Which Jayco is right for me?

Jayco has come a long way since it started building wind-up campers in a backyard almost 50 years ago.

Over time the Dandenong, Victoria-based manufacturer has grown and broadened its offerings to almost every type of RV you can imagine, from small teardrop-type campers, pop-tops, toy haulers and full-size caravans through to campervans and motorhomes.

It’s by far the most diverse Australian one-stop shop RV brand, with only a few ‘holes’ in the current line-up; mostly niche or ‘unloved’ models like fifth-wheelers and bigger A-class motorhomes.

Here we’re providing a quick explainer to walk you through the major model families at Australia’s biggest RV manufacturer, and help you decide which model to park in your driveway if you have your heart set on a Jayco RV....

The Jayco range begins with its smallest RV, the Jayco J-Pod. This is a compact, easy-to-tow two-berth teardrop-style camper that suits first-timer campers or those thinking of down-sizing.

It can be towed easily by a small car or SUV, while its compact dimensions make it easier to store in confined urban areas too.

Cooking facilities, onboard water storage and 12V lighting are covered off, but otherwise you’ll need to use the caravan park shower block or carry a pop-up tent for ablutions. An external shower and continuous hot water system are on the options list.

The base, road-going $24,490 Sport model comes with a slide-out kitchen, side-awning and 100A battery and weighs just 976kg with a full load. Stepping up to the $30,190 Outback variant gets extra features like an Outback endurance chassis with JTECH 2.0 independent suspension, checkerplate protection, big front toolbox, 200W solar panel, 100A battery and a large rear tent.

Jayco recently added a new range-topping variant in the $30,440 Jayco JPod-X, which includes standard features like a fridge and batwing awning.

Find your own Jayco J-Pod here at caravancampingsales.

Jayco has been making wind-up camper trailers since its inception in 1975, and its longest-running RV type is currently offered in six variants, from three-berth to six-berth layouts, and with Tare weights from 900kg to 1200kg.

With prices starting in the low $20,000s, they’re a good option for just about everyone, from couples to budget-conscious families. They’re relatively easy to tow and store, but require some extra set-up effort with their wind-up roof and slide-out beds.

Like the J-Pods, the only bathroom or shower option is an extra-cost external pop-up tent. Buyers can also choose from Touring or more expensive Outback off-road spec for each camper trailer variant, depending on how far off the beaten track you plan to head. From the $23,590 three-berth Swift Touring though to the $36,490 six-berth Swan Outback, there are plenty of camping options here.

Find your own Jayco Camper Trailer here at caravancampingsales.

Pop-tops offer most of the advantages of a full-size caravan with additional storage and towing benefits, and Jayco offers a wide range, through its Journey, Expanda and All Terrain model ranges.

These often compact and lightweight, single- and tandem-axle pop-top caravans come with multiple floorplans including some with an ensuite shower toilet. They’re a great option for those starting out on their caravan journey, with the entry-level, two-berth 12ft 1in Journey Touring starting at $35,690, to couples or families wanting more of a ‘home away from home’ adventure, with a range-topping four-berth 17ft 8in All Terrain Pop Top priced at $74,690 also available.

Find your own Jayco Pop Top here at caravancampingsales.

Sometimes there’s a need to get away from it all with a camper that’ll provide compact track-friendly dimensions and a light weight (from 1400kg Tare).

Here the two-berth Jayco Crosstrak hybrid campers come to the fore, priced from $49,390 (for the 13ft 1in variant) to $55,390 (16ft variant with internal ensuite and kitchen).

Designed for outside cooking, all Jayco Crosstraks come with an external kitchen, with gas cooktop, fridge slide and stainless steel sink. And with JTECH suspension, and battery and solar power, they are a great option for a remote bush or beach get-away whether you’re a single, couple or young family.

Find your own Jayco Crosstrak here at caravancampingsales.

With four models on offer, there’s a full-size caravan for just about every budget and every requirement in the Jayco range, including big families wanting to get away and couples doing the big lap and wanting to spend a lot of time outside caravan parks.

Starcraft, Journey, All Terrain and Silverline models cover basic comfortable touring to luxury glamping. The Jayco caravan range starts with the $49,990 15ft 1in Starcraft and works its way up to the premium 24ft 4in off-road Silverline Outback complete with large lounge and bed slide-out, from $105,790.

Aimed at both couples and families, the new All Terrain Off-Grid X is Jayco’s entry into the growing off-grid caravan market. They come loaded with lithium battery power and off-road features and are among Jayco’s most expensive caravan modals with prices starting at $101,790.

Find your own Jayco Caravan here at caravancampingsales.

Jayco offers an ideal basecamp – part-caravan, part-garage option primarily aimed at off-road motorcycle enthusiasts – with the two Toy Hauler models in its range: the Work’n’Play and Basestation.

Both offer internal sleeping, cooking and bathroom amenities, and off-road independent suspension and off-grid camping features, along with rear garage space including a fold-down ramp for easier loading and unloading of your toys.

The $77,390 Jayco Work’n’Play is a compact 17ft, 2100kg Tare caravan that’ll sleep two adults in the slide-out front double bed and two children in fold-out beds at the rear.

The $89,390 Jayco Basestation is a larger 24ft, 2710kg Tare Toy Hauler that offers a slide-out front bed, a slide-out dinette, cooking facilities and ensuite as well as up to four berths – including beds that fold up to allow room for push bikes or motorcycles as with the Work’n’Play.

Find your own Jayco Toy Hauler here at caravancampingsales.

All Jayco Campervan conversions are built in Australia for Australian conditions and while the cut-price Toyota HiAce camper is no longer available, there are a few other options for the vanlife crowd.

Easier to drive and park than larger motorhomes, they’re aimed at both solo and couple travellers. Jayco’s Campervans are fully featured like a larger motorhome with creature comforts such as internal shower/toilet, cooking facilities, air-conditioning and off-grid capacity. Yet they provide a more compact footprint on the road, are a little more fuel-efficient and are easier to park.

These campers can be on a regular drivers licence and parked easily in a van-sized car park. Three models are on offer: the JRV (from $127,500) based on the Renault Master; the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based Optimum ($145,900); and 4WD $168,990 All Terrain.

Find your own Jayco Campervan here at caravancampingsales.

Jayco’s two-tier motorhome range opens with the Conquest and closes out with the premium Optimum series. Both offer up to four berths and ample room to move around inside, thanks to a dedicated fit-out body on the donor cab-chassis – either a Renault Master, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Fiat Ducato for the Conquest or Iveco Daily for the Optimum.

Priced from $131,990, the Conquest comes in six configurations, ranging from 20ft 5in to 25ft 3in lengths. There are 25ft 1in and 25ft 2in layouts with slide-out beds, while a 25ft 3in layout also offers a dinette slide-out unit.

The five-layout Optimum is the top-spec motorhome in Jayco’s line-up, and comes packed with the sort of high-end features you might expect to see in better hotels. These include leather-trimmed seating, innerspring pillowtop mattresses, satellite dishes and dishwashers, with prices kicking off at $184,990 for the 24ft 4in fit-out, all the way to the 29ft 5in model from $277,990.

Find your own Jayco Motorhome here at caravancampingsales.