Jayco freshens up budget RV range

Introduced in late-2009 for "cost conscious buyers", the Starcraft caravan range has four new layouts (for six floorplans in total) for 2011, available across a range of body lengths from 12ft 9in (3.9m) to 20ft 5in (6.2m).

Both Touring and Outback Starcraft versions have been freshened up with a redesigned exterior including new coloured graphics and new interior decor colours.

To keep prices down, the Starcraft vans use a cladded aluminium frame, which is less expensive to manufacture than the vacuum bonded fibreglass and aluminium frame on Jayco’s range-topping Sterling vans.

Outback versions are designed for light off-road travel on unsealed roads and come with 15 inch alloy wheels, Al-Ko outback leaf springs, shock absorbers with guards and an underslung axle for improved ground clearance.

Jayco’s humble camper trailers have also come in for a freshen up, with updated graphics, new front and rear ABS mouldings, deeper front boot, new checkerplate exterior protection, and new fabric and tent colours for both Touring and Outback versions.

The camper trailers also benefit from a new, tougher and safer door design, featuring an insulated resin transfer moulded top door and fibreglass bottom door with no sharp corners, and a new, more robust interlocking roof with ABS corner moulds and one piece fibreglass roof sheet.

"The old style roof has been relatively unchanged for 35 years, so this innovation is a huge advancement," said Jayco’s marketing director Andrew Ryan.

Following in the tyre-tracks of fellow Melbourne camper trailer manufacturer Goldstream RV, Jayco is also offering for the first time the option of an electric winch, which conveniently lifts the roof with the push of a button, rather than having to wind it up by hand. But whereas Goldstream's electric winch costs an additional $1500, Jayco's has a recommended retail price of $1000.

Pricing for the 2011 Jayco campers starts at approximately $20,000, for the entry-level Dove Touring model. Outback versions cost around $2500 more than standard Touring models. Pricing for the Starcraft van range begins around the $22,000 mark.

Jayco has also updated other models in its 2011 range, including its top-of-the-range Sterling caravan, which has a host of improvements including new Euro-style cabinets, solid ensuite door, new venetian blinds, and a 'Lazy Susan' on selected models.

Refer to your local Jayco dealer for further details including specific 'tow away' prices, as these can vary from state to state.