Jayco Freedom Pop Top "Outback"
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 27, 2005 at 19:40
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Peter W
Hi all,
I am currently looking at upgrading my current Jayco Outback Eagle Camper Van to a Jayco Freedom 14.45-2 14' Pop Top and would welcome comments on their performance/reliability from those who have owned or had experience with one.
I am a "balding"
grey nomad who likes getting off the beaten track a little but my beautiful bride does not like anything too extreme so the unit would not be subjected to any "major" rough
treks.
I am towing with a 1998 petrol Prado and have really enjoyed the camper but the missus again prefers something that takes less time to set up.
Can anybody out there help me with constuctive comments please? Or maybe suggest another option in the $24/25k price range again bearing in mind the smaller van/pop top features and added "outback model" strength.
Cheers.
Peter W.
"Life is not a Rehearsal"
Reply By: rossbarb - Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 at 12:27
Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 at 12:27
Hi Peter,
we upgraded to the outback freedom you are looking from an outback hawk wouldnt go back the only thing we found was that was a bit squashy but we have a fifteen year old daughter to accommodate so we sold that one and bought a 16 ft outback with bunks. we have done a trip to the snowys at christmas and stayed at heaps of sites in the national park, did the darling run in it as
well as
bush camping in heaps of
places the set up and pack up times are so good by the time my husband has the caravan un hooked we have the legs down the top popped and the awning out the fridge on it is fantastic if you do a bit of
bush camping see if you can get an external shower and hot water system that isnt from me rather my husband who just finds it so much easier than heating the water and setting the shower up and a solar panel is good i know these are luxuries but we tow ours with a straight diesal and that is not my thing so cant comment on that part your wife will love you if you go for this option i love my van looking forward to when all my kids are settled so we can travel and use ourmore hope this helps barb
AnswerID:
127178
Follow Up By: Peter W - Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 at 18:58
Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 at 18:58
Hi rossbarb,
Thank you barb for your comments.
My good wife is really impressed with your observations and I am now receiving the rounds of the kitchen with "I told you so". Bless her.
The solar panel angle is also something I will look at and I am hopeful that further
Forum comments will shed some light on the "strength" issue although I assume it would be similar in most of the "outback" modellings.
By the way we have been impressed with the layout for the 16' with bunks (thinking of the grandkids) but I really do not wish to tow much beyond the 14' stretch.
Once again thankyou for your help.
Cheers.
Peter W
"Life is not a Rehearsal"
FollowupID:
381738
Reply By: Wizard1 - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 10:50
Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 10:50
Peter,
have a Freedom 16 ft Poptop. It was a standard van, but we had a
suspension height increase and shocks fitted. The thiing we found with the van, and "outback" versions aren't built any better inside, is the top cupboards start to loosen and come away from the frame. So you may have to "bullet" proof the interior cabinetry.
I've looked at the Outback versions, all they have is heavier sub-frame,
suspension and fake checkerplate. They have no additional underbody protection for watertanks, fittings, etc.
We returned form the
Oodnadatta Track and fitted extra bash plates to the
water tank. I consider this track a major road and not truly off road.
I also tow with a Prado and found until I raised the van, it bottomed out alot at standard ride height.
When I win the big one we get a Kedron or Bushtrakker.
Wizard
Gold Coast
AnswerID:
127729
Follow Up By: Peter W - Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 11:53
Thursday, Sep 01, 2005 at 11:53
Thanks Wizard,
I agree that the Jayco Outbacks are not fully equipped to handle the real rough tracks and we too had some problems with 'movement" inside our camper when we did the
Mereenie Loop road from King's Canyon to
Palm Springs near Alice.
To soften the ride I am currently looking at an upgrade to the Simplicity Axle option although I worry a bit about the extra weight that could be the downside of a smoother run.No doubt bash plates would also add to weight and I suppose in the long run it really comes down to how you drive and the spots you set your van to.
My wish also is the big tattslotto win and when it comes the missus says she will leave me.
Maybe a win/win situation with my new Bushtrakker!!
Cheers.
Peter W.
"Life is not a Rehearsal"
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