared to the Forest River standard 1-year warranty. Both include 1 year of roadside assistance. Jayco also edges out on customer satisfaction scores for their dealership network according to surveys. most buyers consider both brands satisfactory on warranty and customer service.
Price & Affordability
| Type | Forest River | Jayco |
| Travel Trailer | $12,000+ | $15,000+ |
| Fifth Wheel | $20,000+ | $30,000+ |
| Toy Hauler | $30,000+ | $40,000+ |
| Class C Motorhome | $70,000+ | $90,000+ |
| Class A Diesel | $250,000+ | $350,000+ |
Forest River offers more budget and mid-range price points reflecting their production volume advantages while Jayco msrps reflect their quality crafted products (though both ultimately sell for less than MSRP). This allows Forest River buyers easier entry to RVing with the capability to still splurge on luxurious fifth wheels and high-end Class A diesel pushers. Jayco focuses more on feature-packed conventional travel trailers and lighter-duty tables.
Different RV Types Comparison
Travel Trailers
| Model | Length | Sleeps | Dry Weight | Grey/Black Tank | Awning Length | MSRP |
| Forest River Wildwood FSX 178BHSK | 21ft | 5 | 4,612 lbs | 39/30 gal | 12ft | $23,099 |
| Jayco Eagle JX6 266RK | 29ft | 5 | 7,705 lbs | 52/43 gal | 16ft | $32,743 |
Travel trailer advantages go to Jayco for their Eagle lineup over Wildwood models. The higher towing capacity required for Jayco is justified by stronger framing, better insulation, more amenities, and storage space. But for easy towing and basic camping needs, Forest River offers excellent light-duty conventional trailers.
Fifth Wheels
The heavyweight fifth wheel matchup between the Forest River Cedar Creek Champagne Edition 38CK vs Jayco Pinnacle has nearly identical dimensions (41ft length, 13,875 lb weight as examples) and both provide a superb combination of luxury essentials. The Pinnacle lineup from Jayco holds a resale value marginally better.
Toy Haulers
Jayco toy hauler lines like the Jayco Octane 172 take the lead with creative features like the dual access bathroom and hybrid garage/living room spacing over generic Forest River Vengeance offerings. However, all provide rugged construction to handle off-road gear hauling.
Motorhomes
| Type | Model | Length | Engine | Tank Capacities | Warranty | Price |
| Class C | Forest River Sunseeker 3010DS | 32ft | Ford V10 | 53/39/34 gal | 1 yr | $140k |
| Class C | Jayco Redhawk 31M | 31ft | Ford V10 | 41/51/41 gal | 2 yr | $149k |
| Class A | Forest River Georgetown 340TS | 35ft | Ford V10 | 80/50/44 gal | 1 yr | $276k |
| Class A | Jayco Alante 27V | 32ft | Ford V10 | 80/60/40 gal | 2 yr | $149k |
Motorhomes see both manufacturers delivering satisfying reliability and performance. Close competition for overhead bunk sleeping capacity, tank sizes, basement storage, towing capability, and other metrics. Jayco rates best for their 2-year warranty included and generally cheaper listing prices though real-world deals vary. Class A edge goes slightly to Forest River for capacious storage and tank capacities needed for lengthy trips.
Comparison of Popular Models of RV
Here are some head-to-head comparisons among the best-selling models of the two:
Jayco Eagle vs Forest River Sabre Fifth Wheels
| Jayco Eagle | Forest River Sabre | |
| Floorplans | Fewer options | Up to 3 slideouts, more innovative layouts |
| Living Space | Tighter kitchen, and living areas | Maximizes space for sleeping up to 6 |
| Dry Weight | 16,000 lbs | 10,000 – 16,000 lbs range |
| Customization | Limited during ordering | Decent custom fabrics and finishes available |
| Pricing | $65K+ | $55-65K, around $5-10K cheaper |
| Verdict | Reliable build quality | Better balance of quality, space & price |
Jayco Jay Flight vs Forest River Salem Travel Trailers
| Jayco Jay Flight | Forest River Salem | |
| Slideouts | More slideouts | No slideouts on most models |
| Interior Space | Roomy with a good layout | Tighter spaces, smaller beds |
| Bed Sizes | 60″ x 80″ queen beds | 40″ tight twin beds |
| Furniture | High-quality fit & finish | Cheaper finishes show wear quicker |
| Pricing | $22K+ | Under $20K+ |
| Verdict | Much better livability | Wins only on bargain pricing |
Jayco Greyhawk vs Forest River Sunseeker Class C Motorhomes
| Jayco Greyhawk | Forest River Sunseeker | |
| Roofing | Rubber membrane | Fiberglass higher durability |
| Plumbing | Exposed, risk of freezing | Enclosed protected plumbing |
| Water Heater | Tankless on-demand | 6-gallon tank basic |
| Frames | Better resist torque & twisting | Twisting issues reported |
| Pricing | $140K+ | $130K+, cheaper |
| Verdict | Better water heating & towing | More cold weather capability |
Reasons to Buy Jayco
- Family-owned, 3-generation operation esteemed for craftsmanship
- Control manufacturing in-house for rigorous quality assurance standards
- Distribution through 335 North American dealers providing extensive parts & service access
- White glove delivery process educating new owners on using their RV properly
- Innovations like Magnum Truss reinforced framing and insulation combatting 0°F – 100°F temps
- Maximize versatility with competitive offerings spanning travel trailers to luxury fifth wheels and toy haulers
- Complimentary 2-year warranty that exceeds the industry standard coverage to protect your investment
Reasons to Buy Forest River
- Massive model diversity across all RV categories thanks to strategic brand acquisitions
- Very budget-friendly price points; easy to enter RVing without breaking the bank
- Abundant fifth wheel & Class A floorplans selection ideal for full-timing needs
- Customization is available during ordering allowing buyers to tailor interiors to their style
- Multi-slideout floor plans to maximize living space popular with families
- Robust construction standards confirmed through extensive testing procedures
- The community feels fostered through Forest River exclusive owner groups on social channels
- Recommended for value-focused shoppers and first-time RV buyers looking for a bargain
Final Thoughts
For shoppers prioritizing luxury touches and peak construction worthy of full-timing, Jayco takes the crown. Seeking a spacious fifth-wheel or diesel motorhome? Forest River holds its own against the competition. Regardless of brand, thoroughly inspect components and test towing capacity before purchase. Both Jayco vs Forest River deliver quality RVs with reasonable after-sale support.
