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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: TasJK on July 12, 2014, 05:14:19 PM

Title: New Camper
Post by: TasJK on July 12, 2014, 05:14:19 PM
Hey guys!

The family and I are tossing up buying a new camper. Now you may have seen my build thread, the only reason we are thinking of going new is because, well, we can! :)

Well, to be honest, I'm finding, with a home Reno in various states of build, a business to help run and 2 kids under 5, there's not much time left to Reno a Camper as well!

Anyway, we got some quotes on Jayco's from the local dealer. Looking at either an Outback Hawk or Outback Eagle (we thought another Dove but for an extra 900, you get a lot more van). Anyway, for 2 adults and 2 kids, which one would you run with?

Also, have been quoted $26,967 on road for both the Eagle and Hawk plus $3,420 for extras including Fiamma Awning, 12V power socket, Battery and Water Level control panel, Hyland Hitch, Slide out BBQ and Electric Brake controller for the Patrol. Is this a good price? should we consider anything additional to these extras?

Second to last question, we have 1/2 of the $$ sitting in the bank ready to go, will need to borrow the rest. Any good dealer on Caravan Finance that people use?

And lastly, I know a Jayco is just going with the crowd, however I am open to other ideas. Budget would be $30 odd max, requirements are easy set up, all beds off the ground (makes camping in Tassie so much more comfortable) and needs to be (relatively) sound for off-road travel. Is there anything else out there that meets these requirements?

Cheers and thanks in advance

Steve


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Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Swogjb on July 12, 2014, 05:24:37 PM
Gday  TasJK,

I'd consider the Waeco fridge upgrade if you like your beer cold. The standard Jayco fridges are fairly average at best. They are terrible on 12v, consuming huge amounts of power.

IMO the Waeco fridge was the best option we had on our Jayco Hawk OB followed closely by the Gas hot water and external shower.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: evolution on July 12, 2014, 05:28:49 PM
Hey guys!

The family and I are tossing up buying a new camper.

And lastly, I know a Jayco is just going with the crowd, however I am open to other ideas. Budget would be $30 odd max, requirements are easy set up, all beds off the ground (makes camping in Tassie so much more comfortable) and needs to be (relatively) sound for off-road travel. Is there anything else out there that meets these requirements?

Cheers and thanks in advance

Steve


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http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38333.msg622224#new (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38333.msg622224#new)

Just as a suggestion lol  :cup:
What ever you choose mate, enjoy it.  ;D

Cheers
Evo
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Swogjb on July 12, 2014, 05:31:06 PM
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38333.msg622224#new (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38333.msg622224#new)

Just as a suggestion lol  :cup:
What ever you choose mate, enjoy it.  ;D

Cheers
Evo


A way better option than a Jayco IMO

 :cheers:
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: TasJK on July 12, 2014, 05:34:12 PM
Cheers, will have a look. Not wedded to Jayco. To be honest, I'd like to be a little different (particularly since it's towed by a white GU patrol, boring!).


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Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Swogjb on July 12, 2014, 05:41:40 PM
Cheers, will have a look. Not wedded to Jayco. To be honest, I'd like to be a little different (particularly since it's towed by a white GU patrol, boring!).


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Some people love the Jaycos and some people don't.

I learnt fairly quickly that the Jayco was not for me.
But everybody's style of camping is different.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: TasJK on July 12, 2014, 06:15:38 PM
Wow, saw the video of the (cheap range) modcon camper, the forward fold one. That's some piece of kit! referring to the ecomate traveller. That looks brilliant! Any feedback on quality (of the ecomate range specifically)


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Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: evolution on July 12, 2014, 06:45:03 PM
Wow, saw the video of the (cheap range) modcon camper, the forward fold one. That's some piece of kit! referring to the ecomate traveller. That looks brilliant! Any feedback on quality (of the ecomate range specifically)


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Sent you a pm mate. Geckojk on here has one. He might be able to shed some unbiased light  ;D

Cheers
Evo
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Lori on July 12, 2014, 07:51:34 PM
My parents own a forward fold (not Modcon, though I did try to gently hint in that direction)

We borrowed it for an overnighter once, Husband, myself and oldest daughter. We arrived latish, setup, went out for dinner, came back watched a DVD and went to sleep.

