Thread: Jayco style pop up campers

Hello All,

We have had our AT12 for about 2.5 years now.
We had looked around at offroad caravan options for a number of years but none of them of them would cater for kids unless you went for a very large caravan. (Our kids were getting older as well) We looked very seriously at the AOR (Australian Off Road) products as well and found then to be built very well and priced accordingly. We have friends who have had a couple of AOR products and both have been very good but AOR did not have a product that suited our needs.
The trick I believe is to get a layout, size and chassis that suits your own needs otherwise you may be disappointed after purchase or not use it as often because it does not suit what you want.
The reason we ended up with a Lifestyle Camper Trailer AT12 is because they had drawn up a layout which would suit us. I had spoken to them a couple of years earlier and were not interested in having a layout for 4 because their market was for 2 (Grey Nomads) which is fair enough. But in 2013 at a October Caravan and Camping show I spoke to them again and they show me a proposed layout. This would suit what we wanted and had a closer look at the chassis and size. So we asked them for a formal quote on a AT12 with a Dinette /Bunks, Internal Kitchen, Extended Draw Bar with Tool Box, extra Spare Wheel Carrier for a 2 second spare for the D4 and some other options. The quote came back at a very good price in our view and with a few changes a deal was done. During the build they were very good because it was only the second AT12 with Bunks that they had built and we were given options on a number of items which I believed to be extra but did not end up costing any extra. We had a issue after the first shack down trip with the door and was resolved very quickly. We also had some issues on our first big dirt trip but again all was resolved very quickly on our return. In fact when I spoke to them to let them know about the issue they did not want me to do any repair at home until they could have a look themselves. This was to see what went wrong, what they need to do so it does not happen again and they also wanted to fix it for me. So my experience with after sales service has been very good.
I would also agree about having a Shower/Toilet for resale. We were not looking for a shower/toilet for some time. But when we realised that we would be spending a fair bit of money to get what we wanted and saw how long caravans were on the market without shower/toilet. So we decided to go in that direction. I do not regret that because the girls love it and makes for a nicer time for them.
I have found it to tow very well on both dirt and sealed roads. Nothing have broken from towing on the corrugations etc either. Our AT12 fully loaded with water, food etc it not the lightest small caravan around but it has everything we want and we are very happy with it.
There are many caravans/campers on the market and you just have to find the one that suit you. There is no write or wrong answer.

Well I looked at a 1994 campomatic for $10K, a 1997 Kimberley Kamper for $9K and a 2004 Cub Spacematic Drover for $12.5K. Also had an online look at the various new chinese campers for around $8K. My brother has one and is pretty happy with it but he hasn't taken it anywhere rough.

In the end I picked up a 2007 Bushranger Country for $9.5K it's in very good condition and has everything I need. Very solid and has independent leaf spring suspension. Easy quick setup and pack away plus good headroom and a queen sized bed

The owner bought to do a trip to the Kimberleys with some friends, the other two couples had campomatic traliers, he said the bushranger went everywhere the campomatic's did plus it has more storage and is wind up.

Picking it up Monday, will post some pics then

Steve

Originally Posted by scarry

We saw a half built AT 11 or 12 in the shed that has that inbuilt kitchen on the side.But inside the bed slides out the side not the rear,so room is limited.They haven't got any drawings of this design drawn up yet.I prefer the slide out kitchen,although SWMBO doesn't like the fridge being a fair way from the kitchen,doesn't worry me at all.

That side built kitchen would be excellent for roadside stops,the lift up cover would also keep the rain off.

When comparing weights and prices with other brands,you have to be careful,as the lifestyle lightness,and less costs is because it has heaps of options,many that are standard on some other brands.
Second batteries,solar panels,fridge,heaters,etc come to mind.

These vans also track very similar to the D3/4.

The AT12 has the side-extending bed and the kitchen in the side, but the standard price is $65,950, so its outside our price range, plus the tare weight is 1800kg, so too heavy.
As others have said, you have to decide what you really need. We are 2 so don't need a big van.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

The AT12 has the side-extending bed and the kitchen in the side, but the standard price is $65,950, so its outside our price range, plus the tare weight is 1800kg, so too heavy.
As others have said, you have to decide what you really need. We are 2 so don't need a big van.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

There are actually two standard AT12 models,one is narrower than the other.The narrow one has the slide out at the rear,as does the AT11.

We need to get to Aus off road,they are on the sunny coast to look at their vans as well,but work has been in the way lately

We looked at the Kimberlies,but they are not what we are after.

Hello All,

There are 2 models of the AT12.

AT12 which is a 2200mm wide with the Queen Bed folding out on the right hand side.

AT12NB (NB standing for Narrow Body) or used to be called the AT12EVO which is 2000mm wide with the Queen Bed folding out the rear.

I like the Lifestyle vans a lot, but we're not ready to spend any money yet, so when we are we'll look at them again and also see what else is available in the price range, including the Jaycos, which are good value for money, but I doubt if they are as tough. Horses for courses, I guess.

I probably did the wrong thing by hijacking this Jayco thread at post #96 to talk about Lifestyle vans, which deserve their own thread. Maybe a mod might like to separate that bit off into a separate Lifestyle thread, so the Jayco people can talk about their vans in the one place? Just a thought.

Been camping for many many years.

Started with tents as do most, then went to an old Cub Supermatic.

It had an inside kitchen, which we loved. We didn't use it most of the time, we used a two burner outside on a table, but when it rained it was wonderful.

We sold the Cub because we found that although it went up VERY quickly, we had to pack all the rest of 'the stuff' into boxes and into the car or under the bed. Usually the first thing I wanted to put away into the car was the last thing the wife wanted to pack.

So, we bought a Jayco camper trailer. Although it took much longer to set up the 'van', all 'the stuff' was readily available. So overall it was a better option.

The Jayco was sold in favour of a Paramount Duet, (14' Expander). Very good layout, supposedly quality van.

The independent suspension tore away from the chassis half way between Darwin and Alice Springs. Long story but it was written off and we replaced it with a Jayco Sterling pop top, 17'. Still using and loving it.

All these units have been towed anywhere I've wanted to go. Not OTT, but Oodanatta Track, Roper Bar Rd, etc OK.

Comments from this experience.

Jayco are fantastic! IF your prepared to fix a few of the silly things, they are the BEST value available.

All vans have silly things and the money doesn't really seem to matter. For example the best quality, youngest, and dearest van I've ever owned is the one that spat it's suspension!

If the OP is only 2 people, wants to be as close to camping as possible, then the Cub Spacevan is the go. Its got all the advantages of the quick Cub setup but as its got much larger sides the inside has much better storage for all 'the stuff'

Another comment I would make is that pop tops are great. In my experience they are taller inside than most full height vans, and you can put stuff on top of the cupboards when your camped. We use it for all 'the extra stuff' grandkids bring on a camp with Nanny and Poppy.
Also, you can get into more spots because its usually the low tree branches that stop you.

Also, can anyone please explain WHY you would want mud tyres on a van.

A van has NO traction!