How waterproof are Jayco style pop top campers / vans

[cassgazz]

Hey Swaggers,

We are considering purchasing a Jayco style pop top camper / van.
The ones I have looked at, on-line only for the moment, are the Jayco Hawk Outback & Jayco Swan Outback.

The only issue I come across so far, is how waterproof they are when doing water crossings, and dust proof on bush tracks.
I prefer the fibreglass ones with the chequer-plate bottoms, as I believe that the aluminium clad ones would allow water to enter between the horizontal joins. I would also be looking at an aluminium framed one, to eliminate the risk of wood rot, and wood falling apart.

Just wanted to know from people who own, or have used one of these offroad, how waterproof are they when doing deeper river crossings, and how dust proof are they.

We do a lot of Vic High Country 4x4ing, therefore some rather deep crossings. I understand that the fridge vents, and the door vents, would be the main source of water / dust entry, however these could be taped up prior to hitting the tracks, or some other sort of method - any ideas???

Also, are these type of camper / van any good off-road?

Any thoughts / advice would be much appreciated.

 , Gary.

[chester ver2.0]

Have a look at my impressions in the How to turn a goldstream on road into an offroad thread in general technical to give you some ideas

[RebsWA]

Having owned a outback eagle I can let you know any water above floor level will enter and dust will come inside unless you take measures to prevent it.

[Bm0]

Yup as above I would never take my Jayco through water above the floor height.

If you put 33" tyres on them, that's actually pretty high, but maybe not as high as the water you want to drag it through.

[cassgazz]

Thanks guys,

Chester - not so much worried about mods to go from blacktop to offroad, more about water / dust getting in.

Rebs / Bm0 - Exactly the type of info I was after, thanks. So if water will get in if water gets above the floor level, where would it normally enter? I would have fridge vents & door vents taped off, so not too concerned about them.

The aluminium clad type ones, does water in in at the horizontal joins, or at the corners, or are they gererally well sealed?

[chester ver2.0]

There are also a fair few pipes and things that come up through the floor you would need to make sure all your silicone sealing is bang on

[RebsWA]

Thanks guys,

Chester - not so much worried about mods to go from blacktop to offroad, more about water / dust getting in.

Rebs / Bm0 - Exactly the type of info I was after, thanks. So if water will get in if water gets above the floor level, where would it normally enter? I would have fridge vents & door vents taped off, so not too concerned about them.

The aluminium clad type ones, does water in in at the horizontal joins, or at the corners, or are they gererally well sealed?

There are drain holes in the boot floor and on mine there was a large gap between the floor at the rear and the back wall which was all along and out of sight. No idea if/how they seal the rest of the floor.
Having made these comments I can also report that I did the GRR, travelled most of WA and into the NT and never had an issue with water crossings as the outback versions sit so high.

[GUEY]

I would think water would get in around the flip down hatches and around the door as well. They just don't seal that well.
Also where the electrics enter is a birds nest of wire so would be thinking of doing something with that also.
At the end of the day they really aren't built for that sort of work.

[fishfinder]

crossed the bass straight in mine got quite pissed whilst doing the crossing and no issue with water ingest at all

[RebsWA]

I would think water would get in around the flip down hatches and around the door as well. They just don't seal that well.
Also where the electrics enter is a birds nest of wire so would be thinking of doing something with that also.
At the end of the day they really aren't built for that sort of work.

X 2, they are not built for it  and Jayco tell you that.
If water does get above floor level then it will pour in the fridge and door vents.

[edz]

Could always give these ago, though the bed end tent roof sections are pretty low, basicaly a fibreglass tub on a chassiss for the rest of it though .. Opalite campers ..

[callmejoe]

After noon.
We currently own a jayco dove. Very similar to the hawk.
we have towed ours plenty of places mainly around victoria high country.  So it's sees things such as  snow dust and water crossing. We even had it up frazer island.
It's been great for us. My biggest problem was actually with dust.
I'm currently looking at selling ours. It's a 2005 dove. Set up to be towed by a 105 landcruiser.  Raised and wheels all match etc etc.
pm me yr email if your interested and I try and get some pitures to you.

jor