Jayco Starcraft 2020 Review

If there’s one thing that Jayco does better than most of its competitors, it’s adapting to a changing market.

As one of Australia’s oldest as well as biggest RV manufacturers, Jayco currently offers hundreds of model variants across 12 product ranges, from tiny teardrops to spacious C-class motorhomes.

But the line-up is ever evolving: as quickly as Jayco adds new, on-trend products like compact hybrids and cheap hard-floor campers, it ditches less popular, under-performing models like American-style fifth-wheelers and Kombi-like campervans.

Return of the Starcraft

Enter Jayco’s latest full size, fixed roof Starcraft; priced just above Jayco's $43,490 entry-level 15ft Freedom but around $10,000 less than equivalent-sized Journey models, the new Starcraft touring van taps into the recent market downturn by delivering another sub-$50,000 option to cash-strapped buyers in the 19ft market ‘sweet spot’.

It also marks a return of the Starcraft name, after it was replaced by the more upmarket, fibreglass-clad Journey in better economic times about two years ago.

Two circa-2000kg Tare weight Starcraft models are currently available: a 19.61.6 family van with a front side door, transverse front queen bed and twin stacked rear door-side bunks and a 19.61-4 couples caravan, with a rear side door and island front north-south queen bed -- both also with kitchens and a separate shower and toilet.

Priced from $46,490, both feature almost identical bodywork, including fully insulated quad-layer walls with ribbed aluminium external cladding over 3mm ply, an aluminium frame and internal wall ply. There's also some upmarket ‘gloss’ in the form of a ‘hail-resistant’ one-piece fibreglass skin over the roof and upper front sections, together with a separate fibreglass rear wall.

Silver lining

Tapping into the go-anywhere visual appeal of more rugged Jayco models like the All-Terrain Journey, the Starcraft features the latest silver/grey exterior look with contrasting black lower cladding, gloss plastic wheel and taillight surrounds and some padded vinyl protection at the front – although the modest ground clearance, lack of checker plate and basic leaf spring suspension limit the Starcraft to mostly smooth bitumen or graded dirt surfaces.

The lack of off-road armour does have an upside, making the Starcraft lighter as well as easier and cheaper to tow behind a range of mid-sized tow vehicles. The family Starcraft reviewed here boasts an unloaded (Tare) weight of 2028kg, with a payload allowance of 428kg and ball weight (at Tare) of 136kg.

Also helping keep the weight down is a single spare tyre mounted directly to the rear wall, smaller 14in alloy wheels with highway tyres and use of lightweight plastics wherever possible, including the ensuite basin inside. (Although hot dipped galvanising the chassis -- a superior rust prevention method used on all Jayco vans -- negates some of these weight-reduction measures).

Storage aplenty

The Starcraft's drawbar is a pretty bare affair, except for the two exposed 9kg gas bottles, removable AL-KO jockey wheel and 50mm ball coupling. Befitting its cut-price status, our Starcraft review van is missing an A-frame tap, gas bayonet and ESC stability control, and the wind-down corner stabilisers are a budget variety.

However, water storage is up to scratch with two 82 litre protected tanks located fore and aft of the tandem axles, and external storage options above-average for a 19ft caravan. These include a lino-lined tunnel boot with internal light -- big enough to take a small BBQ -- plus a motorhome-style storage locker towards the rear onside, that should easily swallow camp chairs, folding tables and other bulky gear.

Another small hatch next to the tunnel boot provides limited access to the large under-bed storage area, which is better accessed from inside.

Other external highlights include a full width Carefree roll-out awning and matching black Camec security door, awning light and glow-in-the-dark grab handle, 240V inlet/outlet and external speakers. However, another noticeable omission is a drop-down picnic table – a ubiquitous accessory fitted to just about every caravan now sold in Australia.

Family-friendly interior

Inside the Starcraft, there's just about everything you’d expect in a modern family caravan, including a large queen bed, four-person dinette/lounge, twin bunks, separate shower and toilet with washing machine, and a good variety of open and closed storage options.

The downside of all these 'big van' features is not a lot of floorspace available for family members to move around inside the van, although the high roofline, light décor and a number of good-sized windows and roof hatches help deliver an airy, welcoming feel.

It might be an entry-level model but the décor and finishings in the Starcraft don’t look overly cheap. While not quite up to Silverline standards, the lightweight gloss Tecnoform cabinetry lifts the tone considerably, as does the smart two-tone cloth upholstery and neat fit and finish.

With front access only, the east-west queen bed might put a few buyers off, but the coil spring mattress is quite comfy and big enough for longer adults to stretch out.

Some sizable ‘cubby’ holes and a shelf up one bed end will keep mobile phones and other knick knacks out of the way, while the windowless wall at the other end would make a great lounging spot with a some pillows or extra cushions in place.

