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Author Topic: Jayco Outback or Campomatic  (Read 7250 times)

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Offline gary.K

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Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« on: October 08, 2011, 05:56:02 PM »
Hi Everyone,

My wife and i are planning a trip up to the Cape next year and we are doing a bit of research on what camper to purchase. We just got home from the Leisurefest at Sandown, we are basically looking at a hard floor camper like the Campomatic which they had on special today for about 28k with the boatrack (i thought this was pretty good) or a Kimberely Kamper (41k + 5k for boat rack!). But, my wife really likes the Jayco outback, they had these on special today ranging from about 25 - 27k. I must admit the Jayco looks a lot more comfortable, and it seems pretty good value, but our plan is to travel along the Old Telegraph Track. Are the Jayco's tuff enough for this track? Has anyone travelled this track with the Jayco and done the Gunshot and the rest of the many water crossings in one? We would like to take a boat and i have seen that it is possible to build a side folding boat rack for the Jayco if its tuff enough,  if anyone out there has some feed back it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Gary.
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Offline D4D

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2011, 06:00:35 PM »
Welcome to the swag Gary, I don't have any direct experience but I would think the Jayco would be too wide for up the cape.

That said I have seen a video of somebody dragging a Goldstream up there but he was working hard.
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Offline gary.K

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2011, 06:17:12 PM »
Cheers D4d,

Appreciate the feedback, the last thing we want is to be doing it tuff. I'm leaning towards the Campomatic, i just need to get the wife on board now.

 :cheers:

Gary.
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Racer

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2011, 06:33:40 PM »
G'day Gary

I am waiting on the delivery of my new Jayco Flamingo Outback, I wouldn't think the Jayco would be tough enough to tackle those tracks as opposed to the Campomatic. I purchased the Jayco with the view of caravan parks, basic free camping and a dash of exploring...that will do this...

If you are still keen on the Jayco don't be scared to ask around on prices etc..gives you a good guide when dealing with the dealers...it sure helped me...
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Offline Stozz

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2011, 06:48:42 PM »
Hi Gary

I am inclined to agree with Racer.  We have a 2011 Swan Outback and whilst it is for "off-the-road" it certainly wouldn't have the capability of many of the dedicated off-road campers - unless you were to do a lot of upgrading to suspension and water proofing.  I like the comforts and most of its use will be up and down the WA coast on one-destination trips.  So we bought ours with that in mind.  We towed it around a bit of outback SA and it was great, but no really serious 4wd tracks - we would be hesitant to attempt that with the Jayco.

I don't think they are designed to get very wet with creek crossings.

However, there is a member on this forum, "ras" who has just towed his up the Gibb River Road and Cape Leveque - so it would definitely be worth getting his opinion.

Cheers
from the Nav.
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Offline gary.K

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2011, 06:48:56 PM »
Thanks Racer,

The wife is the "negotiator", we will probably go for the Campomatic.

 :cheers:

Gary.
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Offline D4D

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2011, 06:49:46 PM »
Just get the KK, it is only money :)
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Offline Gunna Do

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2011, 06:58:54 PM »
I have no doubt that the Jayco would be capable of doing parts of the OTL up the Cape, but would think that parts of the track would be a little difficult with the Jayco in tow, more due to the sheer size of the thing rather than the build quality.  Last year when we were up the Cape, there were a few Jaycos touring around, as well as a number of larger 20+ foot caravans, so depending on where you want to go anything is possible.

The Camp-o-matic brand as it is now, is not a patch on the older Australian made version, and being a Camp-o-matic owner I am more than clued up on the changes which have evolved with this brand.  I would be very reluctant to purchase a new Camp-o-matic knowing that the majority of which is made in China.  As much as it pains me to say this, the newer models are not a patch on the older ones, as far as build quality is concerned.

Now how this compares with the Jayco campers, I couldn't say, but as far as I'm concerned both are built to a very strict budget rather than being built to a quality, however Jayco seem to have a very good warrranty backup.

If you are set on buying one of these brands, then consider whether you will be tackling tougher tight track, in which the Camp-o-matic would be best, or if you are considering open gravel roads with a few rougher sections thrown in then the Jayco is probably the best option.

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Offline Gunna Do

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2011, 07:00:48 PM »
Woops, if you would like to discuss the Camp-o-matic brand in depth, please feel free to PM me and I'll give you my phone number to discuss them in more depth.  I have tried to make myself somewhat of an expert in the brand.
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Offline ras

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2011, 07:17:47 PM »
Gary..
I havent done the cape with the jayco swan outback, but i agree that the sheer size and weight of it would probably be a problem.
We have a prado (diesel), and the swan is significantly wider than the tug.

The swan did ok down the gibb river road, but at the time the river levels were 500 mm.

