Hi, we have just retired and are pondering which Motorhome to get. We have looked at a lot and are a bit dizzy from looking, but seemed to have narrowed it down to 3 homes:

Avida Esperance

Jayco Conquest or

Jayco Optimum.

Could anyone help with their views if you've had one of these (or more) or pondered with this choice before ?

Also New v Used (maybe 1-2 years old)

We are looking at all 3 together this week so wouldnt mind a bit of advice if possible.

Thanks Sheppo.

Welcome to the forum, Sheppo55

I only have experience with a year 2006 Jayco Conquest on a Fiat Ducato chassis
Plus I know of (I think) a year 2005 Winnebago on a Ford chassis, owned by one of my brothers

The Winnebago became the Avida around 2013
The Winnebago on the Ford Chassis, is (in my opinion, so I could be wrong) far superior to the Jayco Conquest on the Fiat Chassis, for the following main reasons

The structural build of the Winnebago is sturdier and you can walk on, or easily place solar panels on the roof
In comparison the Jayco Conquest consists of a roof and a ceiling with about 40 mm of nothing in between, this lack of insulation allows the interior to get hot, much quicker

The Ford is much more stable on the road than the Fiat, especially in changing wind conditions
After fitting extra rear springs, the Fiat is only about 75% as stable as the Ford, but much better than what it was

The Ford is rear wheel drive
The Fiat is front wheel drive, some say that it is easy to bog the front wheel drive vehicles on wet grass, but this has never happened to me, as I watch where I park

Ford parts and services should be reasonable easy to obtain
Fiat Ducato parts and services are few and far between, outside of the main populated areas

You also ask about old verses new I can only speak from my own experience
Purchased my late 2006 model, in 2014 for $60,000 with only just over 30,000 kilometres showing
There is a receipt for over $120,000 (in the motorhome somewhere) from when it was purchased new

I am sat in my MH alongside a brand new Jayco MH based on a Fiat Ducato.

The exhaust is directly underneath the window that opens out.

From my perspective it's a money issue, as well as a safety issue.  

The exhaust only just goes back behind the front wheel on the drivers side. Directly under the opening window. Not extending it rearward past an opening window in my opinion is just to save money.

The Ducato is imported as a cab, no chassis so the exhaust is in-situ.

This is not only dangerous it is highly illegal and contravenes Australian ADR's. The rules are quite clear about the position of exhausts not under opening windows.

How do these things get on the road? 

Deregulation perhaps.

Happens with every industry the powers that be, deregulate.

Something to look for with any MotorHome you look at.

Tony Bev wrote:

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Welcome to the forum, Sheppo55

I only have experience with a year 2006 Jayco Conquest on a Fiat Ducato chassis
Plus I know of (I think) a year 2005 Winnebago on a Ford chassis, owned by one of my brothers

The Winnebago became the Avida around 2013
The Winnebago on the Ford Chassis, is (in my opinion, so I could be wrong) far superior to the Jayco Conquest on the Fiat Chassis, for the following main reasons

The structural build of the Winnebago is sturdier and you can walk on, or easily place solar panels on the roof
In comparison the Jayco Conquest consists of a roof and a ceiling with about 40 mm of nothing in between, this lack of insulation allows the interior to get hot, much quicker

The Ford is much more stable on the road than the Fiat, especially in changing wind conditions
After fitting extra rear springs, the Fiat is only about 75% as stable as the Ford, but much better than what it was

The Ford is rear wheel drive
The Fiat is front wheel drive, some say that it is easy to bog the front wheel drive vehicles on wet grass, but this has never happened to me, as I watch where I park

Ford parts and services should be reasonable easy to obtain
Fiat Ducato parts and services are few and far between, outside of the main populated areas

You also ask about old verses new I can only speak from my own experience
Purchased my late 2006 model, in 2014 for $60,000 with only just over 30,000 kilometres showing
There is a receipt for over $120,000 (in the motorhome somewhere) from when it was purchased new

 

 

Sheppo,

The Avida Esperance is built on the Iveco chassis which is dual rear wheels and rear wheel drive. The most popular model is the rear bathroom ensuite with the east west bed. Winnebago were renamed Avida in Australia about three years ago but still built at the same factory. An excellent product built by a manufacturer who's been building motorhomes since the 1960's. The Iveco can ride a bit "trucklike".

