Jayco Hawk Outback Range

G'Day Brian
We had a outback Hawk for 6 years and recently traded it on a new Expanda. It is a very easy camper to tow even though the tare weight is a little over a tonne. Never had any real problems with it in the time we had it. It did leak a bit of dust on the dirt roads but that is to be expected. We probably did around 40000km including many trips into the north Flinders Ranges and up to the Coongie Lakes. When we traded it we found just how well Jayco campers hold their price.
regards
Chris

Brian, We have just returned from a 4 month, 19500km trip thru W.A, Qld, and N.T towing a jayco dove offroad camper. We drove on gravel roads including Great Central Rd, Plenty hwy, Buchanen hwy, Gibb River rd etc. The van was good to tow(4.2 turbo diesal patrol) and the setup was ok and was very comfortable in the bush. Our biggest problem was DUST!!! Sometimes we a had a small amount and on a couple occasions the van was full of dust! All thru cupboards, bedding, floor, walls etc. We were not impressed. Have tried to analyze/research the problem and it seems that some sort of pressurization will reduce the dust. Am still working out a solution (including selling the van). On the blacktop and a little bit of gravel it will be fine, but for extended gravel use you may want to think again. Happy vanning. Briggzee

If you are going to buy one , you dodn't need any feedback ??

If you have enough money you may want to consider a Coromal ??

Hi Brian B,

Out of curiosity, why are you upgrading from camper trailer to a Jayco?

I would like to understand your reasoning, as it is always good to get the opinion of others?

Also, looking at your rig picks, looks like we are both fans of Moreton Island

Thanks

TonyG

Brian,

Very little goes wrong. We have a 12/05 O/B Eagle. We have done 45 nights away in less than a year. The minor issues such as door catches, are easy to fix.

I would recommend taking a supply of screws, glue and pop rivets for any minor on road repairs.

My only other counsel would be to consider the Eagle. Same size as the Hawk, but the floorplan gives you a separate table/dinette and couch. On the odd occasion that you are all stuck inside it gives you two living areas.

ATB,

Jim.

we have a 01 dove that suits us down to the ground. dust was a minor consideration to start with, but a trip to Clark Rubber fixed that problem.
The roll of high density foam, about 1 inch thick, and 1 inch wide, all around the body edging solved our dust problem, along with covering the door vent.
Letting some air out of the tyres and slowing down abit off-road means we get there a little later, but get to enjoy the drive along the way.
they are a good van for what they are and as long as you realise they have limitations, i dont think you will have any problems.

mewo.

rick.

BRIAN
We have had a jayco Finch for 7 years now and found it to be great.Dust has been a problem but have made a few mods when on dirt that we reduce the dust intake.These mods include the insertion of some poly-canvas strips [approx 150mm wide] across the width of the front and rear covering the roof/body joint.These covers are slid into sail track fitted on both the roof and body sections and prevent a lot of the dust from getting into the beds,and are removed prior to opening the roof.Also we fit cut out plastic corogated real estate signs [cheap] to any external vents [fridge vent, door etc] with duct tape.This bit of effort has helped the intake of dust and only get fitted if we know that we will be on dirt roads.The trailer has had a few mods to suit needs like relocating gas bottles to enable the rear door of the Prado to fully open,fitting roof mount 4 bike rack 12v pump etc.Over all we have been happy.
Thanks Russell

Like Jimbo, we bought a new outback at Xmas and are happy with, it to a point !!!!

Firstly, we should have bought the Dove, not the Finch. The bed at the front of the Finch is only 4' wide and the Dove it is 5' wide.

Appart from that, and the dust issue, which can be fixed, here's what I did the week we got ours.

I climbed underneath and put conveluted tubing around every bit of electrical cabling underneath. This should be looked at where the cable comes thru the chassis from the draw bar, and also, although they have covered some of the wiring with tin plates, the tin is very thin and very sharp and I have no hesitation in saying that with corrigations, it will eventually cut thru.

The other thing I found dissapointing is the filler pipe for the water tank is not properly protected from rubbing on the chassis and framework, so I also covered all the corners or bends with plastic and cable tied everything to ensure less chance of rubbing thru.

Hi Brian,
We have had a Jaco Dove Outback for 5 years, and believe me the dust gets in everywhere, her indoors has nick named it "THE HOOVER" as it just sucked the dust in. We have tried every thing to stop this including duct taping, to no avail.
Also the Gibb River Road destroyed some of the cupboards inside, which I had to reinforce with angle brackets etc.
The shocker brackets (6mm) used to snap in half at the thought of a rough road/track although this has now been rectified using 10mm steel.
The 5 leaf springs used to collapse and go flat at the drop of a hat, this has also been rectified with 7 leaf springs.
The rotten stapled joinery would come apart at the back of the cupboards either side of the fridge, which meant the drawers would fill with the dreaded bull dust, and you would have to wash the cutlery at each stop, which interfered with happy hour ? each night.
The vinyl "pebble guard " has a square edge along the front that gets shredded on stony roads like the Oodnadatta Track and I will replace with aluminium checker plate.
When I questioned Jayco re OUTBACK they only meant Dirt Roads !
We have had some great trips with the Dove, but it is now time to move on.
The Dove is about to go on the market and fly the coop, as we are moving up to a fair dinkum OFF ROAD caravan with air bag suspension and loo and shower etc.
So in my opinion DONT buy a JACO for serious outback touring.

What ever you decide, when travelling any distance on outback tracks etc, DROP your tyre pressures to 28 on the trailer and rear of the vehicle and 20 to 22 in the front, and keep the speed down and you will have a more comfortable trip and any damage will be minimised, but you will need a good compressor to reinflate when you return to the bitumen.

Sorry to let you down , but only learn the hard way. $$$$$$$.
Regards,
Niss42

Get a Trak Shak

they do go anywhere !

Bucky