Checking in on the Jayco Jay Feather 21MML—new and improved

Today’s RV review is of the Jayco Jay Feather 21MML. This is a trailer I’ve looked at before, but I found out there were some meaningful updates to the design so I had to come take a look again. I appreciate your coming with me. 

What’s new, pussycat? 

One of the first things I noticed is that Jayco did away with the fiberglass cap on the front. Whether this is better or worse is a matter of opinion but I bet it’s a cost-saving measure. As we’ve discussed in other articles, the RV industry went on a spending spree during Covid and now they’re looking at a lot of things and seeing where the value actually is. 

So, the fact that Jayco is using material similar to the wall laminate on the nose is not something that I think will really affect the actual experience of users. Yeah, yeah, it’s not quite as fancy, but it’s not going to change how you enjoy the RV. Plus, I doubt that there are a lot of RVers who look at the nose cap of an RV as a buying decision. 

In fact, if the nose cap doesn’t overlap the sides of the RV, as it does in some higher-end fifth wheels and motorhomes, you really don’t get a lot of benefit anyway. So this cost savings is really a benefit. 

Lippert Quick Drop stabilizers make a huge difference

The last time I looked at this model, I noticed that they had started using Lippert Quick Drop stabilizers, and they’re continuing to do so. If I could install these as an aftermarket accessory I would. I think these are the first manual stabilizers that absolutely make a huge difference in how solidly they can stabilize an RV. 

My memory might be fading (makes old friends new friends again), but I don’t remember the stabilizers being at an angle to the chassis in the past. They probably were, but I don’t remember. But whether I remember or not, this is probably one of the best implementations of these jacks that I’ve seen, and I bet this trailer is solid as a rock in the campground. 

Jayco Jay Feather 21MML - 2024

1 of 12

Another thing I’m seeing more and more are companies swapping from Schwintek slide mechanisms to Norco BAL^® EXACT-SLIDE™ mechanisms, which are cable-driven slide mechanisms.  

The slide in this trailer was rather large for a Schwintek mechanism, in my opinion. I don’t think Schwintek systems are necessarily bad, but some folks misuse them and have issues. The interesting thing, from a production standpoint, is that the Norco system can be used as a direct production replacement for the Schwintek system. I don’t know if these are less costly, quite honestly. We used to see them a lot in certain brands when I was doing warranties at a dealership, and I had zero issues with them. 

Other things are minor but promising. To me, one of the most exciting things is that Jayco dumped the pole-mounted knee-knocker table for a free-standing dinette table. I don’t know if this table is height-adjustable, but it’s a promising thing. 

As you know, I have some weird obsession with height-adjustable tables only because I know that they’re out there. We have one that we use for both a dining table and also prep space in our RV. I wish I knew if this table could get to counter height. I doubt that it does, but it’s still a step in the right direction. 

What’s inside

This is one of those trailers that’s smallish on the outside, at 26 feet in length. But there is seating for eight people in here, assuming four at the dinette. Did I mention that the table is free-standing for 2024, and that you could take it out if you wish? 

This offers good space for entertaining if that’s your thing. Or you could just sit in different seats, if that’s what constitutes entertainment at your campsite. 

There is a couch at the front made possible by the Murphy bed. This couch offers a flip-up center armrest with cup holders in it, so that’s nice. 

Theater seats can be found in the slide. Jayco has these nifty tables that occupy the cup holders, so you could have a meal here. The neat thing about these is that there’s a cup holder in the table, so you don’t lose that functionality if you put the table in. The theater seats directly face the TV.

Lastly, there’s the dinette, which we’ve now beaten to death. 

Good night… maybe

One of the polarizing things about the implementation of this floor plan is that it features a Murphy bed. Now, I know some of you have started your booing chants at the thought of this, but hold on. 

The way different RV companies have implemented the Murphy bed is quite different. I will say that the absolute best implementation of the Murphy bed is by Rockwood/Flagstaff, bar none. That bed doesn’t bend and you can put a proper queen-sized mattress on it. 

However, this is a bendy bed, which is a bummer. But the saving grace here is that you don’t have to utilize this as a Murphy bed. The space here is big enough that, if you wanted, you could just leave the bed flat all the time. Depending on the size of the mattress you choose, you could even leave the bed flat and still bring the slide room in. 

For those firing up your keyboards to share how difficult making a Murphy bed can be, I keep replying with my article on the RVSuperbag. I have had one of these now for five years and it’s still as good as the day we bought it. And, yes, we use it quite frequently. 

I do like how Jayco put in night lights and both household and USB outlets for each side of the bed. 

There are also nifty drawers under the couch, which you could access if you use the Murphy bed as a Murphy bed. There’s also a plastic folding table under there, which could serve you on the couch or outside. 

The rest of the story

Otherwise, the rest of the interior isn’t going to shock you if you’ve seen something like the Grand Design Imagine 22MLE. Same floor plan, and this is going to show the nuances of how different companies do things. 

The kitchen occupies the rear of this unit with a portion in the slide and the rest along part of the back of the trailer. The back wall features a good number of drawers and cabinets—which is always a plus. 

The kitchen side features a new, larger 12-volt refrigerator along with a three-burner stove with the dreaded 17” oven. Yuck. Also, yuck is that the stove is set back a bit in the slide with the floor extending a bit beyond the stove. So you know you’re going to stub your tow on multiple occasions while shouting a string of words that your momma would not be proud that you know. And know so well. 

The bathroom for this rig is over in the back corner, and is well thought through, to me. I really like the curved shower bar. That and the flexible shower curtain, as opposed to the glass shower doors that are common, make the shower feel larger,. 

Boondocking and travel access

This trailer could very well be offered without a slide but, even with one, you can still fully access everything inside, including the Murphy bed. That’s not typical—some Murphy bed models aren’t able to access the bed with the slide in. Not here. 

Still a Jayco

While I noted some of the newer features that will be hallmark Jay Feather features, there are a lot of things the company has been doing very, very well for some time now. 

One of those is something that I feel should be a legal requirement for all towables. It’s what Jayco calls JaySMART™ lighting. This flashes upper marker lights and side marker lights with the turn signals, making it much more obvious that you’re coming through. Further, this includes backup lights. 

Jayco is known for its warranty. That continues with a two-year overall warranty and a three-year structural warranty on these trailers. I believe that’s still the best in the industry. 

There’s also something Jayco calls the JayPort™ on the side. This looks like a standard hitch receiver but it’s there so you can slide a grill or other things into it when camped. This makes for a nifty place for these. 

Lastly, Jayco has been using Goodyear Endurance tires for a good while now, as well. These are, hands down, the best travel trailer tires in the business. Period. 

Another point that will matter to owners is that Jayco now has a pre-delivery inspection facility that goes through every Jayco product that hits the market, bar none. Each RV Jayco builds has a list of things the company inspects for. This is not typical in the industry at all and is a feather in Jayco’s cap.

Conclusion

Even with these minor downsides, this is one heck of a good design. It offers plenty of seating, plenty of kitchen storage, and more options that could really make a difference to travelers. While I’ve liked the Jay Feather series for a lot of reasons, including the fact that they offer two interior design choices, the things I see here really elevate the brand in my mind. 

For travel trailer buyers the 2024 Jayco Jay Feather line really is worth prioritizing. 

More about these RV reviews

These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.

Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.

You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy. 

Got an RV we need to look at? Contact us today and let us know in the form below. Thank you!

-form broken-

##RVDT2263