Thread: Jayco Caravan Test's?

Just last week I asked a recently retired caravan repairer (retired 3years ago - I've known him for 12years) who was a Jayco repair agent for 25 years. I just flippently asked him if he would buy one. His equally flippent comment was that 'anything fibreglass is junk' (referring to some of the new vans Jayco make) and that the best vans Jayco made were the Discovery and Westport. He went on to say that some of the older vans (in general - not nescessarily just Jayco) would last longer than some new ones built today, but people dont like the asthetics of the old vans.

Originally Posted by amshaw

G'Day All,
Im just wondering if anybody knows of a good web site where they have unbiased caravan test's or good info on certain models etc ?

Im thinking about selling our Dingo 6x4 off roder camper and getting a Jayco Pelican LD......any thoughts please?

Try the Caravan and Motorhome magazine.

On a seperate note - Having owned a Jayco Dove for 3years (1985 model), I must admit I always had doubts about the strength of the beds. But what worried me more was the possibility of one of the lifting cables snapping and the inaccessibility to get at them. I think you will notice a more 'fragile' feel all round coming from a very robust camper trailer. However the pengiun design may be a lot better now.
As far as web sites go - here is a chance...Jayco @ Australian - Caravan | Motorhome | Campers Forum

oops sorry should have said Im looking at a '96 Pelican ie its a limited edition so it has only one pull out bed at the rear and a huge storage box in the front.....It looks a little stange set up without the front bed, but I dont really care about that, we only need a 2-4 berth, just the two of us........It was on evilbay so Im not sure the link will still work........ 1996 Jayco Pelican Campervan Limited Edition - eBay, Vehicles, Caravans, RVs, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 17-Jan-08 17:19:05 AEDST)

Originally Posted by Taz

On a seperate note - Having owned a Jayco Dove for 3years (1985 model), I must admit I always had doubts about the strength of the beds. But what worried me more was the possibility of one of the lifting cables snapping and the inaccessibility to get at them. I think you will notice a more 'fragile' feel all round coming from a very robust camper trailer. However the pengiun design may be a lot better now.
As far as web sites go - here is a chance...Jayco @ Australian - Caravan | Motorhome | Campers Forum

Thanks Taz, I sometime wonder about the search engines around, I did a google search and didnt come up with that site, ta.

When I was involved with vans 11 years ago, the Jayco's were great but I have heard from people who work there or have worked there that they wouldnt buy a modern one but in saying that I havnt even looked at them my self.

As far as if a cable breaks, 3 sides will still lift and you just lift the other corner manually and it isnt that heavy.

They are buggers to replace the cables though

Andrew,

The Penguin is a better buy.
No pull out ends, it just winds up.

My BIL has one and loves it.
All you have to do is pull up, wind the legs dow, wind the roof up and it's done

Have a look at this: Jayco Penguin 13 Camper Trailer - eBay, Vehicles, Caravans, RVs, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 28-Jan-08 19:03:03 AEDST)

Originally Posted by RonMcGr

Andrew,

The Penguin is a better buy.
No pull out ends, it just winds up.

My BIL has one and loves it.
All you have to do is pull up, wind the legs dow, wind the roof up and it's done

Have a look at this: Jayco Penguin 13 Camper Trailer - eBay, Vehicles, Caravans, RVs, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 28-Jan-08 19:03:03 AEDST)

Hi Ron,
I did see that one, but for us there are a few issue's ....

Price being one. The pelican is an '96 but at $7k suits us better, just hope I can get around the $4k mark for our Dingo so dont need to dip into the Disco money to much....to keep the cook happy

Also I like the idea of just the one pullout bed, I think it gives more room to move around inside.

But the best thing about the pelican is the large storage box at the front.

last is Bendigo isnt that far away, about a 3hr drive from Hamilton.

But thanks for the link anyway