Jayco improves top-selling campers

Jayco has responded to increased threats from market rivals including the latest New Age Wayfinder, by giving its long-standing wind-up camper trailer range a serious freshen up for 2019, including boosting storage options, adding new tech and modernising styling and décor.

To help keep its top-selling campers ahead of the pack. Jayco has relocated the gas bottles on its campers to a dedicated enclosed box on the drawbar, which has helped boost storage capacity in the front boot by around 30 per cent, to 515 litres.

The bigger boot, fitted to all Jayco wind-up campers except for the entry-level Swift, features side and top access as well as provision for an optional slide-out kitchen.

All 2019 Outback off-road models (except for the Swift) are distinguished by a new grey fibreglass body with black trim, while interiors have also been freshened up with new lighter colours and materials. and new storage fixtures on some models including fold-down half robes and roof-mounted above-bed cupboards.

Borrowing technology from the latest Silverline caravans, the water and battery levels on the latest Jayco campers can also be monitored remotely via a J-HUB smart phone app.

Alos following another RV trend, the Jayco wind-up campers can also be optioned up with a Coast to Coast/Orbit inflatable annexe.

Jayco Communication and Branding Manager, Anastasia Zimsen, said that the new ‘interior palette’ was driven by the latest trends in interior design.

“Our 2019 interior colour choice is inspired by the organic, earthy hues of the Australian landscape,” she said.

“Jayco's R&D team are constantly listening to our customers’ feedback to offer the best solutions and are constantly working on improving layouts. You will see more kitchen and floorplan developments throughout the year introduced in our drive to provide the best products for effortless holidays.”

Pricing for the Australian-built Jayco wind-up campers remains very sharp, starting at $18,690 for the entry-level Swift, up to $31,490 for the range-topping Swan Outback.

Meanwhile, Jayco has streamlined its campervan and motorhome offerings, after halting production of its entry-level Toyota Hiace-based Freedom campervan due to slow sales.

Introduced in early-2017 and subject to a safety recall, the Kombi-style Freedom campervan retailed from $64,890 and was one of a number of additions to Jayco’s motorised RV range in recent times.

The move means that Jayco’s cheapest campervan is now the 19ft Fiat Ducato-based Freedom campervan, which retails from $104,990 (the same price as its entry-level, 20ft Renault Master-based Freedom motorhome).

“The FD.19 campervan model was much more popular and offered better value with shower and toilet, hence our decision,” Zimsen said.