I’m noticing more and more RVs going back to basics as I keep seeking out the new and noteworthy. There is probably no better example than the 2027 Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL travel trailer. In fact, many of the interior pieces and attention to detail take me back a few years.
For a while there seemed to be a challenge within the business of adding more and more features to RVs. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—there are nerds, er, people like me who appreciate some of the advanced features.
But I’m willing to bet that there are a good number of RVers who don’t want to have to remember how an app works just because they want to measure tank levels or bring an awning in. And, of course, the more elaborate a rig is, the more money it costs to build and, by extension, the more it costs to buy.
This is a very traditional bunkhouse model that can sleep up to eight people (wow!), and has a traditional dinette and jackknife sofa.
How the Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL is built
Starting at the road, you’re riding on basic import tires and a simple leaf spring suspension.
I’ve shared more than once how I really like some of the suspension advancements such as torsion axle suspensions, Curt’s independent coil spring system, and others. This has none of that.
But I also recognize that many campers only travel fewer than 100 miles on a typical outing and can only schedule a few times a year. Yes, the better suspension systems do provide greater isolation from road hazards, and that does help an RV last longer, but if you’re not piling on the miles, perhaps the cost of an upgraded suspension system doesn’t have as much value to you.
As long as you’re aware of the consequences of various options. That’s the point of why I like sharing things like this.
This does utilize a B-A-L huck bolted frame, which that company states is more durable than a welded frame.
Up on the housetop, there’s Jayco’s Magnum Truss roofing system, which they have long touted as being a sturdy system.
The walls of this are a laminate with vacuum-bonded aluminum-framed walls that feature an Azdel substrate, which is a waterproof material that does a better job of sound insulation than the traditional Lauan, which has been given the stink eye as being sourced from forests that are depleting.
One thing to note: if this is the rig for you, be aware that this is only a 13,500 BTU A/C system, which means it’s relatively low capacity. That’s fine if you live in the Pacific Northwest, where A/C isn’t a lifesaving feature, but if you’re in Texas I’d consult your dealer about a larger unit, which is an option, and likely a second unit, which is also an option.
There is no solar standard on this and, again, I’m a huge fan of off-grid technologies like solar and lithium systems, but that’s because of how I go camping. I do spend a fair amount of time off the grid. If your camping is mostly in RV parks with full hook-ups, then there is almost no reason to want solar.
However, I wouldn’t buy any newer RV that had a 12-volt fridge with anything but at least one lithium battery and, perhaps, even two. This would keep the fridge running while you’re loading the trailer at home, and you might even be able to squeeze a night out of a single battery, maybe. If the stars align properly.
Basically, I’m telling you that an RV dealer who’s not offering you the upgrade to a single lithium battery, or greater, is doing you a disservice with a modern camper.
Living and sleeping in the Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL
As mentioned, this traditional floor plan has a proper queen-sized bed up front and a double-over-double bunk in the back. Those bunks are each rated for 600 pounds apiece, which means I could literally sleep with myself (there’s a vision nobody ever hoped for) without breaking the bunk.
Something I haven’t seen in a while is that the wall in the bedroom that separates it from the main living space has a door on either side with a fixed wall in the middle. The best way to make the bed in this is with an RV Superbag unless you’re a contortionist.
This wall is also a place intended for mounting a TV, but, to be honest, it’s not the best place if TV viewing is synonymous with camping in your world. This is a pretty uncomfortable angle for TV viewing.
I remember when they would put TVs on these walls that could rotate so you could watch it in the bedroom or in the living room. I thought that was a smart idea until I saw the number of repairs on this mechanism because people weren’t grasping the idea of the limiters and just pushing the TVs past them. Ooops.
Main living space in the Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL
Essentially, your seating in this RV is either at a four-place dinette or on a couch that could be reclined to be a bed if you truly disliked that member of your crew. Sleeping comfort isn’t the best on this jackknife sofa, but it’s okay for sitting.
The base of the dinette can be used for storage, but you access that by lifting a cushion and a board to get to it—certain nods to cost savings are made, and drawers were on the chopping block in this spot.
Across from the dinette and couch in the slide is your kitchen. Its “L” shaped countertop provides decent counter space.
There’s the usual three-burner propane stove but with the unfortunate 17” vertical oven. Bummer. There is a nice sink and a microwave and a good number of cabinets and drawers.
There is a good-sized pantry here, and that pantry has shelving that can be lifted out if you’d prefer to take advantage of this as a space for hanging storage.
There’s also a bit of storage under the lower bunk where the flexible and nimble youthful travelers can either use it for storage in totes and such or make a small fort in the space. Said fort would be rather small, but a fort is still a good thing.
The bathroom, too, is nothing remarkable but not bad either, with a porcelain foot flush toilet, a shower with a curtain and a smaller sink and medicine cabinet. There’s no window in here, and I have found that, with a bit of alcohol, Command hooks will mount to many RV wall types.
Boondocking and travel access in the Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL
While solar is an option on this, none comes standard, and I suspect few of these will get much, if any. And, again, that’s fine. I like when a manufacturer makes it easy to add things like solar but doesn’t foist it on buyers.
As for travel access, well, that’s an area where this trailer is not strong, as you’d have to bump out the slide a bit to get to the bathroom. That can be fine for some buyers, but the delay might also be a challenge for some buyers. In other words, the pottymergency may not permit waiting to push the slide out time-wise if you’re on your way somewhere and suddenly the coffee has kicked in and now wants to be released back into the world.
But this is a rack-and-pinion slide, so pushing it out just enough to get past the kitchen counter is totally fine; that’s not the case with all types of slide mechanisms.
Bottom line on the Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL
With a base MSRP of $44,093, this trailer offers a lot of value for the money. While it’s not super crazy with the features, it is an honest, decently-built camper with a good warranty and mostly good features and build quality. In fact, a while back I went to tour Jayco’s facilities, and something I liked seeing was their inspection facilities, where every Jayco that leaves the grounds gets a full top-to-bottom inspection. Nice.
The things I wish Jayco would change are to either dump the 17” oven altogether or put in the 21” oven, which is a much more usable appliance. Or, what if they could create a cabinet where the 21” oven could be added as an option for those who want it or where there would be a drawer for those who don’t?
What are your thoughts on this—have the upgrades and features on RVs finally plateaued, or has there just always been a market for a decently-built honest camper?
