Goldstream Crown or Jayco Penguin
Submitted: Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 00:16
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Member - Tom L (WA)
Could the experienced caravanners out there please advise me which of the above would be best suited for medium off-roading.
My friend is considering to buy one, asked my opinion and I had to plead ignorance. We have a Jayco Starcraft off-road van 10 y.o. with has given excellent service but don't know anything about what my friend is looking at.
Thanks in advance
Tom
Reply By: Boobook2 - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:51
Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:51
Ihave a Goldstream off road and am very happy with it. The construction is uch tougher than the Jayco and has bigger chassis ( in the off road version). Things like thicker wires for the lifting controls etc. Also look at the quality difference int ehcupboards and fittings. Chalk and cheese imho.
You will pay extra for it though.
AnswerID:
343337
Reply By: Best Off Road - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:59
Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 06:59
Tom,
First thing to consider is a good night's sleep. The
Penguin's "double" bed is only 4'3" wide, and being up against a wall on one side it does not allow any stretching room. So if they are average to large people it would be somewhat squeezy.
The Coromal "no-ender" does have a format of two singles in an "L" configuration.
Cheers,
Jim.
AnswerID:
343338
Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 10:48
Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 10:48
In-law used to have a
Penguin but their's had a rear door and a central Nth-Sth bed (I remember you had to lay the wardrobes on each side of the bed down before dropping the roof). Just had a look at the current layout and it's completely different now. Seems they've traded bed size and conveinience for more kitchen & living space.
Nige.
FollowupID:
611195
Reply By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 07:08
Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 07:08
Tom L,
Our first RV was a 10 year old Jayco
Penguin (standard model) and we did find the bed a bit of a squeeze! We didnt take it off the bitumen much as it didn't have a battery and
bush camping was a bit difficult.
I recall a trip on the Great Ocean Road when we experienced gale force winds and spent an anxious night wondering whether the canvas top would still be intact in the morning, but it survived with no damage! Noisy in the wind though and difficult to sleep much.
My suggestion is with which ever one you choose to buy second hand and try it out. We traded ours after 12 months for about the same price we paid.
Happy travelling.
AnswerID:
343341
Reply By: Alan H - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:42
Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:42
I'll second what Boobook2 said. We had a Goldstream wind up off road camper and when checking other makes out before buying, saw that fittings were better than Jaycos, finish in cupboards much much better than Coromal (salesman just shrugged his shoulders when I showed him) and the added security of those thicker wires for winding up.
Had a friend whose father bought a Jayco wind up at about the same time and he had a wire break which required a trip back to the nearest dealer which was Bunbury and a couple of days waiting around until they fixed it.
Funny how it takes so long to fix things after they've had your money! And I'm not just knocking Jayco dealers there.
Alan.
AnswerID:
343410
Reply By: ozjohn0 - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 15:20
Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 15:20
Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
The Goldstream is dearer than the Jayco, but much better quality, both in build and finish.
ozjohn
AnswerID:
343427
Reply By: Mr Pointyhead - Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 at 08:25
Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 at 08:25
How
well do these style of campers deal with being packed up wet ?
For example, if you are on a trip and have to packup and unpack in the rain for a few days do you get problems with the interior getting wet ?
AnswerID:
343529
Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 at 10:53
Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 at 10:53
I have to optional end covers. Nothing gets wet under them. I only put em out if it looks like reain but they are only a few minute extra work.
FollowupID:
611379
Reply By: Bearly - Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 at 10:12
Saturday, Jan 10, 2009 at 10:12
The Goldstream is much better quality if you are looking for a van in the long term and I am over 6 foot and can streach out comfortably without being cramped. The Jayco didnt let me, the key consideration to a good holiday for me is a good sleep and I had the innerspring mattress fitted which was great.
AnswerID:
343538