Jayco(Australia) building its truly 1/2 ton towable model

Hone Eagle wrote:
Robert has been irritating this board for quite some time
not sure what his point is to constantly point out our 'supposed' short comings

This thread was about Jayco's 5vers, but it has speared off into why so few 5vers in Australia. I could upset Europeans why their Caravans do not sell in Australia, but that comes down to basically fitness of purpose

Problems with US 5Vers in Australia come down into three main areas.
Suspension
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=43618&p=619372&hilit=us+5th+wheelers#p619372

Whilst we were talking about the repairs one of his mates joined us. His 5th wheeler also suffered the same fate. The conversation turned to a conversation between the two of them and mentioned several others they new. All their units had their suspension collapse between 16,000 & 24,000 of travel.

That was just one conversation I have had with Yankee 5th wheelers that have had chassis problems. I think most of the threads on this problem were unfortunately in the old forum.

Sorry to continue the off topic conversation but there certain statements that should not remain unanswered.

Compliance and build quality.
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36619&p=527617&hilit=cabcar+5th+wheelers#p527617

I personally don't give a damn about the imports - we will still have to repair them now and well into the future - and therein lies the main issue. Spare parts, in the main, do not exist or are not readily accessible. They can be accessed out of the States sure, but major items are extraordinarily difficult to obtain and very expensive to freight. Internal panelling can't be matched. Most appliances won't be warranted in this country - even if they are legal and certified. And don't damage one of the big logo's or external decorations and expect a cheap fix.

A very high percentage of the couplings and goose necks fitted are not compliant. Brake systems are more often than not a joke and as for the chassis - the less said the better. Engineering certification and compliance is generally a total joke - some of our own rogue van builders do a better job of the chassis when it comes down to the nitty gritty.

Oh - why the hell do I bother ?? - people still buy the pieces of******- and we still have to fix them - the cycle of life I guess so why should I complain.

Slownsy wrote:
I wood prefer if people stopped generalizing, ther is no 1/2 ton etcetera refer to them as 150-250 we al know the payloads are all over the place.
Frank.

Here I would agree with you generalization does not work. You cannot think that if it works in NA it must work somewhere else. High End 5Vers from the US are vastly better than he appalling rubbish that was being trying to be sold here. Still have compliance and suspension issues.