Jayco Penguin Outback

[elgriffo]

Hi All,
In the market for a Jayco Penguin Outback and have a few questions if you can help please with one aor more answers that would be appreciated?

1. Prefer the models with window tiniting on the zip windows as they give a bit more privacy, does anyone know from what year this was introduced as the current model has it but early 2000's don't?

2. Also the length, bit confused as to what years have a certain lenght. New ones are 14ft, some older models are advertised as 12ft and some 12ft 9in or 13ft?

3. Changes - were there any significant changes to shape, chassis, build, etc that make a certain year onwards a better buy? 

4. Tyres -is there an issue with the original ones and some replacements brands preferred for off-road?

5. Mods - are there any added extras such as solar panels, electric water pump, hot water, outside shower, slide out BBQ, 2nd water tank and gas bottle, others? that most people consider necessary and put in?

6. Traps - anything I should look out for that an unscrupulous seller might hide or cover over? 

Thanks heaps for reading this far.
Cheers
Elgriffo

[griz066]

We wanted one a while ago but they have a massive towball weight, it was too heavy for our tug so we went for another model.

[johno]

Elgriffo
1. We have a 2010 model and it has tinted windows however I don't know when it was introduced
2. Ours is 13 foot
3. I believe the interia layout has never change since they first came out.
4. The standard outback tyres do the job well
5. When we looked at purchasing a new one, all those extras were available from the factory so you may find a second hand one with some of those fitted. We have a webber Q that fits through the side hatch under the bed and that is a lot cheaper than having a slide out BBQ fitted.
6. Like most jaycos, they are built to a price and we have had the occasional screw fall out from the inside but generally we are very happy with the penguin. The tow ball weight is quite high and I have fitted airbags to my prado which work very well. The unit tows very well and is very quick to set up.
Good luck on your search
Regards
Johno

[elgriffo]

Good point Griz066, but I believe my Prado will get me there, what model did you decide on and are you happy with it?

Johno thanks for your detailed reply, just the sort of info we are seeking as we try and decide what year and what is a fair price to pay. Were there many to choose from and did you virtually have to pay the asking price or was there a bit of nomal negtiation? Also did you buy online, with a dealer, etc?

Thanks for the tip about the BBQ, will have alook when we finally get our unit.
Cheers
Elgriffo

[griz066]

Good point Griz066, but I believe my Prado will get me there, what model did you decide on and are you happy with it?

Johno thanks for your detailed reply, just the sort of info we are seeking as we try and decide what year and what is a fair price to pay. Were there many to choose from and did you virtually have to pay the asking price or was there a bit of nomal negtiation? Also did you buy online, with a dealer, etc?

Thanks for the tip about the BBQ, will have alook when we finally get our unit.
Cheers
Elgriffo

We ended up buying a 2007 Finch from the trading post, it was an awesome unit but just too small. we have upsized to a Jayco Freedom and are loving it. There is a train of thought out there that you should just buy a full size van to start with as that is where you will eventually end up... was certainly the case for us, and others here as well. Good luck

[johno]

Elgriffo,

We bought ours in 2010 and being in Perth we seem to have to pay a bit more than the eastern staters. I priced a new one and I was quoted 28k. I rang a dealer in victoria and was quoted 5k less. (I am not sure whether it would cost 5k to ship across oz though).
At the time there we hardly any around so there wasn't much to pick from. I scanned the net for a few months and only 2 came up in Perth. A second hand caravan yard had one that was only 11months old in excellent condition that they had just traded for 25 and I offered 20 and they accepted.
I guess it comes down to how long you are prepared to wait for that great deal.........

Cheers
Johno

[Fozzle]

I ended up with a Jayco Eagle Outback..

I was tossing up between the Dove and the Eagle.. I think the eagle is a great compromise of size/weight/down weight and layout.

Just so happened an Eagle popped up at the right price first aswell so thats what I ended up with obviously if you are buying s/h your options become abit more limited even more so being in Perth (in my case) as pointed out.

[elgriffo]

griz066,
Coming from a tent I suppose we have to follow the path of others and start off small to make sure it our thing, also we have a 6m cramping our style a little bit in the front yard. Glad you are loving the Freedom.
Fozzle,
I take your point about Perth the 2 Penguin Outbacks for sale in IMHO are over priced, glad you found the Eagle at a good price.
Johno,
they are still 28k new in Perth and I will enquire about prices in the east. I bought a Prado from Qld to WA by tpt for about $1500 a few years ago, so hopefully it wil be cheaper for a Penguin from one of the closer states? Well done with your purchase, from my early looking that was a great buy, thanks for the info - very helpful for me. Hope I have your patience to wait around for a good deal, but with so few for sale in the West nothing is going to happen in a hurry for me. First trip I would like to do is in Sep, so no hurry to buy.
Cheers
Elgriffo

[Fozzle]

Keep in mind that some states have different inclusions in the models which also effects the price. Its also generally more expensive to move a camper trailer via freight as they cant drive it on and off so keep that in mind.

Personally I dont think buying a smaller one to see if you like it is the right mentality. Buy the one you want straight off the bat or you will always be thinking what if I got that other one it might have been that much better.. They hold their value well enough that if you decide you dont like it you you can always sell it. There is always the option to hire one and give it a go aswell.

The other bonus with buying secondhand is you may get extra bonuses like Solar, Lighting, Awnings etc etc etc.  I picked my 2005 eagle up for ~15k in the end sure its abit rough around the edges as its been well used but its also been well maintained. I have spent abit to get it up to spec some of the Stuff I would have done to any of them some of the stuff needed to be done.  Also reference the tinted windows.. I would have liked them to but I now like the light the clears let in and with the new flyscreens put in the privacy has increased abit and you can always close the curtains for the super happy fun times.

You can see what I have done here http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=28268.0 might give you some ideas.

Also this is the 2005 brochure which I found pretty handy http://www.popupclub.nl/images/folders/Jayco2005.pdf

Thats just my thoughts but obviously everyones situation is different

[GeeTee]

Elgriffo, you mention original tyres: it's a good idea to keep some money in the bank for a bearing service and new tyres on a second-hand trailer/van. Tyres often don't wear much on vans/trailers so they may look OK at a glance but they do die of old age 
 

[Memem284]

We are a couple in our 40/50's and were originally looking at a Penguin as we only need one bed. We ended up getting an on road Eagle and within 12 mths, upgraded to an off road eagle and love it! I still like the concept of the Penguin and thoroughly wish Jayco would make one with ONE pullout bed. The Penguin is just a little too small and sometimes it seems a bit annoying pulling out both beds when we only need one.

Our initial budget was $15000 and we were looking at older models, but then found a 2010 model (onroad) for just over $18000 and the price difference was negligible considering the one we bought was like new. Earlier this year we upgraded to an offroad 2011 Eagle with all the bells and whistles for around $23000. Yes we are way over what we originally planned to pay but we have a fantastic camper and, as we don't intend on flogging it in super rough territory, we are extremely happy with it.
The only problem is finding time to use it! (Partner works Mon-Fri and I work shift work).

[Mobi]

Elgriffo if you are not sure if you will like it see if you can hire one. We did that with CTs before buying one. It highlights things you might not of thought off.

Good luck

[elgriffo]

Thanks MeMem284 and Fozzle for the detailed comments on what you bought and prices paid, also to Mobi and Gee Tee for your comments on various items. All very helpful and will help me a lot in my search.
Cheers
Elgriffo