Jackaroo & camper trailer

Trevor, just gone through the same thing. Although my tow vehicle is a TD Hilux.

You won't have a problem towing with the Jack. The CTs you are looking at weigh about 1000KG, perhaps 1200 fully loaded.

We considered all the CTs you have named, plus the Cape York, Odyssey, Coota Camper and others. All good units. It comes down to personal choice and what you are after. We chose the Odyssey (built by Australian Off Road Campers at Caloundra). We also visited the Campomatic factory during our research (it is only about 20 km away).

We are very happy with our choice.

As for batteries. We have a 105AH vented deep cycle in the engine bay, isolated by a Cole Hersey solenoid, although you may be better with a Redarc or similar with voltage sensing capability. Adds even more protection for the starter battery.

On the CT, we have two 120 AH AGMs. From my research, just about the most important thing is the thickness of the cable you run to the CT. I used 25mm double insulated welding cable that I bought from an electrical wholesaler. It runs through the chassis rail via a 175 Amp Anderson plug to the CT batteries. I have 80 Amp circuit breakers in this run. Some may consider this overkill, but AGMs can accept very high charge currents. Since I did the cable myself, it cost no more than 6 B&S (the minimum you should use).

By the way, AGMs are great for the CT. Don't need to be on trickle charge when not in use (very low self discharge), fully sealed, charge much faster and can be discharged deeper than most others.

A final point on tow weights. Think about how you will set the trailer up and what it will mean in ball weight. On my drawer bar, I have 4 jerry cans, the 2 batteries, a large storage box, spare wheel and a 1KVA genny. When fully loaded, my ball weight is a touch over 200KG. Serious weight.

Hope some of this helps, and good luck.

HI Trevor, I used a CUB off road camper for years and it was a gem took it to cape york and back no problems at all, towed it behind a 60srs sahara diesel it had been nearly all over outback AUSSY.I then brought a KIMBERLY and after the cub it was perfect well appointed and very functional as for choice you cant go past a kimberly but thats just my opinion.With the battery system I use a common starter solanoid to seperate the batterys,had the camper battery charged of this system worked well for me.

Regards BILLS

I have 100s Toyota and Kimberley - The Kimberley is at the top of the price range, but you will never be sorry. Mine has a pair of Gel Batteries in the Kimberley.

The 100S Toyota is similar to the Jack - original batteries are not a true dual system

We have a rather complex Rotronix system that has never let me down. Last year we were away for almost 9 weeks with only occasional 240 v to assist in charging.

The Rotronics manages the charge between the two dual batteries and the van.
If you look them up on the internet there is quite a lot of info on the various Rotronics systems.

Hi Trevor,

Just a comment on the Jackaroo.

We previously owned one, and it was bulletproof, and was very happy pulling loads up to 1.4 tonne.

I reckon you will be very happy with the performance of the vehicle in an outback situation whilst pulling a load.

Hope this helps.

TonyG

Hi Trevor, I own a '99 TD Jack and have just come back from Cameron Corner, Birdsville etc. (5850k's) towing a challenge c/t and the jack had no problems pulling that at all. 2 adults, 3 kids and the dog.
The second battery is fitted to the later models to improve starting, mine only has one and does'nt give any starting problems.
I am sure some one on this site could give info on splitting the two batteries.
The jacks are like the rodeos and need a battery in good condition to reliably start.
If they drop below a certain voltage the motor turns over but won't start.
Will

Trevor

Battery on the drivers side gets replaced with a larger higher cca unit (mine is about 700 I think) and will start the Jack no probs, provided you are using the correct viscosity oil (another thread altogether), the other gets replaced with the auxillary battery of choice, in my case a deep cycle, a bit of wiring so that all vehicle electrics run of the drivers side battery, some sort of isolator in between and presto. TJM do all brackets, isolator, monitor etc and installation for about $700 including both batteries. No relocating required. If you are adding another battery for the camper, speak to some experts, I think it would pay to spare no expense so you are getting a quality charging system, like Rotronics, which would manage efficiently and safely the three batteries.

My 99 TD Jack pulls 1T no problems. Fuel consumption at a max of 15L/100 kms with roofrack and roof bag. Just had suspension upgraded for about $1000 - 40mm lift, H/Duty Series 2000 Shocks (TJM) and torsion bar wind up - increased ride height and outback touring ability, handling, safety, comfort. Worth looking at too, especially if towing.

Hope this helps

D-Jack

Trevor - I have the very rig (but the Jack is 99) - see http://homepages.picknowl.com.au/darian. As others have said, your two batteries are there in parallel because Isuzu stuffed up on the injection system - in really cold climates they are a bugger to start and need a good crank over (with lighter oil too) - often more than a standard battery can deliver. As said, a 700CCA main battery will look after the starting in mild cimates. If that is your situation, you can divorce the second battery and set it up with a battery controller (to connect, post starting). The Camper battery can be connected to the second battery via heavy cable and anderson plugs - it will charge when the second battery gets its charge from the battery controller. I'm in SA. The Campo is our second trailer and the Jack has no difficulty with any aspect of the towing - for the $, they are sturdy in build, and have plenty of grunt (118kw) - a lot more than some legendary workhorses !

Trevor,
For what it's worth, you won't have any trouble pulling a camper trailer with your Jackaroo. I have a '99 TD manual and pull my 17'6" pop top which weighs about 1800kg loaded. Will go all day every day at 90 K/hr. I have just completed a trip from Perth to Darwin and back down the centre, total distance 16200 Km.
Average fuel consumption was 6.86 K/L (14.55 L/100) worst was 5.45 K/L, best was 10.53 K/L.
The dual battery set up I have has a solenoid between the batteries so that the main battery is isolated when the ignition is off but has both batteries available for starting if required, although I've never had a starting problem. The second battery runs the fridge and/or caravan lights if required.

regards KT

The dual batteries are only in the TD jackaroo. both positve leads go direct to starter motor, so have to be careful when taking leads off batteries for shorting to body if touched.
Have put 700cca in as main battery (N70ZZ). Other battery will only take the smaller NS70z as computer module is in the way.
Cheers
Charlie

Trevor as with all other responses you should have no trouble with the Jack and one of the trailers you have mentioned. As an agent for Deluxe Camper Trailers in Adelaide I would like to recommend you look at our units which you can check out on www.deluxecamper.com.au. All relevant information is available there along with our contact details. Needless to say we believe that we build (and yes we build them here SA) a very solid, strong camper unit to provide many years of happy camping. If you would like to discuss the virtues of our units please give us call, our contact details are listed on the website.
I have been running a NL Paj (ITD) until recently and no trouble with any of our trailers behind, I now run a later NP DID and all seems to be terrific at this early stage. I will need to boost the back end suspension as I think it is a little soft but that is an expected upgrade anyway.
Good luck with your search.

Peter A