How to "outback " a Jayco standard Swan ?

Submitted: Saturday, Sep 17, 2011 at 22:36

ThreadID: 89088 Views:13452 Replies:5 FollowUps:4

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ombo99

Hi somewhat nievely bought a second hand Jayco Swan thinking it was already somewhat of an outback van instead of going for the Swan Outback model . Does anyone know if there's a way of outbacking or beefing up my standard model .

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Reply By: Roughasguts - Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 09:31

Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 09:31

It be a whole lot easier and better to trade it in on an Outback!.

Cheers

AnswerID: 465345

Reply By: Notso - Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 09:43

Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 09:43

From what I've seen of the they are much the same except for the suspension.

You could always put a Control Rider Suspension under it, probably about $5000.00 plus installation.

AnswerID: 465348

Follow Up By: Mark C - Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 11:44

Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 11:44

The chasis and draw bar are also lots heavier.

FollowupID: 739370

Follow Up By: ozjohn0 - Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 15:09

Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 15:09

With a cheap Spring over Axle conversion for extra clearance.
OJ

FollowupID: 739401

Follow Up By: ombo99 - Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 21:50

Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 at 21:50

Thanks , i'll check it out a bit apparently you can undersling the axle or something that would help not that i know what that means , i'd like to get the clearance up a bit but thanks for the follow ups , i admit i'm very green . I'm taking the family around Oz , me my wife a 15 , 13 and 5 year old boys , wish me luck ha . I've got a 2003 landcruiser sahara t/ deisel , the caravan ( standard swan) worries me a little , i'm not comnpelled to go too much off road but would be nice to at least go on some dirt roads and reasonably rough tracks. cheers Davo and Michelle

FollowupID: 739443

Reply By: Macca44 - Monday, Sep 19, 2011 at 17:26

Monday, Sep 19, 2011 at 17:26

Gday omb099 . I was thinking of getting s/h jayco dove on road and converting to off road , but after lot looking and head banging i changed my mind. To do good job you should fit new spring with shackles ,shockers, fit springs on top of axle. Draw bar should made stronger and chas. All this would cost a lot of dollars, So ended buying a new outback hawk . All i have to do now is get time to use it . regards Macca

AnswerID: 465491

Reply By: Member - Wayne B (NSW) - Monday, Sep 19, 2011 at 22:07

Monday, Sep 19, 2011 at 22:07

I was looking at a Jayco last weekend. There is a big difference between the standard and outback version. The salesman tried to sell me a very nice secondhand Goldstream Storm it was reasonably priced and well kitted out but it was not a real off road van IMOP.

I did like the Jayco Flamingo Outback as it has more bench space then the others, Eagle, Dove etc.

In the end I have decided to stick with my Cameron Camper Trailer. I might even lash out and put a electric water pump on it. LOL

As for some of the other Camper Trailers I cant justify the price of say a Kimberly Camper or some of those other top of the line Box Trailers with a tent on top.

Cheers
Wayne B

AnswerID: 465518

Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Sep 20, 2011 at 08:51

Tuesday, Sep 20, 2011 at 08:51

While you working thru a more permanent solution Ombo you can do a lot with just tyres in 2 ways.

1/ Being diligent with having pressures just enough to take the load and slowing on rough sections can dramatically reduce the peak loads that break things, just as with our cars.

2/ As we did with our leaf sprung trailer , get taller high load tyres and again with the right pressures they will can act as a better suspension.