Jayco Melbourne Prestige 24LP vs Jayco Redhawk 26XD
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Quick take: The Jayco Redhawk 26XD costs $70,000 less; the Jayco Redhawk 26XD sleeps more (6 vs 4); the Jayco Melbourne Prestige 24LP is 3 ft shorter and easier to maneuver.
| Spec | Jayco Melbourne Prestige 24LP | Jayco Redhawk 26XD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175,000 | $105,000 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (1,800) | 4.2★ (1,900) |
| Type | Class C | Class C |
| Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Length | 26 ft | 29 ft |
| Weight | 13,500 lbs | 14,500 lbs |
| Sleeps | 4 | 6 |
| Fresh water | 40 gal | 43 gal |
| Slide-outs | 1 | 2 |
| Solar | 200W | None |
| Four-season | Yes | No |
| Pet friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Towable | No | No |
| Chassis | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | Ford E-450 |
Why owners pick each
Jayco Melbourne Prestige 24LP
- ✓Mercedes diesel gets great fuel economy for a Class C
- ✓Murphy bed creates real living space during the day
- ✓Jayco's 2-year warranty provides peace of mind
Jayco Redhawk 26XD
- ✓Ford 7.3L V8 and 22,000-lb GCWR leave real capacity for towing a car or boat
- ✓JRide handling package makes it one of the better-driving E-450 Class Cs
- ✓Discontinued after 2024, so leftover and lightly used units sell well under MSRP
What owners report
Jayco Melbourne Prestige 24LP
- ✓Built on the Mercedes Sprinter diesel chassis, the Melbourne Prestige delivers strong fuel economy and refined highway manners that gas Class Cs can't touch - a big draw for couples who put on real miles
- ✓The compact 24-25-foot footprint makes it one of the more nimble and easy-to-park Class Cs, while still offering a proper bedroom, bath, and galley
- ✓Upscale 'Prestige' finish is a genuine step above value Class Cs - owners note residential touches, better materials, and a more luxurious feel than a Coachmen or Sunseeker at this size
- ✓The single slide opens up the living area nicely, and owners praise how livable and bright the cabin feels for two people on extended trips
- ✓Sprinter diesel power handles grades confidently and the chassis is well-suited to long-distance touring, with the comfort and quietness owners associate with Mercedes
- ✓One owner was 'very impressed with the build quality compared to competitors,' and Jayco's two-year warranty has historically been a selling point in the segment
- ✓Active Jayco Owners Forum community documents the known issues and fixes in detail, which helps buyers go in informed and resolve problems faster
- ✗The 24LP slide system is the model's signature flaw - Jayco itself acknowledged the issue and a fix; owners report bent slide tracks from a missing factory set screw, $1,200 repairs, and one rig out of service over six months
- ✗Door and hardware failures are common - a coach door that wouldn't stay shut and sprang open while driving, and a door handle that came off in an owner's hand because of a stripped soft-metal shaft and flimsy snap ring
- ✗Electrical and appliance gremlins pile up - one owner logged battery failures, a dead slide, a leaky roof, a non-working auto step, and a broken backup camera and fridge within two years and 8,000 miles
- ✗At roughly $175k it's expensive for a compact Class C, and owners question paying premium money for a rig that still ships with notable QC problems
- ✗Repeated trips back to the dealer for missing parts and rework are a common early-ownership theme, testing patience even with the upscale finish