Buying an early 00's Jayco Outback - What to look for?

[kylarama]

Well, after spending the last 3 years camping in an old caravan, it's time to get another camper.
The debate has raged for the last 12 months on what to get.  My preference is to build one myself, but with 3 kids and a job that has an average working day of 10-12 hours, it could take a loooong time to finish. 
Next was a Trak Shak if budget permitted, better half is sort of keen but wonders if we really need something that 'offroad' at this stage.

So as usual the better half wins and wants a Jayco camper for the convenience of setting/packing up and the additional creature comforts.
We've managed to stretch the budget to $15,000 which gets us into the bottom end of 2000 - 2003 'Outback' models.
Preference is a Swan or Eagle, but will consider a Hawk or Flamingo.

The question is, what to look for?  Common problems, faults, leaks, rust, fatigue etc?
I don't mind buying something that needs work, I just want to make sure I know what I'm looking at.

[Woodsie]

Basically, the outback campers have a bullet proof chassis, the only things that really let them down are maybe cupboard catches, shrinkage in the canvas and the winder mechanisms can fail on older models, but quite rare. Going towards a Jayco camper, you have to give up the ability to go down those tight tracks and some soft beaches, but if it makes the cook happy, you are on to something right there  Good luck

[kylarama]

Thanks Woodsie, but it seems a week is a long time in camping!  Now we're looking at camper trailers again.
Having looked at what you get for $15,000 compared to what you can get for $20,000, we've elected to wait a year or two when the funds will allow for a newer one.  Also have a job in the construction industry, it might be unwise in this economic climate to stretch our funds to far, save some for a rainy day.

In the meantime a modest budget purchase of $8,000 has been agreed upon for a camper trailer.  What I spend on it afterwards is irrelevant .  This will service us a for a year or two and give me a chance to convince SHMBO that a smaller, lighter camper is better

So what to get...
A few years ago we had an Outback Campers Canning (the narrower version of the Sturt).  So that's what we're looking at again, an older Sturt or Birdsville and then get the side bedroom fitted for the kids.
Gives me something to tinker with

[kylarama]

Well, after allot of debates, fights and arguments from looking at campers around the $8000 we're back looking at Jayco's!
Was a bit disappointed with whats on offer for 8K and started looking at what you get for 10K, then 12K and then back to our original budget plus a little more .

Pretty happy too, there are tons of 01's to 05's on offer in that price range, some really good and some really average.
What I have noticed is in 2003 Jayco did an update, finishes inside, fake diamond plate along the sides and the coupling recessed into the draw bar.
Anyone know why the coupling setup was changed and does it add any benefit?
Also what brain surgeon decided that the drawbar should be shorter than the bed?  Means unhitching for quick over nighters.

[markg66]

Sounds like exactly what we did last year, had about $15K to spend at the outside.
Decided on the OB Eagle and looked everywhere for those, particularly wanted the 2000 model as they still have the large section chassis and draw bar. (Had a bad experience with the old camper shearing off one side of the draw bar just outside Kaimkillenbun heading to Lightning Ridge.)
Found one and got it for $13.2K, but had to do a few things.
Someone had smashed the stove glass top off by not putting it down and pushing in the back end bed. Unfortunately there are no parts any longer available for these stoves and I had to fabricate the new hinge bracket and get a sheet of glass cut and toughened and bond it to the bracket to make a new one as you can't get your safety cert without it and I couldn't afford $1500 for a new stove.
The Jayco power supply was in working order but the battery was swelled and had to go, I ended up pulling out the Jayco stuff and rewiring all the DC and upgraded the RCD and incoming 240 socket etc. (yeah.......licenced lecky and fitter and turner so a bit handy for mods)
Also the fridge didn't work on any of the 3 power options, even though it was ice cold on gas when I looked at the camper at the guys place, still can't figure out how he pulled that off.
Turned out to be the combined 240V/Gas thermostat on the fridge, apparently it's common that if the thermostat dies for the gas or for the 240V it won't work on either.
Also had one broken spring hanger, needed brake shoes, new tires, tail and marker lights and new car plug.
All up on top of the $13200, I did most of it myself except the brake shoes and the spring hanger as the caravan crowd that were doing the safety cert did those while they had it,  it cost me another $3000 including a 180 watt removable solar panel and 3000 watt inverter, charger etc. SO total about $16200, and an very happy with the price and result.
Only one thing that still worries me and I haven't done yet, apparently the 2000 model was renowned for the center roof seal strip that runs full length of the camper roof to leak as Jayco didn't use enough sealant on them and if they are stored outstide they leak and wreck the inside of the roof, was quoted $1500 to redo it but apparently it's an easy fix but very time consuming to remove all the old sealant..............one day.

