Jayco targets cheap Chinese campers

Jayco has revealed images of its new entry-level tent trailer, that with a forward-fold, canvas roof design and sub-$20,000 starting price, will attempt to take a slice of the booming cut-price camper market.

The new Jayco JTRAK will be the first model for Australia's biggest RV manufacturer in the hyper-competitive budget tent trailer market, dominated by Chinese brands including MDC, Black Series, EzyTrail and Mars, and which accounts for as many as 10,000 sales in Australia annually.

Four Jayco JTRAK variants are being offered: two in on-road Touring spec, and two in Outback spec, riding on Jayco’s latest JTECH independent coil suspension. All have a galvanized chassis, incorporating a box frame for the hard wall body sections.

Modelled on the popular four berth, forward-fold design, the Jayco JTRAK features an elevated north-south, 1600m wide double bed towards the front, together with a hard-floor living area with dinette/club lounge that converts to another 1940mm wide double bed.

The canvas tent covering the indoor living area appears to have a built-in tropical roof, along with the usual array of screened windows on all four sides, some with flaps for further weather protection.

The entry-level JTRAK Touring has a travel length of 4800mm, travel height of 1450mm, Tare of 950kg and a tow ball weight of 105kg, while the slightly larger and heavier, top-spec Outback X version has a travel length of 5250mm, travel height of 1500mm, Tare of 1400kg and ball weight of 170kg.

The JTRAK will also be available with an inflatable annexe, that’s exclusive to Jayco.

Jayco has produced a brochure but announced few details about standard features, although the tent trailers appear to come with a 12V battery system, water storage and charging sockets, as well as a pull-out kitchen with sink and gas cooktop.

As well as the JTECH 2.0 suspension, it also appears that Outback versions get more external storage, courtesy of a drawbar-mounted toolbox, and fold-out entry steps to cope with the extra road clearance.

Outback versions also appear to get two spare tyres, and a fold-over luggage rack. A wind-out winch to take the strain out of setting up the trailer is only available on Outback versions.

According to Jayco, the JTRAK is “Australian made for Australian conditions”, and will be in dealerships shortly.

Recommended pricing starts at $17,990 for the JTRAK Touring, rising to $23,990 for the range-topping Outback X.

Like other Jayco models, the JTRAK is backed by a a two year manufacturer and five year structural warranty.

As a promotion, Jayco is offering a $1000 tent trade-in for any orders on a Jayco JTRAK, or one of Jayco's more traditional wind-out camper trailers, between September 13-22.