Things I noticed;

Very cramped once lounge is made into bed. Only about 50cm width of walkway room left.
Nowhere to store stuff, we kept all karate gear in the car and only bought in small overnight bag and that took up 1/3 of walkway room.
had to constantly climb over each other to get to anything.
Daughter slept with the TV, nowhere else inside to store it (we only stayed overnight, so didnt bother with the awning area)

I really liked the theory behind the forward fold, but after trying it overnight I quickly realized that for us with 2 adults and 3 kids (one in her own tent) it wouldnt work for us.

This may not be a problem for you, but it is something to consider.
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: GUEY on July 13, 2014, 05:56:24 AM
Cheers, will have a look. Not wedded to Jayco. To be honest, I'd like to be a little different (particularly since it's towed by a white GU patrol, boring!).


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Lol, Now I feel like a bum (everybody's got one) and inadequate.  ??? I like white  8)


Seriously,  have fun with your decision.  So many different camper setup options available. The Jayco isn't my ultimate camper trailer but it is the best compromise at this stage for us.
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Malcolm Tugless on July 13, 2014, 07:33:46 AM
In regards to Jayco fridges, the Thetford 3-way that is fitted as standard works perfectly fine under all but extreme circumstances. Its true that they are uneconomical on 12 volts, but they are designed to run only on 12 volts when attached to the tow vehicle and underway.  When camping  the fridge runs perfectly fine on gas,  this also negates the need to carry 800,000 watts of solar panels and a small petrol operated portable power station.

Each to there own, and we love the 3-way ... fridge that is ... haven't tried the other  ;D
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: muzza01 on July 13, 2014, 07:55:43 AM
What about a 2nd hand Jayco.  You can still buy it from the dealer but getting last years model that someone has already modified and spent more $$$ on could present a massive saving.
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Vitara_JaycoSwift_Outback on July 13, 2014, 09:08:03 AM
In regards to Jayco fridges, the Thetford 3-way that is fitted as standard works perfectly fine under all but extreme circumstances. Its true that they are uneconomical on 12 volts, but they are designed to run only on 12 volts when attached to the tow vehicle and underway.  When camping  the fridge runs perfectly fine on gas,  this also negates the need to carry 800,000 watts of solar panels and a small petrol operated portable power station.

Each to there own, and we love the 3-way ... fridge that is ... haven't tried the other  ;D

Totally agree. Frooze my eggs solid on the first trip trying it all out. We don't even switch ours on prior to a trip. When we arrive turn it on, either running on gas or 240 whack the frozen meat in it from the esky to help cool it down and it will get down to fridge temps within 2 hours. Then when you're travelling to another spot, change to 12v and it maintains the temp perfectly drawing its power from the car battery.

We found it did struggle a great deal on gas when we were camped in over 40 degree heat. But drinks and food we're still suitably cold.
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Hungstar on July 13, 2014, 06:30:18 PM

A way better option than a Jayco IMO

 :cheers:

X2


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Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: Swogjb on July 13, 2014, 06:41:40 PM
In regards to Jayco fridges, the Thetford 3-way that is fitted as standard works perfectly fine under all but extreme circumstances. Its true that they are uneconomical on 12 volts, but they are designed to run only on 12 volts when attached to the tow vehicle and underway.  When camping  the fridge runs perfectly fine on gas,  this also negates the need to carry 800,000 watts of solar panels and a small petrol operated portable power station.

Each to there own, and we love the 3-way ... fridge that is ... haven't tried the other  ;D

We camp quite often with a couple of Jaycos, with thetford 3 ways  and yes they do run well on gas.  Not to bad if your camped up in the same spot for a week.
 
But if on the move daily in 1/2 warm weather, they are crap.
 
 :cheers:

Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: WaituiRob on July 13, 2014, 06:46:25 PM
There is a nice Jayco for sale on here and it`s in Tassie http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=37116.0 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=37116.0)

Cheers, Robyn
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: wilson79 on July 14, 2014, 04:25:01 PM
Wow, saw the video of the (cheap range) modcon camper, the forward fold one. That's some piece of kit! referring to the ecomate traveller. That looks brilliant! Any feedback on quality (of the ecomate range specifically)


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The pics of the ones online have not been updated as the new ones look 100 times better, have a look at the pictures of geckos new unit and below some I took while looking at them here in Townsville
Title: Re: New Camper
Post by: TasJK on July 15, 2014, 07:42:25 AM
I'm told they are slightly different again with dual spares on the back!


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