We're thinking of buying a new Jayco Starcraft 16' Outback poptop and we're interested in other peoples views, good or bad.
We intend to freecamp a fair bit so would be relying on the solar/battery system to power the van. Most of the dirt roads travelled will be formed gravel roads but do expect to encounter some corrugated sections. We're intending to get a larger fridge, roof mounted aircon, extended A frame and 16" wheels fitted as options to the standard. Also been thinking of extra solar panel and battery.
Is there anything else we need to get installed in the van before delivery that would improve it's freecamping or dirt road capabilities? Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Drewmack
Granty said
09:44 AM Jul 12, 2017
Hi Drewmack, We have that exact van. Bought ours early 2016. We only mainly bush camp and National Parks and have had no trouble with it. We are in Victoria where it isn't the sunniest of states but the existing solar and battery has been sufficient and even after 4 days has plenty of power left. We stayed with the standard aircon because the roof mounted one was going to really restrict camp spots you can get in to. The larger fridge would be good and the van already has good ground clearance and doesn't need 16" wheels. The van tows really well so I am not sure of the reason for the longer A frame. The only upgrade we got was a battery and water tank monitor and a radio/CD player. The only other thing I should have got was ESC. We love our van. Its a good size and gets into MOST places we want to go. Its a bit bulkier than the Dove Outback we had for 7 years and so there is a few of our old camp spots we can't get to. One more thing if you are thinking about a bike rack they need to be fitted at manufacture. We are really happy with ours. Rod.
drewmack said
11:47 AM Jul 12, 2017
Thanks for the reply Rod, you hear so much negative stuff about Jayco vans it's nice to hear something positive for a change. The idea of the longer drawbar is to install a toolbox to house the baby q in. Won't be needing bike racks though. Cheers Drewmack.
Granty said
02:38 PM Jul 12, 2017
This is our 2nd Jayco. We had a Dove outback camper for 7 years and it got plenty of use with no trouble. Actually it never went back to the dealer for any repairs. When looking to upgrade to a van we looked at just about everything but we couldn't justify spending at least an extra $15,000- $20,000 for a simularly equipped alternative. As with the Dove this van gets plenty of use and is taken wherever we want to go and so far has been very reliable. Very happy with it. Rod.
Desert Dweller said
03:22 PM Jul 12, 2017
The suspension which consists of just an underslung axle for higher ground clearance will limit your ''rough road'' capability. Coil & swing arm suspension is required for proper hard core work.
Calling it an Outback is stretching things a little. I wouldn't be taking it outback but for the occasional unmade road it'll be quite adequate. Enjoy!
We have an underslung axle on our A'van, it comes in handy sometimes.
TheHeaths said
09:01 PM Jul 12, 2017
Jayco Outbacks all have coil spring independent suspension, not beam axle.
This is the J Tech suspension developed by Jayco.
Thus the Outback now is capable of much more than the pre 2014 Outbacks, or the A Van.
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:58 PM Jul 12, 2017
Hi drewmack, welcome to the forum. You will find as with all forums some of us have differing opinions but generally it is all good as we seek to learn of those who may be more experienced in caravan travel.
We've gone from a tent trailer (7 years) to a Jayco Eagle Outback (9 years) - it served us well until the last two years when (my fault), I welded a wheel bearing to the axle! And we went on some roads that could only be described as "horrendous" in most peoples' eyes.
Now I've got a second-hand Jayco Discovery. Our Discovery has the cupboard mounted air-conditioner which is less of an effort to lift it up.
Good friends have the 17' Jayco StarCraft (full van) & they can't stop bragging about it. They go on all sorts of roads (we are bird watchers & birds are often found off the bitumen).
Jaycos are built to a price but within reason they stand up to most roads - they are not Kedrons or Bushmasters but they will go where you want to go, providing you take it easy.
Before you pick it up (if possible), have the van weighed so that you know how much the van weighs. It may be heavier than the Tare weight shown on the plate. Granty has already covered the additional bits to get. Most vans these days come with 15" alloys - with that new suspension, you'll find it has oodles of ground clearance. The only reason I'd go to 16" wheels is if they were made from steel. And the extended A frame? Why? To put extra tool boxes, etc on it? Remember that increases your ball weight (& ATM) which could be the source of nightmares further down the road.
When you get on the road, enjoy many satisfying trips.
Warren
Steve11 said
10:10 PM Jul 12, 2017
we have a Jayco Journey16. ft. we have been happy with it, though we are considering upgrading to a larger van. If I was to add anything it would be a gas or diesel heater. It gets really cold in some places and if you are free camping you will have no power. Even with power most air conditioners will not work under 4c. We were in the Flinders Ranges a few weeks ago and it got down to minus 4, absolutely freezing at 4 am! We also did some dirt roads with corrugations and keeping under 50 kmh all went fine.
good luck, steve.
drewmack said
06:00 AM Jul 13, 2017
Thanks all for the info, does anyone know if a Weber Baby Q fits in the tunnel boot or can you give me the internal measurements of the tunnel boot door? That's the main reason we're thinking of a toolbox on the front, somewhere to put the Baby Q. We'll be fitting a diesel or gas heater, not sure which yet.
