Good review for a first impression. I have a 13 on order after many months of research. My main reason is the weight, departure angles, and size. Yes, Jayco builds are rough, especially when they bragged they spit out a new van every 16 minutes. This will be my 3rd Jayco but the after sales from experience has always been positive. Also, being a tradesman, I can handle doing improvements that they won't do on a build sheet. As they are pretty much a flat pack van and you can't change their design until your dealer or yourself takes ownership.
Thanks for such an in-depth review! Really helpful. I've just ordered my own of the exact same van as yours, just the 2022 model... TH-cam videos like yours give a lot more indepth information than Jayco itself give you... so really fantastic, thank you! You answered some of my questions for Jayco just through the demonstration, etc. Can't wait for mine to arrive...!
Great review , We are on our second Jayco , the ultimate DIY van , built for those who love to work on their gear . Still love them cause they don't cost $100 grand.
THanks for your unbiased and informative insights. The 'bones' of this unit seem fundamentally OK. I viewed one when they first came out at a show a couple of years ago and was impressed with the innovative design. They seem a good buy value wise but it probably helps if you have a few trade skills to iron the bugs. Not tool impressed with the penetrations that need more bogging up !
Great video and information. We are looking for a replacement for our 2010 Jayco Penguin outback. It has been good and we also had to fix a few things along the way. At Alice Springs we had our door put back on with heavy duty pop rivets. We didn't really want another Jayco and your video has reinforced that...thankyou
This is a great honest review! Good work! Thanks! We are looking at a cross trak... surprised by jaycos workmanship... thought it would be of a higher standard...
Thanks for getting in touch. I guess you never know what you might get in most brands these days. We still reckon Jayco is pretty good. We’re happy so far 😊
Great unbiased review. Was thinking of buying one, now have decided to do so unfortunately none for sale. If you ever decide to sell would be interested.
My mate worked at jayco in dandenong south a few yrs ago and he told me never to buy one as they are rough as bags and they pump them out with little or no quality control, and as you have just pointed out with the problems you have shown us I wouldn’t buy one in a fit
See the angle on that cig socket beside the antenna plug when you were talking about raptor painting. Geez they are a bit slap dash. I really like the dimensions of the Crosstrak, storage and ease of setup so looking forward to more content. :)
I walked through a Jayco dealership in Brisbane and was surprised at some of the shoddy workmanship and materials they use. They’re definitely built to a price, trouble is that’s not the price they’re asking
Not sure if your fridge does but on my Engel,arb, and waeco you can unscrew the cig lighter tip piece from end of lead an this leaves a two prong plug which you can buy a factory made socket which is for the 2 prong plug I think they just call them a Engel socket can get them in exact same hole pattern and look as a narva 12 volt an it lets you push the plug in an screw the collar up to hold it in an never had issues myself. This may save cutting cord and loosing the cig lighter socket option. Great video an definitely showed the real issues an some solutions.
Thanks for your honesty review mate. Yeah gotta say the finish isn't the best and there shouldn't be any hoses etc exposed to rock strikes. The electrics in that storage area looks very exposed. I'm sure you'll sort it all out mate and it'll be sweet. Love the layout of the camper as it looks like something that'd be easy to set up and live with. Cheers and happy travels
Thanks for watching! It’s very easy to set up when you get to a camp site and yes, still got a bit of work on protecting underneath but just came back from Lorella Springs and nothing has broken yet!
Good review guys, some of the Jayco van look great but I wish they would beef up their quality control that’s the reason I decided to build instead of buy, with all your mods and repairs though it should serve you well 👍
OH mate I love it! Being an old Chippy myself it does my head in seeing great products let down by quality control. Jayco have always been such great innovators let down so badly by so many silly little quality issues. I would happily pay an extra $1k to have the quality nailed. Come on Gerry you're better than this! :-) Great review!
HI mate, Not sure if you have sorted your power issues... But if you have the J Control unit, for it to read correctly you will have to have your solar blanket/ any external charge from car etc coming in via the BC300 shunt/commlink bmpro sell otherwise the battery monitor reads incorrectly. You cant just hook up the solar blanket direct to battery even via a regulator its has to go though the shunt which is why running the Generator tops the battery up and it reads correctly as its being charged via the J35A/B/C/D.
