OK, I'll go first and take the risk.

We are on our 3rd Jayco.

Started out with a 2001 Freedom Pop Top in 2007. Obviously had no teething problems as we didn't get new. Had no issues for the 2 years we owned it, no matter what weather we camped in. No leaks, no electrical problems, everything worked as expected. We were very pleased with it.

In 2009, we bought a new Sterling Outback Poptop. Delivered one day, back with dealer 3 days later. It leaked in the first rain and I wasn't going to accept it. The dealer agreed to replace it, and as spec changed while we were waiting, we got a slightly improved unit. After we had that for 6 days, I had it back again as a wall started to delaminate with fibreglass bubbling on outside of wall. Jayco then sent 2 incorrect replacement walls before it was replaced by our dealer. They did a good job, and the workmanship of replacement was better than often seen from the factory. We were disappointed at the time, but he van proved itself, we had great holidays, and NO other issues after the wall was replaced. We kept it for 4 years, travelled bitumen and dirt roads, including the Oodnadatta Track, and trusted it totally. No leaks after the initial van replacement, no issue with appliances, no bits falling off. We were happy.

Got our current van in December 2013 second hand. No issues since we have owned it, apart from a hard to track small leak in the ensuite, which I eventually found while in Manjimup last year. All fixed, no other issues on bitumen or dirt roads, including road from Mungo to Mildura that was worse than the Oodnadatta Track, and still very pleased.

Yes we had issues with the new van, but the dealer and Jayco fixed it and helped us at all times, including offering a full refund if we wanted it. We knew we weren't buying a $100k van, but it is disappointing to be the QC for the company.

That said, we would buy Jayco again, because in all the forums I have been on, no one makes every van without faults, absolutely no one, and I trust Jayco to stand behind their customers. They are a reasonable van, with good inclusions, at a reasonable price.

As an aside, I was interested to see the rates of problems on new vehicles in this country. The best makes still had rates of 40%+ with faults, so perhaps the van industry isn't so far behind them!

Hi all;

       Ok I'll bite!! started off in about 2007 and purchesed a little camper for about $2500. Abit of a sows ear so that's what we called it. Draged it home and proceded to up grade it. First to go was the 2 Way fridge and replaced with a small bar fridge. Moved the water tank from under one of the seats to under the van , wheel bearing and we set of for our first caravan show in Adelaide. First night and the seat decided to let go and could't move. Day two and it saw us back at the caravan show and had a nother look the Jayco stand. 2 hrs later and we had signed up for a 2009 Jayco swan. We were happyer than a dog with two tails!!. One week later and looking at the local paper and the local Jayco caravan had 1 jayco swan, brand new and $5000 cheaper than the price of what we had bought the camper from Adelaide for . A quick phone call and with the threat of an order cancle ( we were with in the 7 day cool of time ) the company match the local dealer for price. A couple of months (4) and we picked up the swan.

Had that camper  2 years and traded it in for the first pop top discovery, there was nothing wrong with the swan but found the setting up and dismanteling a bit of a pain in the ..., any way traded that in for more than we payed for the swan. The only thing to go wrong with the first discovery was the kitchen cuboards door latches, the problem was the latches would some times not lock. Loved that pop top, we did about 8000 ~ 9000Kms in that caravan and nothing feel off, fell apart or refused to work. Central Australia was a high light and on the open road and traveling at about 95 Kms per hour, road trains were not a problem. The caravan was quiet stable and we felt safe even when road trains over took us.

We had the first Jayco discover for about 2 years, and in 2012 our local Jayco dealer was open one sunday, anyway the wife and myself were having a look and the new caravans and l showed my wife the same sizes caravan as we had at home, BUT this new caravan had a shower and toilet built in. Then the wife asked that fatal question ....' what would our caravan be worth as a trade in '. In no time at all we had a salesman at our feet. The price for a two year old caravan, in good order and all we lost was $1000.00 . Job done and later on we signed the paper work and picked up the new caravan. So that was in December 2012 and havent looked back.

In May of 2013 i had been made redundant at work ( long story ) any way i decided to take the caravan and the pajero up to Darwin for about 6 weeks and told the wife that there was a spair seat if she wanted to come ( I did give here a couple of weeks notice ). We did take the caravan down to bendigo for xmas 2012 as a bit of a shake down trip !!

