Jayco hot water and external shower

[Swogjb]

G'day all,
We are currently going through the options for our Jayco hawk yet to be ordered but getting bloody close. The hot water external shower set up seem expensive ($1440) but we were thinking it would be very handy and convenient but don't want to spend the $$ if it is no good or a better option is available.
Any advice will make our decision much easier.
Cheers Glenn

[theflyingbadger]

we've got it fitted in ours. it's bloody magic.

[Black Diamond]

Sure there are cheaper options out there, but its far more convenient to have an  integrated set up.
I was also in two minds when we were ordering the Swan, but now glad we ticked the box.
Anything to keep the SWMBO happy is worth it

[swanbird]

Have just walked in the door from a short weekend away in the Swan, and can definately recommend spending the extra for the hot water and the shower.

Having hot water available at the kitchen sink makes the chore of washing up that much easier, and nothing beats a nice warm shower before bed. Having owned a number of Jaycos, all fitted with the Suburban Electric/Gas hot water unit, I struggle to find a single fault in the system they fit.   

[theflyingbadger]

If i was ordering my Hawk again, the only things i'd change would be to get the GVM upgrade to 2T, and have the extended drawbar.

[Bushman]

We had the HWS and shower on our Swan and now on the Expanda, though the shower is internal now.

Wouldn't be without now, just so convenient.

[Swogjb]

Looks like I will be ticking the box for hw service.

If i was ordering my Hawk again, the only things i'd change would be to get the GVM upgrade to 2T, and have the extended drawbar.

The 2 tonne gvm upgrade ,is that the simplicity suspension?

Is the pull out BBQ worth the bucks or i was thinking baby q may be the go?

The dealer is talking me out of a roll out awning, but then I research what others have on this forum and talk myself back into it again.
Its doing my head in!!

Thanks for the advise.

Cheers Glenn

[Bushman]

The dealer is talking me out of a roll out awning, but then I research what others have on this forum and talk myself back into it again.

Aussie Traveller Coolabah is the way to go. yes a tad pricey but worth every cent.

[NewcastleKnight]

Looks like I will be ticking the box for hw service.
The 2 tonne gvm upgrade ,is that the simplicity suspension?

Is the pull out BBQ worth the bucks or i was thinking baby q may be the go?

The dealer is talking me out of a roll out awning, but then I research what others have on this forum and talk myself back into it again.
Its doing my head in!!

Thanks for the advise.

Cheers Glenn

I would not bother with the pull out BBQ.  In my opinion it takes up space and you always have to access the area under the seat from inside.  I carry an Ozi BBQ and campovens in the spot where the pull out BBQ would be.  I have a Baby Q but only take this when I am staying at Xmas for a few weeks in a caravan park.

[Teabag]

Looks like I will be ticking the box for hw service.
The 2 tonne gvm upgrade ,is that the simplicity suspension?

Is the pull out BBQ worth the bucks or i was thinking baby q may be the go?

The dealer is talking me out of a roll out awning, but then I research what others have on this forum and talk myself back into it again.
Its doing my head in!!

Thanks for the advise.

Cheers Glenn

I have the 2 ton axel upgrade and no it isn't the simplicity set up. It is heavier duty axel, springs and bearings to suit.Wrt the roll out awningI have the Fiamma and I think it is excellent. Many have said it is not so good in a wind, well mine went through 60km/hr winds at Rollingstone without issue, yes, I put in extras guide ropes but was solid. I was also talked out of the slide out BBQ and glad I was. We put an external gas point in that the Weber Baby q connects to and works a treat. I didn'tput in the hot water systems because living in Cairns most of our camping is in a warm climate so cool water is far more refreshing and just putting it in for doing the dishes was a large expense for small gain. If I live in the southern states where it is a little cooler it would have been considered greatly, hence we went with AC...

[NewcastleKnight]

A question on the hot water system.  Do these work from mains water?  or do they only draw from the tank?

Would there be much involved to retro fit one?  Would you need to have two water tanks?

[NewcastleKnight]

On Teabags point, I also put gas outlets on the Jayco, I have two one on each side.  My idea was that I could have the Weber on one side and perhaps a stand alone gas hot water and shower tent on the other side.

[Black Diamond]

A question on the hot water system.  Do these work from mains water?  or do they only draw from the tank?

Would there be much involved to retro fit one?  Would you need to have two water tanks?

They can work draw from both. Uses mains pressure when hose is connected or draws from tank when  the pump switch is on.

[Bushman]

A question on the hot water system.  Do these work from mains water?  or do they only draw from the tank?

Would there be much involved to retro fit one?  Would you need to have two water tanks?

they work from both mains and tanks, shouldn't be to much hassle to retro fit, but dont recommend doing it yourself

[theflyingbadger]

A question on the hot water system.  Do these work from mains water?  or do they only draw from the tank?

Would there be much involved to retro fit one?  Would you need to have two water tanks?

They seem to draw From mains if connected, tank if not. The second tank is basically for the fact that you are showering from tank water when in the bush.

You could have one retro fitted, it's basically 2 square holes in te camper, one for the hws the other for the shower. With our hawk the hws is  under the sink, the shower is behind the drawers next to the cooker

[NewcastleKnight]

they work from both mains and tanks, shouldn't be to much hassle to retro fit, but dont recommend doing it yourself

Pffttt, would not even attempt it....