Thank you for watching! Still got it, still in one piece. Just came back from Lorella springs 4wdriving in it. Our videos from this trip will be coming out over the next few weeks so stay tuned!
Thanks so much for going thru this. I was on the verge of buying but not now since I am not “handy” I will be set up for disappointment if I buy this this...it’s such a shame as I think this jay coins conceptually good...
It only puts power from the solar panel into battery when the battery draws power out of it, so you will notice not much happening because battery will be full, then it goes into float mode.
For the prices you pay, you think there workmanship could be a lot better, I noticed a number of issues with our old Outback Swift when we purchased it new
Hi - as a lead in for a first caravan I think it would work for a family of three for sure. I personally don’t see any structural faults with the van and think it depends on your budget and what works for you. Hope you find the right one 🙂
Hi Nick .Enjoyed your video. We also have the 13ft. Crosstrak and I want to upgrade poly block hitch to the Cruse Master DO 35. Did your have any problems fitting it especially regarding the hand brake? Cheers Rod
I put it on myself and it is a bit of work to readjust the handbrake cable. You need to shorten it and tighten at the hubs- would be easier for you have two people. It did take me a couple of hours but I got there in the end. Hope this helps!
Think this is a prototype from my late 2020 camper. Different location on the spare wheel carrier and completely different suspension and a lot more to much to mention.
Hi. We were able to get up onto the beach on track 5. We’ve got a video showing us towing on the beach and the access and why we ended up going up track 5. Check it out if you have time 👍🏼 th-cam.com/video/b1h_nKtlyhE/w-d-xo.html
Get yourself a Victron Energy MPPT solar charge controller they turn any panel into a power beast, and they really shine when conditions aren’t ideal. On recent trip ours had the 110a/h agm charged in around 2 hours on bulk charge then on float. We running the fridge 24/7, camp lights and 12v fans plus charging devices. Had power to burn
Check under your sink, ours wasn't sealed, water was leaking under it, there is a big mess of wiring under it. We got our money back on ours. Have a mdc now, heaps better than the jayco
Just wondering what you are going to use on the under joints sikaflex pro???? As I need to do a similar job lol and would be interesting on what product ?
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 Ok I was looking at the 291 marine as well as the Pro so one or the other i guess thanks for the response mate enjoy the crosstrack
connecting straight to batt the bmpro doesn't meter it, try the aux or buy the shunt. lithh batts might not be compatible with yr bmpro . i hve 2 batts and have enuff power. i find the water is the issue, not enuff. join the FB page....
Jayco have always had a bad name even there salesmen told me if your doing a lot of off-road work don’t buy a jayco because they’ll rattle to bits fill with dust and leak so I’m looking at the mdc forbes or the tanami x13
Good review for a first impression. I have a 13 on order after many months of research. My main reason is the weight, departure angles, and size. Yes, Jayco builds are rough, especially when they bragged they spit out a new van every 16 minutes. This will be my 3rd Jayco but the after sales from experience has always been positive. Also, being a tradesman, I can handle doing improvements that they won't do on a build sheet. As they are pretty much a flat pack van and you can't change their design until your dealer or yourself takes ownership.
Great informative Commentary, things you have mentioned I wouldn't have thought of . 10/10
Thanks for watching! Hope it was helpful!
Thanks for such an in-depth review! Really helpful.
I've just ordered my own of the exact same van as yours, just the 2022 model...
TH-cam videos like yours give a lot more indepth information than Jayco itself give you... so really fantastic, thank you! You answered some of my questions for Jayco just through the demonstration, etc.
Can't wait for mine to arrive...!
How exciting! It’s a good little caravan. Glad we could help and thanks for watching!
Thanks once again!! :-) cheers
Great review , We are on our second Jayco , the ultimate DIY van , built for those who love to work on their gear . Still love them cause they don't cost $100 grand.
Agreed! Nick is loving the tinkering I’m sure of it! Thanks for watching.
I enjoyed your review. We were looking at this model as it happens, so you've raised some interesting points. Cheers m8, happy travelling
Thanks! Hope you find something that suits you.
