Jayco Camper trailer

Submitted: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 19:11
ThreadID: 117750 Views:4558 Replies:9 FollowUps:6
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HI all ,
Looking into buying a Jayco Flamingo touring
A few questions
Will it handle most corrigated roads [not planning on doing huge sections of corrigated ]????
No scrub bashing
Suspension will be changed undersling the axle ,shocks if required ,All terain tires .
Although i have not looked the leaf springs should be able to handle it .

In regards to the camper, the cupboards construction is apparently only satisfactory so no matter what suspension i have corrigated roads will take a toll on the cabinets I assume . OPinions ???

Wiring solar ,inparticular the routing of the cables to the roof easy job--can it be done reasonably concealed ???

The roof construction seems poor -multi piece [potential leak spots ][others brands have a one piece roof ]. Opinions

Sun damage to either plastics [front boot ,trim etc ] or the canvas . What have people seen ???

Swampfox
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Reply By: baznpud (tassie) - Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 19:22

Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 19:22
Swampfox,
Don't want to be negative, but with the faults you have already noticed, unless it's given to you i think you are asking for trouble.
baz
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Reply By: wholehog- Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 21:53

Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 21:53
Its a Jayco mate...live with it. Regardless of brand..if you wanna reduce corrogation vibration damage loosening the staples and PVA glue holding the cabinets together..let the tyres down. Simple.
AnswerID: 553392

Reply By: 322 - Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 22:15

Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at 22:15
I owned a 2010 Flamingo Outback. Bought it brand new. Jayco told us up front they are not rated for anything but a gravel road. In my experience I would not buy one again. I will buy a camper after I sell our caravan. But it will be a proper off roader.
AnswerID: 553396

Reply By: Member - Blue M - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 02:09

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 02:09
Hi Swampfox,
I had a 2011 Jayco Eagle Off Road. Can't comment on the plastic nose as mine didn't have one.
I took it over all the popular dirt roads, Gibb river, Mitchel Falls, Paraburdoo to Meekatharra via Mt. Augustus etc.
Took it on some roads I was probably not supposed to.
I could not fault it. Sure, I broke a shocky, and bent the mount, but if anything hit the hole that I didn't see, it would have done some damage.
Did around 40,000 k's with it in tow, approx. 6500k's off that on the dirt.
I did make a point of going around with a Philips head screw driver, once a week when travelling on dirt roads, once a fortnight when on the black top, and checked all the screws. (Only about 580 of them.)
Now and then I would find one or two a bit loose. Nip them up and all good.

I had 2x80w solar panels on the roof. The wires from the solar came in thru the roof ran down the same place as the lead for your lights go, just over the sink. The wires never got in the way when folding it down.
Never had any leaks through the roof.
Didn't have any cupboard doors fall off, but would/could have if I did have my Philips head screwdriver handy.
Not a Jayco fan, but that was all I could afford at the time, and loved it.
Not every Jayco is a dud, as I am sure something on a "Real Off Road Van" will break at some time.

Cheers

AnswerID: 553400

Follow Up By: swampfox - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 06:20

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 06:20
hi
Q/ Did your camper have the O/B conventional leaf/ axle setup or the later O/B independant coil setup .

In regards to the loose screws . Could u use a compound similar to lock tight ,removable. I guess u could epoxy the screws in but may be an issue later on . What about silicon ??

cheers swampfox
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Follow Up By: Member - Blue M - Friday, May 08, 2015 at 19:22

Friday, May 08, 2015 at 19:22
It had the convention axle, leaf spring with a shocky. Not sure if the road/tourer ones come with a shocks.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Fab72 - Saturday, May 09, 2015 at 17:46

Saturday, May 09, 2015 at 17:46
Nah mate....only the "outback" versions get the shocks. The road version is sprung only.

Fab.
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Reply By: Member - Sanantone - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 05:13

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 05:13
I've had a few Jaycos they will handle anything within reason (as most vans will do) as long as you drive to the conditions. The only issue I had after a week in the corner country was dust getting in. IMO you should look at an OB model to gain the height off the road, the new models offer excellent standard equipment.
Tony
"For the Rover's life has pleasures, that the townsfolk will never know" - sort of from Banjo Paterson

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Follow Up By: swampfox - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 06:25

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 06:25
HI
A new outback model would be great but it all comes down to money!!
I have seen a few touring versions raised up .
Certainly not equivilant to an O/B but ok if u drive to the conditions as u say .

swamp fox
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Reply By: Bosun Broome - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 05:52

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 05:52
Blue M you aren't comparing apples with apples!
AnswerID: 553402

Reply By: swampfox - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 06:38

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 06:38
hi
The reason i am even considering a touring is with a few mods it will be ok for some but not all corrigated roads .
I have built many a car trailer with 4 inch /100mm RHS so a camper with similar should be
ok
The outback is around 250kgs heavier than a touring version.
I also donot like towing heavy weights long distance eg poor performance and poor fuel consumption , even though i have a good tow vehicle .

This camper is not be used as a deep water crosser /beach runner/ river bed traveller.

swampfox


AnswerID: 553403

Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 09:12

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 09:12
We bought a Jayco Dove Outback camper in 2002 and owned it for about five years. We were happy with it and had no trouble on average dirt roads - we did not take it on any extremely corrugated long trips. It was spacious and comfortable for camping. The quality of the internal fittings was fairly light and not likely to withstand too much rough stuff. I believe newer models have improved a bit internally. The main difference with the Outback is really just better clearance but Jayco still don't warranty them for lengthy travel on dirt roads. The Outback also had two gas bottles which we needed for camping.
If this Flamingo is in good condition (check the winding mechanism) and a good price you should do all right - just don't expect it to handle lots of really rough stuff and treat it kindly. Lynne
AnswerID: 553411

Follow Up By: Member - Paul B (WA) - Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 21:58

Thursday, May 07, 2015 at 21:58
Mate of mine with a Jayco Outback (Eagle, from memory) describes them as the Hyundai of the caravan range. Good value but don't expect anything really flash or for them to stand much punishment.

I thought that was an interesting observation from an owner.
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Follow Up By: swampfox - Friday, May 08, 2015 at 08:53

Friday, May 08, 2015 at 08:53
hi
John and Lynne
Yes i have heard of the dodgy winder mechanisms for roof lifter . Apparently the later van u get the better the mechanism ??
As u would expect there are tails of woe/failure on the internet ..

If i buy a camper the first thing i will do is remove the canvas for a good clean ,repair if needed and an anti mould treatment.
At this time i assume the lifter can be inspected and repaired etc

swampfox
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FollowupID: 839290

Reply By: Lionel O - Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 16:11

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 16:11
I have hired out Jayco campers for 20 years, a total of 47 of them. Regardless of what anybody says, they are NOT suitable for unsealed roads. Only last month, we had one do 24 ks of gravel, roof clip thread broke off, roof blew off and took all the canvas etc with it. $9000 later she is fixed. There are plenty of dreamers out there that will say yeah mate, we did this, we did that. They won't admit their stupidity. Leave your camper in a caravan park and do your offroad in in your 4wd which is designed for just that. Jayco are NOT. The outback is identical to the standard model but with bigger wheels and suspension. The only 2 things you won't have much problem with anyway.
AnswerID: 553702

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