But as i said in May 2013 saw us traveling up to Darwin and again the new caravan traveled and handled the open road with out any drammers. Road train .....Not a problem.....side winds while i did slow down a little proved the the combination of the pajero and the pop top discovery proved that a well balanced set up was not a problem. Darwin saw us chalk up about 9000 Kms and that included taking in Kakadu as well.

Farst forward to Augast last year ( 2014 ) and we decided to do a 3rd trip over to tasmania. The other two time we had taken over the swan. The roads over in tassie and even the west coast proved that my set up while not perfect, did prove that there were no real problems .

The toltal length of the Pajero and the Jayco discovery are right on 12 Mtrs in length. So some of the roads over there in tasmania are a real test for the power steering, and when you see a sign that is a hook sign and the posted speed is 25 Kms per hour, Take notice.

All of the jayco caravans suffed from the same problem. The internal door latches are a real pain in the ... and as for the 3 Way caravan and all of my caravans had the same problem, the fridge dosn't like the heat and would loose it wonce you left Port Augusta and headed north. A total wast of space and have looked at replacing it at some point in time??

If i were to up grade to a larger caravan, Would i purchese a nother jayco ....Yes....No problems. And what up grades, I would up grade the fridge for a compresser type and do a way with the 3 way. Up grade with  solar panels and a couple of 100 AH agm batterys, and that's about all.

 

 

Ok my turn. We have had three Jaycos. The first one was a 17ft freedom poptop. Great van and we took it everywhere. No issues at all. The second one we upgraded to get the toilet and shower. 19 ft tandem Discovery poptop. Four things wrong when we bought it. The Jayco dealer had it back and fixedwithout equivocation. Three years later we were having problems with the door slide ends. Phoned Jayco in Melbourne, they sent up a complete replacement set for all the drawers. This was 2 years out of warranty. Now with a Conquest motorhome. Again Jayco have been supurb. Plan to keep this until they take my license from me. A great motorhome.

My son bought a micky split caravan for which he paid some $70000.00. It had more problems than we had with our Jaycos. So I keep reading this stuff about Jayco or Junko as some like to suggest. That is unfair. Maybe years ago that may have been the case but Jayco need to be given the benefit of the doubt given the effort that they have made to overcome the problems of the past.Fair go guys. There are plenty of vans from other manufacturers out there that come off the production line with some serious issues. A good mate has a $50000.00 plus off road van (not a Jayco) that has been built so poorly that he has gaps in window trim (bugs fly in) and a host of other faults. He will never buy that brand again as the manufacturer has been totally slack in rectifying the issues. And what Kingdom caravans who have gone broke. How will folk get their warranties honoured.

I would suggest that the issue is at times a slack dealer, not Jayco as the manufacturer.

So how about everyone lay off Jayco and let the vast majority of us who actually love the van and are pleased with the manufacturer enjoy our vans or motorhomes without this constant criticism which seems to be an endemic pastime for some.

sheesh.
phil

Its not just Jayco who turn out RVs that cause grief for buyers - it applies to most of the larger manufacturers.

I have a Supreme Executive which is now 19 months old. During the 12 mnth warranty period we had 62 faults which needed repair - mostly fairly minor, but very annoying for a $78K van and its taking it backwards and forwards to the Dealer, manufacturer or repairer.

You don't have the number and consistency of faults with motor vehicles.

I currently about to have a fight with the manufacturer of our van as the 240v has a dead short in it (after 3 visits from an electrician, he finally found the fault). It means out RCD is tagged "out of service" and meantime any 240v is from an external multiboard and extension leads to the fridge, fan (no air con), kettle etc. The electrician suspects a screw used to put the cladding on the van after the power cables have been run through the skeleton has been drilled into a cable and with movement it has now worn the insulation sway and causing the dead short

We also have problems with our water heater - it has no 240v power of course and on gas it is smoking up burnt black gas all over the side of the van and the smell inside

Obviously our State Consumer Protection has made it clear that Supreme cannot duck behind the 12 month warranty and the works should be done under the implied warranty of the Trade Practices Act - but I suspect it will be a long fight.

So its not just Jayco - its as Billeeee (Jules) says - theres a lot more of them out there to go wrong

Hi All

My neighbour has a Jayco, my sister and their travel partners have a Jayco, my friends brother has just purchased a Jayco and they are all happy with their purchase. I am hoping to sell and be on the road this year in a JAYCO as I believe they are a good value for money product. No matter which company builds your van there will always be the occasional lemon and that should not occur. The one way to put pressure on these manufacturers is to spend a few dollars more at delivery time and have someone competent to check your van pre the signover. Make sure all the electrics are working , cupboards etc work properly, water flow is as promised and check they have weighed the vehicle to ensure it matches the plate information. Do not sign, pay or be persuaded to take the van until repairs are complete.

