Wanted to Buy: A Jayco Penguin 'off road Camper' < $18,000
matildatraveller said
09:01 AM May 18, 2017
Helloooo....., a tall order I know but, I have to start somewhere being a newby.... then work up from there. Gywnnie-Matildatraveller
Tow vehicle: 1996 Toyota Hilux 2.8lt 4X4 Tray top utility (see photos) with seven leaf over axle springs together with 2 ENFORCER 4X4 BIG BORE shock absorbers on rear axle. Hope this helps and would appreciate any constructive comments. Still need to find out my tow ball weight capacity yet?
Gywnnie, Jayco are pretty but not the most rugged if you are intending off-road (other than gravel driveways) - Have you considered any of the hard floor off-roader campers such as those made by Cub www.cubcampers.com.au/ or Aussie Inlander www.aussieinlander.com.au/ . These units now have ratchet strap pullover floors so there isn't the hassle of needing two people to pull over canvas.
I'm sure there are others that people would recommend - I chose those two as they are the only ones that I am aware which are totally Australian made by Australian owned and operated company.
Bryan said
01:18 PM May 18, 2017
I started off with a hard floor camper but changed to a Jayco Eagle outback for more comfort. I found the Eagle capable of handling dirt roads as long as tyre pressure was reduced and driven in accordance to road conditions.
Desert Dweller said
02:53 PM May 18, 2017
There's nothing off road about a Jayco Off Road Penguin except the badge & an underslung axle. It would be no better at handling the rough stuff than the Avan Anthill you were enquiring about.
macka17 said
04:02 PM May 18, 2017
Hi. And b4 you start. make sure you don't tow with an empty tray. Anything over a ton and a half will pull you sideways in the wet.
Figure at least 1\2 ton in tray if you towing anything any distance. seriously.
Jayco any Jayco. only fit for reasonable bitumin. You can't keep up with the bits dropping off anywhere else. Avan similar. Go on Google Campervan forums.\Offroad, campervan forums. Read what they say.
THEY have them.
Enjoy.
PS. I have a 2010 D-max with tub. 2.7ish ton when towing.
with 1.85ton full height tandem van.
Utes fine, as long as you keep weight in tray. and NO muddies under them.
Preferably H\T, or A\T.. 10pr.
-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 18th of May 2017 04:05:59 PM
matildatraveller said
04:26 PM May 18, 2017
Hi, Possum3, Bryan, Keith & Judy,
Thanks to everyone great to hear from you all, after checking out the various sites suggested, it has occurred to me just how difficult the challenge to find the suitable option is going to be! For safety, security, easy set-up and personal strength, sound like a tenting trailer may not be an ideal option. I'll continue 'listening to all the voices of experience' until the ideal option for me pops up. Still listening ...Happy travels....Gwynnie
Bryan said
06:14 PM May 18, 2017
matildatraveller wrote:
Hi, Possum3, Bryan, Keith & Judy,
Thanks to everyone great to hear from you all, after checking out the various sites suggested, it has occurred to me just how difficult the challenge to find the suitable option is going to be! For safety, security, easy set-up and personal strength, sound like a tenting trailer may not be an ideal option. I'll continue 'listening to all the voices of experience' until the ideal option for me pops up. Still listening ...Happy travels....Gwynnie
Gwynnie, I've given up searching for the ideal rig, it certainly doesn't exist in my case, having started with an off road camper to Jayco Eagle Camper to A'Van Applause 600 to the current Goldstream Explorer ST. I am now toying with the idea of a Troop Carrier based camper most probably by Alu-Cab. Its not ideal but is the best compromise to fit my particular requirements as I get older and less capable.
My recommendation is go for the best fit for what you want to do and take all advice with a pinch of salt.
Good luck
rockylizard said
07:34 PM May 18, 2017
macka17 wrote:
Hi. And b4 you start. make sure you don't tow with an empty tray. Anything over a ton and a half will pull you sideways in the wet. SNIP~~~ Figure at least 1\2 ton in tray if you towing anything any distance. seriously.
Gday...
Good advice Macka.
However Gwynnie's ute is only rated to 1,800Kg braked so if she tries towing anything over 1,500Kg she will be getting very close (too close?) to the Hilux's rated capability.
Cheers - John
macka17 said
10:24 PM May 18, 2017
Sorry John.
I'd forgotted how actually useless those Toyota's are.
