Jayco Jay Flight vs. Thor Coleman
At any campground, you will see plenty of Jayco and Coleman logos. You will see them on everything from pop-up campers to travel trailers to motorhomes. You may see them so often that you get the impression that these are two brands that make the same product with the same level of quality. Similar to that of Chevrolet and Ford. You may have your preference, but there is no widespread agreement on which is better. It may seem that way, but it isn’t the case. Valley RV Supercenter is ready to tell you the difference.
The Coleman brand uses a propane lamp as its logo because it was the product that made its name, starting in 1902. Since then, Coleman has branched out into other camping products, including sleeping bags, stoves, and, through mergers and acquisitions, towable camping trailers and motorhomes. Its travel trailers are made by Keystone, a company that is part of the Coleman family through mergers.
What Makes Jayco the Better Brand?
Jayco is a comparatively new company, having started in 1968 directly in the pop-up camping trailer business and began selling its first hard-sided travel trailer in 1971. Today, the Jay Flight model line is one of the best-selling travel trailers in the US. Jayco is based in Middlebury, Indiana, where about 70% of its workforce is Amish or Mennonite, and its products are a direct result of the craftsmanship of those cultures.
Both brands offer a wide range of travel trailers in various sizes and floor plans. Their main difference lies in their approach to value. Coleman Keystone takes a low-cost approach, focusing on affordability and simple design. The line is often priced lower than competitors’ and provides essential, no-frills RV features. Their products appeal to first-time buyers, budget-conscious families, or casual campers seeking basic amenities.
The Jayco Jay Flight, on the other hand, is known for its solid construction, craftsmanship, and durability, with several innovations aimed at that end.
Investing in Your Future
It is a bit like when you are first thinking of learning to play the guitar and purchase whatever you can afford just to see if you take to it. Once you have reached the point where you can honestly say you “play guitar,” you look to upgrade your instrument. The problem can be that the first guitar was affordable, but the strings were too far from the fretboard, making it difficult to play, and you decide that you can’t play and move on. The same can happen with travel trailers, where you decide the bed isn’t comfortable to sleep on, signs of wear appear early, or you just want higher-quality accommodations for your vacation.
The problem is that replacing a $20,000 to $40,000 trailer can be far more expensive than buying a nicer guitar. So, you may well want to purchase the higher-quality product in the first place. Some standout quality construction features on a Jayco Flight include:
- Magnum Truss Roof System – Carries weight twice the industry standard
- Fully integrated A-frame and structural enhancements
- Heated, enclosed underbelly on many models
- Galvanized steel wheels and robust chassis components
- Interior heights of 6’9” instead of the standard 6’6” to create a feeling of greater spaciousness
- Higher quality appliances
- 25% larger 52-gallon freshwater tank resting on steel bars screwed into the frame
- Rock Solid Stabilizer system for a more stable platform when in place
- 2-year Overall limited warranty (twice the industry norm)
All these features are designed to resist wear and tear, encourage frequent use and provide confidence when encountering poor weather or being towed on poorly maintained roads.
Sure, a lower price can mean more features for your money, but seasoned travel trailer campers and those planning to be will want quality that leads to long-term satisfaction. For them, the choice is the Jay Flight. If you live in the Seattle area, the best place to check out Jayco Flight travel trailers is Valley RV Supercenter.