MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stach on April 15, 2012, 08:47:32 AM
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Hi Guys, I hope this is the place to put these things. I know from reading that many of you have the Jayco's.
We were originally looking at the Xtrail Navigator, however we have 4 kids (eldest is 7) and think the Jayco would suit us better. My partner is worried about how well they will do off road and will they get all the places a traditional OR CT will get you. We are looking at buying new so will be (one of) the newest outback model.
Thanks for any help :)
Leanne.
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Leanne.
a jayco outback model will get you anywhere an offroad c/t will go. other than the jayco being a bit heavier than the tradiional c/t there isnt any difference off road wise.
:cheers:
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Hi Leanne.
The biggest problem with these are the size and weight. It depends on how extreme you want to go. If your talking about places like the cape and similar then no, but medium tracks and difficulty no problem at all. I have dragged mine around the high country and with no issues, but places that are not too hard too get to.
It's nice too have the luxuries with young kids, but if you want to to tackle the serious stuff then your better off going something like a Tambo or Trackabout.
:cheers: BD
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Thanks guys.. Not really interested in doing the Cape or anything like that (yet)... mostly SA National Parks and the Vic High country is definitely on the list. We have a pretty good tent, so if we were going to do anything serious would probably leave the CT at home and go 'old school' lol.
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We've dragged our Outback Eagle through National Parks and along some pretty extreme roads without issue. I highly recommend them, and our experience with Jayco Sydney after sales service has been top notch.
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Dragged my Outback Eagle around WA, kimberleys, GRR and NT, no dramas.
Only restriction IMO is the width, can't go down narrow tree or rock lined tracks and I would not venture into soft sand as the wheel track is wider than the 4bee.
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What about the fridge vents on the outside? did you have any issues with river crossings? dirt, dust?
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Just as a side note, we are looking at the Dove as we can fit us all in while still being a reasonably small size... weight is 950kg (unpacked) so fairly similar to traditional CT weight.
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What about the fridge vents on the outside? did you have any issues with river crossings? dirt, dust?
For me I have not been thru water deep enough to get in the fridge/door vents. Would not go thru water that deep as it would probably find its way into the Setec transformer and into the cupboards etc.
I devised a dust exclusion system using positive pressure vents on the roof and covering the bottom fridge vent and the door vent when on dirt roads is required to make it work. Did this when the camper was new and do not get any dust in the camper apart from a small amount around the door frame that you can remove with a damp tissue and some has found its way behind the fridge.
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We have a hawk and have had no trouble on sand or any where really but size is the limiting factor, we have 3 kids and find storage the biggest problem especially when touring around looks like we may even move to the expanda. Personally I would grab an older model we have a 2000 and am not to worried about scratching it threw the rougher tracks.
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Just need to use a little common sense with it all and take care and you can generally go anyway....... get out and enjoy..... my outback is great....
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The dove might be a bit of a squeeze for 2 adults and 4 kids.
Have you looked at the bigger models. Relying on kids sleeping in an annex may restrict you travels.
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We have had our hawk for a few months now, done just over 4000kms with it, she will handle the off road stuff quite well and as said above their width would be the only thing i would be wary of, if you are going down the narrower tracks. Just be carefull and all should be good. As far as the dust goes i just taped some cardboard over the vents and sealed any holes underneath, so far so good
cheers
jim
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The dove might be a bit of a squeeze for 2 adults and 4 kids.
Have you looked at the bigger models. Relying on kids sleeping in an annex may restrict you travels.
I was thinking the same. Isnt the Dove the smallest without any pull out beds. We had a hawk. Friends of ours have the swan. Much more storage great lounge area in the Swan.
Cheers
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Thanks for the comments so far. The Dove has the queen, the double and a single. We have a 1 year old (who sleeps with us) and our other three are 4, 6 and just about to be 8... our kids are little things and would have no trouble sleeping on the double bed together or even two on the double and one on the single. So we'd probably need to upgrade in a few years but right now its a reasonable size, and i can pack really light! lol
We've also started looking at a Cub... anything else we should be looking at?? Obviously with 4 kids the quicker and easier the set up the better.
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I'd say your on the right track with the jayco and having 4 kids at least they have their own beds, and you don't have to set up mattresses or stretchers every night. Remember the more stuff you have to set up the more you need to store while traveling.
Shane
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Swan OB with 3 kids too easy,easy set up,easy to tow.beds wise the two girls down one end, me and the wife up the other and the young bloke in the porta cot,fold down the kitchen table and thats his bed,then through it up on one of the beds if need to use the table,
Only in the van really for sleeping,trcuk loads for room in the Swan