what to look for when buying a jayco swan

muma, this link may be of some use to you, they should be able to answer your question. Hope this hellps.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/campertrailers/

muma, just had a thought, I think the Jayco Swan is a camper trailer style, if not, ignore my previous post. Doh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Muma
I suggest your signup for the Australian Jayco users group JUGA at-

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/JUGA/

these people would know what 2nd hand values are & what probelms to expect in the model.

We have a Jayco - but not a campervan so cant comment on the swan. Overall we have foiund Jayco to be good value for money.

hope this little tit bit helps.

On our 3rd jayco now.( Lifestyles change and so do camping configurations). Anyhow electric brakes are essential with the swan as it is not the lightest camper around. Aoto electrician is the go and it cost me about $200 ish but we are pretty good friends. $17500 for a 5 year old camper van! Too much. They hold their value very well but check out new prices first especially as you have no trade in for the dealer to shift.

Hi - Sorry if this post is somewhat long, but hope it helps.
We owned a Jayco Dove for 13 years - Same as Swan but larger. Towed it everywhere - also with 2 young children. They are great for on-road and forest tracks. If you are planning any off-road treks, you need to buy a unit that is designed for rougher tracks. Having a 4WD, we towed ours into central QLD, incl corragated roads, dirt tracks etc, and had to repair many items. If you stay on good roads, they are great.

We replaced the Jayco with a 1999 Coromal Magnum 420 Offroad for $17,000. Same basic style but much stronger build in many aspects. Includes on board battery, charger, elect water pump, hot water system, O/S shower, awnings, twin tanks etc. (all in a wind-up camper). Probably much heavier than the Swan, but we do go outback treking and camp at off-road sites.

Re electric brakes, if the trailer exceeds 750 Kgs, then you must have electric brakes. I would think most wind-up style campers would weigh above this.
Cost aprox $300 to supply and fit the unit to the car. Prefer to be done by a qualified auto electrician. While it can be a DIY, there are several aspects of the wiring that need to be done properly - take care with this aspect.

Check that the towing capacity of your vehicle is legal for the camper weight.
There are 3 aspects to this : 1. The total weight your car can tow.
2. The Down-weight on the ball of the towbar - as specified for your car;
3. The specs of the towbar fitted to your vehicle;

Fully agree with the previous post - visit/join the campertrailer group at Yahoo.
(Though many of these have the traditional style Camper Trailer (CT) - eg double bed in trailer, with canvas roof - great bunch of very knowledgable and friendly people). You can search the archives for Jayco or SWAN).

The great aspect of the camper is you can buy a set of cooking/eating/sleeping gear, and leave it ready packed. Throw some food and clothes in, and off you go. Takes most of the hassle out of getting away.
Being up off the ground, you also have a safe camp/sleep for children.

Like all canvas products, if left wet the canvas will rot. Costly excercise to replace.
Check that wheel nuts do not need a special tool (spanner or socket).
Like all trailers, wheel bearings need checking and repacking (grease) occasionally.
Leave the water tank either full or completely empty after each trip - else it grows life forms, and the water is not good. Flushing and purifier tablets will clean them, if this happens.
The 3 way fridges are great, but need to be turned on (240V) the night before a trip to get the unit temp down, and the refrigerant chemicals cirulating. A 12V computer fan sucking the hot air away from the cooling fins improves performance 100%. We use a $5 thermostat on the fridge exhaust pipe to power the fan. On camp, ours runs on Gas. For 12V operation, there can be wiring problems that result in very poor performance. Gas is great & economical.
If it has both 12V and 240V light bulbs, there is one danger. If you camp on say the beach and use 12V, during the trip you may hit the 240V light switch. When you come home and connect the 240V to charge the battery, the 240V light comes on (inside the folded down camper). After a few days, the camper goes up in smoke.
A visual check of the unit normally shows how it has been treated. Are door/cupboard hinges loose or tight; Are windows/screens in good order; do the Zips all work; Is the canvas in good repair (You may also need to unfold the awnings - bed end awnings and front awning to check them). Wind it up and down to ensure smooth operation;
Jack the unit up - spin the wheels to check bearings; Hook it to his car, and check the electric brakes work.

Having owned this style of camper for over 15 years, we think they are the perfect way to see the great out-doors in comfort and safety. They tow any-where; are easy to set up and have all the conveniences.
Do your homework (as you are doing) then buy one ...happy camping...Keith

Muma

Trading post has a couple to compare.

My mate has an 2000 Eagle he will be selling soon and it is in absolute new condition and will be asking $16500 - it`s a full offroad poptop camper with some extras.

