It’s nothing new that they build campers a bit differently in Australia. Well, with that in mind, let’s explore a camper van from none other than Jayco. Yes, the same Jayco that’s been supplying North America with off-grid habitats has a branch in the land down under, and the JRV before us is their work.
Now, to kick things off for this camper van, allow me to point out that the base vehicle is nothing more than a Renault Master with a 2.3 l 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, FWD, and a six-speed transmission. Yet options for a Fiat Ducato or the beloved Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz also exist; you’ll just have to choose the floorplan that offers those vehicles.
For the sake of this introduction, I’ve chosen the FD-4 as the culprit, mainly because it can accommodate up to four people, and that’s without using a dinette. This is also the most expensive option Jayco is currently showcasing on their website, selling for a starting price of $140K Australian, which is roughly $94,500 American (at current exchange rates). The least expensive option, the RM-1, starts at $100K Australian ($67,500 American), so there seems to be a tad of something for everyone.
As for the FD-4, the reason it can accommodate up to four guests without ever needing the dinette that’s also in place is with the presence of something called an “in-roof bed,” which is just another way of saying this beauty has a pop-top roof where a mattress for two guests is in place.
While I could sit here and enumerate all the features this unit has in store, I’ve decided to do things a bit differently today—it is Sunday, after all (at the time of writing)—and so I invite you to picture yourself in the possession of this RV with your family and/or best friends along for the ride.
Picture yourself pulling into a camper park or, in classic Aussie style, in the middle of nowhere, parking your JRV and getting out to take in the sights and sounds of the world around you. After a few moments, you and the gang huddled to discuss how to set up the campsite and what duties each of you undertakes.
Photo: Jayco Australia
One member will be in charge of gathering firewood, another of setting up the outdoor dining set while you’re out there checking water and battery levels, looking for the best way to position your solar panels, and Dave—well, Dave said he’s going for a walk. It’s okay; he can do the dishes.
Now, with wood gathered, rocks and a hole dug, the dining set set up in the awning of the JRV, and Dave back from whatever he did out there in the bush, you all crack open a cold one and take your seat under this RV’s protective wing. If things get too hot, just head inside where the AC is working its magic with free solar energy.
But, folks are starting to get hungry, and so, to take care of everyone’s stomachs, we access the interior galley where we find a two-burner top, microwave, and 85-liter (22 gals) fridge. Oh, let’s not forget all the storage options we see, not only built into the galley block, but all around the unit; you can easily hide your favorite bag of chips so they aren’t found.
Photo: Jayco Australia
Back outside, the fire has been started, the sun is setting, and the pasta you cooked is also ready; that’s the right way to enjoy dinner, with a sunset and the glow of a fire helping you transition into the starry night. One member of the group did bring along a guitar, and it’s sitting stuffed in the under-bed storage tray found at the rear of the JRV, but first, your favorite jams via the stereo system.
As the evening rolls onward, the JRV will be operating essential systems like AC, heating, and plumbing with solar energy stored in 100 Ah of battery (standard). This same juice will go to lighting up your enclosure whenever needed, so let’s climb in the rooftop tent and watch the stars put you to sleep.
The next morning, you ensure the fire is out, pack up your campsite, and you’re off to the next destination. This time around, we can head down to a beach. The only catch to the JRV is that you’ll have to know how to drive on the left side of the road. What I mean to say is that you’ll have to move down to Australia if you want to own this one, as it’s not available in North America, nor can you legally drive it on our streets. Australia is calling, my dear readers.