Silver lining for Jayco buyers

Australia’s most successful RV manufacturer has kicked off the new year with a bang, rolling out a number of new or revamped models to dealers including a new flagship Silverline caravan fitted with the company's first independent coil suspension.

Boasting bold new styling touches, straight out of the design handbook of Jayco boss Gerry Ryan's favourite European manufacturer Hobby, the 2014 Silverline replaces the Sterling at the top of Jayco’s caravan range.

While retaining the Sterling’s fibreglass body construction, the Silverline stands apart with new front and rear moulds, fresh exterior graphics, new-style alloy wheels, diamond-shape taillights and a striking ‘blacked out’ front window cover arrangement to go with the heavily tinted glass door and windows.

Adding to the slick new look is an upgraded rear chrome bumper, gloss plastic spare wheel compartment that slots neatly under the A-frame, and a motorhome-style slide-out hatch for the two gas bottles.

Both standard as well as optional Outback versions of the Silverline also come with Jayco’s new independent suspension. Designed for “harsh Australian conditions” and subject to a tough, two year testing program, the beefy off-road set-up features heavy-duty Pedders shocks and coil springs inserted with Aeon hollow rubber springs for progressive damping.

According to Jayco, the new suspension is manufactured using automotive processes including pressing, CNC machining and robotic welding. Like the popular Cruisemaster independent suspension, it boosts road clearance significantly while offering toe-in/toe-out adjustment for wheel alignment.

It also comes with Al-Ko stub axles, bearing and brakes to make it compatible with Al-Ko electronic stability control (ESC) fitted standard to all Silverline models.

The top-spec Jayco van also benefits from a significant interior makeover, with classy new décor colours and finishes including Hamilton Maple timber for the two-tone curved cabinetry, floral pattern splashback, and stylish mocha finish for the new square shower design.

The rear bathroom also features a new-style vanity, 3kg washing machine, and dual towel rail on the sliding door.

There’s a larger roof hatch for the living area, while the compact kitchen gains a bigger Dometic 190 litre fridge/freezer and new Sphere microwave and LED ‘touchscreen’ rangehood, all finished in gloss black. There are also new soft-close drawers and shelving for the overhead lockers.

Jayco has upgraded the LED internal lighting, and added a Fusion CD player with internal and external speakers, satellite TV provision on some versions, and choice of five leather lounge colours.

The Silverline is available in body sizes from 21ft to 25ft, with 10 base layouts available including new slide-out versions.

Full specifications and pricing are now available at Jayco dealers, with equivalent models costing up to $5000 more than the outgoing Sterling. ??

Overall weight of the featured-packed new model has also risen by up to 200kg, with the Silverline 21.65-3 tandem axle, slide-out model, for example, boasting a Tare of around 2400kg and 2800kg ATM. It has a RRP of $65,000, although pricing may vary from state to state.

Meanwhile, Jayco has replaced its Discovery and Sterling pop-top models with a new ‘up-spec’ Journey model, further differentiating its slick fibreglass pop-tops from the increasingly popular, cut-price aluminium Starcraft models.

As well as the option of Jayco's new off-road suspension, all Journey pop-tops come with a 19in LED TV/DVD, Winegard antenna and Fusion stereo. Twelve layouts are available including two new, full width rear ensuite versions.

Jayco has also given its budget camper trailer range a freshen up with splashes of bright blue across the body, and comfy coil spring instead of foam-filled mattresses now standard across the range, adding around $200 to prices.