RV Close-Up: 2019 Precept Prestige

This new Type A motorhome from Jayco Inc. builds upon many features found in the company’s other models.

By Robbin Gould, Editor
Noevmber 2018

A new home on wheels has joined the Jayco family. In mid-September, the Precept Prestige was unveiled at “America’s Largest RV Show” in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This 2019 model incorporates a spacious living area; high-end amenities; and outdoor features a traveling family will appreciate. Its three floor plans incorporate numerous slideouts, with layouts designed to enhance maneuverability throughout the interior.

Although this motorhome model shares some similarities with its closest sibling, the Precept, the Precept Prestige comes to the showroom with its own characteristic features.

First, all three Precept Prestige floor plans are 38 feet in length. All are built on the 24,000-pound-rated Ford F-53 chassis, which offers a 252-inch wheelbase. The motorhome is propelled by the 6.8-liter, 320-horsepower Triton V-10 electronic-fuel-injected gasoline engine, which produces 460 pound-feet of torque. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes provide stopping power. For towing, the unit comes with a 5,000-pound-rated rear hitch receiver that has a dual connector and a seven-pin plug. The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is listed at 30,000 pounds.

Handling and stability are said to be greatly enhanced thanks to JRide Plus, a Jayco exclusive. This patented package combines several components: a computer-balanced driveshaft; jounce bumpers that absorb impact, dampen road noise, and minimize extreme movement while driving; standard rear and heavy-duty front stabilizer bars; and premium Sachs shock absorbers. The coach also comes standard with automatic hydraulic leveling jacks, backup and side-view cameras and monitor, and flush-mounted LED marker lights.

Construction

High-gloss fiberglass walls are joined to a seamless, crowned fiberglass roof and one-piece fiberglass front and rear caps. Customers can select one of three premium exterior paint packages: Nocturnal, Cosmic, and Shoreline. In fact, all Precept Prestige motorhomes come standard with full-body paint. Bead-foam insulation is used, providing maximum insulation values of R-24 for the roof, R-9 for the floor, and R-8 for the walls.

Exterior storage is ample both inside and outside. All Precept Prestige motorhomes feature carpeted plywood pass-through exterior storage compartments, equipped with side-hinged bus-style metal baggage doors with slam latches. These roomy bays accommodate items of various shapes and sizes, including full-size bicycles and other miscellaneous gear.

When set up in camp, RVers can relax outside under the electric patio awning, with its LED lights turned on if desired — and perhaps watch the LED TV mounted on a swivel bracket in the exterior entertainment center, which also includes a DVD player/FM radio with Bluetooth capability. Each slideout is topped with its own awning as well.

Interior

A bright, airy space greets occupants in the living area, thanks to a 7-foot-tall padded-vinyl ceiling; high-intensity recessed LED ceiling lights; and large, frameless windows paired with day-night roller shades. Even the entrance door contains what is said to be the industry’s largest travel-view window.

Interior furnishings include a dinette, as well as a sofa or a sofa bed plus a recliner, depending on the floor plan. An expandable L-shaped sofa in the 36U floor plan creates additional seating when needed.

Up front in the cockpit, the dash houses the controls needed for navigating this home on wheels. Standard cab features include a Soundstream Infotainment dash radio with GPS and CD/DVD player, as well as the aforementioned backup camera and side camera system with monitor. A striking 120-inch panoramic windshield — said to be one of the largest windshields available today — increases sightlines for the driver and maximizes viewing options for all passengers. The driver and copilot sit in six-way power chairs that swivel rearward. A table can be inserted between them when their occupants wish. All seating positions throughout the coach are equipped with two-point seat belts.

An electric fireplace can add ambience or additional warmth when the temperature drops. It is paired with an entertainment center, the latter of which includes a 50-inch or a 36-inch TV, depending on the floor plan. Cable TV hookup; satellite dish prep; and a digital antenna with signal booster are available to enhance viewing opportunities.

