Unique four-berth Jayco campervan rolls out

Aussie recreational vehicle heavyweight Jayco has expanded its campervan range, with a novel Fiat Ducato-based model featuring a pop-top roof-mounted bed in addition to a lower east-west bed that was teased to the public last year, now officially in production and rolling out to dealerships.

The new 19-foot Jayco JRV FD.19-4 model, which was showcased to journalists at a recent media event at Jayco headquarters in Dandenong South, Melbourne, is essentially the same compact model as the existing two-berth Ducato-based Jayco JRV FD.19-1, just with the addition of the pop-up roof bed which is accessed by a folding ladder that can be stowed in the compartment over the cab when not required.

The new model also features a Truma air-conditioning unit beneath the rear bed, instead of the roof-mounted Dometic unit in the FD.19-1, while it also has a slightly different TV antenna. Because of the positioning of the Truma unit, the bed in the FD.19-4 remains permanently in place, with underbed storage limited to the central tunnel below.

Jayco JRV FD.19-4 pricing and features

Priced at $139,990 drive away, the new model is $12,490 dearer than the two-berth Ducato JRV, and $6000 dearer than the 22-foot Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based two-berth JRV model. While the entry-level 19-foot Renault Master-based two-berth model, the JRV RM.19-1, is currently priced sharply from $99,990 drive away.

The new four-berth campervan measures 6370mm long and has a travel height of 2740mm, and with a tare weight of 2980kg and a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4005kg, the Fiat Ducato’s four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine puts out a claimed 120kW and 400Nm. This front-drive model is also equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 90L fuel tank, along with a host of active and passive safety features.

Standard features include a 100Ah battery with Projecta battery management system, 200W solar panel, an 85L fridge, 90L freshwater tank, 80L grey water tank, microwave oven, gas cooktop, and separate ensuite with a shower over the Thetford cassette toilet.

Versatile performer

According to Jayco’s Manager, Motorised Division, Bruce Astbury, the new four-berth JRV has struck a chord with a particular segment of the motorhome market.

“Unique for this particular model is its pop-top roof; essentially it’s probably the only true four-berth campervan on the market, with seating for four but also sleeping for four,” he said.

“We’re finding the main market for this is retirees who have grandkids. They want the option to take their grandkids with them, or they want this model to be able to lend it within their own families.

“The good thing here is that if you don’t want to use the roof you can leave it down permanently. It’s still got a hatch in it but it’s really no different to a normal van, so it’s very versatile.”

Towing capability

Mr Astbury said that while the pricing for the FD.19-4 probably placed it beyond many family buyers, the model was proving popular with some families who need to travel and tow, with the model boasting a braked towing capacity of 2400kg.

“We spoke with one person at the recent Melbourne Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow who said this new model was perfect for them, because at that time he was towing a boat, while his wife was towing a caravan. ‘Now we can haul the lot with just one vehicle,’ he said.

“With this sort of vehicle you could comfortably own just the one vehicle. You can use it every day, it fits into a normal car park, and it gives you that flexibility that you could go holidaying too or even just take it on picnics. We do have products in our range that may seat more than two, but until now you couldn’t sleep four comfortably without having to put up a tent.”

On sale now

The Jayco JRV FD.19-4 was initially displayed in prototype form at caravan shows last year, but it has only recently gone into production and will be reaching dealership floors shortly.

“It was first shown nearly 12 months ago but it’s probably more to do with the supply of vehicles as to why it’s only hitting the market now,” said Mr Astbury.

“There is not a lot of them out there just yet, but they’re in production and we’re also putting them out there within our rental fleets, like Let’s Go Motorhome.”

For full details head to the Jayco JRV web page.