Jayco Swift Outback - will it hold up?

[pjmoore]

Hello,

I hope I am posting this in the right section? Long time reader, first time poster...

I have been recently looking into purchasing a Jayco Swift Outback. And I was just chasing feedback from anyone who has any experience with them? Will they hold up over rough terrain? For example, will they handle a trip to Cape York (via the bypass road, NOT the telegraph track). Could I drag it across the Simpson Desert and expect it come out the other side with me?

I understand this camper is Off Road, not 4WD, but I always drive to the prevailing road conditions and adjust my tyre pressure to suit etc.

I know you get what you pay for, but I can't quite justify paying 60K plus for a 4x4 camper.

Any feedback would be appreciate.

Thanks
Peter 

[Red1]

Hi Peter, we took our Swan down the Gibb RR with no problems other than a few screws coming out of the cupboards. If you run sealant, like Sikaflex around every join before you go, we found this helps hold everything together a lot better.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Red

[pjmoore]

Thanks for the tip Red, I'll keep that in mind.

Peter

[Bird]

Thanks for the tip Red, I'll keep that in mind.

You may wanna check that it wont void your warranty taking it to such locations.

[fnqlux]

Peter,
We took our 2012 Swift up the Cape for three weeks this year without any real issues. We did pop into Sam Creek on the OTL for a couple of nights and the run out to Vrilya Pt would be regarded by some as 4wd.  Have also done plenty of outback gravel roads and still very happy with the Swift. Now planning a trip to Birdsville down to Adelaide via the eastern desert  tracks and am confident the camper will survive the trip. A couple of extra checks, screws and Sika here and there is all we have done to make it a bit more robust.
As per the warranty as long as the road is not signed as 4wd  you should not have an issue with Jayco backup (generally speaking).
For the money we are very happy,
Cheers

[pajeronj]

Hi Peter and posters
I have joined quite recently and was fascinated in the discussion about the Jayco OB Swift.  What did you mean when talking about outback and 4wding?  We are going to buy exactly this camper and while we're not rock hoppers, we occasionally go to the high country.  We have an O'Brien all terrain camper whic h is unstoppable and will be looking for a similar sort of response from the jayco.  So how would you explain those two forms of touring?  Where would you put going to the high country, off road or 4wding?

[Paul (SA)]

Just to clarify, it is an Outback, not an Offroad.

As an owner I think it holds up well on the dirt and you should look to do some basic mods if you want to take it off the beaten track regularly.

They don't come off the production line ready for the dirt, but that doesn't mean with the right care and precautions they can't go offroad.

[MDS69]

You wouldn't take one across the Simpson. Mild sand driving like Fraser is OK but not across the desert with all those dunes.

[Paul (SA)]

You wouldn't take one across the Simpson. Mild sand driving like Fraser is OK but not across the desert with all those dunes.

Agreed. I can't wait to get to get to the SD but won't be taking the trailer with me.

[fnqlux]

Currently in Birdsville CP having driven down from Boulia over a couple hundred K's gibber/gravel/dust. Swift held up OK. Popped out to BigRed this morning for a look and I would I recon any trailer would be a slog to drag over the dunes - but I know plenty have including a Swan not long ago. As they say drive to the conditions and one should get to their destination. We are quite confident in the Swift considering the chassis and the overall size it is.

[pajeronj]

I see a few people saying they believe there are limitations with the Jayco Outback Campers.  My brother has an OB Eagle and he covered about 2000kms desert driving and the Eagle stood up OK.  I see what you mean though about taking one across the dunes.  We've changed our minds a bit, we're now looking at the OB Hawk.  I guess those mods you spoke of Paul are here on mYswag?
I appreciate your info, thanks.

Peter
 

[Ynot]

I had the eagle outback and did Birdsville track, Oodannatta Track, William Creek Road and the Merreeni Loop at Kings Canyon. We had a stone guard and some dust covers made up for the fridge and door vents as well as a pressure hatch.
I only broke a plastic fitting on the water tank which I fixed with a brass one at Cooberpedy.
Our travelling companions lost a couple of cable ties holding the brake wire to the axle which cause the crimp plugs to come undone. Easy fix.

Drive to conditions and you won't have any problems.


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