Gibb River Rd and Jayco Outback Campertrailer

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 14:02
ThreadID: 3468 Views:6647 Replies:6 FollowUps:13
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Has anybody taken a Jayco Outback campertrailer (Swan) along the Gibb River Rd without any significant damage or problems? I'm considering this trip later this year.
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Reply By: Bob - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:04

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 15:04
We hav't taken one ourselves but we saw one arrive at Old Mornington (off GRR) and they had a lot of internal damage to cupboards, stove etc.
They had come from the Derby end and that is the best bit. They were going to return to Broome or Derby to affect repairs.
Also another "off road" camper with spare wheels supported at rear bumper area had the spare wheel supports break away and the chassis crack where the wheel carriers are welded on.

Regards Bob
AnswerID: 13578

Follow Up By: Bob - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 21:40

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 21:40
Of course we do not know how this bloke towed his trailer.
If you are to go flat out with highway pressures in the tyres then heavy corrugations will bugger any lightweight construction.
And some seem to be trying to set new speed/distance records on the Gibb.
Give the rig a thorough tighten up before leaving, maybe shove in a few extra screws around the internal fittings, apply the rule "Tyres Down, Speed Down" and enjoy the trip.
And go to Old Mornington, there are some good scenic gorges there and after hours at the bar can be very entertaining.
Bob
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FollowupID: 8001

Follow Up By: Lou - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:49

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:49
Dear Bob,
Thanks for your comments. Modifications have already been made in some areas. We don't plan to take the trailer off the GRR for extended trips, ie taking tents for the Mitchell Plateau and leave the trailer at a safe roadhouse.
I agree with your view on care. I tend to drive appropriate to the conditions and within the limitations of my equipment. I would really love to take a more durable off road trailer but with a wife and four kids that demand some luxuries, I've lost the vote!
Regards,
Lou.
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FollowupID: 8033

Follow Up By: Stan - Friday, Feb 28, 2003 at 20:34

Friday, Feb 28, 2003 at 20:34
Hi Lou
I have been trailing a jayco for over thirty years --- every where over most desert roads . My current off road model is a 93 swan. I had one trip on the leaf spring suspension and it wore the labels of the cans. I replaced the leaf springs with front coils of an eb falcon trailing arms of a celica panard rod of a commodore cofap gas shocks of a hilux and extended the axle to accomodate the shocker turrets. I have never looked back. Went to the cape in 94 gibb river 95 and flooded at the durack and before the road crews. It rides soooo smooth over the roughest desert tracks everything inside is where it was left when it was packed in the morning . With the leaf sus. the camper was a great bellows and sucked in the dust now nothing . Many other improvements feel free to ask
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FollowupID: 8480

Follow Up By: Lou - Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 17:28

Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 17:28
Dear Stan,
Thanks for the detail on the suspension. Your are obviously mechanically orientated, unlike me! Did you do it yourself or by a suspension service?
Regards,
Lou.
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FollowupID: 8535

Follow Up By: STAN - Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 20:44

Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 20:44
Hi Lou
A local wheel alignment firm in Coffs Harbour did it for me after he had installed the same on his own jayco and I believe there is another about with the same setup. For the trip to the cape my brother acutally sold his finch and bought an Aussie Swag . I can be set up within fifteen minutes on uneven ground and he had difficulty in those conditions. On our return home brother sold his aussie swag and went out and bought another jayco. In the cupboard space below the sink I have installed drawers on rollers like in the home kitchen and it makes optimum use of the available space. I have also had flys made to cover the bunk area to my specs without the use of tent poles to support them and they made our unit much warmer in the high country about Omeo and Mt Hotham.
Regards
Stan
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FollowupID: 8540

Reply By: Blackie - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:19

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:19
Lou, see if you can get onto Tim Bowden's book 'Bungles to Broome' he has done the trip in a Jayco Flight. He doesn't mention it falling to bits on him.
AnswerID: 13586

Follow Up By: Lou - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:51

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:51
Dear Blackie,
Thanks for the info on the book. I wonder whether his trip was only on Bitumen? I'll try and get a hold of a copy.
Regards,
Lou.
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FollowupID: 8034

Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 14:37

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 14:37
Hi Lou,

Tim Bowden definitely didn't stick to the bitumen, towing the Jayco in the Bungles and along the GRR. They prefer to get away from it all and bush camp wherever possible.

He also has another book that might interest you "Penelope Goes West" which is the Jayco's maiden voyage from Sydney to Margaret River. This trip was mostly bitumen but crossing the Nullabor he left the highway at Balledonia and headed offroad south to the coast then west to Esperance.

Enjoy your trip. Might see you up that way as we are heading to the Kimberely's mid-year. Look for a green GU Patrol towing a Camprite offroad trailer.

