fulltime in a JayFeather 213 - RV-Dreams Community Forum

BirdHaus · RV-Dreams Community Member

fulltime in a JayFeather 213

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our friends have a new Jay Feather, not sure of the model and they had problems right off the bat when trying to empty the black tank. Apparently theirs isn't in a great spot and it gets clogged. I'm not saying that this will happen to you but you might want to check it out.

And yes, you an swear all you like when setting up the tripod system but as long as you have the longitude and latitude, it's not a big problem. Setting up our TV takes a lot longer!

Sandra

bago40 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello birdhaus, I'll give you my specs as an example. My vehicle weighs 14000lbs. and has a net carrying capacity of 2000lbs. which equals 16000lbs. which for me is the gvwr. ( I found out I have to include each persons weight too) It has a towing capacity of 4000lbs. bringing it to 20,000 lbs. which is the gcwr ( gross combined weight rating) I cannot exceed the gvwr or the gcwr at any time without risking damage to the axles or the transmission. Which I see you've already addressed. By the way my specs are for a motor home - Your net carrying capacity my not be listed seperately from your gvwr in a van but your towing capacity should be. A friend of mine knows a RV salesman who told him that there is a 40% mark-up on new Rvs. So he went and bought a 80,000.00 rig (regular asking Price) for $42,000.00. I would be tempted to offer two k less than 16k, you can always up the offer if they absolutely won't budge. Hope this helps. Bago.

-- Edited by bago40 at 18:59, 2007-08-28

-- Edited by bago40 at 19:06, 2007-08-28

-- Edited by bago40 at 19:08, 2007-08-28

-- Edited by bago40 at 19:11, 2007-08-28

-- Edited by bago40 at 19:13, 2007-08-28

-- Edited by bago40 at 19:29, 2007-08-28

ken and cindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

"I should be able to beg my way down to this price or lower?"

Should be no problem, just show them the ad and tell them to throw in an equalizer hitch with anti sway torsion bar and you wont go anywhere else. :)

Dont be afraid to just get up and walk away, they are the ones calling you . biggrin

Ken

-- Edited by ken and cindy at 19:05, 2007-08-28

BirdHaus · RV-Dreams Community Member

Sandra wrote:

Our friends have a new Jay Feather, not sure of the model and they had problems right off the bat when trying to empty the black tank. Apparently theirs isn't in a great spot and it gets clogged. I'm not saying that this will happen to you but you might want to check it out.

And yes, you (c)an swear all you like when setting up the tripod system but as long as you have the longitude and latitude, it's not a big problem. Setting up our TV takes a lot longer!

Sandra

Wow! clogged black water, my biggest fear! and YIKES for me since as long as I can remember my nose seems to be attached to my stomach reflex...I can only imagine I'll need a gas mask to deal with the likes!

I'm thinking that tripod of yours could be the ticket out of massive 5k unit. I fear a few things: being able to set up in a reasonable amount of time, being able to set up after a long day of driving, having someone steal it, and having it get knocked over or damaged when stoed. Your thoughts here? and thanks!

Thank you Ken and Cindy, and Bago40. Numbers make me spin at times. I'll try to be strong and walk away if the guy is not doing me right. Thanks for that. And, as far as all the towing tongues and caps and mechanics...still learning, reading and researching. I don't want to end up on side of mt somewhere, my lovebirds could escape![lol] But, seriously, as I child driving through the Rockies I have strong recollection of a nice AirStream being towed by a Jeep going down side of revine and backing up traffic for miles...probably not the right combo for that Jeep, even back in the 70's.

If I'm reading all these configurations and numbers correctly, I should have about a 900lb play area in my favor. I am in the process of liquidating all materialistic possessions save for day to day needs, painters dulce, bird cages, and computers. I guestimate my load in both the van and the trailer to be about 700-900 lbs max at any given time. Now, where does one figure in water and tanks weight? Is that a preload or a max load number on those specs above?

Thanks again you RV'rs!
cms

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

"I'm thinking that tripod of yours could be the ticket out of massive 5k unit. I fear a few things: being able to set up in a reasonable amount of time, being able to set up after a long day of driving, having someone steal it, and having it get knocked over or damaged when stowed. Your thoughts here? and thanks!"

