Author Topic: JAYCO SWAN?  (Read 5616 times)

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Offline BEN1976

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JAYCO SWAN?
« on: February 14, 2017, 12:28:58 PM »
Hi there - this is my first post and looking forward to seeing if this forum can help. 

We're looking to purchase a Jayco Swan however as this is our first time out of camping we wouldn't mind some advice / tips/ anything to add.  Below are a list of my questions / thoughts - if you can answer 1 or all.....whatever works - we will be very appreciative.

1)  In my research they seem to hold their value quite well.  With this in mind would you go for a model that is a few years old or spend the extra $5k-$10k and get a new model.  I (from memory) read something about warranty's not being valid once sold.....is this right?
2)  Does Jayco come on sale and what are the chances of picking a new one up for cheaper?  If so, how much savings are there to be made? 
3)  With all the optional extra's - how easy (or hard) is it to negotiate?  Is it common practice and if so how much can we push it? 
4)  What are the 'must have accessories' we should be getting? We don't want to go overboard, but would like to know what works well and what doesn't.  For example, the salesman was telling me he wouldn't get air con as it's a waste of money for the price you pay (I kind of agree)....but thought it would be good to know what others thought
5)  We have a tight driveway and the camper trailer can definitely fit, however it will be tight hence not keen to reverse up it.  How easy are these things to move - ie can I push or pull it into place over say 20m of flat ground?

THANKS SO MUCH, anyone out there with a Jayco Swan I'd love to hear from you.....even just other tips etc you might recommend we'd be forever thankful

Ben

Offline BeeGee

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2017, 12:53:29 PM »
G'day Ben and welcome to the forum.

We have a 2014 Swan Outback and just love it. I've tried to answer a few questions below for you but there are many Jayco and Swan owners on here which will chime in I'm sure.

1) I purchased our Swan when it was only 3 months old at a saving of around $4K from memory. It really depends if you want to spec it out exactly as you want it or are happy with the specs on a second hand one. I was more than happy to go with a near new second hand one.  Even though my Swan was only 3 months old the warranty was not transferable to me so void.

2) I believe they sometimes have camping show sales or at least cheaper deals around the major shows, but I may be wrong.

3) I've read quite a few Swan threads on here where people have negotiated a pretty sweet deal. I suspect this is dependent on which dealer you go through. I suggest doing a search through all of the Swan threads to see what deals people have negotiated.

4) I personally don't have or would want air conditioning. Given the beauty of the Swan is that you can open it right up for ventilation I see no need. However there is usually a few days a year where its bloody hot and there is no wind when the van can be hot. I would fork out my $$ just for one or two days a year though. And I'm not a fan of the extra weight on the roof.  Ours is pretty basically spec and I've considered installing a second water tank underneath and also a 12V pump.  Hot water would be nice but again we just boil a kettle on the stove for the dishes which is very easy.
Our options are: bed end flys, bagged awning, awning walls, fusion CD player and outside speakers, roof racks, 2x120w solar panels on roof, extended drawbar, gas outlet on drawbar.
I find all of these options pretty useful.

5) These guys are pretty easy on flat paved ground but you can always get one of those ratchet style jockey wheels to give you a helping hand.

Best of luck with your decision.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2017, 01:29:24 PM by BeeGee »
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Offline scblack

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2017, 01:09:10 PM »
Hi Ben,

Good luck with it, I have a MY15 Swan Outback bought from new. Love it.

1. I reckon go new, then you get exactly what you want. Used examples can be pot luck what you get.
2. Jayco (in Sydney) has sales around the Rosehill camping show. But really only getting a few items.
3. I found easy enough to negotiate. For a camper plus options that cost roughly $34-35k retail you'll get closer to $32k or so driveaway. Decent price drops.
4. Options I got were: Bed fly's, Bag Awning, awning walls, bed end garage, Fusion CD player, roof racks.
Main thing I may have changed in hindsight is a fiamma awning rather than bagged, but that depends on time spent at one place. If lots of overnighters, then fiamma, but longer camping means bag awning becomes worth extra set up time.  Other item to consider for me would be a water heater, but we don't shower at camper so a jug does us for washing up etc. How often are you camping off grid, as may need second water tank? May want second gas bottle too.
5. I easily push mine around on flat ground.

I also reckon go for the Outback model as they seem to hold value better, and are more versatile in that you can camp virtually anywhere due to better ground clearance. They also look less grey nomad.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2017, 01:11:58 PM by scblack »
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Offline archer63

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2017, 07:22:25 PM »
Hi Ben,

We bought a 2013 Swan Outback about 14mths ago and love it.

Options that came with it were: full annex, bag ends, twin water tanks, 150w solar panel.
What we thought we wanted was hot water, air con & roof racks.

Have easily got by without gas hot water as we just boil the kettle for washing up and as we stay in van parks we use their showers. If we decide we want our own hot water for showers down the track if we decide to free camp etc...then we would simply buy one of those excellant portable Joolca units that have a good name on here.

We have found that as we stay in van parks near the coast, we don't need air con as these type of pop top camper trailers have excellant air flow anyway.

Comes down to needs versus wants.....and for our getaways....we are happy with what we have.

You have done the right thing....ask for advice and opinions on things....weigh it all up....and make a decision based on your needs.

Cheers
Rob

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Offline nab

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2017, 12:24:37 AM »
There seem to be a few places that hire these out, maybe take one out for a week to see what you can and can't live without. Could save you lots of time and $$$$.
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Offline BrindiCruiser

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2017, 06:42:08 AM »
 
 
5. In terms of moving these around and fitting into tight garages, I reckon you can move them around with 2-3 people but I could only move it very short distance by myself. Ok on perfectly flat but there is usually an incline of sorts. I bought an electric jockey wheel off eBay. About 300 and does the job but you need a thick cable to battery. That part cost me about 400 at auto electrician
 


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Offline edz

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2017, 07:24:04 AM »
Edit :  Nab beet me to it .    ;D Good Idea though . Think our local dealer Hires for roughly $500 <> PW
« Last Edit: February 15, 2017, 07:51:05 AM by edz »
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Offline Bird

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Re: JAYCO SWAN?
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2017, 08:28:29 AM »
Edit :  Nab beet me to it .    ;D Good Idea though . Think our local dealer Hires for roughly $500 <> PW
you can hire em through ebay too.
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