Jayco camper Trailers - Outback versions

Friend of mine has an Outback Swan (I think thats the model).

His has been dragged all over the country , into some very offroad places.

They love it. Still in practically one piece. They have had a few of the cupboards give way due to the corrugations , but nothing glue and screws couldn't fix.

We are giving serious consideration to buying one.

Are they tough enough ?

They will go anywhere you want to take one , of that I have no doubt , but , what would the long term effect be ?

I dont think they will last anywhere near as long as say an Offroad Campertrailer under the same conditions , but , moderate offroad use , I think they would stand up just fine.

Hi Drew,

I have an Outback Penguin and have very few complaints with it. The major differences are an underslung axle, shock absorbers, bigger brakes and a heavier frame that the standard version. Ground clearance is great and it goes anywhere the Landcruiser goes but is a bit heavy (1400-1500kg).

We've just returned from a 6500 km trip in the Queensland outback (Sydney - Bourke - Charleville - Birdsville - Mt Isa - Lawn Hill - Longreach - Carnarvon Gorge - then back down the NSW coast) and the only problems were from stone damage underneath. We've also taken it to the Victorian High Country.

I can well imagine some of the woodwork falling apart given that it's held together with glue and staples but, as Flappa said, a few screws should fix that. It hasn't given us any problems though.

Would I buy another one? Probably yes.

Mike

Hi Drew
We had a Jayco off roader for three weeks, towed it up to Queensland via the Strezlecki (spelling?) Track.
Past Innamincka we had a potential deadly problem when a rock must of kicked up and broke off the spout from the water tank. This caused us to lose all of the water in the tank. Found out when we stopped for the night in the middle of no-where. Lucky we had 20 litres in the car. Next morning our priority was to go to the next nearest town for water.
We also could not believe the weight of the Camper, we were very aware that we were towing.
We did'nt try before we bought.
Dust was also a problem for us.

Just my opinion, dont mean to be a downer!

Regards Pedirka

We had an off road eagle from 94-97. Were living mainly in NW WA and towed it most places. Up and down the Tanami, around the back of Lake Gregory and around the Gulf etc. Only dramas were the water outlet smashed off once near Burketown, a couple of hinges breaking and a bit of dust entering. The outlet problem was solved with a home made guard extension, dust was minimised by opening roof pressure hatch but the hinges were just replaced. Good van but got sick of setting it up. We did smash the back window on the canopy on the ute along the Tanami also. Actually smashed the next bit of glass a bit further down the road so got both repaired at Alice on hot Saturday morning so a stone deflector is very neccessary. Went onto a on-road Westport and now got an off road expanda. Heaps easier for mid day roadside stops and now we have a family to consider. Horses for courses when it comes to campers, caravans and vehicles.

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/juga/
http://jayco.contact.com.au/forumMessages.asp?Cat=15&MsgCriteria=16066&Delete=0

The above forum web sites are Jayco specific.
Where you want to go with your trailer could be very different to where I would go with YOUR trailer.. There is a limit to their capabilities Jayco acknowledge thatusers on the aboce sites could give you heaps of info.
There has been a bit of dicussion on this forum over the years. Try a seach.

Hi drew MY WIFE AND I JUST SOLD OUR OFF-ROAD CAMPATRAILER AND HAVE BROUGHT A JAYCO FINCH OUTBACK . 2005 MODEL .SOME FRIENDS OF OURS HAVE ONE AND HAVE BEEN EVERY WERE IN IT WITH OUT ANY PROBLEMES AS LONG AS YOU DRIVE TO THE ROAD CONDISIONS AT THE TIME . THE NEWER VERISIONS 2002 ONWARDS HAVE BEEN MADE ALOT STONGER AND DONT SEAM TO HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AS THE EARLYER MODELS DID. THIS SITE HELPED US TO WITH LOTS OF GOOD ADVISE FROM OTHER PEOPLE ON GOOD AND BAD POINTS IT ALL HELPS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY U HAVE TO DO WHATS BEST FOR U.THE REASONS WE GOOT RID OF THE CAMPER IS WE NOW HAVE A 8 MONTH OLD BABY GIRL, WE WANTED MORE COMFORT AND GOT SICK OF GETTING WASHED OUT EVERY TIME IT RAINED WITH A WET AND MUDDY FLOOR AND A BIT MORE SUCRITY AND STORAGE .THE BEST OF LUCK TO U HOPED THIS HELPED.