Journey New Jayco Journey 19.61-3 Outback ordered!

MH81

New Member
Jun 13, 2018
2
8
3
Brisbane
Hi all, first post here.

So the wife and I headed to the caravan and camping show in Brisbane for the 3rd or 4th year in a row, and finally took the plunge! This will be our first van. We've been looking around for a couple of years, and have hired vans on two separate occasions to get a feel for what we liked/didn't like, and we reckon the Jayco Journey 19.61-3 Outback is spot-on for us. Will be heading off on a lap around the block with the fam (wife + 2 kids) when long-service leave comes due in about 18 months time. Will be allowing about 6 months for the trip, and we can't wait!


We decided on the following extras:

Upgrade suspension/payload to 600kg
Grey water tank
Washing machine
Water filter
Twin rear cameras
Second 100Ah battery
Upgrade roof solar to 160W
Anderson plug for external solar input
Centre-mount jockey wheel
Folding picnic table
Additional external annex light at front (for extra light over cooking area outside)
Internal 12V socket at main bed area (noticed the bunks at 12V, but the main bed didn't?)
Privacy curtain to main bed



Any thoughts from others out there on the above?

Due for delivery in about October. Can't wait to get out there.

Cheers!
 

wally

Active Member
Mar 14, 2016
54
178
33
brisbane
Hi all, first post here.

So the wife and I headed to the caravan and camping show in Brisbane for the 3rd or 4th year in a row, and finally took the plunge! This will be our first van. We've been looking around for a couple of years, and have hired vans on two separate occasions to get a feel for what we liked/didn't like, and we reckon the Jayco Journey 19.61-3 Outback is spot-on for us. Will be heading off on a lap around the block with the fam (wife + 2 kids) when long-service leave comes due in about 18 months time. Will be allowing about 6 months for the trip, and we can't wait!


We decided on the following extras:

Upgrade suspension/payload to 600kg
Grey water tank
Washing machine
Water filter
Twin rear cameras
Second 100Ah battery
Upgrade roof solar to 160W
Anderson plug for external solar input
Centre-mount jockey wheel
Folding picnic table
Additional external annex light at front (for extra light over cooking area outside)
Internal 12V socket at main bed area (noticed the bunks at 12V, but the main bed didn't?)
Privacy curtain to main bed



Any thoughts from others out there on the above?

Due for delivery in about October. Can't wait to get out there.

Cheers!
They're great vans..good news you got a suspension and payload upgrade to 600kgs ( Usually around 475kgs) as you will need it for a big trip around the block. Just need to be still careful with your load in the van as the weights creep up very quickly. Don't forget your tow vehicle also is in the equation , so need to make sure the fully loaded van is under it's ATM , the tow vehicle is under it's GVM, and the whole rig is under it's GCM. Give us a call when your ready for your first trip and we will come and give you a Weight Compliance Report on the caravan and tow vehicle before you set off.
Dave ( Wally ) from WEIGHTCHECK Mobile Caravan Weighing Brisbane
 
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DRW

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2013
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Beautiful Burrum Heads QLD
Hi @MH81
Welcome to the forum, plenty of people here to help you spend your hard earned, I think there might be a couple of Journey 19's here already as well

Great choice, we will probably buy one later this year or early next year depending on when we sell our current van

Options for us at this stage
Suspension upgrade
Grey water tank (rules is rules you don't have to like them but thems the rules)
Satalite TV antenna (for the bride)
Leather dinette (for the bride)
Washing machine (again for the bride)
Twin bike rack (1 for me and a spare apparently)
Folding picnic table

Havent decided on the solar/battery upgrade yet, only the TV uses a fair bit of power, nothing much else does
 
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Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
Hi all, first post here.

So the wife and I headed to the caravan and camping show in Brisbane for the 3rd or 4th year in a row, and finally took the plunge! This will be our first van. We've been looking around for a couple of years, and have hired vans on two separate occasions to get a feel for what we liked/didn't like, and we reckon the Jayco Journey 19.61-3 Outback is spot-on for us. Will be heading off on a lap around the block with the fam (wife + 2 kids) when long-service leave comes due in about 18 months time. Will be allowing about 6 months for the trip, and we can't wait!


We decided on the following extras:

Upgrade suspension/payload to 600kg
Grey water tank
Washing machine
Water filter
Twin rear cameras
Second 100Ah battery
Upgrade roof solar to 160W
Anderson plug for external solar input
Centre-mount jockey wheel
Folding picnic table
Additional external annex light at front (for extra light over cooking area outside)
Internal 12V socket at main bed area (noticed the bunks at 12V, but the main bed didn't?)
Privacy curtain to main bed



Any thoughts from others out there on the above?

