Jacko or Goldstrem Camper

I had the Goldstream for 3 years and worked it quite hard. Was very happy with it and it was light enough to to up the beach. See my photo's PHOTOS just one thing. Make sure you have a good battery charger as the supplied one failed and seal all the holes under the camper with silicone as this was not done at the factory and my camper filled up with dust on our first outback trip. We also learn't to tape the top when going on dirt. Buy a roll of 50mm wide pvc tape (the silver stuff) not cloth tape and run a strip completely around the lid.

Happy Travels

Regards Derek

Hi Goona.
Several brands make this type, including Jayco, Goldstream and Coromal.

We owned a Jayco Dove for 12 years - wind-up style - next size up to the finch.
We then bought a Coromal Magnum 420 Rally XC - same basic design.
Both off-road. Towed them over many rough roads (west eromanga; fraser etc).

Our jayco needed something fixed after every trip - sometimes during the trip.
Staples and glue just didn't cut it, on outback tracks.
I have seen one of the newer ones, and perhaps Jayco have
been forced by competition to lift their game. (Only saw the outside).
From my experience, the Coromal are still a stronger build than Jayco.
(A bit like David Vs Goliath - the smaller guy has to pay attention to detail
if they are to win / stay in the market. The giants already have the market).
A close friend has an on-road Goldstream many years, and is very happy with it.

Even after 20 years camping with the wind-up style, I still believe they combine the best of all worlds. They tow like a flat trailer - low wind resistance (=better fuel economy). They have a low centre of gravity (won't tip). They are unlikely to scrape over-hanging trees or cliff faces on rough tracks, as a van will.
Inside, after the beds are pulled out, they have the floor area of a large caravan, and all the conveniences. Our Coromal was $17,000 second hand, in mint condition. In addition to the standard fridge; stove; grill; lounge, CD etc, ours has gas hot water, 12V marine water pump and shower (external), & sleeps 6.

The main deficiency is you must wind them up to use them. ( A Van or Pop-top, you just open the door.) For outback use, the benefits outweigh this one feature.

If you watch the trading post and papers, you will find them advertised.
With a young family, they are a great way to see the outdoors in safety and comfort. Best of luck with your research.................Keith

We looked long and hard before we decided to get the camper we have now. The most important question we asked manufacturers was simple.....Is your product really capable of off-road travel?.....Jayco said yes, Coromal said yes(as long as it was off-road on a gravel road--they test on a gravel road out the back of Perth), Goldstream said yes as well. Availability of second hand units also came into consideration. Jayco's are everywhere, Coromal are a bit harder to find, and Goldstrem are real hard to find.
We hired all three makes and used them off-road before settling on what fitted our criteria(which i wont go into here..it would crash poor ole Davids server :) )
All three will give you the level of comfort you seem to be looking for, all three will travel off-road and all three will break if you abuse them.
The most important things to remember when towing one of these things are
1) Slow down
2)Reduce tyre pressure on the tow vehicle and the camper.
3)Enjoy yourself.
Ours goes where we want it to, it sit's behind the patrol nicely and most importantly, SWMBO likes it.
We have a 2001 Jayco Dove Outback.

rick.

Hi Goona,

I have a '03 Jayco Dove Outback which we aim to take on tracks to and around Alice Springs for 8-9 weeks later this year. While we have an Outback model, I have been talking to others out the Jayco and how they handle the corrugation on the Gibb River Road and the like.

Allowing for common sense driving to the conditions of the road, I've picked up the following “need to do” for the trip preps for the Jayco.

Shocker mounts break and need reinforcing,
Add a metal plate to protect the tank tap from stones,
Install a stone guard to stop dents in the leading on front & edges of the Jayco,
Cover the door vent (Velcro & plastic) to reduce dust,
Add dust sealing around the side boot on the front left (on the Dove),
Use a Phillips head driver on screws to check/ tighten after lots of corrugations,
Take a spare battery charger (the on board one has failed twice for us but replaced under warranty),
Travel with the table down,
Take spare pop rivets to attach bed end support brackets (if/ when they break),
Replace or paint the clear plastic water pipes to prevent algae growth from direct sun light.
I am still working on the list.

I recon the Jayco’s are great value and I don’t mind having to prep ours for big trips. I have spoken to a friend who has done GRR a couple of times and said he has seen a lot of the Jayco camper trailers up and around the north west of Oz.

I hope this helps – cheers Anthony

if you intend to go off road & also want to get back without any dramas dont get any of them by a fairdinkum camper trailer like a KK