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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Starcraft vs Jayco: Read This Before You Buy
For numerous Americans, exploring while living in an RV has blossomed into its culture. There was a time when RVing was solely the purview of baby boomers; however, that has changed over the years, with millennials being wholly drawn to RVs.
This has resulted in a significant surge in sales. Being part of the RV community means that you have heard of the following two names: Starcraft and Jayco. This article aims to answer quite a simple question: is Starcraft better than Jayco, or is it the other way around? RVs can be expensive, and knowing that you purchased the wrong one can be frustrating.
This article aims to discuss the features of the companies that offer them and any other aspects that might help you make an informed decision. Let us begin!
Starcraft RV was created back in 1903 with a different name. At the time, it manufactured metal farm equipment. In 1915, it was known as Star Tank & Boat, creating the first rowboat in its lineup and becoming a leading steel boat maker by the time the 1950s rolled by.
Lloyd Bontrager, the founder of Jayco, created the first lifting mechanism in 1963 and was in charge of the company’s operations until he left in 1967. It was in 1964 that Starcraft began producing campers with its Star Rambler, Starliner, and Starmaster models.
They began making travel trailers in 1968, becoming the premier luxury van conversion company in 1977. Fast forward to 1991, when Jayco purchased the RV division of Starcraft, making it a subsidiary under Jayco.
Jayco RVs are renowned for their high quality, affordability, and layout choices. The brand prioritizes quality craftsmanship and focuses on providing an excellent customer experience.
Jayco was started 1968 by husband and wife Lloyd & Bertha Bontrager in Indiana. They first began with a prototype camping trailer. The folding trailer came with a unique lifting system, which enabled them to find success in the market.
In 1985, Lloyd Bontrager unfortunately passed in an air accident. However, the firm continued to blossom, focusing on affordability, technology, and connectivity. This proved successful as Jayco was crowned the world’s biggest RV manufacturer held in private hands.
The 2000s saw Jayco RVs become the very first RV company to offer surround sound in every one of its products, and by 2006, it had sold 500,000 RVs worldwide.
Just by reading their brief history, it is easy to see that these are two companies that have been in the business of making RVs for years. This has caused them to gain quite a following of long-time enthusiasts who have uploaded a great resource onto the internet, including maintenance tips, manuals, vintage brochures, guides, pictures, and much more.
What brands are made by Jayco?
Jayco, a renowned name in the RV industry, is the force behind several reputed brands such as Entegra Coach, Highland Ridge RV, and Starcraft RV. These brands, made by Jayco, are distinguished by their commitment to quality, innovation, and creating memorable travel experiences.
From motorhomes to fifth wheels and travel trailers, all of these brands under Jayco’s umbrella offer a wide range of products to suit the diverse needs of road trip enthusiasts. So, when you ask, ‘What brands are made by Jayco?’ – the answer is a range of top-performing, reliable, and well-loved RV brands that have become synonymous with adventure and exploration.
Who bought out Jayco?
Thor Industries, one of the most prominent entities in the recreational vehicle industry, acquired Jayco Corp. in 2016. This strategic business move brought together two of the largest companies in the industry, with Thor Industries purchasing Jayco Corp. for an estimated $576 million.
Consequently, Jayco, previously an independent firm with approximately 3,200 employees and its base in Middlebury, has transitioned into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thor Industries, which operates out of Elkhart. This acquisition answers the question: Who bought out Jayco? It was indeed Thor Industries. Thor Industries has made the headlines many times as time has passed, but not for the right reasons.
Starcraft In-depth
Starcraft is an RV company that strives to remain committed to quality. 
Its Starcraft Magnum Roof system has been developed to be 50% stronger than other RV roofs.
Numerous independent tests have shown that Starcraft has a roof system with one of the highest qualities out there. It also includes its patented TuffShell vacuum-bonded lamination, ensuring the interior walls, floors, and roof are firmly bonded.
When it comes to the manufacturing of its walls, it utilizes fiberglass walls, metal backers, and aluminum framing. This ensures that any RV created by Starcraft can handle even the most challenging conditions.
Models
Regarding the models available, Starcraft offers a wide range of lightweight, camping, fifth-wheel, and full-size trailers. Some of their models include:
- Autumn Ridge
- Super Lite Maxx
- Super Lite
- Starcraft GSL Travel Trailer
- GSL Light Duty Fifth Wheel
- GSL Fifth Wheel
Advantages of Starcraft
The brand has an excellent quality build. There is a reason why Starcraft RVs are sought after. The RVs produced are not only rigid but strong and have been designed to ensure that you remain warm even when the temperature outside is nothing to smile about.
