Looking at Jayco swan new but ...

[Jt76]

Is the HWS and shower unit Jayco supply worth the extra coing over a third party product like Joolca.

Looking at getting a 15 model at a discount but most dont have the HWS optioned in. If we order a 2016 model then we can add it but at around $1400 option compared to the Joolca which have a kit for around $400 it seems like a big difference.

Am I missing something here? I can get a good price on Eagle or Swan if I take what they have from theri 15 stock but dont want to make a mistake and learn I should have ordered the Jayco HWS/Shower fitted from factory.

This will be our first move away from tents so its all a little new to us.

[Swannie]

Mate I have a swan with no hot water at all. A bucket of hot water and a portable shower does the job

Swannie 

[barrel01]

I can't comment on the factory shower but the Joolca is a great product with excellent support from Bart. If that is the path you decide to choose, you won't be disappointed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gronk]

Mate I have a swan with no hot water at all. A bucket of hot water and a portable shower does the job

Swannie

 I have the same, but I sometimes use the old solar shower thing....or deodorant !!

Everyone is getting soft I suppose ??   

[archer63]

When we were looking for our Swan recently, we initially thought that a factory gas external hot water option would be a one thing that we definitely wanted. But you don't always get what you want and we ended up getting a 2013 swan outback with most of the other things we wanted except that and we are happy regardless. Would we option one with gas hot water if we were buying new ?
In my opinion....this is a hard one to answer. Yes...it would be nice to have it installed when placing an order....but as ours doesn't have it...we will be looking at much cheaper options and saving a few quid in the process.

I kind of like the idea of a cheap 12v portable shower and using the kettle to boil water...the plus with this is that in theory this would help keep your water use down. I also like the idea of those portable gas hot water units...but then that is another slightly bulky appliance that you have to make a space for.
The other thing with us is that we plan to stay in van parks 50% of the time...so not sure we could justify the expense.

Having said all that and getting back to your question...yes I probably would if we were going after a 2015 or 2016 model and pay the extra for a factory gas hot water system if the opportunity arose, but I also believe we could easily live without it.

Cheers
Rob

[BrindiCruiser]

I chose not to order the hot water system with external shower for my 2013 swan. Amongst other options, I did order the water pump and a tap on my a-frame, and very happy with both. I put a trigger hose on the tap and use that to quickly wash down kids or shower.

Never really regretted not having instant hot water.

It is a little bit of mucking around boiling water for washing up, but I prefer to have the space in my cupboards and the $ in my pocket.

Have a look at the threads on options and Jayco's to make sure you understand what all of the options are; not all dealers do a good job at explaining the various possibilities.

Some things are not as cheap to add later (eg the "drifter"water gauges or payload increase) or as elegant (eg factory fitted air con vs after market which also requires a H Bar) or can't be done (extended draw bar).

Also you may not want a bag awning and really want a Fiamma or some other awning.

[BrindiCruiser]

I also like the idea of those portable gas hot water units...but then that is another slightly bulky appliance that you have to make a space for.

If I was going to buy an aftermarket water heater, I would have a very good think about where it was going to be used and stored in the Wwan. Personally, I would find it a pain to have a bulky appliance anywhere in the swan. And I don't think I would love having it outside either. 

[Jt76]

Thanks for all the replies.

We took a drive today to check out whether the Swan or Eagle was best for us and at the same time climb over both and check out all the ins and outs. In the end, with two kids to cater for the Swan would get the nod for size, which means we would need to order a 2016 build as only Eagles had the options I wanted on floor stock.

Having said this on the way out after getting a quote we stuck our heads in a Expander 14.44 and the missus really liked that. So now its time for some more research on Gumtree etc to see what I can find.

As far as hot water systems go it looks like there is an option for everyone depending on your needs / wants but after spending the last week at a top camping spot with disgusting amenities i'm going to make sure we ahve the option of our own showers if needed.

After only ever using a tent we have gone from the idea of a hard floor camper to a Jayco Swan type and while the Swan is still looking good I cant believe i'm now looking up Caravans 

Thanks everyone for the advice on a HWS will have to see where this ends up, at this rate we will be looking at a motor home next!