Jayco Hawk Outback

Did I tell you I've owned three Jayco camper trailers over the years?

I must have bored someone with that. However it made reviewing the latest Jayco Hawk Outback interesting, as I was curious to see what changes to the company's proven and highly successful basic design have been made since I purchased a Dove OB new in 2002.

The Hawk is a bit of a niche model in the Jayco camper trailer range.  Most people choose the similarly sized (4040mm x 2240mm) and same-priced Eagle model, whether in $21,656 standard or $25,437 Outback spec (RRP delivered in Victoria).

The Eagle’s front U-shaped lounge offers more seating space than the Hawk which replaces this lounge with its larger front kitchen and an L-shaped lounge at the rear. I guess despite all the hype, there must be fewer serious foodies travelling than we thought.

I personally find the Hawk's layout more interesting, as even mildly Masterchef-minded travellers get an entire area to themselves to cook up a storm, while the hungry ones can amuse themselves on the rear lounge, safely out of skillet's way.

Other than that, the Hawk and Eagle, share a lot in common. Like all Jayco Camper Trailers, they feature a smooth fibreglass-clad body with an aluminium frame, which in turn sits atop a sturdy galvanised box-section Jayco Endurance Chassis.

Nothing radical here, but this construction has proved to be impressively strong over the years.

Until this year, the difference between the standard and increasingly popular Outback models of each of the seven different Jayco camper trailer models has been relatively superficial –– a larger diameter 150mm x 50mm main chassis attached to a 125mm x 50mm A-frame, for greater strength and ground clearance, a standard 100 Amp/hr deep cycle battery, a front-mounted jerry can holder, sturdier Al-Ko off-road corner drop jacks, optional and larger 16-inch wheels and plenty of stone protecting and decorative aluminium checker plate on the camper's sides.

Now, in what is a major game-changer, all Outback spec Jaycos, from the humblest 2790mm body-length Swift to the largest Expanda and Journey pop-top and caravan models (plus all top-of-the-range Silverline caravans), come ex-factory with Jayco's own in-house developed and manufactured JTech independent coil-spring and shock absorber trailing arm independent suspension.

This suddenly makes once-limited Jayco camper trailers well worth considering for their off-road capabilities compared with traditional soft and hard-floor campers.

One appealing reason to consider taking a Jayco OB camper trailer off the beaten track is size. The Jayco mantra of 'small to tow; big to live in' is a real winner, particularly if you have a couple of kids aboard.

With the exception of its Penguin model, all Jayco campers feature large beds that slide-out from each end, effectively increasing your living space by about one third.

The advantage over fold-out trailer-based campers offering similar shelter is that the Jayco's full living space is available within minutes of arriving at your destination. If it takes you more than 15 minutes to insert the crank handle in the front bodywork, wind up the fibreglass top, pull out the beds from each end of their metal runners, secure and tension the canvas that covers them and then insert and seal the top half of the door, you simply need more practice – or a rain shower to speed things up!

Two organised people can be enjoying a 'sundowner' in 10 minutes. Try that in a fold-out camper.

There are only two things that need to be improved. The cranking required to raise the roof can be a bit strenuous for women or any older users, but at least Jayco dealers offer an optional electric lifting mechanism.

The other is the archaic way of tensioning the canvas tents over the bed ends, which involves trying to insert a ‘hockey stick’ shaped pole into a roof-mounted groove after pushing the tent’s metal hoop as far as it will go.

Frankly it’s almost impossible when the canvas is new or cold without (a) someone pushing you in the back, or (b) having very large, strong hands.

What’s worse is that it was exactly the same problem on my Dove, more than a decade ago. A simple over-centre tensioner, like the one used on Jayco Expanda models, is a much better idea. Do it Jayco.

Once erected, the great thing about the Hawk, like other Jayco camper trailers, is that you still feel connected to the environment surrounding you.

The huge windows can be closed at night by their zip-up covers if you wish, but in daytime they can be unfurled to leave you with a panoramic view of your surroundings, with fly and mossie mesh protecting you from unwelcome visitors.

Like all the larger Jayco camper trailers, the front bed of the Hawk is the larger, measuring an impressive 1460mm wide, while the rear bed is still a comfortable 1140mm in width. Both are suitable for couples, or the rear bed with it's safety netting is ideal for a couple of youngsters or even infant children.

The galley on the Hawk is not going to give the good folks at Gaggenau sleepless nights, but it has all the essentials for indoor cooking, given that most Hawk owners will prefer to cook outdoors when the weather is fine.

Three gas burners and one electric hot plate on the SMEV cooktop is as much as you get in a luxury caravan, so it’s excellent for a camper, while the stainless steel sink and drainer are of a good size, as is the 93-litre capacity of the Dometic three-way fridge.

There's also quite a lot of cupboard space to hold all your clothes, kitchen utensils and a reasonable store of food supplies. The only problem here is –– and this also applies to the fridge –– you have to get onto your knees at times to access everything.

Of course the real question that many people will want to know is 'how good is the JTECH suspension, particularly when it has adds nearly $3800 to the price of a Hawk, taking it to a RRP of $25,437?

To find out, we took the Hawk over a favourite rough track and without the centre beam axle, we immediately found it could go most places our 4WD could. The only limitation here is the bi-fold galvanised entry step, but as this is secured by only four bolts, the first thing I would do is remove it and replace it with a removable plastic or foldable step.

Add a multi-directional coupling like a Hitchmaster DO-35 in place of the Jayco's standard 50mm ball coupling and you are ready for some quite serious Outback travel, particularly as the Hawk in Outback spec weighs less than 1250kg, making it a relative featherweight.

And at the end of your adventure days there will be another pleasant surprise waiting for you. If your experience is like mine with the three previous Jayco campers I've owned, there's a good chance you'll get back close to what you paid for it!

WE LIKED:
?>> Concept and layout
>> Excellent kitchen
>> New independent suspension

NOT SO MUCH:
?>> Canvas can be hard work to tension
>> Lots of cranking to raise the roof
>> Folding step vulnerable to damage
>> High cost of OB option

The Outback suspension option is costly, but given the extra strength and capability it brings to the model, it's worth it for those who truly want to explore roads less travelled.

Although not as popular as the Eagle because of its kitchen-focused layout, we believe the Hawk needs serious consideration by couples and families alike because of the convenience its separate sleeping, cooking and living zones offers.

We just wish Jayco could find a simpler and less strenuous way to tension the bed tents!