Highland Ridge Roamer Light Duty 28DBSS vs Jayco Eagle SLE 28BHU
2026 Fifth Wheel comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
Two closely matched light-duty bunkhouse Fifth Wheel layouts that come down to feature mix. The Highland Ridge Roamer Light Duty 28DBSS is 34.5 ft long, 8,525 lbs dry, 9,995 lb GVWR with theater seating, 1,800W inverter, 200W solar, four-season construction and 102-inch interior ceiling. Sleeps 10 with bunks. MSRP $54,075.
The Jayco Eagle SLE 28BHU matches on length (34.5 ft) and GVWR (9,995 lbs) but is 40 lbs lighter dry (8,485 lbs). It adds 400W solar (double the Roamer), outdoor kitchen, residential fridge, 60 gal LP, single slide and Climate Shield four-season construction. Sleeps 8. MSRP $55,628.
Directional verdict: pick the Roamer 28DBSS for $1,553 less if you need to sleep 10 and want the 1,800W inverter standard. Pick the Eagle SLE 28BHU if you value the outdoor kitchen, doubled solar (400W) and residential fridge over inverter-included pricing. The Roamer's 75-inch interior height is a real ergonomic gap vs the Eagle's 75-inch (functionally similar).
Side-by-side specs
| Highland Ridge Roamer Light Duty 28DBSS | Jayco Eagle SLE 28BHU | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $54,075 | $55,628 |
| Length | 34'6" | 34'6" |
| Dry weight | 8,525 lbs | 8,485 lbs |
| GVWR | 9,995 lbs | 9,995 lbs |
| Sleeps | 10 | 8 |
| Slides | — | 1 |
| Fresh tank | 51 gal | 51 gal |
| Grey tank | 82 gal | 82 gal |
| Black tank | 45 gal | 45 gal |
| LP | — | 60 gal |
| Solar | 200W | 400W |
| Inverter | 1800W | — |
| Generator | — | — |
| Bath | — | full |
| Bed | bunks | bunks |
| 4-season | Yes | Yes |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | Yes |
| Washer/dryer | none | none |
| Residential fridge | No | Yes |
Where Highland Ridge Roamer Light Duty 28DBSS wins
- $1,553 cheaper at $54,075 MSRP
- Sleeps 10 vs 8 (more bunk capacity)
- 1,800W inverter standard (Eagle SLE has none listed)
- 102-inch interior ceiling (vs 75 in Eagle SLE)
- 20 lbs less hitch weight (1,630 vs 1,605 lbs is essentially tied)
Where Jayco Eagle SLE 28BHU wins
- 400W solar vs 200W (double the off-grid charge rate)
- Outdoor kitchen plus residential fridge plus single slide
- Climate Shield four-season construction with HELIX Cooling
- 60 gal LP for extended cold-weather heat
- 105 lbs more cargo capacity (1,575 vs 1,470 lbs)
Pick the Highland Ridge Roamer Light Duty 28DBSS if…
Larger families who need a 10-sleeper Fifth Wheel bunkhouse with a built-in 1,800W inverter and four-season construction at the lowest price point. The Roamer 28DBSS gives you that 102-inch ceiling and pre-wired inverter setup for off-grid stays at $54,075. Skip it if you want the outdoor kitchen or residential fridge.
Pick the Jayco Eagle SLE 28BHU if…
Families of 4-6 who prioritize the outdoor kitchen for tailgate-style cooking, want a residential fridge inside and value the doubled 400W solar for off-grid weekends. The Jayco Eagle SLE 28BHU adds Climate Shield, HELIX Cooling, 60 gal LP and a single slide to open up the main cabin for $1,553 more. Skip it if you need to sleep 10 or want a pre-installed inverter.
Frequently asked
Are both rigs half-ton-friendly?
Neither is a true half-ton Fifth Wheel. Both run 9,995 lb GVWR with 1,600+ lb hitch weights. Most owners run a 3/4-ton (F-250, 2500). A maxed-out half-ton can handle it but with thin payload margin.
Why does the Eagle SLE have 75-inch interior height?
The Eagle SLE 28BHU spec lists 75 inches (6 ft 3 in). That's below the 102-inch Roamer ceiling, but functional standing room is unchanged in main cabin areas; the difference is in bunkhouse and pass-through zones.
Which has more solar charge capacity?
The Eagle SLE 28BHU at 400W has double the solar of the Roamer 28DBSS at 200W. For dry camping, expect roughly twice the daily amp-hour replenishment with the Eagle SLE in the same conditions.