Jayco Outback Eagle Shockers

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 12:24

ThreadID: 24167 Views:2337 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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Peter W

Hi all,
Recently returned from a gentle Northern Victoria location to find both "shockers" disengaged and in fact broken at the bottom bracket on each side. From my investigation it appears that the damage is old and certainly not due to the recent bitumen trip.
My question to members and visitors is "has this happened to anyone else" with a Jayco Outback?
I raise the question as Jayco insist that this can only happen with "missuse" of the camper but as I have not travelled rough for some 2 years now I find this very strange and feel that the strength of the bracket may not be as much as Jayco advertise or at least have you assume when you buy the rig.
Comments please as I feel to have the Jayco dealer fix the problem will not be good enough and I may need to go outside to have improved strength.
Regards.
Peter W.
"Life is not a Rehearsal"

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Reply By: Member - Alan A (WA) - Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:14

Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:14

Hello Peter

Varied experiences with the campers may only muddy the waters on this one . The way to be sure is to have a qualified structures engineer look at the broken piece and he will describe the nature of the failure and its cause . This should be possible with that part of the bracket which separated , no need to look at the part still on the camper . The RAC in your state could be the place to start .

AnswerID: 117395

Follow Up By: Peter W - Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:37

Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:37

Thanks Alan, that is sound advice and I will follow up.
Unfortunately,and at the end of the day, Jayco is not really interested in what caused a problem to a van out of warranty but hopefully my raising of the issue may alert people to look closer at this section of "outback" construction.
Peter W.
"Life is not a Rehearsal"

FollowupID: 372828

Reply By: GOB & denny vic member - Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:28

Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:28

goodday peter may be a common problembought our 2000 model freedom down the oodnadatta (gently ) william creek had a look under neath 1 bleep y bracket broken off (was supposed to be OFF ROAD 1 of the first)shocker brcet 1/8 or 3/16 angle iron took it back to jayco and was all repaired that was about the time we found the roof keaked like a sieve just before we left on that trip everything was repaired and we sold it and bought a Paramount out of the pan into the fire just as bad and cost twice as much
bloody van builders only interested in profit not quality no matter what they try and tell you
trouble just goes on but now i fix it myself then i know its right

steve

AnswerID: 117398

Follow Up By: Peter W - Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:48

Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 13:48

Thanks for the comment Steve,
Strange you should mention the leaky roof scenario.
I purchased my Jayco Outback Eagle in 2002 and whilst parked in my front yard for a week BEFORE we had travelled anywhere we located severe water leakage through the ceiling vent area which was not silconed correctly. Had this fixed under warranty along with much internal nail gun work where nails did not enter correctly designated areas and much framework not connected correctly. Jayco comment was "IT HAPPENS".
Regards,
Peter W
"Life is not a Rehearsal"

FollowupID: 372829

Follow Up By: hl - Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 16:39

Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 at 16:39

Hmmmm
Things haven't changed. I used to have a Jayco "Flight" many years ago.
It was built as rough as they come too. With self tappers coming up from the floor into cupboards, shelves obviously "bashed" into place canvas "sort of" fitting... etc. etc.
Cheers

FollowupID: 372840

Reply By: Croozer - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 00:12

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 00:12

Peter,
I recently bought a 2001 Jayco OB Dove from a couple who towed it around oz for 12 months (went everywhere except the cape). The camper handled it well but he had both shock obsorber mounts replaced in Darwin (I think) under warranty after they broke. The ones that were used to replace the originals are significantly thicker steel than the originals (10 or 12mm steel I think). I'm not sure if they were supplied by Jayco or not but he did tell me that Jayco were aware that the original brackets were not heavy enough but I think they still use the lighter ones...... go figure !!!!!!!

Cheers,
Stu

AnswerID: 117484

Follow Up By: Peter W - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 12:35

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 12:35

Thanks for the info Croozer,
Seems Jayco know about the problem and have decided to either deny it (my contact) or keep it quiet to the general public. A pity really as the generally have good vans.
I will assess the quality of the new brackets before I have repairs done and may opt to go "outside" of Jayco to get a superior job done.
Cheers.
Peter W
"Life is not a Rehearsal"

FollowupID: 372909

Reply By: tessa_51 - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 09:00

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 09:00

"Shockers" is right!!! Re-welded mine 3 times before we wrote the B*&^%y thing off when the entire suspension collapsed.

Tessa

AnswerID: 117494

Follow Up By: Peter W - Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 12:39

Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 at 12:39

Thanks tessa 51,
Hopefully I can get mine fixed before this happens.
Not good form from Jayco if they haven't strengthened these brackets by now.
Cheers.
Peter W
"Life is not a Rehearsal"

FollowupID: 372910