Jayco Swan Touring 2018 review

This camper-trailer sits well on the tow ball and, at 1134kg tare weight and with a low travelling height, it’s easy to tow. (image credit: Brendan Batty)

This is not a massive unit but at 5365mm long (including drawbar), 1660mm high, 2240mm wide and with a tare weight of 1134kg it’s not the smallest camper-trailer on the market either but it is currently Jayco’s biggest camper-trailer.

The on-road Swan Touring sits nicely on the towball (with 95kg download). It has a hot dip galvanised Endurance Chassis riding on a beam axle with leaf springs.

It’s not high-sided or bulky so it towed well behind the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport I was driving – smooth and easy to control.

I drove through sections of road signposted with ‘high wind warning’ and this Swan’s feathers were never ruffled.

However, ground clearance – especially the approach and departure angle – is a slight issue on the Touring, with the camper’s alloy struts scraping on a fairly innocuous entry to our campsite. Fair enough, this camper is not designed for off-road or even dirt-track trips, but it could at least be set up to better negotiate a minor dip such as that.

If you’re thinking of doing any sort of off-roading, opt for the Outback version.

The kitchen has that distinctive Jayco touring-friendly lay-out. (image credit: Brendan Batty)

There is plenty of room and it’s well used.

The interior is 2070mm high so unless you’re an NBL player you shouldn’t have too much difficulty living in this for extended periods; I wasn’t ever in danger of stooping but I’m about 175cm tall.

As you enter, the front bedroom is to your left beyond the wraparound club lounge. There is storage underneath the bed and that couch can be turned into a bed if you’ve optioned up for the bed converter base.

As you pivot to your right, along the wall from left to right, there’s a Dometic 90-litre fridge, sink with pop-up tap, kitchen bench, stove top (with a microwave – standard on the Swan – below), pantry, rear bedroom, table and bench seats (a space which can be converted into a bed), buffet table, and storage space just to the right of the entry.

There’s overhead LED lighting to help with night-time activities.

It’s an open area that feels easy enough to live in for a bit.

The beds are comfortable enough but the plywood bases are vulnerable to the elements. (image credit: Brendan Batty)

The front bed is 1460mm wide; the rear one is 1310mm wide – so draw a short straw and see who gets the smaller bed.

The innerspring mattresses seemed comfortable enough but the bed bases are unsealed ply board and we found a patch of moisture on a corner of the rear bed’s base.

The bedrooms have curtains that can be moved across for privacy and zippered windows that can be opened for more ventilation, but with mesh screens to keep mozzies etc out.

A safety net can be clipped in place on the rear bed to prevent a child, sleeping in bed with mum and dad, from toppling out onto the floor.

The converted beds, which result from using the club lounge and dinette areas, don’t appear to be the comfiest of options and perhaps should only be used sparingly or as a punishment for naughty children … or adult.

We’d opt for the Swan Outback, a bush-ready version of the on-road Touring. (image credit: Brendan Batty)

Options for the Touring version include roof racks, 120 watt solar system, roof-mounted air-con.

If you were thinking about doing any off-roading you should opt for the Swan Outback ($30,490) with more ground clearance, 100AH battery, checker plate down the camper’s sides, as well as Jayco’s own independent coil-spring suspension set-up and more.