Thanks for the link .... I'd forgotten how good the advice from Ozjohn was. Always sound and to the point.
matildatraveller said
08:35 AM May 20, 2017
Good morning,
After listening, reading and absorbing all the great information supplied by everyone on the GN site, including Bryan/Macha/John/Denis/Guru & Hako (just to name a few) it seems my pride and joy vehicle is going to be unsuitable for my 'Off roading" adventures I am planning. ( Thanks again and now its back to the drawing board.) Gwynnie @ matildatraveller
Warren-Pat_01 said
07:43 AM May 23, 2017
Gee macca, I didn't know you disliked Jayco Outbacks so much. My Eagle lost only a couple of small screws after "horrendous" conditions!
And we met a chap at Mungarannie Station about 4 years ago who had "an approved" so-called heavy duty twin axle (he was lucky as he had 4 wheels) off road caravan of a well known brand. He had blown two tyres on the northern section of the Birdsville Track. He said the "road was rough". We (after finishing the track) thought the northern section was far better than the south so how he got on, I don't know. He boosted Mungarannie's coppers by having to buy two new tyres.
When we went to Iron Range about 6 years ago (in late Nov, early Dec), we came back through Lakefield NP. That road had not been graded for quite some time & I said to Pat that when I look in the rear vision mirrors, all I'm expecting to see would be the wheels & chassis! But it survived - a friend's Toyota had more problems than we did. And we survived the VERY rough road out of Winjana Gorge without incident (or lost screws).
Please don't write off Jayco because they are "cheap" - they will do most roads but I'll admit, they aren't a Kedron!
I'm certain matildatraveller will take the positive aspects of this post & will make the right decision so she can enjoy the county.
TheHeaths said
12:20 PM May 23, 2017
Unfortunately Warren, if it is not a Patrol, D Max or Roadstar, Macka is a bit biased against things, whether they are Toyota (excluding the Troopie evidently) or Jayco or whatever. Of course he is no orphan in that respect.
As you say, the Penguin would do most roads/tracks, as would the Hilux, with a bit of care and preparation and attention to the weights. I am certain matildatraveller will look at the comments and make her own mind up in the long run.
Bryan said
12:37 PM May 23, 2017
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Gee macca, I didn't know you disliked Jayco Outbacks so much. My Eagle lost only a couple of small screws after "horrendous" conditions!
Can you imagine the comments should the Jayco be towed by a JEEP.
matildatraveller said
04:22 PM May 23, 2017
Hello Warren & Pat, Thought I'd sent through a reply earlier but cannot seem to see where I put it, so I will redo it.
Great that you are willing to put me in touch with an Adelaide couple regarding feed back on towing campers, would love to catch up with them, however I am away in QLD visiting with the grandkids until Christmas. (Caboolture actually) Given that my tow vehicle is a " useless Toyota" (thanks Macca!! Chuckle chuckle) I have decided on a slide on called - (See attachment) "ACTIVE CAMPER". Its tray weight is only 450KG so my pride & joy Toyota 4X4 should handle the payload of this style camper. great to chat and will again soooooon.... Gwynnie- matildatraveller
I think macca enjoys himself on the forum - mostly he has lots of good points but he does get carried away at times.
I've showed some friends his "portable picnic table" & while I think it's great they were horrified! I think they thought he removed it from another "room".
And Nissan blood? I've had three since 1984, other than the odd second car, it is been N.Patrols (MQ, GQ & now GU) that have carried me around for a long time.
And it's good that matildatraveller has sorted out her need - just look for her in out of the way areas, boiling the billy, catching fish!
Helloooo....., a tall order I know but, I have to start somewhere being a newby.... then work up from there. Gywnnie- Matildatraveller
Tow vehicle: 1996 Toyota Hilux 2.8lt 4X4 Tray top utility (see photos) with seven leaf over axle springs together with 2 ENFORCER 4X4 BIG BORE shock absorbers on rear axle. Hope this helps and would appreciate any constructive comments. Still need to find out my tow ball weight capacity yet?
I'm sure there are others that people would recommend - I chose those two as they are the only ones that I am aware which are totally Australian made by Australian owned and operated company.
I started off with a hard floor camper but changed to a Jayco Eagle outback for more comfort. I found the Eagle capable of handling dirt roads as long as tyre pressure was reduced and driven in accordance to road conditions.
Hi.
And b4 you start. make sure you don't tow with an empty tray.
Anything over a ton and a half will pull you sideways in the wet.
Figure at least 1\2 ton in tray if you towing anything any distance. seriously.