:o) Melissa
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FollowupID: 8038

Reply By: Member - Mal - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:26

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:26
Lou, the book is"Penelope bungles to Broom". Tim Bowden. Published by Allen and Unwin ISBN NO.1-86508-799-8.
Mal T.
AnswerID: 13588

Follow Up By: Lou - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:52

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:52
Dear Mal,
Thanks for the detail on the book. I'lll try and get a copy.
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FollowupID: 8035

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:46

Thursday, Feb 20, 2003 at 16:46
Hi Lou,

As mentioned above, get a hold of Tim Bowdens book. Good yarn! The problem with the interiors of the Jayco's and similar pop-ups is one I have heard of often. I know of people who have had to reinforce the interior panelling and even rebuild the draws. Just something to think about.

On a brighter note, the chassis and suspension seem to hold up very well.

:o) Melissa
AnswerID: 13589

Follow Up By: Lou - Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:44

Friday, Feb 21, 2003 at 13:44
Dear Melissa,
Thanks for your advice. I've already made some internal modifications and planning to improve the supports to the shock absorbers. I was please to hear the chassis and suspension held up.
Regards,
Lou.
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FollowupID: 8031

Follow Up By: Lou - Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003 at 20:50

Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003 at 20:50
Dear Melissa,
Thanks for the update with the book. Further modifications occurring with the van. Keep an eye out for a blue GU patrol towing the Jayco at about the same time!
Regards,
Lou.
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FollowupID: 8287

Reply By: Member - David - Saturday, Feb 22, 2003 at 14:25

Saturday, Feb 22, 2003 at 14:25
I have a Jayco Eagle Outback and have just returned from a trip which included the Great Central Road, the West McDonnels . Strezleki, Oodnadatta Tracks plus some others. It has also been out to Rudall River.

No problems were encountered apart from a broken door latch due to an esky bag bouncing up against the door.

As ever, driving to the conditions and proper preparation of the van and vehicle are the key.
AnswerID: 13738

Follow Up By: Blackie - Monday, Feb 24, 2003 at 16:30

Monday, Feb 24, 2003 at 16:30
David what sort of preparation do you do to tour van?
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FollowupID: 8230

Follow Up By: Lou - Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003 at 20:46

Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003 at 20:46
Dear David,
Good to hear you didn't have any problems. Like Blackie I'm keen to read what sort of preperations you make to the van?
Regards,
Lou.
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FollowupID: 8286

Follow Up By: Member - David - Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 14:01

Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 14:01
Blackie / Lou

With the van itself I fitted 7 leaf springs instead of the original 5 leaf complete with larger hanger bolts etc (16mm if I recall correctly).
I pulled the wheel bearings and repacked / re adjusted them and checked the spindles for damage.

Oher preps to the van included checking all bolts / wiring / hoses etc for security and assessing the potential for stone damage.

I also fitted a vinyl "dust" curtain across the van on the underside just in front of the axle to reduce the number of rocks bouncing around and damaging the underside.

Inside it is important to pack the gear to stop it moving around, especially from the effects of corrugations. Cans and jars can make a mess in the fridge just through shaking around. I use rubber matting in the drawers and fridge and try and pack things tightly. Tea towels and towels are good for this.

Preventing dust from entering the van (bearing in mind you will always get some dust !!) was achieved by fitting a full length vinyl cover between the car and the van. This keeps the dust / rocks under the van from the car and eliminates the risk of rocks hitting the rear window.
If you want to fit something similar do the following:
Connect the car to the van and measure the area between the rear bumper of the car and the first cross member of the van.
Prepare the material and put eyelets in each corner
Remove the gas bottle and jerry can holder(s) and lay the measured material in place and cut the appropriate holes for the brackets etc.
Secure the material to the front cross member of the van using a short "ockey" strap at each corner.
Using a longer strap the front of the cover can be secured to an appropriate point on the car.Do not stretch these straps too tight as they will break when turning. They should be just tight enough to support the weight of the cover.

I hope you can make sense of the "instructions" Believe me it is worth using as it certainly helps reduce the dust and rocks being thrown around

As for spares I carried, particular for the van was an emergency axle, wheel bearings, an extra tyre and inner tube (above the normal spare)

On the road I checked the van underneath every day and greased the tow hitch block and spring shackles on a regular baisis.

Take care in how you distribute the weight around your van so that it is reasonably balanced and use the electric brakes on a minimum setting on the dirt.

Hope this helps. If you need more info then follow up some more.

Regards
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FollowupID: 8524

Reply By: Lou - Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 17:24

Saturday, Mar 01, 2003 at 17:24
Dear David,
Thanks for the info on the suspension as well as internal protection and dust minimisation. I'll use some of your suggestions.
Regards,
Lou.
AnswerID: 14243

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