Jayco rolls out new technology

While 360-degree cameras have yet to hit the caravan market, Jayco now offers the next best thing on its range-topping Silverline caravans – a total of three side and rear cameras, with an optional fourth to check who is tailgating you.

On display at the 2018 Melbourne Leisurefest, the twin side view cameras are a new Silverline safety option that allows you to select a wide angle view down the side of your caravan when reversing.

The flank-mounted cameras are activated when you select reverse without any additional tow vehicle wiring and you can toggle between cameras via your turning indicators.

Jayco also options a second dualvView camera for your Silverline that offers two rear views. This allows you to get a better look at things around the rear of your van when reversing onto a site, or a street parking spot, while it can double when travelling as a broader view of who is tailgating, or overtaking you.

This time you toggle cameras between the AV1 or AV2 switch on your display.

The extra cameras were being offered on Silverline models as part of a ‘Show Bonus Pack’ at Leisurefest, which also included a Truma gas heater (a saving of $3605 according to Jayco).

Jayco at Leisurefest also showed off its latest JTRAK tent trailer, with the handful of examples on display generating a lot of interest.

Priced from $17,990 to $23,990, the forward-fold lightweight campers come with a range of standard features (depending on specification) including front and rear winches, slide-out kitchen with three-burner gas cooktop and sink with tap running off a 12V pump, up to 9kg gas bottles with two gas bayonets, up to two 100amp batteries and battery manager, and up to two 65 litre water tanks.

An inflatable annexe with built-in LED lights is an option across all four on- and off-road JTRAK variants.

According to Jayco, the JTRAK trailers are engineered, tested and assembled in Australia, using “chassis, suspension, internal furniture and upholstery produced in Jayco’s manufacturing plant” while electricals, decals and the 10oz canvas tent are “sourced locally”.

Jayco also had its latest and smallest 10ft entry Work ‘n Play toy hauler mode on display, enticingly show-priced at $29,990, but there was no sign of the much anticipated shiny new aluminium Base 13 Airstream that Jayco showcased earlier this year.

The official word from Jayco RV Regional Sales Manager Chris Hooper is that the project to bring the funky, 4.9-metre long and 1300kg tare weight, American-built Airstream to market is still a work in progress.

“We are working through all the areas, such as compliance, before we put it on sale,” he said. “The display early this year was to test public reaction to the concept and its projected retail price of $83,990 and it was very positive, particularly from millennials,” he said.

Hooper also said that Jayco is preparing to roll out optional lithium power on its range-topping Silverline and off-road Adventurer models around Australia, with a technology trickle-down to the Jayco range expected in the years ahead.

The system will be supplied to Jayco in modular form by Setec, which is the major supplier of battery management systems (BMS) to Jayco.

It is expected buyers will get a choice of 100AH or 120AH batteries paired to twin 100W rooftop solar panels on their new Silverline models and a 200AH system (twin 100AH lithium batteries) with 3 x 160W solar panels on Adventurer models, with both systems managed by BMPro BMS systems.

Setec's Executive Manager responsible for BMPro, Rachel Cross, said the expected take-up could see both high-end Jayco models  go almost 100 per cent lithium within five years. There’s a no retro-fit option likely for either model.

Continuing its roll-out of new motorhome options, Jayco also showed off its first twin single bed Conquest motorhome based on Fiat Ducato mechanicals at Leisurefest..

The 25ft Conquest is the first motorhome of this layout that Jayco has built and reflects the demands from older and un-coupled travellers for a twin singles model. It’ s priced from $142,990.