Hi Folks, Has anyone out there travelled the Gibb River Road towing a Jayco Journey Outback. If so I'd appreciate hearing of your experiences both good and bad. We are considering this type of van and wondered on suitability before we outlayed some serious $. Thanks Phil
Kebbin said
05:41 PM Feb 13, 2018
It might be wise to read Jayco's warranty conditions on Outback RV's before buying.
Dunmowin said
09:23 PM Feb 13, 2018
also check your potential insurance. make sure you are covered for off dirt road travelling
gold dandelion said
11:12 PM Feb 13, 2018
you could do the road in a car if you really wanted to, just take your time, its not a race.
Warren-Pat_01 said
11:49 PM Feb 13, 2018
Nelsop, We were in that area 18 months ago when we had a Jayco O/back Eagle. We didn't do all of the road as (time was against us - family reasons).
That road, along with many other dirt/stone roads can vary immensely in condition & knowing that they've had a lot of rain of recent weeks, I'd be waiting until it dries out & is graded.
The van? Have a service done before you go, carry a set of bearings & seal as spares, possibly an extra tyre (without the wheel) to save weight & check the shockers are ok (no oil leaks), nothing is likely to fall off underneath, etc. Be prepared to lower your tyre pressures to prevent stone damage.
From my reading of Jayco's terms & conditions, you are covered - unless you go bush bashing. Would it be a single or dual axle?
Time is the important thing. Are you doing the trip to say "We did the Gibb"? Or are you interested in seeing other scenery off the road? Some of these locations might not be suitable for a van. There are plenty of other places to see without doing the whole road.
If I was going to make a point of doing this type of road on a regular basis, I'd be looking at a reasonable camper-trailer. Our Eagle did the Birdsville, Strzelecki Tracks several times as well as numerous north & west Qld national parks (not known for smooth roads). The most damage we did was an odd shocker & a few small screws falling out of the furniture.
RustyD said
10:23 AM Feb 14, 2018
The Jayco Outback are just a high-rise van, not necessarily an off-roader for the likes of the Gibb River Road. Been told many times don't attempt that road unless you have a good quality off-road camper trailer and a vehicle to match. The road is un-forgiving and it costs heap to be rescued. Best to do it in a group. So I'm told by some who have done it.
Juggenaut said
10:25 AM Feb 14, 2018
Google Gibb River Road, as I did yesterday. avery good read. the people were in a Jayco Journey Expanda, apparently no probs whatsoever. it looked pretty rough in places tho, mainly corrugations.
Kebbin said
11:04 AM Feb 14, 2018
Your obviously selective in what you read Juggernaut?
Juggenaut said
11:50 AM Feb 14, 2018
am I missing something Kebbin
Dickodownunder said
02:43 PM Feb 14, 2018
Here is a link that might provide some basic information Nelsop.
An idiot could break any make of van if he tries. Many people have done the road without incident and tyres are really the main failure with that road. Drive sensibly, plan your trip and do not put yourself in a hurry.
-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 02:43:59 PM
Nelsop said
04:20 PM Feb 14, 2018
Thanks, we will check out their terms when we are at the Caravan Show later this month. Phil
Nelsop said
04:21 PM Feb 14, 2018
Thanks Warren for the feedback. Just kicking things around at the moment. Phil
Nelsop said
04:24 PM Feb 14, 2018
Travelled the road in a Land cruiser several years ago. Would love to spend some time on a slower trip which we are starting to plan. Obviously vehicle and van are forming part of those plans.
Phil
Cupie said
06:05 PM Feb 14, 2018
If I were contemplating a GRR trip, my first reference source would be here ..
We have driven the GRR many times (the first was in 1995).
In my experience, most vehicle problems are "self inflicted injuries" caused by excessive speed and inattention.
I was fuelling vehicles at Kalumburu some years ago and a BA Falcon driven by a Frenchman pulled into the bowser and asked "Is this Kununurra?", I replied "No, you missed it by about 600km", he said "Bother" (or something similar, in French), filled the Falcon with fuel, turned around and headed south. He was having no vehicle problems. :)
Cheers,
Peter
Bindi1993 said
05:12 PM Jan 16, 2019
Was wondering if you ended up taking your Jayco Outback on the Gibb River Road? If so how did it go?
Hi Folks, Has anyone out there travelled the Gibb River Road towing a Jayco Journey Outback. If so I'd appreciate hearing of your experiences both good and bad. We are considering this type of van and wondered on suitability before we outlayed some serious $. Thanks Phil
also check your potential insurance. make sure you are covered for off dirt road travelling
That road, along with many other dirt/stone roads can vary immensely in condition & knowing that they've had a lot of rain of recent weeks, I'd be waiting until it dries out & is graded.
The van? Have a service done before you go, carry a set of bearings & seal as spares, possibly an extra tyre (without the wheel) to save weight & check the shockers are ok (no oil leaks), nothing is likely to fall off underneath, etc. Be prepared to lower your tyre pressures to prevent stone damage.
From my reading of Jayco's terms & conditions, you are covered - unless you go bush bashing. Would it be a single or dual axle?
Time is the important thing. Are you doing the trip to say "We did the Gibb"? Or are you interested in seeing other scenery off the road? Some of these locations might not be suitable for a van. There are plenty of other places to see without doing the whole road.
If I was going to make a point of doing this type of road on a regular basis, I'd be looking at a reasonable camper-trailer. Our Eagle did the Birdsville, Strzelecki Tracks several times as well as numerous north & west Qld national parks (not known for smooth roads). The most damage we did was an odd shocker & a few small screws falling out of the furniture.
Google Gibb River Road, as I did yesterday. avery good read. the people were in a Jayco Journey Expanda, apparently no probs whatsoever. it looked pretty rough in places tho, mainly corrugations.
am I missing something Kebbin
Here is a link that might provide some basic information Nelsop.
An idiot could break any make of van if he tries.
Many people have done the road without incident and tyres are really the main failure with that road.
Drive sensibly, plan your trip and do not put yourself in a hurry.
www.hemamaps.com/the-kimberley/tracks/gibb-river-road
-- Edited by Dickodownunder on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 02:43:59 PM
Thanks, we will check out their terms when we are at the Caravan Show later this month. Phil
Thanks Warren for the feedback. Just kicking things around at the moment. Phil
Travelled the road in a Land cruiser several years ago. Would love to spend some time on a slower trip which we are starting to plan. Obviously vehicle and van are forming part of those plans.
Phil
If I were contemplating a GRR trip, my first reference source would be here ..
http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/contact.html
In my experience, most vehicle problems are "self inflicted injuries" caused by excessive speed and inattention.
I was fuelling vehicles at Kalumburu some years ago and a BA Falcon driven by a Frenchman pulled into the bowser and asked "Is this Kununurra?", I replied "No, you missed it by about 600km", he said "Bother" (or something similar, in French), filled the Falcon with fuel, turned around and headed south. He was having no vehicle problems. :)
Cheers,
Peter
Was wondering if you ended up taking your Jayco Outback on the Gibb River Road? If so how did it go?