Thor Buys Jayco For $576M

[bama_ed]

Wow.

I will miss Jayco's line of pop-ups which I am sure will change (the 2017 line-up recently announced was already greatly reduced - they got rid of their A-frames after only 3-4 years of trying those).

Here is the announcement. Of course, synergies all around supposedly. http://rvdailyreport.com/industry/thor-buys-jayco-for-576-million/

Here are Thor's other camper/rv lines including Airstream. http://www2.thorindustries.com/operating-entities

Jayco also claimed to have the best selling travel trailer for 11 years straight in their Jay Flight.

Bama Ed

PS - our first camper was a 2004 Jayco Popup 12HW which we used for over 200 nights of camping as our kids grew up. Traded it in in 2014 but it was a solid, good pop-up.

PPS - Jayco owns/owned Starcraft and had operated their pop-up line as well but it appears to have been eliminated completely for 2017.

 

[2goofycampers]

I hope they keep the same quality. We may have to keep our Jayco TT forever.

 

[Teamubr]

Ed,

This may not be a bad thing. Thor bought Crossroads when I was doing their rallies for them and was pretty close with the sales and development groups. Since Crossroads was doing well (like Jayco), Thor mostly left them alone. Thor did provide capital to expand their lines, but everything else has stayed as it was.

It's sort of like when Forest River bought Coachmen a decade ago. Everything was doom and gloom. Coachmen is still around and making good product. I just bought one and I'm very happy with it.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Hmm, have to see how this goes. I can't brag on my current Jayco due to numerous problems over the years and was looking to upgrade but now I may have to wait and see how this goes.

A physician I work with bought a Thor C class and swore he'd never buy another one due to problems.

Will wait and see

 

[bama_ed]

You may be right, Jim.

Time will tell.

(although I hope I am on my last trailer to take me through the next 30 years or so).

Ed

 

[North of Mouse]

Not a Thor fan here! We had a Hurricane MH (built by Thor) and it was one more piece of junk (dh's description )

It was not well made at all - had several issues with it - now have a Winnebago Sightseer mh - love it! (so far - two years old)

 

[peg110]

Never owned a Jayco, but as we "Shopped" we always liked their layouts and they seemed to be of higher quality. The price tag, though was a bit tougher to swallow then other brands. (I know.. you often get what you pay for).

We currently have a Coachmen (343QBDS) which we just bought. Haven't had it out yet. It's funny though, as we look "Closer" now that we have it at home, how many minor things we have found such as issues with trim/finish work. We are trying to thoroughly test before our trip in just over a month to work out the bugs.

 

[Flametamr]

Wondering how this will effect all the brands. Right around the time my Open Range was to be build Jayco bought the brand and immediately cut quality and sped up the assembly line. I have found many little things left broken or just half done. maybe Thor will restore some quality and pride in the workmanship.