While decent, the interior and finishing leave much to be desired. This is perhaps because of the limited number of options in this regard. Starcraft products have been created solidly, making the ride smooth.
Disadvantages of Starcraft
There is a pervading perception amongst Starcraft faithful that the brand has been relegated to being the cheaper version of Jayco RVs, and as such, specific finishes, facilities, and features that are present on the Jayco as standard are either not available on the Starcraft or come as an expensive option.
Jayco In-depth
Jayco RVs are created using numerous distinguished manufacturing processes. For one, it has different room systems such as the Magnum Truss XL6 and Magnum Truss roof systems, sturdy foundations, Climate shield, and an industry-leading warranty, including its 3-year structural and 2-year limited warranty.
The roof system used by Jayco is the Magnum Truss roof, which has been created to handle about 4,500 pounds of weight. This is 50% over what other RVs can take. Jayco states that the roof is, in part, more robust because it is held together with the decking using screws instead of staples that other RV manufacturers use.
It uses larger-than-needing nail plate joint fasteners to help keep the roof trusses stable on both sides. This design ensures a much tighter fit, producing increased strength and less movement.
Models
- Jay Feather Micro
- Jay Feather
- White Hawk
- Jay Flight
- Jay Flight SLX
- Jay Flight Bungalow
- Eagle Travel Trailers
- Eagle HT Fifth Wheels
- Eagle Fifth Wheels
- North Point
- Pinnacle
- Seismic
- Seismic Luxury Series
Advantages of Jayco
If there is one brand that claims to provide its customers with the very best RV warranty, it is Jayco. It does so by proudly displaying the full details on its website. This way, prospective customers understand what Jayco will restore, repair, and protect before they purchase an RV.
Jayco has two warranties; the first is a 2-year limited warranty that covers your RV for 24,000 miles or two years. The 3-year structural warranty, including structural essentials like floors, walls, and the roof, then supplemented this. This supplementary 3-year structural warranty was introduced with Jayco’s 2020 model.
Due to its impressive strength-to-weight ratio, Jayco utilizes its Norco NextGen frame in its ultra-light RV models. The frames are created using low-allow steel with a high tensile strength rating. The alloy steel has also been coated to help prevent rust.
Essential differences between Starcraft and Jayco
Since Starcraft has been a subsidiary of Jayco since 1991, it is no surprise that they share more similarities than differences. For one, some floor plans available on specific Jayco models have entered the Starcraft lineup.
This, amongst other reasons, has caused a lot of ire amongst loyal Starcraft RV enthusiasts, many of whom claim that the brand has become a more affordable version of the luxury Jayco offers. 
The truth is that this was not the original plan; Jayco had originally purchased Starcraft to be run as its separate brand with its factory and lineup. However, this line has become increasingly blurred over the years, with some Starcraft models being built in the same assembly plant as the Jayco models.
Regarding availability, both of these RVs are available for sale almost anywhere. While Starcraft has its following, it has been able to piggyback on the massive distribution network Jayco has built and solidified over the years. This ensures that any RV enthusiast interested in getting any of the two RVs can easily do so from an RV dealership near them.
New models seem to be flocking in, and that seems to be the case for the near future. One thing that makes Starcraft stand out is the fact that it has quite a lot of models to select from. There are numerous models, so much so that a prospective buyer can find what they are looking for, be it a fifth wheel, travel trailer, toy hauler, or expandable trailer.
Jayco has a decent lineup of model options but fails compared to Starcraft’s number of models. Unsurprisingly, when it comes to floor plans, Starcraft has Jayco beat.
This is not only down to the sheer number of models available in its lineup but also the fact that specific Starcraft models, such as the Autumn Ridge travel trailer, have 15 floorplans. This amount of choice is particularly outstanding. On one hand, you can find the floorplan that suits you; on the other hand, it can be pretty overwhelming.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to
Wingman Wisdom
Conclusion
Starcraft and Jayco have built a community of avid followers thanks to their RVs catering to almost every taste. However, it is hard to pick a fair winner from both options. For one, they share similar styles and facilities. Secondly, Starcraft has been positioned as the cheaper marquee to Jayco.
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