Jayco swan camper

78BJW
The first thing to realise is that the vehicle is called "Outback" not "Offroad". It is not designed for, nor will it cope with, offroad use. With some commonsense and care it will cope with most outback roads. As far as the annexe is concerned, there is nothing on the market that I am aware of to compete with the "bagged awning" for difficulty in erection or packing up!!! It is a 2 man job and at least one of them has to be almost a superman on occasions. The awning is long and heavy. I can't comment on the annexe walls because we didn't have them when we owned one.

teege

Hi
We purchased a new Jayco Finch Outback in 2004, it suited the wife and myself, we kept it for 12 months and after a while got tired of pulling the Bedends in & out every time we took it away, or if it rained you had to fold it up wet ect, and dry it out at home when it was fine, after a while we noticed bits and pieces of stiching or trim started to deteriorate, and we decided to sell it and get a Full Van, we were lucky to get our money back, they keep their value, as for the Annex, we had a heavy duty one made up with a few extras ect, it gave us more options for external room and storage, I reckon they are a good starting off point to introduce you to caravaning ect.

Cheers

Hello. We have just sold our Outback Swan and had it for 12 months. It was still brand new virtually. We took it to Longreach and on heaps of dirt roads and it went fine. Yes they arn't an Outback camper but, if you treat it with respect and drive to the conditions, they will go anywhere. They are comfortable and well worth every cent. We only sold ours as we have updated to a mobile home to travel Australia.

Friends have just taken theirs to outback NT and travlled some rough roads, not one problem at all. But he did travel at the right speeds on rough roads.

We had one, we have been there and done that, and they are a good camper trailer. As for the annex. We brought ours from the dealer when we ordered the van, but honestly we never used it. Ended up leaving it at home all the time. We did have the awning and the bed flies and used them all the time. Very easy to put up.

I say you will not be very dissapointed in you purchase, and you really will enjoy it. Congratulations.
Karen

We recently purchased a second hand Flamingo that was only 8 months old. It was an upgrade from a tent top camper so the set-up for us is a blessing. I love the room that we receive once the bed ends are pulled out. We bought a Kakadu annex and bagged awning because it came standard with two doors and large windows. We purchased the Jayco bagged bed ends as my hubbie thought the material over the top of the bed was a better option.
As there is only the two of us, we decided the Flamingo was more suitable to our needs as there is more cupboard space without the little dinette.
Michelle

My brother-in-law bought one brand new recently. As others have said, they are not an off road camper, but definitely are more capable than most caravans/camper vans mainly due to a bit of extra clearance. Don't expect it to go where an off-road camper trailer will go. I have to disagree with the person who said they will go anywhere if you're careful, or something to that effect. I'm sorry but they won't. They're just not that heavy duty. People take off road campers to the cape. One of these wouldn't make it 20kms up there, or anywhere similar. Dirt roads, sure, any half decent 4x4ing, no chance.

The annexe is good when it's set up. Pretty well sealed, pretty warm etc. But it's not a fun job to set up or take down. Definitely at least a 2 man job, and preferably 3 men.

Apart from that it seems decent. My sister-in-law can't sleep on the beds, though. Too uncomfortable for her.

I think you need to really think about what you want. If you want a camper trailer, get a camper trailer, not one of these. These are cheap, small caravans. Don't kid yourself that it's anything else.

Hope that helps.

matt

Hi, I've just sold an Outback Flamingo (same size, different internal layout.) Had it exactly 4 years, used it heaps almost exclusively for beach camping. Took it on numerous occasions to Fraser, Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands, as well as Teewah Beach north of Noosa. I can't speak more highly of them, bang for buck, we found it a very good investment. Sure, beefier suspension and double yoke hitch would assist it's offroad capability, but you pay for these too. If your application is, like ours, general bush and beach camping then we reckon they are great. Gets you off the ground (tent) so, when it's flogging down, you don't care less and you sleep high and dry! Strongly recommend the awning off the drivers side, keeps sun and rain off the side and lets you keep the windows open when it's raining, important as they do heat up without adequate ventilation. Bagged awnings are a pain in the proverbial, but funcitonal nonetheless. We ahd a Kakadu brand sold new with the camper and it was fine, did the job. Wire her up for solar / 12V and you won't loo back! After 4 years of solid use got $2300.00 more than we paid for her too!

HI

If this is your first camper/van etc I would suggest that you dont necessarily have to buy NEW. There are many near new camper vans for sale which will save you money to modify it with accessories to suit your specific needs.

The Swan is a great layout. I like the fact the fridge is located directly opposite the doorway. This is handy when you want something with the roof down. Also handy if you forget to switch it over to 12V from 240V etc - no need to move everything to get to the controls just as you are about to hit the road.

Annexe can be handy if you have kids for more space for all, especially in rain etc, and it is also great for storage of items you want away from wandering eyes when you are away or at night etc.

I would not get a fitted bagged awning as they are difficult to roll up and pack away. I would either get a slide on awning (into a sail track type) or a roll out type. The roll outs are becoming more common now, especially with other brand campers. The annexe walls arent really that hard to put up as someone else suggested. You basically just zip on the walls, but I would only use them if camping for at least a few days or more. You may find the awning roof is all that you want at times. Get the bed flies, keeps you warmer and bed roof/walls dry too.

The Swan is an excellent intro to the camping and vanning scene. It is a large layout when opened up so you have plenty of room for everyone. When the windows are all open it is also cooler than inside a poptop or full height caravan.

It maybe worthwhile buying an older mid 90s model or hire one if you want to try it and see what suits and what doesnt. And it also depends on your holiday plans, where you depend on taking it. Most campers and vans tend to keep their price so as long as you look after it you wont lose much at sale time. Stop and ask any Jayco owner what they like/dislike etc when you see one set up. Most people are more than happy to show off their pride and joy. Happy camping....