[Signature035]

We have an 04 Outback Eagle....   Only BIG problem, (and I have heard that this is now pretty common around this age) is the silicon roof joint drying out and the roof leaking, ruining the interior.....    I speak from experience.  Mine happened after the Christmas trip away, and I did not discover it until I opened it up again in May to get ready for the next trip.... so 4 months of leak.

I have just had the Jayco returned, courtesy of AMMI with a new one peice fiberrglass roof (opposed to the 2 piece aluminium original) new curtians, lights and roof hatch..     

Gotta be pretty happy with that for the $300 excess      Thank you AAMI.
 

[markg66]

I have just had the Jayco returned, courtesy of AMMI with a new one piece fiberglass roof (opposed to the 2 piece aluminum original) new curtains, lights and roof hatch..     

Gotta be pretty happy with that for the $300 excess      Thank you AAMI.

Hi Signature035, do you know who did the repair with the one piece fiberglass, I think I should change my priority now on this maintenance item I've been putting off, I also have to keep my Eagle outside but I keep it tarped when not in use

If anyone else has done the reseal of this joint themselves any info would be appreciated

[Signature035]

Hi Signature035, do you know who did the repair with the one piece fiberglass, I think I should change my priority now on this maintenance item I've been putting off, I also have to keep my Eagle outside but I keep it tarped when not in use

If anyone else has done the reseal of this joint themselves any info would be appreciated

Repairs were done by 'Paul Tall' Caravan repairs at Londondary (Northwest Sydney) , Quality of work is pretty good, a couple of silly errors, but overall pretty happy.

[fishfinder]

mine leaked and i just wiped / scraped all the flakey dried sealant with turps and ran a fresh bead of silicone over the top may be 2 hrs top, no signs of leaks at all and has spent a full winter in the rain, As far as the tow hitch being recessed in the draw bar, down fall is you can not access the grease nipples without removing the hitch or replace with 90 degree grease nipples which i ended up doing - or will one day

[kylarama]

Well, a deposit was put down this arvo on an 06 Eagle!  More than we were going to spend, but it's in pristine condition with only very, very minor dirt road use.


Thanks all for the input.

[markg66]

Good luck mate, now you can plan the first trip away and figure out your mods.

Sent from my Moto Defy using Tapatalk2

[Signature035]

Well, a deposit was put down this arvo on an 06 Eagle!  More than we were going to spend, but it's in pristine condition with only very, very minor dirt road use.


Thanks all for the input.

Congrats..... great camper.... enjoy.

[kylarama]

First trip will be our annual Cup weekend jaunt on the Murray River.

Mods...  It's been so well kept, I sort of don't want to mess with it too much
Probably tidy up the homemade brackets on the pole holders and extend the 12v system.  It's got the factory 80w solar kit along with a near new 100ah agm, add to it my 160w kit, 120ah battery, inverter, led lights I should have a healthy capacity.
It's ok,  I know the mantra 6b&S 6b&S 6b&S 6b&S 6b&S 6b&S.

First thing is a cover.  Unfortuantly it will have to be stored outside for the first 12 months or so.

Can anyone recommend the best brand of cover, or the best way of tarping them up?

Also, it's got 'Vantec Protection'.  Is it any good, or just expensive hype?
I say that because of this quote from the Vantec website...

Drag efficiency - Vantec finish reduces drag and increases
your caravan's aerodynamic efficiency.

Maybe if I also fit a Polarizer from a Brock Commodore it will propel itself
Or will it interfere with my tin foil hat...

[Signature035]

Just replaced mine with one of the Ultimate covers from Coverworld;

http://www.coverworld.com.au/acatalog/camper-trailer-cover-14ft.html