Lasting memories of great trips always seem to include good food and new landscapes, and the 2012 Pinnacle caters to both in 40 feet of full-timing luxury. With five floorplans between 35 and 40 feet and four interior décor choices, the popular Pinnacle is Jayco’s flagship luxury fiver.
A Look Inside
Jayco has successfully incorporated an efficient yet fully appointed galley that provides more than 8 feet of usable countertop along with everything needed for a great meal. Half of the cabin’s 15-foot streetside slideout holds the galley appliances that include a three-burner stove and oven, and a standard microwave above. Deep double sink basins covered with matching Corian covers are serviced by a pull-out faucet. Handsome Concord cherry-stained hardwood cabinets and matching slide fascias used throughout the coach surround the microwave and stove, providing generous shelf and full-extension drawer storage for culinary necessities.
An L-shaped counter seperates the galley, and provides valuable preparation and service space.
The standard 8-cubic-foot refrigerator with matching wood panel is paired with a full-height pantry that is sacrificed when the larger optional ($1,914) 12-cubic-foot fridge is ordered. Next to the fridge on the forward cabin wall, however, is the large multi-use cabinet that is plumbed and wired for a laundry combo unit or for use as a spacious pantry with fully adjustable shelves, or a combination of both depending on need.
The most notable feature of the Pinnacle’s galley is revealed as the room opens and the fixed L-shaped counter is created. As the slide extends, taking with it the 26-by-26-inch tambour-door appliance garage, four-bottle wine rack and stemware storage cabinet, the final length of that high-gloss Corian-topped workspace materializes. Hanging pendant lamps illuminate this signature L-shaped design that also includes a raised corner countertop section, perfect for the resident sommelier.
A 15-foot slideout, massive windows and quality finishes create an exceptionally inviting living area.
Four can dine at the free-standing 26-by-37-inch table enlarged further with the 10-inch-wide leaf, safely stowed for travel in a cavity beneath the tabletop. The near alfresco dining experience will draw comments while surrounded by the slide’s pair of floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a grand view of the outdoors and likely become the favored lookout for owners and pets alike.
Relaxing after a good meal is just steps away where two large Ultraleather rocker recliners await in front of another panoramic rear wall picture window. Guests can lounge on the sofa bed, which is also equipped with a 54-by-74-inch Aero Bed. The handsome entertainment center fills the remainder of the galley slide holding the 40-inch LCD HD TV on a swing-out mount, an AM/FM/MP3/CD/DVD stereo system, optional ($1,000) 5,000 Btu heat-generating fireplace and handy laptop desk and drawer feature. Plenty of media and general storage is found in the cabinetry surround.
Extra storage beneath the bed is a nice perk.
The full bath, adjoining the bedroom, is located at the top of the 27-inch-wide stairway where a paired bath door setup provides bathroom privacy and access for either the bedroom or living area as needed. The one-piece radius shower offers an 80-inch ceiling with an additional 5 inches of headroom courtesy of the domed skylight. The porcelain commode has storage above it and the 23-by-21-inch vanity provides more storage below and a medicine chest with accent lighting above.
Retiring to the bedroom rewards the weary with a walk-around, 79-by-71-inch, king-size platform bed with a Cloud Ten mattress in the streetside slide. Convenient reading lamps, eyeglass nightstands and 120-volt AC outlets are provided for both sides. At the foot of the bed is a two-drawer aisle dresser with overhead media storage shelves flanking the optional ($564) 22-inch LCD HD TV. The front cap is fitted with a full-width aromatic cedar-lined walk-in closet and separate wardrobe cabinet. The closet features a full-width storage shelf behind the 43-inch-long clothes rod that provides 45 inches of hanging length with full height shoe and small item shelving next to it. Given the roofline taper toward the front cap, the bedroom still offers almost 7 feet of headroom.
Outside Highlights
Exterior storage space is generous, including this lighted and heated front pass-through compartment.
Outside, Jayco continues the user convenience theme with its high-gloss gelcoat body finish that includes entry and baggage doors and both caps. A striking, but optional ($7,700) premium paint package is also available. Dual-stacked battery trays and dual 7-gallon LP-gas cylinders on a slide-out tray makes stand-up servicing a snap. Positioning the landing gear leg mounts outside the frame enhances coach stability when deployed. A spacious, lighted and heated forward pass-through storage compartment handles all needed campsite extras and protects the utility dock control panel from road and weather damage.
Wondering what you’ll do for outside rear cargo and bike storage on this sleek new fiver? The Jayco Pinnacle frame is designed to accept the optional ($400) draining 24-by-64-inch rear slide-out storage tray with fold-up bike rack. Four-season campers are not forgotten either. In addition to the expected heated water and holding tanks and optional ($1,279) thermal pane glass, the small “Polar Barrier” sticker near the entry door certifies that the Pinnacle design has been cold tested to zero degrees Fahrenheit with the 40,000 Btu furnace maintaining a cabin temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit that varied only plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the length of the coach during testing.
The Fine Print
Two required equipment packages come with the Pinnacle. The Summit Upgrade Package provides the hardwood cabinets, 40-inch TV, aluminum wheels, free-standing table and chairs, Corian countertops and the recliners, adding $6,664 to the base price. The Customer Value Package adds $2,847 and includes the 12-gallon gas/electric water heater, 15,000 Btu air conditioner, bathroom skylight and power vent, exterior awning, security lock box, entry grab handle, cabin stereo system, outside security lights and a water filtration unit.
Whether you are a full-timing couple or family of weekenders, the 2012 Jayco Pinnacle line continues to offer the desirable features, components and conveniences RV enthusiasts are looking for and that should keep this flagship fresh for years to come.
Our thanks to Richardson’s RV Centers in Riverside, Calif., for providing the Pinnacle for this review.
To find the Jayco Pinnacle 35LKTS and other fifth-wheel travel trailers for sale, visit the online RV Buyer’s Guide!
The Jayco Pinnacle 35LKTS floorplan.
Quick Information
Ext. Length 40’ 4”Ext. Width 8’Ext. Height (W/AC) 12’ 11” (13’ 3” w/Opt. bedroom AC)Int. Height, bedroom 6’ to 6’9” Int. Height living area 8’ to 8’ 11”Freshwater Cap 87 gal.Black-/Gray-Water Cap 49/86 gal.LP-gas Cap 14 gal. GVWR 15,950 lbDry Weight 12,200 lbDry Hitch Weight 2,665 lbMSRP Base $51,371MSRP as Reviewed $78,831Jayco Inc. (574) 825-5861 www.jayco.comRichardson’s RV Centers (877) 205-8820 www.richardsonsrv.com
