Tossing up between the two and having a hard time so figured I'd post up and get some input here.
Two adults, Two toddlers. This means setup needs to be easy enough solo. I've seen the Ezytrail setup solo in around 5-10 minutes (no awning). I haven't seen what the Jayco is like though?
Tow rig is a 93 GQ Patrol Wagon, 2500kg towing limit. Have EBC already fitted.
Budget is around 20k. Less is a bonus, but we are planning a lap of probably 12 months or more so would rather spend a touch extra and like what we're in.
Have a small 3.8m Punt with 10HP Four stroke Honda which would be good to take with. Would prefer not to put this on the car if I can avoid it. Will also be hoping to take the kids and maybe our bicycles along.
We plan to free camp as much as possible to keep costs down, so will be taking solar panels with us, and likely upgrading battery capacity (have a 215ah AGM in our soft floor currently, so will want to add that to next camper, weighs 72kg though). Ideal trip would see us doing GRR, Oodnadatta, Old Tele, etc - but would also have us spending some time on bitumen. Time isn't a concern, I'm happy to crawl along the corrugations if it means saving the camper from falling apart. We're happy to only drive an hour or three every week or so.
Pro's of the Ezytrail
-210L water storage
-2.5t ATM
-Fold off boat rack
-No wind up cables to break
Con's of the Ezytrail
-External kitchen (this is also a pro I guess)
-Not as much internal storage room maybe?
-HEAVY (1900kg tare)
-Price, doesn't seem to be any MK2 available second hand so new is likely only option
Pro's of the Jayco's
-Nicer interior
-Maybe more internal storage
-Much lighter TARE
-Price, second hand can find older models (1999-2010) for 10-15k.
Con's
-Usually only 100L water storage
-SMALLER payload
-boatrack is on roof, meaning unloading the boat every setup
-internal kitchen means no quick lunch stops
At the moment we are leaning towards the Lincoln mainly because of the fold off boatrack and payload benefits. I'd love the lighter Jayco, but once we have water, heavier battery and boat on, we're likely over our ATM already. Which means upgrading, which means spending more money, negating one of the benefits of saving a bit of coin in the first place.
So, any other pro's/cons I'm not thinking of? Who has one or the other, sell me on the idea, or out of it!?