Tell me about Aussie Jay

[mrdenn1s]

Ok,

So after a bit of research (well...google), I think I want an Aussie Jay.....but there are so many out there

Can anyone provide any first hand experiences?

How are the trailers? How are the tents? Service?

[lino6]

We have a Aussie Jays Big Red (not sure what they call them now) it was their top of the range mdl. This is a bit of a summary of my/our experience with them.

Quality - the build of the trailer was excellent. The electrical wiring though was a bit dodgy. The electric brakes were wired up to the tail lights, and the trailer plug was not good. Some of the pins only had a couple of wire strands clamped into it. The Austrack tent we have had a couple of issues with, but they don't use them anymore.

Service - I must say our experience with them was not good at all. I recognise they had a bit going on in their personal life out side of the business, but we weren't happy at all. It seemed that as soon as the money was paid and the trailer was picked up that was the end of it. I found it hard to get the wiring fixed and after a period of time they agreed to let me get it fixed locally rather than taking it back to their factory.

So would I buy another off them - probably not. Not really because of the product,but because of the service.

This is purely our experience with them and I am sure a lot of others had good experiences, but not us.

If you want any other info let me know. 

[brickiematt]

We've had our Big Red (now called the Crusher) for two years now.
As lino6 said, the trailer build is excellent, quality workmanship IMO. It's a very well balanced trailer and quite light on the hitch.
We have the Austrack tent and haven't had any issues with it. It has withstood some pretty gnarly weather, esp in Tassie! They have now changed tents to an Australian canvas with gas strut assists to help with set-up.
As for service, we couldn't have been happier. I've since been back a few times for Jason to do a few mods to the trailer and he was happy to accomodate.
Of course I've done a few of my own mods/improvements, but that's going to happen whatever you buy.
So overall, our experience was a good one, and we are extremely happy with it.
Cheers
Matt

[Bird]

It seemed that as soon as the money was paid and the trailer was picked up that was the end of it

I know what you mean, many trailer companies are like that.

[Barry G]

I was keen to get an Aussie Jay, as they are local, when I was looking about 18 months ago.

I e-mailed then rang and spoke to Jasons wife.  Explained the one mod I was particularly after - access to the trailer from inside the tent via side hatches - not an unusual mod by any means, lots of side folds out there with this set up.

Her response was that Jason couldn't possibly do that.  Lost interest after that.

Just my experience, not in any way disputing the quality of their build.

[gordo350]

I have got a big red also.  Trailer will outlast anything on the road.  Jason knows how to weld! When I picked mine up the electric brakes wouldn't work at all. Turns out the plug had been wired to European specs. Lucky I didn't blow my controller.  I think they have since changed sparkies. He didn't use grommets either but not many other companies do either in that price range. Austrak tent is very good as is the all the extras, like water tank, hitch etc. Can't beat it for the money

gordo350

[#jonesy]

We have the crusher.
Tent as far as I understand is not Australian canvas. They describe it as Australian spec. ie heavy canvas. One corner tab pulled the stitching which wasn't under warranty, and had it fixed locally.
Trailer is well built.
Service is average. We got a kids room included but it wasn't in stock when we picked it up. A few weeks later we had a message left that it was ready and they needed our address to send it. MY wife rang and was told we had to pick it up, so the call got a bit heated. In the end I had to drive from the other side if Melbourne to pick it up. This left a sour taste in the whole experience.

Currently using it at the moment and elec brakes fail half way  diagnosed a break in the wire in the first meter after the plug. Dodgy camp  fix and hopefully will work when I hook up.  Will require the whole brake system with 6mm when I get home.

In tent there are access flaps to get to jerries / gas bottles so B&B could if had his access!

All up fairly happy with quality

If you get one, some ideas I would have liked.
Between the toolbox and tub there is a gap about 150mm I would look at getting a "floor" put in  it would be a good spot for boogie boards/tables etc.
if you want to use the recovery /bike hitch for a bike rack get a second tongue to match your car as I found out they all have different distances to the pin hole  give this to Jason and have him drill the holes to match your new tongue.

[Nay-DMAX]

We have a Aussie Jays Big Red (not sure what they call them now) it was their top of the range mdl. This is a bit of a summary of my/our experience with them.

Quality - the build of the trailer was excellent. The electrical wiring though was a bit dodgy. The electric brakes were wired up to the tail lights, and the trailer plug was not good. Some of the pins only had a couple of wire strands clamped into it. The Austrack tent we have had a couple of issues with, but they don't use them anymore.

Service - I must say our experience with them was not good at all. I recognise they had a bit going on in their personal life out side of the business, but we weren't happy at all. It seemed that as soon as the money was paid and the trailer was picked up that was the end of it. I found it hard to get the wiring fixed and after a period of time they agreed to let me get it fixed locally rather than taking it back to their factory.

So would I buy another off them - probably not. Not really because of the product,but because of the service.