Jayco any Jayco. only fit for reasonable bitumin.
You can't keep up with the bits dropping off anywhere else.
Avan similar.
Go on Google Campervan forums.\Offroad, campervan forums.
Read what they say.
THEY have them.
Enjoy.
PS. I have a 2010 D-max with tub. 2.7ish ton when towing.
with 1.85ton full height tandem van.
Utes fine, as long as you keep weight in tray. and NO muddies under them.
Preferably H\T, or A\T.. 10pr.
-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 18th of May 2017 04:05:59 PM
Hi, Possum3, Bryan, Keith & Judy,
Thanks to everyone great to hear from you all, after checking out the various sites suggested, it has occurred to me just how difficult the challenge to find the suitable option is going to be! For safety, security, easy set-up and personal strength, sound like a tenting trailer may not be an ideal option. I'll continue 'listening to all the voices of experience' until the ideal option for me pops up. Still listening ...Happy travels....Gwynnie
Gwynnie, I've given up searching for the ideal rig, it certainly doesn't exist in my case, having started with an off road camper to Jayco Eagle Camper to A'Van Applause 600 to the current Goldstream Explorer ST. I am now toying with the idea of a Troop Carrier based camper most probably by Alu-Cab. Its not ideal but is the best compromise to fit my particular requirements as I get older and less capable.
My recommendation is go for the best fit for what you want to do and take all advice with a pinch of salt.
Good luck
Gday...
Good advice Macka.
However Gwynnie's ute is only rated to 1,800Kg braked so if she tries towing anything over 1,500Kg she will be getting very close (too close?) to the Hilux's rated capability.
Cheers - John
I'd forgotted how actually useless those Toyota's are.
Check this link - it's about what they can tow:
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=47298
Regards
Thanks for the link .... I'd forgotten how good the advice from Ozjohn was. Always sound and to the point.
Good morning,
After listening, reading and absorbing all the great information supplied by everyone on the GN site, including Bryan/Macha/John/Denis/Guru & Hako (just to name a few) it seems my pride and joy vehicle is going to be unsuitable for my 'Off roading" adventures I am planning.
( Thanks again and now its back to the drawing board.) Gwynnie @ matildatraveller 
And we met a chap at Mungarannie Station about 4 years ago who had "an approved" so-called heavy duty twin axle (he was lucky as he had 4 wheels) off road caravan of a well known brand. He had blown two tyres on the northern section of the Birdsville Track. He said the "road was rough". We (after finishing the track) thought the northern section was far better than the south so how he got on, I don't know. He boosted Mungarannie's coppers by having to buy two new tyres.
When we went to Iron Range about 6 years ago (in late Nov, early Dec), we came back through Lakefield NP. That road had not been graded for quite some time & I said to Pat that when I look in the rear vision mirrors, all I'm expecting to see would be the wheels & chassis! But it survived - a friend's Toyota had more problems than we did. And we survived the VERY rough road out of Winjana Gorge without incident (or lost screws).
Please don't write off Jayco because they are "cheap" - they will do most roads but I'll admit, they aren't a Kedron!
I'm certain matildatraveller will take the positive aspects of this post & will make the right decision so she can enjoy the county.
As you say, the Penguin would do most roads/tracks, as would the Hilux, with a bit of care and preparation and attention to the weights. I am certain matildatraveller will look at the comments and make her own mind up in the long run.
Can you imagine the comments should the Jayco be towed by a JEEP.
Hello Warren & Pat,
Thought I'd sent through a reply earlier but cannot seem to see where I put it, so I will redo it.
Great that you are willing to put me in touch with an Adelaide couple regarding feed back on towing campers, would love to catch up with them, however I am away in QLD visiting with the grandkids until Christmas. (Caboolture actually) Given that my tow vehicle is a " useless Toyota" (thanks Macca!! Chuckle chuckle) I have decided on a slide on called - (See attachment)
"ACTIVE CAMPER". Its tray weight is only 450KG so my pride & joy Toyota 4X4 should handle the payload of this style camper. great to chat and will again soooooon.... Gwynnie- matildatraveller
I've showed some friends his "portable picnic table" & while I think it's great they were horrified! I think they thought he removed it from another "room".
And Nissan blood? I've had three since 1984, other than the odd second car, it is been N.Patrols (MQ, GQ & now GU) that have carried me around for a long time.
And it's good that matildatraveller has sorted out her need - just look for her in out of the way areas, boiling the billy, catching fish!