Coromal vs Jayco Camper Trailer

We have a Jayco Dove & downgraded from a Swan outback. For what we do & where we go it suites us. The Jayco will go everywhere you want it to go but having said that it's not $100,000 worth either like some of these especially made OFFROAD Vans. If you look after the unit by driving accordingly to the conditions I cannot see a problem. If you are going to lower your vehicle's tyre pressures due to the conditions do the same with the Jayco. As for Cape York there was a story on this forum awhile back that a Hyundai Excel or something like it was parked in the car park at the very end of the road near the tip & there have been numerous posts about the cape so do a search on the areas you wish to travel to & I am sure someone has been there,done that & is offering good advice. I don't know anything about a Coromal Silouhette so I cannot comment. Have a great trip,take your time & be safe.

Hi Jack

Can't comment on the Jayco, but did have the Coromal Silouhette 421 for two years and no real concerns with it. The only flaw in the van I believe was the method of fixing the water connections to the spout over the sink - it worked loose too easily. That may have been addressed in recent models. Ours was taken on road Nov. 2007 and sold Nov. last year.

Main reason for selling the Coromal was to get into a full standing van, which suited our style of travelling better. After two major trips covering six weeks each - first to Qld 2008 and last year to NT, we got tired of winding the unit up at the end of every day's travel and down again next morning. Simple enough to do, but getting lazy in my advancing years.

The Coromal appealed particularly because of the heavier chassis and construction style - and the big winner for us was the push out kitchen, which made the van quite spacious with the beds pushed out as well. Perfect for the family setting up for a holiday somewhere, but not ideal if moving every day.

On the plus side - the lower profile is very economical in towing and it was extremely hardy. The roughest treatment ours handled was the dirt from Newman to Marble Bar through Nullagine where the road was quite 'lumpy' and it showed no ill effects, and it handled corrugations throughout the wildflower country in the Murchison ok.

Hope you enjoy your travels, whatever choice you make - there is a lot out there to see.

Cheers - Phil

Have owned a corromal magnam 440 van towed well capable on mild offroad tracks two things to consider
1.the canvas over the bed ends has a plastic coatingwhich prevents the canvas breathing creating mould in the underside difficult to remove.
2.the steel cable used to wingh up the roof runs over NYLON rollers the cable cuts through the rollers,after a failure i replaced the nylon with steel rollers.

Just to throw a spanner in the works. I was in your situation a couple of months ago, then I was made aware of Goldstream who also make these type of campers. I am currently awaiting for my new goldstream storm RL but the reason i went with goldstream I to wish to travel off road with it. Jayco was immediately taken off my list when a clause in their brouchure, that some types of roads voided the warrenty, and these types of roads were the reason for buying off road camper. Coromal campers were my pick until I was made aware of in the goldstream campers they brace the frame of the camper both sides of the frame and me being a carpenter this was an instant pick, but after inspecting a goldstream build quality was way better than the others in my opinion this justified the extra money.

Duncan

Just returned from the Gibb, kalumburu and Bungles. My mate towed a 2004 Jayco Flamingo Outback over it all. The only problem was a shockie lost a nut and was replaced in minutes when it was detected.
It did better than any of us expected as just about every spare conceivable was carried just in case. The jayco was quick to erect and often faster than our pull out camper trailer.

We have the Coromal 451. We looked at Jayco's and also the Coromal 421 but went for the 451 due to the larger floor space.

It is a bit of a pain when you have to wind it up and down each night, but we have been most happy with it.

Two years ago we travelled Exmouth, Kennedy Ranges, Gascoyne Junction and then Mt Augustus, whilst not extreme 4x4 the corrigations were shocking.

The only damage, a blown fuse from the rough roads at the battery end...basically looked the whole van over before going...buuhhh barrrr..check the fuse. Lights back on in seconds. The other thing to go wrong on that trip was the connection between camper and car kept coming lose from flat pins to 7 pin plug and played havoc with the cars electrics. I carried two nad kept swapping them and expanded the pins with my pocket knife whilst my wife drove for a while.

If you are tall you will find the Jayco's benches, sink etc very low and that was another buying decision for us (I am 6'4).

Like most posts it is a case of driving to the appropriate conditions. Our exit from Gascoyne Junction to Mt Augustus we averaged 45km/h.

Hope this helps but to say again we love the Coromal.

HI

You dont mention if you are buying new, late or older model secondhand. I own a Jayco Swan and my brother has a Coromal Silouhette (he also had Jaycos in past) He only bought this one as it was at such a greta price due to its remote location. He is happy with his but after restoring and repairing older models he found the Corimal a bit of a pain to work on. He commented that it was so easy to work on the Jaycos. Anyway I know he is still happy with his and I also am with my Swan. We have never had any issues with ours at all.

I would suggest that you do not have to buy brand new as long as you do your checks on the proposed purchase. You will save plenty on the right vehicle to allow you to spend on dressing it up to suit your needs.

I would suggest you check out layout etc to see if it really suits your family. We both like the fact our fridge is opposite the doorway so when the camper is down you can still access it along the way without winding it up to get to it. Also make sure you have enough storage space and its practical to use. Drawers seem easier to use when down low rather than cupboard doors but you may lose some space depending on its design. I always recommend that you buy as big a camper as you can tow, store and afford and then you will have enough room inside for everyone to have their own space as well as storage space.

Just do as others suggest - always drive to the conditions - but thats normal anyway if you want your van and tow vehicle to last. Have you tried using either camper before? If not try hire/borrow one of each for a short trip first and then decide if its worth spending the extra on a Corrimal or even a Goldstream or you go with a Jayco thats dressed up to suit you with the savings. Anyway have fun with whatever you get ....

Thanks everybody for your information - we are very new to this forum thing, and we appreciate your advice. No decision made yet, but all info is food for thoguht... We are going to the Toowoomba Camping expo this weekend, so hopefully we might get to see them all lined up with a "pick me" sign on one!

We have been camping with our 2 little kids for years, and have decided to upgrade our hard floor Camp-o-matic. Although, funds are a bit tight until this sells??? We plan to leave Xmas 2012 with a one way ticket to do a few laps of Oz.

Once again, thanks for your info, and if you know anyone chasing a good camper..... :) That will help our dream along.

Jack