Heartland Bighorn 38RE vs Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS
2026 Fifth Wheel comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
These two luxury Fifth Wheel rigs trade length for amenity breadth. The Heartland Bighorn 38RE is 42.5 feet, 15,275 lb dry on 17,995 lb GVWR with 2,970 lb hitch weight, four-season construction, theater seating, residential fridge, 50-amp service, washer/dryer prep, $125,925. The Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS is 40.83 feet (1.67 ft shorter), 14,255 lb dry on 17,500 lb GVWR with 2,535 lb hitch (435 lb less pin weight), 400W factory solar, GE residential appliances, dual A/C heat pump, tankless water, NuvoH2O, central vacuum, king bed, full bath, outdoor kitchen, electric fireplace, four-season insulated, $131,850.
The Pinnacle 36FBTS reads like a tech-load spec sheet - 400W solar, dual A/C heat pump, tankless water, NuvoH2O water treatment, central vacuum, electric fireplace, GE Profile appliances, outdoor kitchen, and JAYCOMMAND-grade smart features - plus the better-documented 75-gal fresh / 87-gal grey / 87-gal black tanks and 120-gal LP. The Bighorn 38RE wins on raw length (1.67 ft more), dry weight to dry-weight comparison (1,020 lb heavier dry on 495 lb more GVWR), and $5,925 lower price.
Verdict: Pinnacle 36FBTS for tech-loaded luxury Fifth Wheel with solar, heat pump, and outdoor kitchen; Bighorn 38RE for longer length and Heartland four-season construction at lower price.
Side-by-side specs
| Heartland Bighorn 38RE | Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $125,925 | $131,850 |
| Length | 42'6" | 40'10" |
| Dry weight | 15,275 lbs | 14,255 lbs |
| GVWR | 17,995 lbs | 17,500 lbs |
| Sleeps | 4 | 4 |
| Slides | — | 1 |
| Fresh tank | — | 75 gal |
| Grey tank | — | 87 gal |
| Black tank | — | 87 gal |
| LP | — | 120 gal |
| Solar | — | 400W |
| Inverter | — | — |
| Generator | — | — |
| Bath | — | full |
| Bed | — | king |
| 4-season | Yes | Yes |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | Yes |
| Washer/dryer | prep | prep |
| Residential fridge | Yes | Yes |
Where Heartland Bighorn 38RE wins
- 42.5 ft total length (1.67 ft longer)
- Four-season construction noted
- Theater seating with residential fridge
- Heartland's 'reimagined for 2026' platform
- $5,925 lower MSRP at $125,925
Where Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS wins
- 400W factory solar standard
- Dual A/C heat pump and tankless water
- King bed, full bath, outdoor kitchen, electric fireplace
- NuvoH2O water treatment and central vacuum
- 1,020 lb lighter dry weight at 14,255 lb
Pick the Heartland Bighorn 38RE if…
Pick the 2026 Heartland Bighorn 38RE if you want the longest luxury Fifth Wheel here at 42.5 feet, with the heavier 17,995 lb GVWR and Heartland's 'reimagined for 2026' platform - four-season construction, theater seating, residential fridge, 50-amp service, and washer/dryer prep. At $125,925 it saves $5,925 versus the Pinnacle 36FBTS. Best for buyers prioritizing length and Heartland's four-season build at the lower entry price - and willing to live with the spec sheet's gaps on bath, bed, and tank capacity. The Bighorn 38RE rewards size-focused buyers over feature-focused ones.
Pick the Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS if…
Pick the 2026 Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS if you want a tech-loaded luxury Fifth Wheel - 400W factory solar, GE residential appliances, dual A/C heat pump, tankless water heater, NuvoH2O water treatment, central vacuum, electric fireplace, outdoor kitchen, king bed, and full bath all standard. The 40.83-foot trailer ships with 75-gal fresh / 87-gal grey / 87-gal black tanks (1.74x the black capacity vs typical), 120-gal LP, and JAYCOMMAND smart controls. At $131,850 it's a $5,925 premium but delivers feature density the Bighorn doesn't approach. Best for tech-forward luxury buyers who want everything factory-installed.
Frequently asked
Which has dual A/C heat pump?
The Pinnacle 36FBTS has dual A/C heat pump units. The Bighorn 38RE has standard A/C only - no heat pump.
What's the dry weight difference?
The Bighorn 38RE is 15,275 lb dry; the Pinnacle 36FBTS is 14,255 lb dry - the Jayco is 1,020 lb lighter to tow.
Which has tankless water heating?
The Pinnacle 36FBTS has a tankless water heater. The Bighorn 38RE doesn't list tankless - typically uses a standard 10-gal water heater tank at this size.