2006 Fiat Ducato Jayco Conquest 2.8L 5-speed manual

jrk36 · Veteran Member

2006 Fiat Ducato Jayco Conquest 2.8L 5-speed manual

Possum3 · Guru

You can download for free all the technical articles and checklists at www.caravancouncil.com.au/
Hope you have some good times with your new RV.

Steel Dog · Veteran Member

Hi jrk36,

Some very useful topics to check out on this site are:

Dirt Roads
Don't forget the Sacrificial anode.
Road noise.
Levelling.
Flat towing.

Just type them into the search box (above).
Plus, there is much more information, just 'search' first and then ask and I am sure someone will get back to you with answers or where to find them, as per previous post.

Safe travels.
Steel Dog

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi jrk36
It appears that you are getting the same model RV as I have

I notice that you have been to the post where (at that time), I could not recommend this particular RV, due to there being better ones around

Any tips and tricks with this particular type of van I should watch out for?
To answer your question above, in a positive manner

Not knowing if you will be using caravan parks all the time
If you are, then that is what the Jayco Conquest was designed for
As it originally came with incandescent light globes, and a trickle battery charger

Keep the maintenance up to the vehicle, as Fiat workshops are few and far between

Fill the original water tank slowly, as it has a habit of water coming back out of the spout, and you think it is full

Your awning (from your Avatar), looks like a Friama
My bookwork said that it was not to be used in wind or rain, as it is a sunshade, so keep your eye on the weather when you are using it
I did not, and paid the consequence

There is a mob in Queensland, (I think), who make internal cab window sun shades, for 2006 Fiat Ducato, (and other models)
They are expensive about $350, (from memory). They have about 12 layers of fabric, and my wife swears by them, as they keep the cab cool, when you are parked up
This model RV is fantastic if you travel with a cat, (the reason I originally got it, second hand, as it was cheap with low miles)
With a harness, and two normal leads joined together, and slipped onto the table leg, the cat has the run of the vehicle, without being able to get under the pedals

I see that you have an aerial on the roo bar, so I assume you will have good radio reception, as that was what I had to do, after I had replaced the original radio

If you are thinking of going off grid, here are a few mods I have made

300 watt, solar panel, I made a frame from 40 X 40 X 6 aluminium, as the roof, is a bit wishy washie
Plus 160 watt light weight portable solar panel
20 amp DC/DC charger, so I can charge the house batteries, from both the engine and solar
Changed all light globes to LED
Fitted 2 X Sirocco fans, (thinking of fitting two more)
Sail track on rear and drivers side wall, to fit shade cloth, for extra shade
Roll up awning, (Insurance job, paid extra for better awning), so I can fit end walls for more shade
Fitted an extra 60 litre fresh water tank, to give a total of 140 litres
Plus carry 6 X 20 litre collapsible water containers, and only fill them close to where I decide to park up
I fill from the top of this extra tank, and when the water comes out of the breathers, then I know they are both full
House water pump developed a weep, so replaced it, and now use original, to pump water from collapsible containers, to water tank

I can stay off grid for a fortnight, before I have to obtain more water
Hope that this info is useful to you
I hope that there are many happy road trips ahead of you

I have done just over/under 90,000 kilometres in the past 6 years, and as I have now adapted to this RV, the wife wants a caravan with an Island bed, and full size stove

jrk36 · Veteran Member

Thank you so much for your informative reply.

I've had a caravan before, but this my first motorhome. I only read your review after I'd already put the money down, and thought "oh s$%#, what have I done?". However, it's not sounding so bad after your new comments :)

I pick the motohome, which has 112,000km on clock, up in Perth on Saturday and will be traveling solo back to my home in Broome (2,300km). We're hoping for a few short trips whilst WA remains in State lock-down - the likes of Kununurra, etc.

I'm getting a tow-bar rack for a small motorbike whilst I'm in Perth, and thinking about either solar or a small generator.

Thanks again for your advice,

John K

jrk36 · Veteran Member

BTW: anyone interested, there are photos of my "new" van at: photos.app.goo.gl/uyVbkDuHykR3ArB19

Tony Bev · Guru

Hi John (jrk36)
I have just looked at your pictures, and you have a slightly different configuration than me
You appear to have a full size stove, (mine is just a cooktop and grill)
You have a slightly different bathroom, and a different bed, and what looks like a larger fridge

I'm getting a tow-bar rack for a small motorbike whilst I'm in Perth, and thinking about either solar or a small generator

I am not a techi, but if you ask in the techi section, what would be best, a genset or solar panels
I think (but I could be wrong), that the consensus would be, that solar panels are better

My RV came with a Honda EU20i (2 kilowatt) genset. This genset will power my aircon, or microwave, but not both
My initial thought was to store it under the bed, but one night I smelled petrol fumes, and as the gas hot water system, is under there, I quickly removed the genset.
It now sits behind the passenger seat, with a cloth cover over it

I used the genset a few times to try and charge the battery, through the built in Setek (Jayco) charger, but without any luck, (you may have a different charger)
I have not used the genset, since setting up my solar panel, and would prefer not to carry it, but the wife says we will still carry it, in case we need it

My batteries are 2 X 120 AH Bosch AGM, if I was to start with a clean slate today, (prices have come down a lot)
I would probably go 600 watts of solar panel on the roof, and look at lithium batteries, and DC/DC lithium charger

I have seen scooters on a rack, on the rear of Fiat Ducato, (next model up than ours)
Alas due to my age, I can only grow rounder and not taller, the wife says that both of us, will never fit on a scooter, at the same time

My official excuse for not getting a towbar and scooter is, that I carry some off grid essentials on the bike rack
Essentials are (to me)
Sack Trolley to assist in empting the toilet cassette, when it is a longish walk to dump point
Step ladder to help attach shade cloth
Shovel, just in case it is required
Rake, to clear ground, before putting awning floor down
Pole carrier (err PVC tubing), to carry awning rafters and anti-flappers

Below is pic, not a good angle, as it is pouring with rain, at the moment

jrk36 · Veteran Member

Hi Tony, and thanks for your most useful advice - especially helpful given you have the same, well nearly the same, can.

I'm 71 and still ride motorbikes - you're never too old. My partner (pillion) and I currently ride a BMW F800R in Perth and a Can Am Spyder F3-S in Broome. Sadly neither suitable for the back of the van - I did think about a small bike trailer for the BMW but people have said tend to be unstable on a rough road.

Travel wise, we'd like to build up to doing a lap of Oz, but trips of several days to start with. A mixture of parks and off grid. I might investigate having solar fitted locally in Broome.

-- Edited by jrk36 on Friday 12th of June 2020 12:16:49 PM