We travel with the dish in the back of the truck and put the tripod in a lawn chair carry bag stowed in the truck bed. The LNB goes in another lawnchair carry bag in the back of the truck. My husband sets up the dish in under 10 min. Before we leave for the next location (as long as we know where we're stopping) he checks the longitude/latitude for the next stop so he has the numbers to set up at the new site. Once you've set up a few times it will be like doing it in your sleep. Just be sure you get the proper training when you buy the dish. We use tie down straps with a corkscrew stake in the ground to be sure the dish doesn't blow over in the wind. We have tent stakes as well in case the ground is too hard and a rubber mallet to pound them in if needed. We have used the large water bottles if we can't get stakes in the ground. The dish is no good without the modem which is inside the unit. In over two years traveling with internet satellite we've had no problem. We've even left it at the campground staked down when we've taken the RV in for service and haven't had a problem.

Good luck!

Sandra

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Carleen,

Regarding the water weight - water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon and your rig will hold 83 gallons meaning a weight of 689 pounds when all tanks are full. We generally run with our tanks almost empty (we keep a little fresh water for flushing the toilet and some in the black water tank) to minimize the water weight.

Regarding the black water tank, you should not dump until it is at least 3/4 full and always leave a couple of gallons in the tank to keep the waste from solidifying. Also, you should backflush the tank at least once a month (you'll need some attachments from your RVing store if you don't have a blackflush connection on the rig).

Keep asking those questions,

Darrell

bago40 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey BirdHaus, Let us know how it goes. Hope you're getting the info from the dealer you need.

Bago

BirdHaus · RV-Dreams Community Member

Got knocked down late afternoon by something my daughter brought home from school no doubt. Feel like a wilted daisy...

But yes! thanks all...I'm going back to the drawing board from scratch. Looking for gently used and a bit bigger without more weight.

Dealer wouldn't come down past 19,999.99 on that trailer I'd been waiting for. I sent him the links I'd found online to same model /new at his request [in disbelief], only to find his reply was "WELL! THIS is a 2008 with flat screen/antenna and electric awning, the links you send are for a 2007!"...my reply, "I don't even watch TV, does it make sense to you that I'd pay 4,000 dollars more for a TV, a push button and the prestige of owning a 2008 instead of a 2007?"...bah hummmmmbug! He told me to send link to 2008 at 16k, so after searching without a glimpse, I called RVdirect.com for a quote. Same model, same year, same same from them in Des Monies was 14,980 out the door....

Shortly after the demise of that deal, a fella in Utah I don't even remember e-mailing telephoned me and stated he'd deliver to my doorstep some jayco bunkhouse floorplan 2007 model/new for 13,999. ACK!

So horribly disappointed...but, still determined to find the perfect fit!

going back to horizontal now...thanks all for replies! I'll get back on the quest when I feel more like human again.

cms

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Carleen,

We can all understand your disappointment but you are a very wise lady. Purchasing a fulltime home on wheels is part of the fulltime lifestyle and you need to take your time and enjoy the process. Don't feel pressured, relax, dream, and review your choices. Now that you know the weight limitations for your van review products offered by various manufacturers. RV Net Linx has a manufacturer list (http://www.rvnetlinx.com) that links to the manufacturers. Take a look at Sunnybrook who builds good quality units and now has some light weight rigs, there are many others as well. Once you find the unit of your dreams check out used rigs to see if there are any available. But, as you have already done, be willing to walk away.

Good Luck

Darrell

bago40 · RV-Dreams Family Member

BirdHaus, You had the strength to walk away, as Darrell and Judy so aptly put it you are very wise. It took me quite a while to find my rig. I too was looking for the right rig at the right price. Granted I had to travel to North Carolina to get it ( I live in Florida) but, it was worth it. It is used and needed some TLC, but I am able to take care of that and got it for 30,000.00 less than the average asking price. What I am saying is that the deals are out there even on used models, travel trailer or motorhome! You'll look back on all this and be glad you took you're time.

I searched on ( rvtraderonline.com). Just my two cents. By, the way have you checked out Howard's pages on this topic? Great info!

Glad you've joined the friendliest family on the RV net! Best Wishes! Bago.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a solo friend who is on the road about 8 to 9 months a year with a Hi-Lo Trailer and is very happy. They are well made and can be towed with a more modest tow vehicle.