Jayco Silverline Outback 2019 Review

Wireless technology has finally arrived in the caravan market, with players such as Queensland's Zone RV and now Jayco introducing wireless monitoring and control of various equipment in and on the caravan.

But is all this new technology worth it -- and does it even work?

To find out, we recently grabbed a 22ft Silverline Outback, built at Jayco's Dandenong, Victoria factory, equipped with Amazon Alexia voice assistant, 360-degree cameras, smart phone app-controlled electric awning and lights; not to mentnion wi-fi via the cellular network.

Jayco's latest Silverline range comes in six floorplans -- in either Touring or Outback spec -  and all with slide-outs. The model we’re reviewing here is the Silverline Outback 21.65-3, which is roughly in the middle of the range in terms of size, and has a drive-away price (NSW) of $88,929 with a couple of options fitted.

Technology for travelling

Let’s get straight to the technology. There are two parts to the standard Silverline tech suite that can be controlled by a phone app: the awning and the lights.

The Carefree powered awning (which also has button controls conveniently located adjacent to the entry door) requires that you download the Carefree app to control it 'hands free'.

It takes a few moments for the app to ‘find’ the awning and then you can extend or retract the awning at a touch of a (app) button, within Bluetooth range.

The BMPro monitor can also be paired via Bluetooth to an app that allows 'mirror screen' viewing on your phone, to check things like battery state-of-charge and water tank levels, as well as control lighting, the 12V water pump and power.

However, for this to function, you have to pair your phone to the system by pressing a button on the control unit (housed under the bed) for 10 seconds.

While the technology isn’t there yet, there's a good chance that the slide-out will also be able to be controlled via a phone app in the near future.

Also read:

How to build a Jayco Silverline

Is wireless RV tech a smart move?

Voice control

The Amazon Alexia voice assistant couldn’t be set-up in time for this review but in theory, it will offer the typical internet-based information you get from Alexia when set up at home, but also be able to control caravan equipment such as the lights and so on with further development.

For the Alexia voice control to have internet capability, you have to register a SIM card to fit in the caravan. Unfortunately this wasn’t able to be set up in time for this review.

However, it's questionable how useful this tech is in the relatively small confines of a caravan. After all, much of the information can be found using a smartphone in just the same way as Alexia.

While app control of equipment such as the awning and lights is convenient if, for example you’ve gone to bed and don’t feel like getting up again, it’s less so when you only have to walk a few steps at other times to operate these items ‘manually’.

A potentially more useful tech item on the Silverline is the 360-degree cameras, which can be viewed from a supplied screen within the tow vehicle and provide assistance when towing as well as setting up camp.

Other more practical stuff

Meanwhile, the Silverline’s exterior is loaded with the sort of gear most buyers want, including an outdoor TV entertainment unit, picnic table, L-shaped storage boot,  checkerplate aluminium lower storage locker and a slide-out kitchen.

The external kitchen unfortunately doesn’t include a sink, although there’s plenty of bench space and a two-burner gas cooker -- plus a long slide-out storage compartment above the kitchen slide.

On the offside, there’s a gas bottle storage locker located opposite the outdoor kitchen, not far from an outdoor shower, two more lower storage lockers, a 240volt inlet port and locker for the toilet cassette.

Stepping up into the interior is pretty easy, although I was surprised to see a steel pull-out step rather than a more convenient, powered aluminium one on a van of this calibre.

Once inside though, the neutral decor is pleasing to the eye, although the pale faux woodgrain upper lockers and walls might be too 'European' for some buyers.

This particular 21ft model, together with the Silverline 24.75-2, are the only two Silverline models with am inviting, U-shaped front lounge, along with centre kitchen and east-west slide-out bedroom and bathroom towards the rear (other models feature a front kitchen and centre lounge instead).

It’s a fairly conventional set-up for a slide-out caravan, and should work well for most. The only real disadvantage of this layout is if you want to use the bathroom when pulling up during a transport stage; you’ll either have to climb over the bed-end or extend the slide-out to get there.

Spacious living quarters

Of course, once you've powered the slide-out to open up the bedroom space, you’ve got a very spacious-feeling living quarters.

The front dining area features a table that’ll drop down to serve as a bed base for a double bed, boosting the number of berths to four for when friends or grandkids decide to come along for a holiday.

There are plenty of storage lockers dotted around the living area, as there is in the kitchen, which also provides adequate bench space and nice, deep squared-off sink.

There are a few nice touches in the kitchen, such as a lip to the divider between the kitchen bench and lounge area so there's less risk of dropping items from the bench on to the couch.

The 224-litre fridge/freezer facing the kitchen bench is more than adequate for a couple on tour and could even keep a family of four in coldies and perishable food for a week or more.

Master bedroom

The slide-out bedroom feels spacious, with loads of storage at the bed-end including large hanging wardrobes and multiple drawers and cupboards complemented by high-mounted lockers on two sides.

There are also some neat storage recesses on each the side of the bedhead for books, reading glasses and so on.

The gas strut-assisted bed base opens to reveal myriad items including the 100Ah AGM battery, Truma gas heater, wi-fi unit, BMPro control unit, jack and brace, with some space left over for storage.

The rear bathroom is accessed via sliding door and while it isn’t the largest space, it's easy enough to move around in and is packed with lots of cupboards and open storage spots as well as the Sphere 3.3kg top-loader washing machine.

The shower recess is a fair rather than fantastic size but has all the expected items including exhaust hatch/fan, LED light and adjustable shower rose.

Summing up

The 2019 Jayco Silverline ticks most of the boxes for a couple wanting all the luxuries and space when on a caravanning holiday.

While the wireless technology is a nice addition to the spec sheet, it could be more cohesive and the question remains whether some of it -- such as the awning control -- is really necessary in the relatively small confines of a caravan.

2019 Jayco Silverline 21.65-3 Outback

Travel length: 8065mm (25ft 5in)
Body length (open length): 6760mm (22ft 2in)
External body width: 2320mm (7ft 7in)
Travel height: 3080mm (10ft 1in)
Interior height: 1900mm (6ft 2in)
Tare weight: 2665kg
ATM: 3120kg
Ball weight: 183kg
Body: Fibreglass composite
Chassis: Galvanised steel 150x50mm
Suspension: Independent, coli springs and shocks
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Stability Control: AL-KO ESC
Wheels: 16-inch alloy with 245/70R16 tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 82L
Battery: 1 x 100Ah AGM
Solar: 160watts
Air-conditioner: Dometic
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Suburban Nautilus LP gas on-demand
Cooking: Dometic three gas/one electric hob, grill, oven
Fridge: Dometic 224L three-way fridge/freezer
Microwave: Sphere
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: Sphere 24-inch LED TV/DVD
Price: $88,929 (drive away NSW)
Options fitted: Grey water tank ($619), Truma gas heater ($2475)
Supplied by: Jayco Sydney, St Marys, NSW
More info: Jayco Australia