Due for delivery in about October. Can't wait to get out there.

Cheers!
Welcome to the forum @MH81. A very exciting time for you guys, and your certainly hitting the ground running. Well done. There are plenty of nice people here with a lot of knowledge in regards to van mods and additions, along with a vast depth of knowledge of long term travels for you to bounce ideas off.

My only 2 bobs worth is maybe another solar panel to balance up with the batteries. 2 batteries and only one 160w panel is a little unbalanced. Either a bigger panel, another roof panel, or maybe a blanket panel which are reasonably light weight.
 
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ash99

Member
Feb 1, 2016
62
81
18
Lysterfield
Excellent choice of van. We picked our 19.61-3 up in May and went away on Queens birthday for the long weekend in Vic.

Your list of upgrades looks spot on. We didn't do the privacy curtain for the bed and we certainly wish we did.

We also added an extra 12v plug outside for other accessories etc.
 
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Tripper

Member
May 13, 2017
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Moranbah
We also picked ours up 2 weeks ago, haven't had a spare weekend to use it yet....roll on school holidays.

The only other extras (to your list) we got were an additional 160w panel, trifold table, a third clean water tank, other than those basically the same list.

I am currently in the process of installing a 12v/USB near the table to run the Waeco 50L while travelling and another device charging point, along with 3 Sirocco fans.

I also thought it was weird about the main bed not having a 12v point.

Just out of interest why twin rear cameras?
 

NoWorries

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2015
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www.expandasdownunder.com
Just a heads up with the bike racks, because of new overhang laws they are only allowed to put the compact bike rack on the back.
This one will only hold 2 bikes if you remove the pedal and turn the handle bars in line with the front wheel.

i agree with the second battery and solar
i have ordered pretty much the same as you have but with 2 batteries and 2 160w solar panels.
should get it early Nov
 

Smash

Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
131
62
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48
Perth WA
We also picked ours up 2 weeks ago, haven't had a spare weekend to use it yet....roll on school holidays.

The only other extras (to your list) we got were an additional 160w panel, trifold table, a third clean water tank, other than those basically the same list.

I am currently in the process of installing a 12v/USB near the table to run the Waeco 50L while travelling and another device charging point, along with 3 Sirocco fans.

I also thought it was weird about the main bed not having a 12v point.

Just out of interest why twin rear cameras?
One views the rear straight down the other shows view down the road.
 
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MH81

New Member
Jun 13, 2018
2
8
3
Brisbane
Thanks for the replies and thoughts guys!

Re: the batteries and panels - yep have considered that. My thinking is, rather than a second panel on the roof, I'll spend that $$$ on a folding panel and plug into the Anderson plug I'm getting Jayco to install. That way, if the van is in the shade, I'll follow the sun around with the portable panel.

Yes, as @Smash says, the twin reverse cameras is so one can view straight out, and the other can view down. Should hopefully make reversing into tight spots a bit easier. It was only about $350 extra over the single camera, so thought it was a worthwhile addition. Opted to not get the bike rack, so as to not obstruct the rear camera view. Figure I'll take the kids scooters or a folding bike if we want to take bikes on a trip.

How do you guys think the fridge (standard 3-way Thetford N3185) will run off 12V using the regular 12 pin plug? I queried with Jayco, and they reckon it will run fine, so long as the correct wire gauge is used on the vehicle side (to minimise voltage drop). The thing that confuses me is that in the options price list I have from Jayco, there is an "option" (but not listed as a "requirement"?) for vehicle fridge wiring for this fridge model, which is an Anderson plug with 6B&S wire. Confusing they have that as an option, but they're also saying it isn't required?
 

NoWorries

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2015
806
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www.expandasdownunder.com
1st thing I will do when i get my Van is run a secondary cable to the Fridge and use my anderson plug
the wire size Jayco (and most companys) use is usually way to small and you only get about 11.5 volts at the fridge
I might even leave the 12 pin Cable connected as well.
 

Smash

Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
131
62
28
48
Perth WA
Thanks for the replies and thoughts guys!

Re: the batteries and panels - yep have considered that. My thinking is, rather than a second panel on the roof, I'll spend that $$$ on a folding panel and plug into the Anderson plug I'm getting Jayco to install. That way, if the van is in the shade, I'll follow the sun around with the portable panel.

