Jayco Hawk Outback

Hi
From my experience of owning a Jayco Flamingo Outback (05 model)and taking it off road is the suspension is good but the rest to the van will fall apart.It is really only good for smooth dirt roads and a bit of beach work.The van is the same as on road with better suspension.Jayco has changed the name from off road to outback.be prepared to refit screws now and then and tighten a few things up.But the van set up and towing are great just remember what you are towing be hind you .As i said before it is not a serious off road van more like a on road with higher suspension.
Mark

The Mrs and myself contemplated buying one new, and found out that the concept is great, as long as you do not want to take them up into the Outback.
Their suspension is too light !
You will find that the endless corrugations will shake it to pieces

Get a Trak Shak !,,,, or at least a trailer with a similar suspension system, ( independent coils )

I followed a Trak Shak across the Simpson Desert, last year and was in awe, as to how it just waddled along behind the tow vehicle, and in talking to the owners, ( members, Pud & Barb) commented on how easy it took the job,,, 4 months later we brought it from them.
Love it ,, we go out in it as often as we can ,, and the setup time is just 10 minutes ..

Cheers
Bucky

Have just done a 6,500 km trip across the outback, and without incident, or any repairs, and lots of other weekend trips.

Hi Rover- We owned a Jayco Dove for many years, and towed it offroad. The above comments are very valid. Good on-road, gravel and sand. Serious offroad - no.
We then bought a Coromal Magnum offroad - brilliant.
Similar features - far better build quality. Towed it every-where.
Chassis, suspension, drawbar are made for offroad conditions.
The inside fittings and construction handled corrugations, creek crossings and outback tracks without a screw loose.
(We now own a Coromal offroad pop-top - also brilliant - similar attention to detail)

Definately worth a look. The magnums came in on-road and off-road versions. It can take a bit of searching to find the off-road version, but worth the search.
We paid $17000 for ours, secondhand (in as new condition)......Keith

Ozrover, you are right, there are numerous posts on this subject. No. 2354 and 38933 are a couple to start with. One thing seems to be consistant,dust problems! I am speaking from personal experience, dust can spoil your trip. Anyhow check out these posts and make up your own mind. (sounds like a Macdonalds ad!)