Jayco swan Info

[challenger6]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at purchasing a OB Swan 05 onwards,but am new to this caravan game.(Up grading from a tent) . Can any one suggest what I should look for when buying a used Jayco swan, Are there any common issues with them ? etc.

Cheers,

Clint

[2 Brutal]

An 05 model should already have the aluminium frame work under the lounges etc, if not and it is still finger jointed pine, check it out for cracked frame work from kids jumping off beds or jumping on lounges.
Just checked the usual, cupboard doors closing, drawers sldiing etc, gas works ok, under body stone damage. water tank, canvas etc. There are no real major faults to look for, just the usual wear and tear things, and an signs of abuse.

[dazzler]

Carefully go over all the wood paper doors/drawers (they may call it veneer) and check for peeling/swelling.

Slide the privacy curtains backwards and forwards and see if they drop out of the tracks. If the track was overtightened it bulges near the screw and the runner falls out - drove me craaaaaazy!

Check the water pump actually pumps.

Check the front boot has been sealing properly.

I liked my swan!

[huggy]

We looked at 05s and up  and decided to buy new as people were still wanting very close to a new one was worth . Might be worth the ring around all the jayco dealers to find out what price they want for a 2010

[xr4hung]

I bought a 2004 Swan Outback in 2009 and can advise:

Check outside roof carefully.

Roof should curve gently from a high point in the middle to the front & rear of the van with no depressions anywhere. My Swan 2004 sustained some roof damage last year resulting in a depression in the roof in the middle front area. Water pools there in rain and a minor leak has developed in a Major leaking problems since.

I am in the processing now of ripping off the middle roof strip in an effort to re-seal the roof.

Also I have some minor watermarks on the interior ceiling as a result of this. So there is another tell tale of roof leaks

Also look for and avoid) vans that have been stored outside for long periods. I looked at heaps when buying and the easiest way to spot this, on this vintage of Jayco, was the degrading of the white plastic base/surround of the taillights and running lights above the front boot. Its just seems to degrade the quickest of the outside components. Also the plastic roof hatch lid seems to craze easily when stored outside for long periods.

I also saw several units with tears of the vinyl/canvas at the point where the beds slide into the van. I rang the local Jayco shop and they put me onto their repairer on fixes for this and he mentioned significant dollars as the whole one piece canvas/vinyl system on the Jayco's had to be totally removed. It was a shame as one of the best units I saw had such a tear. It was so common that I now really take my time sliding the beds in Every Time
Look for waterstains of the timber bed bases as a guide to possible leaks. They show up easily.

I have also 'heard through the grapevine' that high wind drag items on standard Jayco roof racks can cause seal failures and therefore water leaks.

I also saw a van with solar panels screwed on the roof itself (not on the racks) and avoided it due to potential roof leaks.

Besides these specifics above wind it up, slide the beds out and do a full set up and pack up. Make sure the fridge works. Does it have 12 volt system if you are going to do bush camping, etc. Check the bed end awning and main awning and associated poles for condition/damage

Set the camper up as level as possible and stand back 4 or 5 meters and make sure the telescopic roof posts (connect roof to van body) are straight. I say this because many years ago a mate was in a storm with a massive tarp tied off over the roof of his Eagle and the forces of the wind caught up under the tarp and permanently bent these posts. 2nd symptom of this though was that it was very hard to wind up.

I hope this helps

Cheers

[challenger6]

Hi Guys,

Thanks everybody for your advice. Avoided a 2008 model as I noticed the dip in the roof and was concerned about potential water leaks so after hearing your stories I'm glad I did!

I have a couple lined up to look at so thanks to you all I feel more confident that I can give it a more thorough inspection.

Cheers,

Clint

[dazzler]

There is a new model not far away as well.  Do you live near the joneses - something to consider 

[Burnsy]

Set the camper up as level as possible and stand back 4 or 5 meters and make sure the telescopic roof posts (connect roof to van body) are straight. I say this because many years ago a mate was in a storm with a massive tarp tied off over the roof of his Eagle and the forces of the wind caught up under the tarp and permanently bent these posts. 2nd symptom of this though was that it was very hard to wind up.

Just in case anyone has this problem and wants to fix it it can be easily done by clamping some blocks of wood above and below the bend with a length of suitable steel bridging the blocks (this bridge should be so that the bent upright curves away from it) and then using a clamp to pull the upright toward the steel bridge.  Don't try and pull it straight in one go, ease off and see how it looks before repositioning the clamp for another go.