THanks for your unbiased and informative insights. The 'bones' of this unit seem fundamentally OK. I viewed one when they first came out at a show a couple of years ago and was impressed with the innovative design. They seem a good buy value wise but it probably helps if you have a few trade skills to iron the bugs. Not tool impressed with the penetrations that need more bogging up !
Guys fantastic review, I’m handy enough to sort those issues you have pointed out. Enjoy.
Thanks for the honest review and pointing out those issues.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks very much for such a good honest review and other tips. Enjoy your new van.
Thanks for watching!
Great video and information. We are looking for a replacement for our 2010 Jayco Penguin outback. It has been good and we also had to fix a few things along the way. At Alice Springs we had our door put back on with heavy duty pop rivets. We didn't really want another Jayco and your video has reinforced that...thankyou
Good luck with finding what you want!
Well done, an excellent video.
Provides a great summary and very useful information.
A very professional presentation.
Thanks for watching!
Was tossing up between a Jpod & one of these, so thx for the review.
When you get it sorted will be a great set-up.
Yep! Once we get there we’ll do an update. What did you decide in the end?
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 Look forward to the update, still weighing up the pro's & con's.
This is a great honest review! Good work! Thanks! We are looking at a cross trak... surprised by jaycos workmanship... thought it would be of a higher standard...
Thanks for getting in touch. I guess you never know what you might get in most brands these days. We still reckon Jayco is pretty good. We’re happy so far 😊
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 good to know... still makes me wanna get one too 👌👍
fantactic review hope we hear more from you off road
Sure will mate! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for a great review were looking to get a Crosstrak 13 ft. mmm might have to look a bit closer.
We’re very happy with ours just need to make sure you do a proper once over when you pick it up I would say. Thanks for watching!
Great unbiased review. Was thinking of buying one, now have decided to do so unfortunately none for sale. If you ever decide to sell would be interested.
Thanks! Yes there’s a bit of a wait on them now. I think we’ve got this one for a while sorry!
Great review, really helpful. Well done.
Thanks!
My mate worked at jayco in dandenong south a few yrs ago and he told me never to buy one as they are rough as bags and they pump them out with little or no quality control, and as you have just pointed out with the problems you have shown us I wouldn’t buy one in a fit
Hey appreciate your info vid from you and the Mrs, brilliant film work to follow you around . What camper trailer did you have fir 3 weeks?
See the angle on that cig socket beside the antenna plug when you were talking about raptor painting. Geez they are a bit slap dash. I really like the dimensions of the Crosstrak, storage and ease of setup so looking forward to more content. :)
More content coming soon 👍🏼
I walked through a Jayco dealership in Brisbane and was surprised at some of the shoddy workmanship and materials they use. They’re definitely built to a price, trouble is that’s not the price they’re asking
Yeah it’s a hard one isn’t it! I guess you’ve got to go with what you can afford too. I hope you find what you want. Thanks for watching!
Kings of the caravan world!?
I agree, what we can afford. 😊😊😊
What mods have you done since the purchase?
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003
Not sure if your fridge does but on my Engel,arb, and waeco you can unscrew the cig lighter tip piece from end of lead an this leaves a two prong plug which you can buy a factory made socket which is for the 2 prong plug I think they just call them a Engel socket can get them in exact same hole pattern and look as a narva 12 volt an it lets you push the plug in an screw the collar up to hold it in an never had issues myself. This may save cutting cord and loosing the cig lighter socket option. Great video an definitely showed the real issues an some solutions.
Thanks! Will look into it.
Thanks for your honesty review mate. Yeah gotta say the finish isn't the best and there shouldn't be any hoses etc exposed to rock strikes. The electrics in that storage area looks very exposed.
I'm sure you'll sort it all out mate and it'll be sweet.
Love the layout of the camper as it looks like something that'd be easy to set up and live with.
Cheers and happy travels
Thanks for watching! It’s very easy to set up when you get to a camp site and yes, still got a bit of work on protecting underneath but just came back from Lorella Springs and nothing has broken yet!
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 that's great to hear. 👍
Good review guys, some of the Jayco van look great but I wish they would beef up their quality control that’s the reason I decided to build instead of buy, with all your mods and repairs though it should serve you well 👍
Thanks! We’re hoping so. Impressed with you building your own! Good luck!
