Jayco Freedom 2005 Review

By Ellen Dewar

Jayco is enjoying its 30th birthday year, and why not? There are special VIP lounges for owners at caravan shows and a great money-back offer to entice buyers - one lucky buyer of a 2005 model camper trailer, pop-top or caravan will redeem the value of his or her purchase back in cash. Jayco still holds 40+ per cent of the caravan market and has further expanded its premises in Dandenong, Vic, to keep up with demand.

The 30th Anniversary Edition Freedom Series comes in a versatile range of sizes and layouts starting at 13ft 8in (4.1m) and going up to 17ft 11in (5.5m), with choices of single or double beds, some ensuite models and a couple with bunks.

Jayco's Freedom Series vans are easy to tow, with Tare weights ranging from just over one tonne to 1400kg, and their low travel profile (6ft 11in, 2.1m) comes in handy to fit under carports or garage doors.

With a test of the Hyundai Terracan featuring in this issue of CW, we organised a 16ft 10in (5.1m) 16.52-1 Freedom to photograph with the vehicle, and set off for a quick tow to a popular holiday spot south of Melbourne.

Freedom calling
With a Tare of 1230kg the unladen Freedom was well within the towing capacity of the turbodiesel Terracan, and its sleek up-to-date looks - the flat fibreglass-finished sides have quickly become familiar - complemented the 4WD well.

From the ground up, Jayco's Millennium chassis offers protection and strength via PSC members which, says Jayco, are used for floor supports to resist bending and compression. It has pressed holes which increase the surface area of the steel providing greater strength, and offer protection to underfloor wiring and plumbing. The hot dipped galvanised finish eliminates corrosion-induced fatigue failure.

Introduced in 2004 on the upmarket Heritage range, Jayco's Tough Frame features a 25mm x 25mm tubular aluminum outer frame with four layers of fibreglass, ply and polystyrene foam. The configuration is designed to provide an almost dent-resistant 100 per cent insulated frame.

The outer fibreglass skin is finished with an automotive high gloss gelcoat finish. The final stage of this process is the vacuum bonding of the frame for added strength and quality.

The body top frame is aluminium, for strength and accuracy of the unit's shape, with no exposed timber or screws. According to Jayco, the use of aluminium in the three critical areas - body frame, body top and roof frame - ensures the unit has a low centre of gravity, which provides stable handling while towing.

Exterior features include insulation in roof and walls; lockable storage boot with spare wheel; 9kg gas bottle on the A-frame; 12V annexe light and boot light; 240V external powerpoint; mains pressure tap; trimatic security door and dual lockable water filler. Wheels are 14in with eight-ply light truck radial tyres with leaf spring suspension (rocker leaf springs on tandem models).

After unfastening the awning and undoing the roof clips, the gas strut-assisted roof pops up easily. Our test Freedom had one of CW's favourite layouts: front kitchen, mid-section lounge plus separate dinette and rear single beds. This floorplan is a good socialiser's layout, with plenty of room to seat extra guests and space left to get to the fridge.

Freedom pop-top kitchens are well equipped as standard with stainless steel four-burner cooktop and grill; microwave; RM2330 three-way fridge; mains pressure tap to sink; flush-fitting stainless steel sink and pull-out pantry in front kitchen models. Storage includes drawers under single beds and dinette and pot drawers under grill. Finishing touches include overhead cupboard stays (where possible), positive push-button catches, removable fabric pelmets and scrim curtains.

Rather than timber, Jayco's furniture is made from powder-coated aluminium framing to all high use areas such as dinette and lounge areas and beds. For added comfort, orthopedic slats are used on double and single beds. All cabinet fronts are screwed together, for additional strength.

The finish and quality throughout seems quite acceptable, and the overall ambience is cheerful and pleasant.

With 12V lights and a 12V rangehood fitted, the Setec Power Converter is designed and constructed for Australia's sometimes inconsistent supply of power in remote areas. The Setec system operates on either 240V or 12V supply.

When only 12V power is available the self-sensing units senses the supply, with no switching required. In addition, the unit has a built-in trickle charger (13.5V output) to cater for an auxiliary battery.

Options include the Outback conversion for offroad use; Carefree Fiesta awning and annexe; innerspring mattress; air-conditioner; CD player, and more.

For your nearest stockist and more details on Freedom and other models in the Jayco range call (03) 9791 6599, fax (03) 9791 2825, or visit http://www.jayco.com.au/.