I think that much deeper, you would find one wet swan... They arent waterproof, and  i dont think it would be possible to completely stop water entering...
Then you would need to decide whether you want to deal with internal water issues..
As to the rest of the Gibb, it wasnt really a problem, but had to drive to the conditions, sometimes down to 20 k/hr.

We also found on the cape leveque road that driving through some sections of deeper sand, you really felt the 1.5 tonnes behind you, even with tyre pressures reduced..


Really, in summary you could probably take it up to the cape, but it depends on how much damage you are prepared to accept, as well as using common sense along the way..

Let me know if you need more info, and good luck in your search.. That part of the journey is fun too!!
Rob
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Offline gary.K

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2011, 07:19:02 PM »
Thanks Gunna,

Appreciate the advice, the Campo's not the only option, just thought it was pretty good value when compared to the KK, Odyssey, Aussie Swag, etc. Looks like i'll just have to save a bit more.....

Gary.
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Offline gary.K

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2011, 07:29:07 PM »
Thanks Rob,

I am enjoying the search! Not so sure about the other half though, she can't understand what all the research is about, "just get one of those camper trailer thingy's and lets go" she says....

I do agree, you have to drive to the conditions, but no don't really want to have to worry about water getting in etc.

Gary.
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Offline goody59

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2011, 07:29:16 PM »
I looked at all the Jayco outback range of campervans (and their road going brothers) today at Sandown Leisurefest, Melbourne.  I wouldn't be taking any 4x4 driving.  At most gravel type roads and some easy well maintained fire trails.  Their design can't compare with the tough purpose build off-road trailers designed for the job.  Nothing against Jayco but just horses for courses.
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Offline theflyingbadger

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2011, 07:43:34 PM »
Quote from: goody59 on October 08, 2011, 07:29:16 PM
horses for courses.

exactly. I need the jayco because the wife won't go out in anything else.

hence the swag.....
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Offline Stozz

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #14 on: October 08, 2011, 07:46:46 PM »
Quote from: theflyingbadger on October 08, 2011, 07:43:34 PM
because the wife won't go out in anything else.

we're not all like that... if our regular travels were different we would have gone for something more off-road. I had to talk my other half (the man) out of a full caravan...

 :angel:
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Offline ras

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #15 on: October 08, 2011, 08:00:54 PM »
We are the same as Nav..
We bought the swan for our trip and it actually met our requirements really well..
Did some 4wd (Litchfield NP and El Questro), but left the swan behind.. I wouldn't really have wanted to tow anything, especially the swan through those tracks..I guess thats when the swags/tents take over..
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Offline goody59

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #16 on: October 08, 2011, 08:01:28 PM »
I have a 4x4 but only bought a road going pop up campervan.  I will leave it somewhere if I want to go off road for a few days or longer even and use a tent/camp facilities. I decided on that before my purchase of the CV.
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Offline Sharshebelle1

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #17 on: October 08, 2011, 08:54:16 PM »
We just took our Outback Eagle up to Camerons Corner,  Down the Strezleki and up the Oodnadatta, she did beautifully,  with only an issue with the hand pump, and a lose screw on a bed rail. Im not sure how these roads compare with the cape,  but the Camerons Corner to Strezlecki Road red rattlers would put a strain on most trailers and we were stoked at how well the Jayco coped.
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Offline gary.K

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #18 on: October 08, 2011, 10:07:54 PM »
Thanks Everyone,

We really do appreciate everybody's input, it seems fairly clear that if we want travel the OTL in the Cape its probably best if we opt for the hardfloor style camper. Now we just have to decide which one, let me just go and check my lotto tickets........


Gary. :laugh:
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Offline white Knuckles

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #19 on: October 09, 2011, 09:29:15 AM »
Gary I don,t think you should be deciding which trailer to buy only on your up coming cape trip what types of tracks in general do you see your selves doing. I have driven the otl in our stock hilux no trailer. We now have a 2000 model jayco outback hawk and I would take it up the cape. I would drive up the development road and set up at a nice creek or twin falls and then take a few days to take your time and do the otl with out the trailer, it will take longer and you will have to back track but it won,t be that much.
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Offline gary.K

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Re: Jayco Outback or Campomatic
« Reply #20 on: October 10, 2011, 09:27:20 PM »
Quote from: white Knuckles on October 09, 2011, 09:29:15 AM
Gary I don,t think you should be deciding which trailer to buy only on your up coming cape trip what types of tracks in general do you see your selves doing. I have driven the otl in our stock hilux no trailer. We now have a 2000 model jayco outback hawk and I would take it up the cape. I would drive up the development road and set up at a nice creek or twin falls and then take a few days to take your time and do the otl with out the trailer, it will take longer and you will have to back track but it won,t be that much.
Thanks White Knuckles,

It's a good point you make, we (me really) would like to drive the tougher sections of track with all the water crossings etc. We currently have a 2005 petrol prado with winch that's all, appreciate your advice, it may well be the way to go  :cheers:
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