Keith_A has given good advice and a great response to your questions.

Vince

Muma
We are going through the same exercise, though originally I wanted a camper trailer which is a trailer with a canvas tent (haven't ruled it out yet) however spouse became keener on a Jayco or Coromal camper because of the bed either end and the built in setee etc.

We are over 50 and sometimes have some teens with us so the camper will be 'home base' and there are tents for the teens. We will be doing mainly short trips and island getaways (Fraser etc)

So far we have been able to find a number of brands which all come as 'off-road' versions (within limits): Jayco, Windsor, Coromal, Goldstream are some. Advice so far is that all would handle most off road except more extreme work.

One thing to think about is how much water you need - eg we need to at least double up on the usual 65L.

Keith_A and others in this thread have given really sound advice and maybe they or others can comment on the availability/robustness/relative merits of the range of campers available.

EV700

Cindy - I would like to answer your 2 questions :
1. can a 2wd tow an off-road camper and
2. Running the 3way fridge.
The first question depends on the car manufacturer specs on max towing weight and max ball weight - as per my original post. On other forums, I have noticed people with sedans who bought off-road campers. The car tow specs decide that question. Height of tow ball (for level) and wheel size are factors.
The main downside is the wheel size. It is preferable (nice but not mandatory) to have the same wheels on the camper as the car. But then you change the car ......
Provided the car specs allow you to tow that weight and carry the ball 'down weight' , buy the unit with the layout & fittings you like best. This tow -weight factor will probably decide the whole issue for you.

Running a 3 way fridge - many people hold very firm and divergent views on this subject. A firefighter will hold very different views to an electrician, and again from a fridge manufacturer. I run mine on 240V at home before the trip, then it stays on gas until we get home. Search the archives of this forum, and join the camper-trailer forum, and search their archives, to make up your own mind. I would be happy to email you some of my research, however if you do it yourself, your decision will then be your own.

Each person approaches danger from their experience, training and fears.
We each balance the risks of life differently. How you Run a 3 way fridge is one.

EV700 - Frazer is dangerous - once you go there the magic will get you.
nb - our camper has twin tanks @ 60ltrs each.

To touch on the question of the 'true' CT (bed in trailer with canvas roof). They are light weight - often don't need electric brakes - can tow with smaller car. They can be (not all though) less expensive than the wind-ups. True 'campers' prefer them as you eat and cook 'outside' - eg feet on the ground. The wind-ups are convenient - full kitchen; sleeps 6 up off the ground; fridge; IVES (in van entertainment system - CD/Radio etc). It can rain all it likes with the wind-up, and the holiday is still great. Cooking with your feet in mud - at over 50 we like a bit of comfort. Different folks / different strokes / and different budgets.

I hope this helps..................best regards.....Keith.

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/JUGA/

try here muma,,,all questions answered.

rick.

G'Day muma,
You do'nt say where you are located, but in Sydney at the moment there is a caravan, camping & 4wd show happening. Jayco is a major player in these shows, with many vans a on display. Three years ago, a mate and I bought two (2) display campervans from Jayco on the last day of the show. We saved about $3,500 each by doing this. Keep an eye out for a van show in your area, it's the best way to same some big dollars.
Regards,
Bazza.

Well everyone i think weve done it!
We went back to page brothers caravans had another look around and we walked past a certain swan 3 times in as many days but overlooked it as we thought it was the latest model(2003++)and out of our price range.By accident the dealer gave us the wrong details and told us about this van a 1999 swan that comes with stove,fridge microwave,queen bed in front double in back perfect upholstery(no stains)portable pole lights ,tv connection,full annex,bed end awnings, electric brakes connected to our car, 12 v transformer,starter pack(sulage tube extension cord etc.) new gas bottle ,fully checked and serviced ,3 month warranty, will pay reg if nearly out .And most importantly a Fishing Rod holder! $16,750.AS i said at the start it looks brand new everything was there inc stove protecter top and as my 4 yr old pointed out the fridge locks properly,and the cupboards have tuff locks (new style) The only thing i don`t like is the flimsy locks on the front door.
All we have to do is go back in the morning and sign and pay.
What do you think........cindy

Well done Muma, We purchased a 2002 Outback Swan with all the gear you mentioned and solar for $19500 a year ago! We have found the Swan to be an ideal getaway for our family and they also hold their value well. As someone said in an earlier post, don't expect to drag them up to the Cape etc but they will provide good affordable fun for you and your family!

Definitely get breaks hooked up and a weight distribution hitch, they're bigger than you think! Talk to you on JUGA some time.
Ian