 

The Jayco Conquest has been available on the market for more than 10 years and is available on the Fiat chassis which is single rear wheel and front wheel drive. Fiat is actually the largest selling motorhome chassis worldwide. The Fiat is a dedicated motor home chassis and rides almost like a car. Jayco have a selection of layouts these days with a choice of either island or corner bed. Again a well built motorhome from a reputable brand. Some buyers do not like the Fiat front wheel drive but that's a matter of choice. Both motorhomes are under 4.5 tonne GVM so can be driven on a car licence.

A late model, low km preowned motorhome is also an option but if you are looking at new I would stick to less than two years old or so and no more than 30,000kms. Late model used motorhomes are fetching premium prices at the moment so make sure there is enough difference between new price to make the purchase worthwhile. Also remember if you buy privately you need to do your homework and you will have no warranty cover.

Don't worry about the Lemon website....every brand ever made is on there and absolutely no credibility. Your best advice will come from current owners of the models you are researching so surf the forums and talk to owners at every opportunity. Most people are usually happy to talk about their pride and joy.

Good luck with your purchase. Happy to answer any further queries.

PS..just remembered some of the Jayco Optimum models can be LR licence.

Sorry TonyBev I inadvertently responded to the wrong post! Nothing intentional!

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-- Edited by montie on Monday 4th of December 2017 07:32:29 AM

Hi Greg and welcome. Almost 4 years ago we decided to buy a motorhome. After reviewing our needs in layout we then commenced the task of choosing a brand. We finally chose an Auto-trail Tracker FB a UK manufactured brand based on a Fiat Ducato cab/chassis. The layout suited us and the vehicle came with a very high standard equipment list. We have now travelled around 45,000 klms of trouble free motoring. We chose the AT as we felt the build quality was equal or superior to the local brands. The Fiat Ducato has also lived up to our expectations in terms of ease of driving, very comfortable seats and with a fuel diet of 10.6 l/100klms we are very happy. If you have not reviewed this brand can I suggest you should. The brand is owned by a very large French company Trigano that owns several other motorhome manufacturers in UK/Europe. Local backup re warranty has been taken care of by my choice of repairer that has charged back all warranty work to the importer with no problems. I have no affiliation with the brand other than being a happy owner. 

Aus-Kiwi wrote:

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Our Explorer 2005 Winebago is Workhorse chassis which is GM . Powered by 6.5 turbo diesel V8 4 speed Auto with lock up converter which sort of makes it like a 6 speed . Itâs very fuel efficient for its weight and size . IA class style . Hell lot bigger and sturdier than Fiat or most Euro RVâs .. At 8m itâs small enough to fit in most camping ground spaceâs . We have lived in it 8 months at a time . No problems . Self sufficient . No need to stay at camping grounds if we donât want to . High enough windows etc for security reasons . MR licence .

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 Hey AK what's with the extra bits above all the a's  .....   â  â

How do you do that.

We have a 2010 Jayco Conquest on a Fiat Ducato - love them both - the Fiat is manual/auto shift, and so easy to drive, we tow a small car on a trailer, and the Fiat is very fuel efficient, even towing the car.

We have about 160,000 on the clock, and yes some things have gone wrong - but it happens - nothing that couldn't be fixed. We have the corner bed, consequently a small shower/toilet - but the other side of that is a bigger bathroom would take room from somewhere else - i.e. wardrobe and dining area.

The Fiat was purchased new in 2011, we get approx. 50,000k out of our tyres. We have had the front springs beefed (King Springs) - made a huge difference to the overall driving.

edit - I just remembered about TonyBev saying about insulation - our Conquest is really well insulated - I never hear the rain on the roof, if it is hot, we open windows, put fans on (Caframo Sirroco 12v MK11 -.04am in an hour ) cools down, and lockclose everything when it is cold - warms up pretty quick if we so much as put the kettle on.-  

Aus-Kiwi wrote:

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Yea Blues man . It seems to do that when I post on iPhone . Commers, punctuation seems to come out strange . Question marks !!

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That's iPhones for ya mate. 

Now i can rest easy .