Jayco Starcraft 16.67.SC

WE LIKED:
>> Bunk bed layout with reasonable cupboard space
>> Sharply priced
>> Easily towed by many vehicles

NOT SO MUCH:
>> No dinette reading lights
>> Narrow main bed
>> Hot water system and battery optional

There was a time, a decade or three ago, when family caravans were the mainstay of the caravan manufacturing industry. But along with the Kingswoods, Falcons and Valiants used to tow them, those times are long gone.

To the uninitiated, it might appear that the family caravan has disappeared altogether, unless your budget runs to a $75K custom-built van, that is.

However, a little research will reveal plenty on the market. Indeed, a van such as this Jayco Starcraft pop-top comes in at just over $30,000, which makes it one of the cheapest family vans on the market.

Jayco has revamped its entry-level, aluminium-clad Starcraft caravan range for 2013 and the compact 16.67.SC model reviewed here is a reminder that family caravans needn’t be large, tandem-axle rigs.

Sure, it doesn’t feature some of the flashier items found on more expensive family vans, but what exactly does it come with? Read on…

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

The Starcraft 16.67.SC is underpinned by the company’s hot dipped galvanized Endurance chassis. This translates to 100 x 50mm main rails, a similarly-sized drawbar, and pressed-hole crossmembers between the rails.

This design is all about keeping the weight in check while retaining the required strength. The suspension is standard fare: a leaf spring set-up that’s undemanding and simple to maintain and repair.

Jayco’s body structure with the Starcraft range is quite straightforward: a 19mm square aluminium frame clad with aluminium, while the roof is a one-piece fibreglass sandwich arrangement.

Instead of the traditional front boot, Jayco has fitted a front tunnel that offers a nominal amount of storage space for hoses, camp chairs and the like. There’s also a small storage bin at the nearside rear.

Of course, a question that comes to mind with this budget caravan is the affordability of a matching tow vehicle. Well, the good news is that with a Tare of 1365kg and an ATM of 1665kg, this van is a good match with many vehicles found in the family garage.

It’s worth keeping in mind this van’s ball weight, though. Unladen, our van came in at 147kg, but that’s certainly going to increase between 20-30kg, at least, so depending on your vehicle, I’d recommend careful packing and weighing.

A family is certainly going to have more gear on board than a couple, but there’s a limit!

BEDS FOR BACKS

In a van of this size, there are bound to be compromises, but the big surprise in this Starcraft concerns the bed layout. Up front is the (smallish) bed for mum and dad, while the junior members get a choice of three beds: bunks in the offside corner or a raised bed across the rear.

This leaves room for a kitchen bench mid-offside and a dinette opposite.

So with four people in the van, things are going to be a little cramped and, for long term stays, there’s definitely a case for extending the budget for an annexe to go with the awning.

The corner bunk bed arrangement has been designed with a dual purpose in mind. One is, naturally, for sleeping, with the three beds definitely for children.

But the reason for the raised bed is the considerable amount of storage space underneath, with multiple drawers and cupboards fitted. And for yet more storage in this part of the van, there’s a wardrobe fitted between the bed and the dinette.

Each of the beds, by the way, comes with a window, curtain, reading light and a powerpoint.

Inevitably, a relatively small family caravan is going to have a compact kitchen – in this case, there’s almost no bench space.

Filling the bench is a four-burner cooktop (one gas, three electric) with a griller, and a stainless steel sink and drainer.

As standard, this van is fitted with a relatively small 90 litre Dometic fridge, but the optional 150 litre three-way unit seen here is definitely a welcome addition – this is a family van, after all.

Given there’s no overhead locker space, the microwave is mounted under the griller, so a little bit of bending over is required. All of this leaves space for two drawers, two floor lockers and a small wall-height locker above the sink.

Opposite the kitchen, the café-style dinette is good for two adults and two children, but unfortunately there are no reading lights.  However, under-seat drawers are fitted to both seats as well as to the back of the front seat, near the entry door.

The forward bed (with foam mattress) measures 1.98 x 1.17m (6ft 6in x 3ft 10in), so it’s a tight squeeze, width-wise, for two adults. A small bedhead with storage cavities and shelf takes up the offside wall, and also fitted here are two reading lights, a powerpoint and antenna connection for a small TV.

Lifting the bed reveals not only the metal-framed, timber-slatted bed base, but a storage area, too.

VERDICT

It’s nice to see a family van that packs in plenty for the money, and this Starcraft certainly comes with most features expected in a contemporary van. Still it would be nice to see basic items like a house battery and hot water system fitted as standard.

Given its compact interior, I’d recommend any family spend some time just sitting in in this van, going through some of the motions of caravan living, including testing out the beds for size, while also considering an annexe as part of the purchase, before committing to it.

Jayco also does a very similar layout, but with a small bathroom in place of one of the rear bunks, which is worth considering.

JAYCO STARCRAFT 16.67.SC POP-TOP

Overall length: 6.7m (22ft)
External body length: 5.2m (17ft)
External body width: 2.47m (8ft 1in)
Travel height: 2.16m (7ft 1in)
Internal height: 2.1m (6ft 7in))
Tare: 1365kg
ATM: 1665kg
Ball weight: 147kg (unladen)
Frame: Aluminium
Cladding: Aluminium
Chassis: Hot-dipped galvanised steel
Suspension: Leaf spring
Brakes: Electric 10in
Wheels: 14in alloys
Fresh water: 1 x 82 litre
Battery: No
Solar: No
Air-conditioner: optional Truma Aventa
Gas: 1 x 9kg
ESC: No
Cooking: Dometic four-burner and grill
Fridge: Optional Dometic RM2553 150 litre three-way
Microwave: Yes 
Toilet: N/A
Shower: N/A
Lighting: 12V LED
Hot water: No
Price: $31,724 (tow-away, NSW)
Supplied by: Jayco Sydney, 63-67 Glossop Street, St Marys, NSW
More info: Jayco Australia