Jayco Campervans vs Campertrailers

Submitted: Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 11:32

ThreadID: 7776 Views:5140 Replies:6 FollowUps:2

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OzCamper

My partner and I are heading off next year around Australia. Now we only have a station wagon, so we don't/can't tow anything heavy.

We have been looking at campertrailers, O'Briens, Tambo, Hirds and fell in love with them. But....thought we would have a look at a few Jayco campervans (soft push up top, annex style) and now can't decide which one we like more.

I have been sitting here reading everyone's comments on Jayco and the feedback isn't very positive.

Basically we wont be going off road, but may not stay in caravan parks all the time. We have heard you can stay off road where the tracks are made for travelling on.

We love the Jayco Swan and Eagle on road campers. But we also like the campertrailers.

Any feedback on what would be best for a year and which brands would be greatly appreciated as we are in a state of confusion!!

Cheers
Chell

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Reply By: Bazza - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:16

Reply By: flappan - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:17

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:17

Its not so much that Jayco's are bad (in fact in the correct hands they are excellent), its just that some people buy an "offroad" one to tow behind a 4by with the intention of doing places like Cape York etc. Its not the "offroad" bit that will kill them its the corrigations. Because they have full cupboards and interiors, it takes an awful lot of fixing to stop these from falling apart on rough tracks.

Thats were the campertrailers are MILES ahead . . . there's really nothing inside the trailer that can fall apart (obviously except the trailer itself).

Therefore, if you have a stationwagon with the intention of just doing dirt roads etc, then I recon the Jayco would be on the money . . .

The good points on the Jayco style are having a full kitchen, several beds, lounge and storage space. The bad is, your can't really access the kitchen quickly for a roadside "cupper". They are more an off bitumen van, rather then a proper offroad van (that could be argued to a certain degree.).

The good for the Campertailer is it really is an offroad trailer, and will go basically anywhere a vehicle will. Can access the kitchen easily, heaps of storage space. Probably take a tad longer to set up (only marginal though).

Downside, no permanent facilites (lounge etc). Again depending on what trailer, Ultimates etc, then that doesn't count either.

At the end of the day, its your cash, your call, but I would be looking at the Jayco style for your travelling needs. (Jayco seem to be the benchmark anyway).

AnswerID: 33586

Follow Up By: OzCamper - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:27

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:27

Good to hear from you again Flappan. Last we spoke, I was asking about camper trailers and you were a big help then. We have since been sidetracked with the Jayco's!

I certainly do like the set up in them and with the car we have, we wont be doing any cross country rally driving that is for sure :-)

Just wanted to make sure that the Jayco's aren't prone to falling apart even on normal roads. Not when you invest that kind of money into something.

Anyway thanks for the advice guys. Shall take it on board.

Cheers
Chell

FollowupID: 24092

Follow Up By: flappan - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 14:46

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 14:46

No worries Chell.

Even though you might be talking about staying onroad, I still recon the Offroad one would be a better option. Last time I checked (about 12mths granted), the onroaders were still stapled. The offroaders are at least screwed together, and recent reports are they are getting better.

The convenience of the Jayco's ARE hard to beat.

Good luck

Graeme