Jayco crowned top of the pops

A $45,000 Jayco Sterling has been crowned king of the pop-tops in a three-way comparison conducted by an Australian caravan magazine.

In its latest issue Caravan World, pitted three ‘top of class’ Australian-built pop-top caravans as part of two weeks of testing along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Up against the popular, 5.68m long Sterling model was a $49,000, 5.9m long Coronet Carrington CC 17-3 pop-top and $65,000, 5.31m Goldstream RV FKST Panther.

The three models (a fourth Windsor pop-top was scheduled to take part but wasn’t available) were judged on a range of criteria including value for money, towability, setting up and hitching up, suitability for intended touring, layout, quality of finish, build quality, creature comforts, innovation and X-factor.

Based on the scores of four judges, the Jayco received an average rating of 4.125 out of a possible five stars, followed by the Coronet with 4.0 and the Goldstream, 3.875.

As the cheapest van on test, the Jayco Sterling 17.55-3 with its 2208kg ATM and two-berth, shower/toilet layout was praised for delivering “a lot of van for your dollar” with excellent attention-to-detail, good equipment list and only a few minor faults.

It was also commended for its lack of underbody PVC piping, but the judges would have preferred more 240V powerpoints inside, more kitchen bench space and a stoneguard for the A-frame tap.

“If value for money is an important consideration for you, Jayco has to be on your shortlist,” said Caravan World editor Max Taylor. “That aside, the Sterling 17.55-3 is well built and presented, with a competitive equipment level – ours even sported an (optional) external shower.”

Meanwhile, Jayco has issued three nationwide safety recalls in the space of a month, affecting a number of Jayco camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes.

According to a recall notice issued November 22, “The axle U-bolt nuts may have been installed with the incorrect torque setting.” The recall affects more than 700 Jayco campers and vans with a chassis number between P12118 & P81107.

The notice also said, “Should the U-bolts be loose, this may allow the suspension spring to move and affect the alignment of the axle. This may cause the van to be less stable than normal while towing.”

Another notice issued on the same day affected campers and caravans, with chassis numbers between P12185 & Q80010. The notice said, “The brake wiring connector at the axle may not be fitted correctly”. It went on: “If the brake wiring connector has not been fitted correctly, this may cause the brake wires to come loose and one or more of the brakes may not work, possibly resulting in an accident.”

Another recall notice issued on December 7 affected Jayco motorhomes with chassis numbers between P90029 & P90207. It said: “The mounting plate for the electric bed may not be secured to the wall correctly... If the mounting plate for the electric bed is not secured to the wall correctly, it can separate from the wall and cause the bed to drop on the side that has separated from the wall. This defect may pose a fall hazard to consumers.”

Jayco has sent letters to all affected owners, who have been asked to contact their nearest Jayco dealer or authorised service agent and arrange to have their RV inspected and rectified if required.

The Melbourne RV giant has issued five safety recalls in 2012, compared to four in 2011.