Yes, as @Smash says, the twin reverse cameras is so one can view straight out, and the other can view down. Should hopefully make reversing into tight spots a bit easier. It was only about $350 extra over the single camera, so thought it was a worthwhile addition. Opted to not get the bike rack, so as to not obstruct the rear camera view. Figure I'll take the kids scooters or a folding bike if we want to take bikes on a trip.

How do you guys think the fridge (standard 3-way Thetford N3185) will run off 12V using the regular 12 pin plug? I queried with Jayco, and they reckon it will run fine, so long as the correct wire gauge is used on the vehicle side (to minimise voltage drop). The thing that confuses me is that in the options price list I have from Jayco, there is an "option" (but not listed as a "requirement"?) for vehicle fridge wiring for this fridge model, which is an Anderson plug with 6B&S wire. Confusing they have that as an option, but they're also saying it isn't required?
The cable from the Aframe to the fridge is fine but the 12pin plug pins can over heat so you can remove the fridge wires from the 12 pin plug and run these on an Anderson plug. You can do this by spliceing the wire back on the main loom.
 
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Joevee

New Member
Mar 24, 2018
19
6
3
Hoppers crossing
We ordered ours in February this year and await its arrival.
Not to much longer should be late July.

These must be very popular.

Thanks for the comments on upgrading the 12pin plug to an anderson plug I was a bit concerned on the current draw over the distance.
 

Lozza T

Active Member
Aug 13, 2016
157
204
43
51
Melbourne
Hi all, first post here.

So the wife and I headed to the caravan and camping show in Brisbane for the 3rd or 4th year in a row, and finally took the plunge! This will be our first van. We've been looking around for a couple of years, and have hired vans on two separate occasions to get a feel for what we liked/didn't like, and we reckon the Jayco Journey 19.61-3 Outback is spot-on for us. Will be heading off on a lap around the block with the fam (wife + 2 kids) when long-service leave comes due in about 18 months time. Will be allowing about 6 months for the trip, and we can't wait!


We decided on the following extras:

Upgrade suspension/payload to 600kg
Grey water tank
Washing machine
Water filter
Twin rear cameras
Second 100Ah battery
Upgrade roof solar to 160W
Anderson plug for external solar input
Centre-mount jockey wheel
Folding picnic table
Additional external annex light at front (for extra light over cooking area outside)
Internal 12V socket at main bed area (noticed the bunks at 12V, but the main bed didn't?)
Privacy curtain to main bed



Any thoughts from others out there on the above?

Due for delivery in about October. Can't wait to get out there.

Cheers!

Hi @MH81
I am looking at upgrading my Expanda 18 to the exact same Journey you have.
I have very similar added options in particular the 2nd battery, grey water tank and the payload upgrade to 600kg.
What did the Tare and ATM come in at? Did the payload upgrade increase the weight of the van much?
Also, what are you using as a tug?

Cheers
 

Smash

Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
131
62
28
48
Perth WA
I have starcraft 19.61-3 with most extras with the pay load increase of 600kg and fully loaded calculating water in 3 tanks food and clothes I should still have kg to spare.But unfortunately it’s supposed to weight 2916kg but is 3149kg atm the van is great I just glad it’s white not the new grey colour as I have seen how they conduct the heat more and people have had roofs buckle and wall bubble.
 
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Smash

Active Member
Apr 23, 2013
131
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48
Perth WA
I tow it with a 2018 Isuzu D max which tows it fine but I know I am over my GCM I missed out on putting the Lovell GVM and GCM kit on now you can only do this on pre registered brand new vehicles.
 
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Lozza T

Active Member
Aug 13, 2016
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Melbourne
I know for certain in Victoria you can do the upgrade on used cars after reg and get both the GVM and GCM upgrade. Need to spend an extra $600 for engineers certificate. I rang Prestige 4WD and they can do both the LC200 and Ford Ranger PK2.
 
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Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
That is a bit of a concern with the roof buckle! What are you using to tow your van?
Cant comment on the wall buckling but all Jayco vans and poptop roofs (aside from the Silverline) will bubble in hot weather, thats been the case for many years. Jayco roofs are a one piece floating skin, fixed in place only at the J mould and roof penetrations such as aircon and hatches. Heat expansion causes the roof skin to wave or warping or buckle ir whatever you prefer to call it. Looking over a low caravan park from a higher vantage on a warm day you can pick all the Jaycos by looking at the roofs. This isnt a fault, infact its one of the reasons Jaycos can take a beating from hail relatively well. If your Jayco roof doesnt distort in the hot sun, then there is something wrong with it