Mini Review: Jayco Optimum

Fiat Ducato-based motorhomes, like the 27ft 6in (8.4m) tandem axle Jayco Optimum, are popular with buyers and manufacturers alike. The Jayco Optimum is attached to an Al-Ko chassis, the extra axle providing additional room and layout flexibility, and a GVM of 5000kg for more capacity. You will need a Light Rigid truck licence to drive it, but it's worth going to the effort.

Powered by a 115kW 3L turbodiesel engine, the Ducato easily copes with the Optimum's extra length. Ours came with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Optimum drives like others in Jayco's line-up. You'll notice the extra length when turning sharp corners, though. A reversing camera screen in the driver's cab and two cameras provide a wide and narrow view.

External storage includes three bins on the nearside, two on the offside and a gas locker for two 4kg cylinders behind the driver's door. Entry is via a Roamsafe security door, the windows are Seitz hoppers and the awning, a Carefree, operates electronically.

Inside, the Jayco Optimum has a full width rear bathroom, adjoining an east-west bedroom. A nearside kitchen bench is opposite a four-person dinette. Ventilation is supplied by big Seitz hatches and there is a roof-mounted air-conditioner.

The dinette has leather seats, the rear seats having high backs and seat belts. A large window gives a good view of the surrounding countryside and there are both overhead lockers and a small shelf above the dinette. Halogen downlights provide table and reading illumination and fitted to the base of the rear seat is a powerpoint.

The flatscreen TV is mounted on the cabinet fitted between the door and front cab, which has a cupboard and open shelves.

Above the cab, the C class motorhome is fitted with a Luton bed measuring 6ft 11in x 4ft 2in (2.1m x 1.27m). Ceiling height in the Luton is 1ft 10in (560mm) and there is one ceiling light fitted towards the offside.

The nearside contains a Smev four-burner cooktop, grill and oven. One of the burners is gas, the rest electric. Alongside the stove is a stainless steel sink. Bench top area is generous and there's a good supply of drawer space (five of different sizes), cupboards (two) and overhead lockers (three). Other appliances include the Dometic 150L fridge and LG microwave.

The kitchen is lit with halogen lights, a bench top downlight and rangehood light. Powerpoints are fitted near the bench.

The Jayco Optimum has a luxury island double bed. The innerspring mattress is 4ft 4in x 5ft 5in (1.32m x 1.65m) in its short form and 6ft 1in (1.85m) extended. There are two full height cabinets fitted with wardrobe, drawer and cupboard. In both corners at the foot of the bed are waist height cabinets, one has half height mirrors above and the other has shelves, a small cupboard, AM/FM radio/CD/DVD player, plus a mounting bracket for a flatscreen TV. On both sides of the bed is a shelf.

The rear bathroom has the full fitout: a circular door shower in the nearside corner, a vanity cabinet in the middle, a Thetford cassette toilet on the offside and a Lemair top loading washing machine.

The extra length makes the Optimum ideal for family travel, and for two its well placed second bed suits long term travel.

Jayco Sydney
63-67 Glossop Street
St Mary's, NSW 2760
(02) 9623 1971
http://www.jaycosydney.com.au/,

For more information on Jayco, including your nearest dealer, phone
1300 JAYCORV, or visit http://www.jayco.com.au/