Take photos and make a list of any problems and tell the agent that he can call you when it is ready and repaired. The agents survive on servicing, spares and commissions and if there is a backlog of vans not moving off the lot then they will put pressure on the manufacturer. An agent does not want to be attempting to sell vans when he has to explain that the new pre sold vans are sitting in his yard for repairs.

I am sure there are a lot of travelers out there who have paid a lot of money for different makes of vans but are a little reluctant to put to print that they have had the same problems as some Jayco owners . There are far more Jayco agents in Australia than any other manufacturer and this  is good for Jayco owners for servicing, parts and repairs but there will always be the occasional renegade.

The product that some members have received is far from satisfactory and there will be no change unless there is pressure put to bear on our politicians to force change. With an election being shoved down our throat it might be a good time to send an email to your local member explaining the problem and where your vote may not go. Maybe a forum member with more articulate skills can draft a generic letter that all concerned members can forward to their local politician.

 

PS. I am not employed by or have any connection to any Jayco agency but I have had a victory in not paying or accepting a faulty product until it complied with the contract. We are not talking small change so ensure the product you order is the product you take delivery of before payment, that is your right.

Moorey

Swoffer wrote:

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I'd be keen to hear the good Jayco stories . 

Heaven knows there are enough threads about the horror stories .

Surely not every single van the turn out is a lemon . No company could stay in bussiness like this .

So come on lets hear them folks , I will be holding my breath in anticipation

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You get what you pay for. In order to exist, manufacturers have to include all the bells and whistles as they compete against each other and vie for sales. Prices have to be kept in line, unfortunately quality seems to be the corner that is cut. A washing machine, separate toilet and shower, oven, all the mod cons that we insist on etc etc all catch you eye as you walk into the caravan. Quality on the other hand is usually hidden and rears its head once you've become the owner. 

Swoffer wrote:

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Swoffer wrote:

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I'd be keen to hear the good Jayco stories .    

 

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Point taken, my bad. 

Bryan wrote:

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Swoffer wrote:

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Swoffer wrote:

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I'd be keen to hear the good Jayco stories .    

 

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Point taken, my bad. 

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Good  now go sit in the corner young fella

 

6  positive stories so far . So they are out there . 

I should point  out that I have absolutely no relationship with Jayco at all , except that I have looked thru quite a few second  handys in anticipation .

I just thought this would be a good topic for a bit of balance .

Cheers Al

We sold our kombi camper back in 2010 and bought a 2008 Jayco Dove Outback. Most of our camping is bush camping and the Dove does a lot of K,s on dirt roads and fire trails as well as a few annual road trips. In that time the only repairs have been 1 boot lock and the diaphram in the hand water pump. Both of these had the parts in stock at the Jayco dealer and I have repaired them myself. We are planning on upgrading to a small semi off road caravan very soon and I will be quite happy to go Jayco again. Rod.

Had two Jayco vans, 1 early Starcraft and 2003 21.6 Heritage. Very few hassles. Both secondhand, problems fixed. Brought a new Elite 20ft internal, the next owner won't have any problems. Happy Caravanning

Perhaps the older Jaycos were more robust than the modern ones.

 

I thought that this thread was dead ...  so surprised to see the latest post.

BTW .. I always skite about being on my Jayco's original brakes & wheel bearings after 18 yrs & appx 200,000km.  Well buggar me .. after my latest trip the breaks failed somewhat.  On testing one wheel was OK, one had O/C magnet, one had an intermittent O/C magnet and the other had a badly scoured drum & magnet, but still working.

Although there is a fair about of meat on all the shoes & the bearings look good, I'm about to bite the bullet & replace all the shoes, magnets & bearings as well as the faulty drum.  Not bad at only $411.48 DIY after all that time & Kms.

Love my Westport!

 

PS.  Got great advice from Caravansplus & their prices were good (I would highly recommend them) but I choose a local with equally good prices & no postage (circa $78).  The face to face aspect is an advantage too as are their top quality parts including Jap bearings.   Good job for me over Winter.

Great to hear people prepared to put their good news storys up , I know there are some ratbag builders out there but good to hear its not all bad .