new or used Jayco Eagle outback?

Hi mate,

Depends on how 'offroad' you want to go. They aren't exactly the most offroad camper. I have one, an 08 model, an outback model, have been really happy with it, no drama at all. Bought it second hand end of 09. If you are buying it to go really offroad, they will lead dust and the seal around the lid could do with a little work during hard heavy rain, pushes past the seal and wets the club lounge.

I got mine becuase I have young kids. I took my 4 week old camping and it stays nice and warm and the beds are a great size. To get the annex and fly awnings and a few extras, it would probably cost around 28k new? I got ours for 18k with all the bits from a dealer at caboolture.

Apart from that, we are really happy. It tows behind the patrol really well.

Cheers,

Chris.

Hi Chantarle

We have a 2000 model Outback Swan and love it we did not buy a new one as time gets away from you and a new one is a lot of money sitting if life gets a little crazy.

We have done mostly off road dirt tracks and loads of beach work. She may be old but a legend. We have reinforced all the internal frame work under cushions, added a stainless water tank extra water capacity, installed a suburban gas/electric hot water so no boiling the jug to wash dishes, external shower, innerspring mattress, 2 x jerry can holders, new bed flies and annex. We just carry a double en suite and porta potti as well.

If staying in caravan parks would recommend you add a kitchen awning for privacy they are great.

If worried about dust just tape up fridge and door vents but we never had a huge problem with dust. As for the front boot we have only had water in ours during travelling through horrific heavy rain. To be honest I think most boots leak at some point noticed a drain hole in one boot of a caravan we looked at recently.

I am cuddly with curves and I sleep on the inside and my husband sleeps on the outer less weight to counter lever. Meaning my husband has to climb over me to get out. We have been told they will take a lot of weight. We have two kids (7 and 5) they sleep together. Not sure if you have children but I would consider a swan if intending on trips having extra cupboards make a huge difference don't have to get under cushions everytime you want clothes.

We are about to upgrade to a van and go travelling and sadly we will be selling her on but would not hesitate in buying another one we have had a lot of fun and she was built tough back in the old days. We would still buy an older model that had proven its self over a new one and add all the things that has made life camping a little more comfortable.

G'day Chantarle

We purchased a 2005 Outback Eagle privately in early 2010 for $19500. Most of the issues Muzzgit has raised are relevant, but none have caused us any real problems and we have driven for long distances on unsealed roads, and in rain.

We have added an onboard battery (charged via Anderson plug) so we can stay in National Parks, and have converted internal lights to LED. We have two water tanks altho' tend to travel with only one full, and we have 2 x gas bottles.

I agree with Muzzgit that the side awning can be a pain in the butt, particularly in heavy rain, when water pools on top. The bed-end flys also allow water to pool in heavy rain although I think later models have a better set up. We did look at having a Fiamma pull-out side awning fitted, but according to our local Jayco dealer (Queanbeyan) they are much heavier than the vinyl awning and may therefore cause roof problems (my guess is he didn't want the job).

Having previously had a Tvan, I was very dubious about downgrading (apologies to all Jayco owners) to a Jayco. I'd have to say that we are very satisfied, and that at the end of the day, the ability to travel and get a wee bit off the beaten track, far outweighs some of the minor irritations.

Cheers
John

hi chantarle
my brother in-laws older model had a 2 piece roof
(newer ones have one piece roof)
that gave trouble recently on his summer holidays by leaking but was fixed by a caravan repair yd in albany wa
the only other problem he has had over many years was with the winder mechanism
i fixed it the first time years ago and it failed again 18 months ago but apart from that has been good and
i might point out my brother in law throws caution to the wind most of the time where maintenance is involved
so jayco/swan o/back must be good based on that alone
cheers
barry

Hi, Michelle and Justin at Mt.Gambier Jayco are very helpful couldn`t do enough to help us,
We highly recommend and will return again,
Garry and Jenny

I am selling my Eagle outback 2010 as new 25000 if you are interested call me 0434368030 has some extras