Penguin

The Jayco Penguin is a camper trailer for couples, sleeping two adults plus one more, with a tare from 1,039kg. It comes in Touring and Outback trims, and the Outback adds independent coil suspension and all-terrain tyres. A 200 amp hour lithium battery and a 300 watt solar blanket are standard.

Bed and kitchen

The double bed has a Slumberrest innerspring mattress and fitted sheets. The seating is leatherette on lightweight aluminium frames. The kitchen has a four-burner cooktop with a griller and a 115 litre 12 volt fridge with a removable freezer compartment. A gas bayonet under the chassis lets you cook outside. Storage runs to an overhead compartment and a large space under the bed.

Power, water and gas

• Battery: a 200 amp hour lithium battery, with a battery management system and a built-in 240 volt charger.
• Solar: a 300 watt solar blanket, plus an Anderson plug on the offside for solar input.
• Monitoring: a Bluetooth app shows the battery and water levels.
• Sockets: a pop-up 240 volt power point on the bench, a 240 volt outlet on the door side, and USB and USB-C ports.
• Fresh water: one 80 litre tank with a 12 volt pump, and a mains pressure tap.

Build

The chassis is hot dipped galvanised, and the walls are fibreglass on an aluminium stud frame. The roof is a one-piece hail-resistant skin with insulation. The tent section is double-stitched heavy-duty canvas. A fully enclosed roof lifter raises the roof, and Jayco says it packs down small enough to store in a conventional garage. Electric brakes are standard.

Touring or Outback

The Touring trim rides on an axle with leaf springs and 14 inch alloy wheels, with a front storage boot. A 9kg gas bottle is an option on the Touring. The Outback trim adds:

• Suspension: JTECH 2.0 independent coil suspension.
• Wheels: 15 inch alloys with all-terrain tyres and a spare.
• Protection: side checkerplate and a checkerplate stone guard at the front.
• A-frame: an extended A-frame with a large toolbox, a 9kg gas bottle and a jerry can holder.
• Extras: a picnic table and a 12 volt socket on the door side.

Optional extras

• Climate: a roof-mounted air conditioner.
• Awnings: a Fiamma wind-out awning, or a bag awning with walls.
• Kitchen: a microwave, and on the Outback a slide-out outdoor kitchen with a two-burner cooktop and sink.
• Power: a 260 watt roof solar panel and an LED control panel.
• Water and gas: a second 80 litre tank and another 9kg gas bottle.
• Extras: a 24-inch smart TV, a roof rack and a TV antenna.

Size and weight

• Touring: 5.11 metres long for travel, tare 1,039kg, towball 141kg.
• Outback: 5.65 metres long for travel, tare 1,202kg, towball 152kg.

Inside height with the roof up is 2.09 metres.

What will tow it?

Tare is the van's empty weight as built. Towball weight is how much of the van presses down on your car's towbar. Jayco says its weights are a guide and change with the accessories fitted. Ask the dealer for the ATM (aggregate trailer mass) of the exact van on your quote. Your car's braked towing capacity needs to cover that figure.

Warranty and where to buy

Jayco builds its vans in Australia. The warranty is two years on manufacturing and five years on the structure. You buy through a Jayco dealer. Jayco's online Build and Price tool shows the price as you choose a layout and options. The original owner of a new Jayco gets Jayco Assist, a 24/7 support program.