Cheers Drewmack
macka17 said
12:59 PM Jul 13, 2017
Hi.
THE.... Reason for longer drawbars.
Is the extra control of van when backing.
Try a shortie sometime.
First thing I did with my 535 Coromal bar./
Was weld an extra 12in in there.
Strengthens it too.
And the people with reasonable Jayco's are the lucky ones.
Something like Holdens. Toyota, and V W's nowadays.
They are. By long term reputation. NOT very good value for money.
Pre '70's weren't too bad.
They really ARE built to a price. with NO QC at all.
Onedodger said
06:58 PM Jul 14, 2017
macka17 wrote:
Hi.
THE.... Reason for longer drawbars. Is the extra control of van when backing.
Try a shortie sometime. First thing I did with my 535 Coromal bar./ Was weld an extra 12in in there.
Strengthens it too. And the people with reasonable Jayco's are the lucky ones.
Something like Holdens. Toyota, and V W's nowadays.
They are. By long term reputation. NOT very good value for money. Pre '70's weren't too bad.
BS.
They really ARE built to a price. with NO QC at all.
We're thinking of buying a new Jayco Starcraft 16' Outback poptop and we're interested in other peoples views, good or bad.
We intend to freecamp a fair bit so would be relying on the solar/battery system to power the van. Most of the dirt roads travelled will be formed gravel roads but do expect to encounter some corrugated sections. We're intending to get a larger fridge, roof mounted aircon, extended A frame and 16" wheels fitted as options to the standard. Also been thinking of extra solar panel and battery.
Is there anything else we need to get installed in the van before delivery that would improve it's freecamping or dirt road capabilities? Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Drewmack
Thanks for the reply Rod, you hear so much negative stuff about Jayco vans it's nice to hear something positive for a change. The idea of the longer drawbar is to install a toolbox to house the baby q in. Won't be needing bike racks though. Cheers Drewmack.
Calling it an Outback is stretching things a little. I wouldn't be taking it outback but for the occasional unmade road it'll be quite adequate. Enjoy!
We have an underslung axle on our A'van, it comes in handy sometimes.
This is the J Tech suspension developed by Jayco.
Thus the Outback now is capable of much more than the pre 2014 Outbacks, or the A Van.
We've gone from a tent trailer (7 years) to a Jayco Eagle Outback (9 years) - it served us well until the last two years when (my fault), I welded a wheel bearing to the axle! And we went on some roads that could only be described as "horrendous" in most peoples' eyes.
Now I've got a second-hand Jayco Discovery. Our Discovery has the cupboard mounted air-conditioner which is less of an effort to lift it up.
Good friends have the 17' Jayco StarCraft (full van) & they can't stop bragging about it. They go on all sorts of roads (we are bird watchers & birds are often found off the bitumen).
Jaycos are built to a price but within reason they stand up to most roads - they are not Kedrons or Bushmasters but they will go where you want to go, providing you take it easy.
Before you pick it up (if possible), have the van weighed so that you know how much the van weighs. It may be heavier than the Tare weight shown on the plate. Granty has already covered the additional bits to get. Most vans these days come with 15" alloys - with that new suspension, you'll find it has oodles of ground clearance. The only reason I'd go to 16" wheels is if they were made from steel. And the extended A frame? Why? To put extra tool boxes, etc on it? Remember that increases your ball weight (& ATM) which could be the source of nightmares further down the road.
When you get on the road, enjoy many satisfying trips.
Warren
we have a Jayco Journey16. ft. we have been happy with it, though we are considering upgrading to a larger van. If I was to add anything it would be a gas or diesel heater. It gets really cold in some places and if you are free camping you will have no power. Even with power most air conditioners will not work under 4c. We were in the Flinders Ranges a few weeks ago and it got down to minus 4, absolutely freezing at 4 am! We also did some dirt roads with corrugations and keeping under 50 kmh all went fine.
good luck, steve.
Cheers Drewmack
THE.... Reason for longer drawbars.
Is the extra control of van when backing.
Try a shortie sometime.
First thing I did with my 535 Coromal bar./
Was weld an extra 12in in there.
Strengthens it too.
And the people with reasonable Jayco's are the lucky ones.
Something like Holdens. Toyota, and V W's nowadays.
They are. By long term reputation. NOT very good value for money.
Pre '70's weren't too bad.
They really ARE built to a price. with NO QC at all.