Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Jayco Jay Feather 25RB travel trailer. This is one of the more popular floor plans in the RV industry for good reason. As a couple’s camper, you get a lot of usable functionality and plenty of living space.
But this trailer, very specifically, made me question what would make you very specifically rule out an RV if you were out there shopping. What do I mean? I’ll get to it.
New for 2024
If you’re an RV company that makes mid-sized trailers, there’s a good chance you make this floor plan or a variation thereof. Just thinking of others I’ve seen, there’s the Keystone Cougar 26RBS and, over the next couple of days, we’re going to check out the Ember RV Touring Edition 26RB and the Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS. So stay tuned—there are some very interesting differences in the same floor plan.
For 2024, Jayco has made some changes to this ever-popular floor plan, some of which I like and some I don’t. Of course.
Another new feature is the implementation of Lippert’s new Quick Drop stabilizers. They are head-and-shoulders superior to the lousy old stabilizers that most travel trailers have had for years and years. These are more stable, easier to use and just better in every possible way.
Jayco had offered two interior decor choices in the past, and I can see how this would go wrong. Let’s say you have your heart set on the modern farmhouse look and your local dealership only has whatever the other decor is. You could either wait, place a custom order or just get something you want less.
Manufacturers that build things to order are the exception
This is where those manufacturers like Bigfoot and Escape trailer have the advantage in that they build things to order, but they’re also the exception. However, you’d think with modern computer and inventory systems that it wouldn’t be tough. But I also know that most RV dealerships are living somewhere around 1968 or so in their heart and soul.
But something that seems to have gone away is the JaySMART™ lighting in this model. That’s where the upper marker lights would flash with the turn signals. I believe this should be a national standard and I always admired Jayco for having it—but now this model doesn’t. That’s really a shame.
What’s inside the Jayco Jay Feather 25RB
One of the things that hasn’t changed is that you get a choice of either a hide-a-bed, jackknife sofa or theater seats—and these directly face the TV. There’s also now the option of an electric fireplace. While I know some of you think these are silly, I’ve been using the one in our RV quite a bit when we have hookups. We’ve already paid for the electricity, so we might as well take advantage of that.
In other words, now that I’ve had an electric fireplace, I really like the functionality—so I wouldn’t turn one down in the future.
Sleeping situation
The dinette features a freestanding table—which is always my first choice. Of course, that table can mash down to become another bed and, with the dinette and the hide-a-bed options chosen, that means you could sleep more people in here.
One of the improved aspects of this trailer for 2024 is the fact that the bed in here is now a true queen-sized bed.
I also like the drawers on either side of the bed for a bit more storage.
As with many newer travel trailer designs, this one features cubbies behind the wardrobes on either side of the bed. However, in a cost-cutting blunder [This seems to be the name of the game. What the heck is going on, Jayco?], the power outlets on the side of the bed are gonesville.
Other features in the Jayco Jay Feather 25RB
Something that has gotten better on this model is a larger refrigerator for 2024. That fridge is a 10-cubic-foot, 12-volt model.
This does have good counter space with a decent amount of drawers and cabinets. There’s also a storage area right at the entrance of this rig that could be a pantry, a closet or whatever you want it to be. It offers some good space for your stuff.
Another thing I really like on all of these is a very, very large bathroom that spans the width of the back of the trailer. Jayco had the good sense to put one sink in here—so that translates into a lot of counter space.
I also like the curved shower door rail which makes an already good-sized shower even larger. Nice.
Outside kitchen
The outside kitchen in this is either something you’re going to like or not. I’m finding more and more people would rather just get no outside kitchen, based on your feedback.
This one features what Jayco calls a JayPort™. It is essentially a receiver that you slot an arm into that holds the flat-top griddle that comes with this rig. There’s also a small bar-sized fridge and there is a hot/cold spray port in this space as well.
If you got a bucket or perhaps a portable sink, now you’d have the ability to utilize the spray port to create a sink arrangement, although one doesn’t come with the trailer.
What would cross the line for you?
If you were shopping for a new RV, what features would make you just cross a rig off the list entirely? There are certain features I blather on about here like small ovens, cheap vent fans and that sort of thing.
But something I saw here and also in the Alliance Avenue All Access 28BH would be an absolute deal breaker if I were shopping for a new RV. What’s that? The converter and fuse box in the Jayco are in the front bedroom—which is blocked by the slide when the trailer is in transit mode.
In the Alliance it’s blocked by the slide, although only partially.
But this just seems like a huge error in judgment. You know that Murphy and his laws are just laughing hysterically at this knowing that it’ll be raining, the slide will be locked in and you’ll be outside manually overriding the dumb thing while everybody and their brother is watching you and listening to you say the words your momma told you never to say.
Frankly, the tiny oven is another thing that would cross the RV off a list for me. But that’s just me. But, still… Why pay for something you’re just going to hate and never use?
But I’d love to read in the comments if there’s one feature—or a group of features—that would immediately disqualify an RV from your shopping list.
Conclusions on the Jayco Jay Feather 25RB
Since everybody and their brother makes this floor plan, a blunder like having the fuse box in the bedroom that’s blocked by the slide room just seems inexcusable. And, since everybody and their brother makes this, I would keep shopping the moment I saw this.
