Jayco sharpens StarCraft deals

Australian RV heavyweight Jayco has sharpened its pencil for its entry-level StarCraft family of caravans and pop-tops, with the top-selling brand rolling out sharp new pricing for its budget-friendly pop-top while also revealing an all-new caravan model.

Unveiled to the public at the 2024 Victorian Caravan & Camping Supershow at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the refocus of the more affordable end of the Jayco range is sure to attract plenty of attention in the midst of Australia’s present cost-of-living crises.

Jayco’s 16ft StarCraft Bush Pack pop-top, a single-axle model for couples that still incorporates a full rear ensuite, is now priced from $45,490, while for the duration of the Supershow it was on special at $44,884.

“For the StarCraft range the feedback was that there was a part of the market that wanted to get into a new van for second-hand prices, so that was our goal,” said Jayco National Sales Manager, Scott Jones.

“So we’ve got the 16-footer for $45k, with a full ensuite. We have a similar product in the Jayco Journey that is about $7000 more.”

Jayco has retained its 15ft StarCraft caravan model, priced at around $55k, but making its public debut at the Supershow was a 17ft single-axle StarCraft family caravan with forward east-west bed, rear ensuite and two rear bunks, along with a generous 600kg payload, priced at just under $60k.

"So now we’ve got this brand-new 17ft model,” said Mr Jones.

“People said they wanted something a bit bigger, with a big ensuite, not a small ensuite, because historically the 16-footer is a bit more of a compromise. So this is a 17-footer for $57.5k."

“We find StarCraft has always been a staple for us over the last 15 years, and with the conditions at the moment people do want something that represents great value," he continued.

"If they trade in what they’ve got it’s not really that much more expensive, so it just gives people a chance to get into a new van rather than used.

“But there’s a lot of great interest too in Silverline at the top of the market, because retirees are obviously getting a great return now [on their investments], finally. And at the entry-level part of the market, whether it’s families or those getting into it for the first time, to test it out, this StarCraft is the perfect model for them," he said.