Conveniences in the midcoach galley include a stainless-steel three-burner Furrion gas cooktop, a convection-microwave oven, and a 21-cubic-foot residential refrigerator. A backsplash adds a decorative touch, while drawers glide smoothly with ball-bearing roller guides. A slide-out pantry in the 36U floor plan is handy for stowing extra groceries.

Other Precept Prestige amenities include solid-surface galley countertops with integrated stainless-steel sinks, and an easy-to-operate legless dinette table, the latter a Jayco design. Raised-panel cabinet doors with hardwood fascias are found in the galley, as well as throughout the entire motorhome.

The rear bedroom creates a relaxing getaway. All Precept Prestige floor plans come with a king-size bed, flanked by nightstands. Occupants can recline in bed with a book or e-reader, utilizing the overhead reading lights if needed, or watch the 32-inch bedroom TV.

In addition to sleeping areas created by the convertible sofa beds and dinettes, an optional powered drop-down bunk in all Precept Prestige floor plans creates a now-you see it, now-you don’t sleeping berth in the front cab-over area. This bed boasts a 750-pound capacity, which is said to be one of the industry’s highest. For even larger families, the 36B floor plan includes a pair of bunk beds, each with its own TV.

Bathroom appurtenances include a porcelain toilet and a 36-inch-by-42-inch shower with a full surround, glass door, and skylight. A powered roof vent is operated by a wall switch. Ample storage resides behind mirrored cabinets. A 12-volt demand water pump and Thetford Sani-Con Turbo macerator system come standard.

The 2019 Precept Prestige has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $183,000 and comes with Jayco’s two-year limited warranty. When taking price, length, amenities, and more into consideration, many RVers may conclude that the Precept Prestige is just right for their needs.

Specs | 2019 Precept Prestige

 

 

 

 

MANUFACTURER
Jayco Inc., 903 S. Main St., Middlebury, IN 46540; (574) 825-5861; www.jayco.com

MODEL
2019 Precept Prestige

FLOOR PLANS
(3)

CHASSIS
Ford F-53

ENGINE
Triton 6.8-liter V-10; electronic fuel injection; 320 horsepower at 460 pound-feet torque

TRANSMISSION
TorqShift 6-speed automatic overdrive with tow/haul

AUXILIARY GENERATOR
5.5-kw Onan Marquis Gold with auto start

AXLE RATIO
6.17 to 1

BRAKES
4-wheel antilock disc

WHEELBASE
252 inches

SUSPENSION
front — 9,000-pound tapered multileaf;
rear — 15,000-pound tapered multileaf

ALTERNATOR
130 amps

BATTERIES
chassis — (1) 12-volt;
coach — (1) 12-volt

INVERTER
2,000 watts

ELECTRICAL SERVICE
50 amps

EXTERIOR LENGTH
38 feet 2 inches; 38 feet 8 inches

EXTERIOR WIDTH
101 inches

EXTERIOR HEIGHT
12 feet 7 inches with A/C

INTERIOR HEIGHT
7 feet

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
24,000 pounds

GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
30,000 pounds

GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
front — 9,000 pounds;
rear — 15,500 pounds

FRESH WATER CAPACITY
72 gallons

HOLDING TANK CAPACITIES
gray water — 41-71 gallons;
black water — 50-91 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY
80 gallons

FUEL REQUIREMENTS
unleaded gasoline

PROPANE CAPACITY
16.5 gallons

WATER HEATER
10-gallon gas/electric

HEATING SYSTEM
35,000-Btu, auto-ignition, ducted

AIR CONDITIONING
dual A/C unit
(1) 15,000-Btu with heat pump;
(1) 13,500-Btu

REFRIGERATOR
21-cubic-foot residential

TOILET
porcelain

WARRANTY
2 years/24,000 miles, limited

MANUFACTURER’S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
starts at $183,000