I do like that Jayco has moved up to Goodyear Endurance tires, but the tire pressure monitoring system is an option.
Jayco does have one of the better warranties in the business with their 3-2-1 warranty that covers the RV. The company announced last year that all the RVs shipped by them have gone through an advanced pre-delivery inspection.
The company also uses Azdel substrate in the lamination of the walls of this trailer. However, another thing that concerns me is the laminated floor. Having had my own bad experience with laminated floors, I’m wary about these. I know some companies have had success with this, but others haven’t.
You can probably tell where I stand on this RV. I can usually find some redeeming features that overcome the negatives. But there are enough negatives on this model that are big deals that I would keep shopping. What say you?
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video.
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.
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The location of the converter/fuse box seems to be a no-brainer or better yet, a missed mark. I have friends who have the 2023 model of this unit and other friends who have the GD model. I’m now inclined to check and see where their converter/fuse box is located and their thoughts if it’s obstructed when the slide is in.
We have a Grand Design Transcend 21RB with a similar floor plan. The lack of 110 outlets and USB outlets is a no go and the breaker panel location is also a no go. CPAP, Phones, Hearing aids need to be handy and the bedroom is the location. The big bathroom in ours sold us on the spot. The dinette in the Jayco is a waste of space for 2 travelers and could be used for more Kitchen storage which is lacking when taking a trip of 2-3 months. Ours has theater seating and with the center section removed and a storage cabinet with oversized top installed has added storage and provided a place to put a dinner plate etal.
In general, blocked access to the refrigerator, bathroom, and bedroom, when in travel mode, are a deal breaker for us. A traditional oven of any kind is another. We want storage drawers over an oven we’ll never use. Single pane windows. Junk build and component quality (there goes 95% of what’s made today.) AC w/heat pumps mandatory for us.
There are many others, but they relate to things not easily changed. The little worthless vent fans can easily be changed, so something like that isn’t a deal breaker.
Huge difference between what was acceptable when we were “weekenders” vs being on the road for long periods now.
No GD or Jayco here…I learned those expensive mistakes.
It’s a shame you had to learn those lessons first-hand. Both of these companies used to be good companies but have really become less so of late. I would hate to be the person responsible for Grand Design’s reputation nowadays – YouTube is full of videos of some pretty epic failures that Grand Design doesn’t seem to be addressing from a PR standpoint.
Though I have a Class C rather than a pull-behind, I had specific items that immediately made me refuse considering purchase. As stated in the article, I also refused to have slides that prevent access to appliances or storage when not deployed. More importantly, cooktops directly adjacent to flammable living furniture. (I wonder who designed those and how they passed any safety inspection!?) Several other little items but I avoid any unnecessary mechanical conveniences when it’s something I can easily handle manually.
As an engineer, I look at the outside of an RV before going inside. This Jayco has two features outside that would prevent me from even bothering to go inside. First, this has a leaf-spring suspension, as shown in the video, which is an obsolete method of carrying a load. That alone is a deal-breaker for me, but this also has solid steps, which I absolutely hate! They are a pain in a Walmart parking lot when loading groceries, can’t be lowered in a closely-spaced RV storage lot, and bring dirt, mud, rain, and snow inside the trailer when closed. Any company that doesn’t offer the old-fashioned folding steps at least as an option doesn’t get my business!
I’m 100% with you on leaf springs. At least some companies use them with a better set of shackles so it doesn’t rattle your RV to pieces. I wouldn’t buy anything with leaf springs either.
But, as for the solid steps, I’m also 100% with you BUT very, very few RV manufacturers offer anything but nowadays. It’s rather unfortunate.
I’m also sad that decisions were made to eliminate one of Jayco’s cornerstone features, the JaySMART lighting. This trailer is just a real example of the worst case of corporate decision making. Bring back the Bontrager family – Thor’s ruining Jayco.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 A deal-breaker for us is/was bathroom access during travel. We had our hearts set on an RV to be #2. It was the same manufacturer as #1, so we were excited to potentially have a shorter learning curve. We stopped at a dealer to see one and our hearts fell when the slides were retracted. In order to use the facility en-route (sans slide extension) DW would have to crawl over the bed. 🤔😯🙁 So we pivoted to what became RV #2. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
I’m with you. We use our trailer a lot at rest stops just for lunch and potty breaks. Not having access to those two bits was absolutely a deal breaker when we were shopping.
Always good too see you here and appreciate your comments.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 You’re very kind and gracious. 🙂 Safe travels! 🙂
We’re a couple with a 2020 Jayco 24RLSW. One of the best features is that everything important is easily accessible with the slide in. Also don’t have those solid door-blocker steps. Those are a big deal at rest stops and parking lots where you oftrn find yourself only a few feet away from another parked vehicle.
Also don’t care about outdoor kitchens. Yeah, they seem cool, but I’d much rather have the storage space.
I’m 100% with you on the steps. We do a lot of boondocking but also just use our trailer for lunch and potty breaks at rest stops and the solid steps are a bother.