Much of the electrical ‘hardware’ is located in various compartments under the bed, including the 100Ah AGM battery, BMPro J35 battery manager, Suburban Nautilus instant hot water unit and Shurflo water pump. There's some space remaining for smaller items along with a dedicated drawer that pulls out at the side without having to lift the mattress.

Otherwise, the five overhead lockers running along three walls above the bed are a good spot for parents’ clothes, with the large wardrobe with drawers and shelving along the back wall handy for storing all the kids' stuff.

Family dining covered

Due to space limitations the Starcraft misses out on a more family-friendly L-shaped lounge/dinette. However, the club dinette is fine for seating four people for meals or board games. The tabletop can also be used as a base to create another bed, to sleep another small child or two, and there's a pull-out drawer under each seat for more storage options.

The Starcraft's kitchen is well equipped for family cooking, with a Dometic four gas burner hob and grill, rangehood, and 169 litre fridge/freezer. There’s a a good size microwave fitted above the fridge in lieu of a more conventional oven, and some free benchspace next to the large stainless steel sink and drainer for food prep. However, this is also the spot for the freestanding 24in TV/DVD, with all the connections including to the optional Winegard aerial located close by on the wall.

There are some decent storage areas above and below the kitchen benchtop, including five drawers, three cupboards and three overhead lockers. None are big enough for larger pots and pans but you could store these in the large space under the lower bunk, which is also accessible from outside.

Children's zone

Most Aussie family caravans feature the bunks and bathroom sections at the rear, separated by a wardrobe, and the Starcraft is no different. In this case, the two bunks feature thick foam mattresses sufficiently long enough for lanky teenagers.

There's also a lightweight portable ladder to get to the top bunk, and each bunk gets a privacy curtain, safety barrier, reading light, single 12V and dual 240V sockets and Dometic window with built-in screen and blind.

There’s not much standing (or squatting) room in the bathroom opposite, but it’s all there including a vanity with cabinet, plastic sink and mixer tap, small mirror, cup holder, and soap dispenser.

There's a separate cabinet for the (optional) top-loader 3.3kg washing machine, next to the Thetford swiveling cassette toilet with toilet roll holder, located underneath the large window.

The fibreglass shower cubicle features a solid, three-section clear window door, shower rose with mixer tap, soap and shampoo holder, and 12V fan hatch. There’s another roof hatch near the bunks for extra ventilation at night, and a privacy curtain to close off the ‘kids’ area at night.

About all that’s missing is a towel rack, and longer-legged adults will find it squishy sitting on the toilet with the concertina door closed.

Surprisingly, the budget Starcraft comes with a top-shelf Dometic Ibis 4 roof-top air-conditioner, but disappointingly misses out on a water tanks monitor. However, there are sufficient 12V/240V sockets located in all the right places, along with a good assortment of roof and reading lights.

Although our time in the van was limited, build quality overall seemed pretty good, except for a couple of unfinished areas inside some of the cabinetry and one of the positive lock door catches proving a bit ‘sticky’.

Summing up

There’s a lot to like about the new Jayco Starcraft range, with the family version reviewed here still managing to sneak under $50,000 despite a few options fitted.

At two and half tonnes fully loaded, it's a well-equipped family touring van that should tow nicely behind a range of popular tow vehicles including the three tonne tow rated Isuzu MU-X that we used to get it to our photo-shoot location.

2020 Jayco Starcraft 19.61-6

Travel length: 7667mm
Body length: 6025mm
External body width: 2470mm
Travel height: 2895mm
Interior height: 1975mm
Tare weight: 2028kg
ATM: 2456kg
Ball weight (Tare): 136kg
Body: timber/aluminium frame, insulated, aluminium cladding, fibreglass roof and rear wall
Chassis: Hot dipped galvanised steel 125x50mm
Suspension: Tandem leaf springs
Brakes: 10in electric drums
Stability Control: AL-KO ESC
Wheels: 14-inch alloy with 185R14C GT Radial ST-6000 tyres
Fresh water: 2 x 82L
Battery: 1 x 100Ah AGM
Air-conditioner: Dometic Ibis 4
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Suburban Nautilus gas/electric
Cooking: Dometic four gas hob, grill
Fridge: Thetford 169L three-way fridge/freezer
Microwave: Sphere
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Separate cubicle
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: Sphere 24-inch LED TV/DVD
Price: From $46,490. As reviewed: $48,051
Options fitted: Winegard TV antenna ($433), Sphere 3.3kg top load washing machine ($550), Furrion radio with internal/external speakers (578)
Supplied by: Jayco Australia, Dandenong, Victoria