Just found your channel, looking forward to watch and learn from your travels.
I have a 200 watt Kings solar panel which I have no issues with.
Thanks Dennis!
Good informative video wait till the next one
OH mate I love it! Being an old Chippy myself it does my head in seeing great products let down by quality control. Jayco have always been such great innovators let down so badly by so many silly little quality issues. I would happily pay an extra $1k to have the quality nailed. Come on Gerry you're better than this! :-) Great review!
Thanks! Appreciate you taking the time to watch.
Great review very honest. I like the look of it. Very functional.
You did nt mention what it cost.
Thanks! It’s a good little van. We bought ours second hand but I think the price is online. 👍🏼
Excellent review thank you
Thanks for the effort of making this video. Your really good at it .
Thanks! We’re trying. More content to come soon! Thanks for watching.
Just had a look at the Jayco crosstrak 16'. Wondering if you still have your Jayco or have you moved over to another van. Great honest review. Tar
Hi Peter! Still got it and still going strong. Thanks for watching!
Some great tips there thanks, look forward to following.
Thanks Matt!
HI mate,
Not sure if you have sorted your power issues... But if you have the J Control unit, for it to read correctly you will have to have your solar blanket/ any external charge from car etc coming in via the BC300 shunt/commlink bmpro sell otherwise the battery monitor reads incorrectly. You cant just hook up the solar blanket direct to battery even via a regulator its has to go though the shunt which is why running the Generator tops the battery up and it reads correctly as its being charged via the J35A/B/C/D.
Thanks for the tip. Running through regulator but don’t have a shunt on it. Thanks for your help
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 no worries, get a bmpro bc300 it should read correctly
Great review... Your a natural...
Thanks Alan! Appreciate you watching.
Thanks for the upload. Great watch
Thanks for watching!
Love that the Mrs finishes some of your sentences, would annoy some but it’s a team effort at the end of the day
He does it to me too 😜 thanks for watching!
Your battery sounds like it might be sick. Having said that, partial shade on a solar panel can easily block the whole panel from operation.
Thanks for the review guys. Appreciate it! 👍
Thx for the vid, have you guys still got it, how's it going ?
Thank you for watching! Still got it, still in one piece. Just came back from Lorella springs 4wdriving in it. Our videos from this trip will be coming out over the next few weeks so stay tuned!
Good review mate - looking at this now. Nothing wrong with getting a tune and how good is that I drive. Cheers
Thank you for watching 👍🏼
How do you find the out door shower. Is the pressure good. And also to the kitchen.
Hi Manny- both outdoor shower and kitchen works well. Plenty of pressure 👍🏼
Great review and video also. Thanks.
Thanks Jack!
Thanks so much for going thru this. I was on the verge of buying but not now since I am not “handy” I will be set up for disappointment if I buy this this...it’s such a shame as I think this jay coins conceptually good...
Hey! Yep - it’s a great little van I guess we just want to make it suit exactly what we want to be able to go do with it. Thanks for watching!
Good honest review thanks
Thank you for watching!
thank you for your comments great youtube
Awesome review Nick!
Thanks Peter!
Good video. Very helpful.
Shame about the quality of the build because the concept is great.
It's Jayco, the name says it all
It only puts power from the solar panel into battery when the battery draws power out of it, so you will notice not much happening because battery will be full, then it goes into float mode.
Thanks Jack. 👍🏼
Keep going brother, better places to test the Swayco
Thanks for the video. Did you discover the problem with your solar panel wiring?? I have a 2019 and the panel does not seem to charge
No worries Scott! Yes we did, it wasn't connected.
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 thanks where was it not connected? At the panel or the charge controller?
@@scottwines5031 it was up in the front boot area.
For the prices you pay, you think there workmanship could be a lot better, I noticed a number of issues with our old Outback Swift when we purchased it new
You would think so aye.
I feel your pain with unfinished work from Jayco! I wouldn’t buy another one again. Safe cruising
Thanks! Hopefully Nick will be able to get it up to scratch.
We went and saw one today and it was a little underwhelming seeing in at the factory, would you recommend this as a first caravan for family of 3?
