Newer or older Jayco camper?

hi ozwrangler

i think you would be wise to buy the older rather than newer but as long as you buy from around 1995 onwards. the shape, finish, inclusions etc from then looks modern so would be easier resale and you don't feel as though you (or SWMBO) needs an update to modernise your camper later on.

by buying older you could spend the money saved to fit it out with some extras to suit your needs personally - eg: battery; solar; extra water tank or jerry can storage; drinking and sullage hose storage pipes; extra cupboards or storage; bike rack; roof rack and basket; fans to back of fridge; strengthening the chassis members if you think its needed; modifying suspension tyres etc to suit you; motorised wind up mechanism rather than by hand if that bothers you; extra power points, lights etc; and annexe or awning mods to suit are some ideas.

you could even fit a roll out fiamma type awning (like some newer models have now) rather than the slide in the sail track type. putting an annexe with or without walls does take time, not a lot but at the end of a hard or long days driving you may just prefer to roll out the awning and clip on walls if needed - will be much easier if you are doing it at dusk or evening.

if you are in Sydney (i am south west) i am more than happy for you to look at my swan to give you an idea of a good quality model from the mid 90s. you need to make sure the screens and canvas is all intact. can get pricey for significant canvas repairs. screens can be replaced easily enough but you have to remove the whole canvas from the camper. i have done it on an older model we had and was easy enough, just need to be motivated for the job. i also gutted the interior of the older one and modernised it completely. i ended up getting an extra $4000 over my purchase price when i later sold it, and selling was very easy (i had people wanting it from victoria to qld)

i also agree the aluminium may be better suited for your plans. any minor bumps may result in a dent rather than a fracture or broken fibreglass. if the swan was for just a yearly xmas holiday to beach i think it wouldnt matter.

having owned a smaller jayco and this model swan my advice on the swan layout is its layout is excellent with the fridge being directly opposite the door. great for access at anytime for food etc and also to change the controls from 240 to 12V etc. i would also get a swan over an eagle if van storage space at home allows it as you get the added bonus of extra cupboards inside door, and bench space which proves to be very very handy.

i also found when measuring the different swans from different year models that the body lengths changed. i found i have more internal space lengthwise as my A frame is shorter than the new ones. jayco increased the lengths of the A frames but the overall travel lengths remained the same so you can work out where they took it from. the slidout bed sizes changed between some years too. also get one with a front boot. if you go older than mid 90's check for sagging on the door side at the rear. it will be sagged and probably need strengthening and straigthening which is very difficult once they are 'bent'. happy to explain this further any other specific questions on the jayco if you want. plenty of excellent 'older' models out there, you just need to be patient and not buy someones problems. cheers....

Ozwrangler,
I have a similar type camper but is the Goldstream equivalent and whilst is a great camper i know a lot more now than when i first bought it.The set up and pack up is o.k and worthwhile if staying in one spot for a few days or more but if on a 4-5 month trip and moving constantly i would suggest a pop top van is the go.I would suggest perhaps Supreme Getaway or similar as the set up is 5-10 mins instead of 25-30 each time.
Cheers Mark

its pretty hard to top that post there by PradOz that was a great answer

I've been back home for 6 months from spending 2 years touring around oz in a 1994 Jayco Outback Eagle. 2 Adults living in the Eagle was pretty comfortable with one bed used mainly for storage of light stuff that was packed on the floor when on the move, camp chairs, laundry bucket etc.

Im a boatbuilder by trade and the construction of these campers scared me a bit at first and it does seem somewhat flimsy with all the cupboards stapled together and not alot of glue and screws used, but we took ours down the gibb river road, up to cape leveque and down some pretty nasty roads along the way and it held up very well. There was the occasional door come loose or have to put a screw in to strengthen bits and pieces up in the interior but the chassis and exterior held up well (except a previous dodgy solar panel installation that leaked). I think taking it easy on the rough stuff prevents a lot of damage.

I looked hard at the brand new and alot of older ones when I bought mine and the construction of the interior seems similar. I would definitely buy an aluminum sided one rather than fibreglass and I have built fibreglass boats for the last 10 years. They look great new but they can and will get damaged and the ali sides take a fair bit of a beating well.

If I were to do it again I would buy an older camper like I did but I would do exactly what PradOz has suggested and fit a roll out awning just for ease of setting up, as we used to leave ours down if only setting up for a night or 2. Bagged bed end flys would also be handy.

I think buying second hand is the go if you dont mind something that has a few bumps and scratches and a bit of character rather than something you are scared to use incase you scratch it. Heading down bad roads, things do move around inside and there will be some minor cosmetic damage but that is all part of the fun of going offroad, if it were too easy everyone would go.

All the best with your purchase and your trip I hope some of that helped
safe travels
ant