This is purely our experience with them and I am sure a lot of others had good experiences, but not us.

If you want any other info let me know. 
[/quote

I have tagged this post so I can comment about the same trailer further to our experience above the things we had issues with for the tent were first set up at home all the spigots in the poles broke and one eyelet on the awning started to give out.  When swapping the foam mattress for innerspring heard a ripping noise to find a screw scewed up through the base board. The storm cover that came with it (glad we tried it at home) was for the wrong size tent.  So on top of brakes not working on the trip home or for a long while after and a lot of mucking around we had a tent that was not great and was brand new.  On contacting Aussie Jays was told we would have to pay to post the incorrect storm cover back and they would send another (I don't think so) as far as the rest of the tent goes we were told we don't use those tents anymore not our problem you will have to go through the manufacturer.  Austrack also didn't want to know about it wanted us to pay to freight the awning to Qld for repair didn't care about broken spigots or the fact the screw was up through the board.  Had we not swapped the mattress I am sure swiping the back of my hand across the top of that would of been lovely when making the bed.  I am not asking for things for nothing I am asking that when I save up my hard earned $$$ to purchase a brand new product that it is great and the after sales is even better because now I will not recommend them or their previous tents.

[Black Diamond]

You get your good and bad with everything, from what I've read on here and elsewhere overall they are pretty well built, if they have a new sparky then that can only be a positive from what others are saying.

BD

[Marcus73]

We've had ours just over a year now and have to say we're very happy with it. Can't comment as to their service as ours was a used one. I think that for the money they are very good quality.


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[lindamc]

We have had our crusher since september and are happy with it. We have taken it on 7 trips already. We have the 9ft tent and have not had any trouble with it..it is strong and waterproof.
The trailer has been on many different grades of road surfaces with no problems.
The watertank we find we lose a lot of water out of the breather hole but am planning to cover that for travelling.
The annexe takes the most time to erect and we have found in windy conditions the vertical poles slide down a little. Also one of our horizontals the hook came out of the plastic it was embedded in. I will get a replacement from jason but am working on making these stronger.
I broke a pole in the tropical roof which jason replaced for me. Also the tap had a crack in it which was replaced.
I have had good follow up service.
Im happy with our crusher but wish the annexe was easier and quicker.
Oh and we have mechanical brakes which have been fine
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[Marcus73]

Im happy with our crusher but wish the annexe was easier and quicker.
Oh and we have mechanical brakes which have been fine

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We've also just got the 9' tent and fine it fairly easy to set up. I think the key is to not take the annex off at pack up. Probably 30mins from being unhitched to set up and that includes annex roof, bed made, kitchen setup etc. If we put up the annex walls etc probably add 10mins, but that's only been done once so maybe quicker with more practise.




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[lindamc]

We are obviously just slow, we leave the annexe roof attached.

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[Jjw1234]

Hi there. We have had our 12 ft crusher for nearly 12 months. We have been really happy with it. I tend to agree their customer service could be improved. However I think it's important to remember they are a small business. A couple running a family and a business. I think they are fantastic value for money. I would buy again and I think that's the biggest recommendation.

[Jjw1234]

We find that set up is only 10mins for main tent and mats etc. but annex is a lot longer. We don't leave annex attached as we have 4 kids and pack and huge amount under the cover

[#jonesy]

12 foot tent. We leave the annex on and throw it over the main tent before folding up. I am getting better at setting that up.

We also have the kids room and remove that roof. To attach the roof I have about 1 metre of an old tent guy rope attached to the zip tag that is on the bottom side. I use this to pull the zip as i hold the roof in about the right position. Takes no time at compared to trying to pull the zip by the tag. I also put little loops on the trailer cover zip for the same reason. When I get around to it I will also do it to the doors etc.
for folding the main tent I used to spend a lot of time trying to get the roof bows in the right position.  I have now marked the inner poles at the correct closed position. I then slide the poles shut to the marks and everything folds up perfectly.

[Jjw1234]

Do you have any issues leaving the annex on the with tropic roof??

[lindamc]

Do you have any issues leaving the annex on the with tropic roof??

We have no problems with that.

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[MDS69]

Wow reading this reminds me of another manufacturer who dare not be named with similar issues and similar good and bad customer service experiences.

[mrdenn1s]

Wow reading this reminds me of another manufacturer who dare not be named with similar issues and similar good and bad customer service experiences.

...funny that. I wrote to that manufacturer telling them I was not going to consider their product, as I couldn't properly research them due to "legal issues"

[chetty]

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[Jjw1234]

Not sure aussie jays deserve that comparision. Overall we have found them excellent and great value for money

[lindamc]

Yeah i am happy with ours. As with most things just needs a fine tune to suit us better.

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[brickiematt]

Not sure aussie jays deserve that comparision. Overall we have found them excellent and great value for money

x2

[lino6]

I certainly wouldn't compare them either.

Sent from somewhere on something with that tap thing