Hi - as a lead in for a first caravan I think it would work for a family of three for sure. I personally don’t see any structural faults with the van and think it depends on your budget and what works for you. Hope you find the right one 🙂
Hi guys . Looking at heading over to straddle. What track on main beach you camp at ?
Great honest review - 100% lithium change! Just ensure you get quality ones
Thanks! Yes! It’s next on the list 👍🏼
Hi Nick .Enjoyed your video. We also have the 13ft. Crosstrak and I want to upgrade poly block hitch to the Cruse Master DO 35. Did your have any problems fitting it especially regarding the hand brake? Cheers Rod
I put it on myself and it is a bit of work to readjust the handbrake cable. You need to shorten it and tighten at the hubs- would be easier for you have two people. It did take me a couple of hours but I got there in the end. Hope this helps!
Think this is a prototype from my late 2020 camper. Different location on the spare wheel carrier and completely different suspension and a lot more to much to mention.
Have you sorted out the solar problems?
Not yet! We have someone coming on Monday so will put a video up when all sorted 👍🏼
Hey guys . Looking at heading over with hybrid . What track you guys stay at ?
Hi. We were able to get up onto the beach on track 5. We’ve got a video showing us towing on the beach and the access and why we ended up going up track 5. Check it out if you have time 👍🏼
th-cam.com/video/b1h_nKtlyhE/w-d-xo.html
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 thanks . Just found vid . Look forward to seeing more of your travels out of Brisbane
Get yourself a Victron Energy MPPT solar charge controller they turn any panel into a power beast, and they really shine when conditions aren’t ideal. On recent trip ours had the 110a/h agm charged in around 2 hours on bulk charge then on float. We running the fridge 24/7, camp lights and 12v fans plus charging devices. Had power to burn
Thanks! Will look into it.
Has jayco had any comment.
No. They haven’t contacted us.
Check under your sink, ours wasn't sealed, water was leaking under it, there is a big mess of wiring under it. We got our money back on ours. Have a mdc now, heaps better than the jayco
Interesting! Have fun with the mdc.
I see something get my interst.😂 Nice . Soo big😂😂
Wow, the lads at All 4 Adventure will kill this camper based on the issues you’ve pointed out!
We’ve been watching closely!
When are you putting a new vid out
We're back into Jeff! Just dropped a vid on our hilux canopy. We're in the Northern Territory now and will be doing a lot more in the coming months.
What camper trailer did you have?
Just wondering what you are going to use on the under joints sikaflex pro???? As I need to do a similar job lol and would be interesting on what product ?
Hi Richard. We plan on just using sikaflex pro
@@offroadbetweenthecoasts7003 Ok I was looking at the 291 marine as well as the Pro so one or the other i guess thanks for the response mate enjoy the crosstrack
Nice van, unfortunately jayco does'nt complete the build. Liked this van at the show until I saw so many things not completed so walked away.
connecting straight to batt the bmpro doesn't meter it, try the aux or buy the shunt. lithh batts might not be compatible with yr bmpro . i hve 2 batts and have enuff power. i find the water is the issue, not enuff. join the FB page....
Thanks! Yep we’re on it. Good tips on it. Thanks!
How much was it ?
Best to contact the local dealer - I think all the prices are on the Jayco website.
Any shade will deplete your charging potential substantially.....you require full sun for maximum effect.
Yes. We were chasing the sun with our portable solar blanket. 👍🏼
I have a Jayco 14 OB....my next van will not be a Jayco because of the shoddy quality you have shown.
The solar blanket should be running through a BMPRO BC300 .
👍🏼 we’ve got a full enerdrive system now so it works great - thanks for watching!
so you hate the van ?
Imagine if jayco were building cars!
They’d leak dust everywhere apparently haha
The Holden Commodore of travel trailers
🇦🇺👍🥳🍻
Comes across as the kmart of campers....great at a price point but be prepared to mod
Sitting under trees won’t charge, I bet you never buy another junkco.
Jayco have always had a bad name even there salesmen told me if your doing a lot of off-road work don’t buy a jayco because they’ll rattle to bits fill with dust and leak so I’m looking at the mdc forbes or the tanami x13
Interesting! Nick has gone round and bolted everything down so hopefully that will reduce the rattling. So far so good! Thanks for watching.
Typical Jayco, sold mine, will never buy one again!