[Swogjb]

Aussie Traveller Coolabah is the way to go. yes a tad pricey but worth every cent.

The above mentioned awning is not on the option list that Jayco give me.
Approximately how much are we talking?

We went to Jayco on satdy morning with our heart set on a Fiamma and the dealer was trying to talk us out of it saying that they put a lot or pressure on the camper roof and that the annex walls are pricks of things.

We were thinking maybe try the bag awning before buying the annex walls.
Ive been checking out Newcastle Nights awning / annex set up, looks fantastic.

Cheers Glenn

[Teabag]

The above mentioned awning is not on the option list that Jayco give me.
Approximately how much are we talking?

We went to Jayco on satdy morning with our heart set on a Fiamma and the dealer was trying to talk us out of it saying that they put a lot or pressure on the camper roof and that the annex walls are pricks of things.

We were thinking maybe try the bag awning before buying the annex walls.
Ive been checking out Newcastle Nights awning / annex set up, looks fantastic.

Cheers Glenn

Yes, they do put pressure on the roof hence I put the legs to the ground all the time and not back on the van. Comes with spikes that go through the feet so you don't need ropes unless it is really windy. Haven't go the annex, we went with the slide on sun shade to the Fiamma.

[theflyingbadger]

The above mentioned awning is not on the option list that Jayco give me.
Approximately how much are we talking?

We went to Jayco on satdy morning with our heart set on a Fiamma and the dealer was trying to talk us out of it saying that they put a lot or pressure on the camper roof and that the annex walls are pricks of things.

We were thinking maybe try the bag awning before buying the annex walls.
Ive been checking out Newcastle Nights awning / annex set up, looks fantastic.

Cheers Glenn

$1550 for the awning (that was for the Hawk, shipped to perth), about the same for the walls if you get them from Aussie Traveller. I've not got the walls yet, i'm sure i can get a canvas man in perth to make some cheaper than that though

[GOLDIE]

I have the fiamma awning and hot water with shower. The hot water and shower is brilliant. Not so much for us but for washing the kids down. As far as the awning jayco tried to talk me out of them when I was looking at them. I now have a goldstream with a fiamma awning. I have an annex for it which I got custom made and it is brilliant. Very quick and easy to put up. When I just have the awning out I use the anti flap kit and it doesn't move. I an really happy with it.  http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=8029.msg118904#msg118904   There are some pictures of my annex hear

[Swogjb]

Yes, they do put pressure on the roof hence I put the legs to the ground all the time and not back on the van. Comes with spikes that go through the feet so you don't need ropes unless it is really windy. Haven't go the annex, we went with the slide on sun shade to the Fiamma.

I didn't realise that the legs could go to the ground,Ive only ever seen them back on the van.
Its gotta be sh!t loads more stable and wind proof with legs down.

GOLDIE'S custom made annexe walls look A1

Aussie Traveller looks fantastic but bloody he'll my budget is starting to stretch!!

Cheers Glenn

[Sharshebelle1]

We got the pull out BBQ and love it,  I dont believe it affects the space,  we can still store all manner of things in there,  plus the convenience and speed to set it up either on the road for quick cups of tea,  or a full BBQ made it worth the cost.

[Teabag]

I didn't realise that the legs could go to the ground,Ive only ever seen them back on the van.
Its gotta be sh!t loads more stable and wind proof with legs down.

GOLDIE'S custom made annexe walls look A1

Aussie Traveller looks fantastic but bloody he'll my budget is starting to stretch!!

Cheers Glenn

Mate, I always peg to the ground for stability and you don't run into the support arms. Here is a picture with my awning down and with the sunbuster sunshade fitted. The sunbuster shade cloth slides in the sail track at the end of the Fiamma awning and was about $250ish......Well worth it and simple to set up and pack up.......


PS: The Fiamma awning comes with 4 spikes that go through the base of the legs to secure it to the ground. Works a treat except for sand obviously....

[Bushman]

The above mentioned awning is not on the option list that Jayco give me.
Approximately how much are we talking?

no it not on their list, it has to be fitted later or con them to have it  fitted prior to delivery

We went to Jayco on satdy morning with our heart set on a Fiamma and the dealer was trying to talk us out of it saying that they put a lot or pressure on the camper roof and that the annex walls are pricks of things.

Cheers Glenn

In reality the Fiamma is no heavier than the bag awning weight wise. if the legs go back to the van it can put pressure on the roof, but as Teabag said, legs pegged to the ground and it's not an issue.

Yes the "Fiamma" branded annex walls are a bitch and ugly too, thats why you go after market to suit.

[jimsiron]

Mate, I always peg to the ground for stability and you don't run into the support arms. Here is a picture with my awning down and with the sunbuster sunshade fitted. The sunbuster shade cloth slides in the sail track at the end of the Fiamma awning and was about $250ish......Well worth it and simple to set up and pack up.......


PS: The Fiamma awning comes with 4 spikes that go through the base of the legs to secure it to the ground. Works a treat except for sand obviously....


We have a near identical setup, Fiamma and same size shade panels either side. Had our panels made out of H/D shade cloth cloth with reinforced edges and 3 eyelets on the bottom to which I have attached short adjustable ropes. Only difference is the Fiamma has smaller draw cord to fit track than the kitchen side which has standard size track. Cost $300  all up inc track for kitchen side at our local canvas/tarp maker. Fiamma is a great way to go, we don't worry about any walls.
regards
Jimsiron