Imagine sitting by the beach, and the temperature starts to get really hot – and you simply say ‘Alexa, turn on the air conditioning’. Or while driving along, you sound off commands like ‘Alexa, what’s traffic like?’ and turning lights on and off without even having to leave your bed. Such situations have now become reality for Australian caravanners.
Jayco Australia has become the world’s first caravan company to offer a voice-activated production RV. Garry Moore, CEO Jayco Australia, commented for The Buzz, “We rely heavily on technology when it comes to our home and work lives, and it shouldn’t be any different when it comes to your caravan. The introduction of Amazon Alexa in the iconic Jayco Silverline was announced this year in Jayco's 2019 ranges. The technology opens up a whole new luxury caravanning experience for domestic travelers across the country.” Tweaks and other capabilities have been added since its launch, and the company will continue to build upon it as it relates to campers' needs.
The interactive technology has been installed throughout the caravan, allowing lots of functions to be automatically undertaken remotely using just your voice. Volumes can be turned up or down, timers and reminders set, traffic information obtained and you can even listen to Amazon Music and issue requests such as “Alexa, buy this song,” or Alexa, buy this album”.
Yet that’s not all. Jayco is well known for its innovation and is aiming to make road trips totally effortless by integrating seamless technology at all levels. The result is definitely the most technologically advanced caravan of its type. Special 360 degree cameras make parking a doddle – there are quite simply no blind spots at all when towing and parking. This is achieved by placing four cameras- at the front, rear and sides of the RV. Footage can be viewed via screen fitted into the user’s car.
A phone app operates the electric awning. Just press a button and the awning extends to pre-set levels – even if you are away from the vehicle. Then there is the exclusive JHub internal portable control panel which enables lights, water, battery levels, and solar panels to be monitored from a single touchscreen. You can even download a phone app to monitor the systems remotely as long as you are within Bluetooth range. Then there is the Winegard Wi-Fi extender providing 4G capability and mobile internet facilities. As a result, Skypeing and FaceTime can be enjoyed wherever the vehicle is parked.
Gazing out from spacious bedroom in Jayco Silverline. [Photo/Jayco Australia]
The result is an RV perfect for technology enthusiasts as well as anyone who wants an easy lifestyle when traveling. It is a pure, undiluted luxury caravanning experience within a vehicle already renowned for its comfort and style.
Yet that’s not all! The sleek lines of the Jayco Silverline have been given a total facelift to match latest trends towards clean and sharp aesthetics. The streamlined look has been given a tinted European-style front window giving a much more wide-open feeling when you are inside the vehicle. Slide-out systems are included in all Silverlines to make it even more luxurious and spacious. As a result, Australian caravanners can enjoy an external slide-out kitchen, and a large slide-out tub.
Inside a new Nautilus, instant hot-water system provides a virtually endless supply of hot water, new splash backs and shower accessories. Designer leather covers the seating within the roomy living space.
“Our vision is to lead the way in RV innovation. For us, technology innovation is not just all about the gadgets, we have also significantly invested in the Silverline’s engineering capability,” commented Garry Moore.
“We have introduced the next generation of Jayco Endurance chassis for easy towing and better fuel economy, and the exclusive purpose-built J-Tech 2.0 suspension, which is compact, durable and reacts better to Australian road undulations.”
Silverline’s vacuum-bonded quad-layer wall construction is stronger and lighter than conventional timber and tin or aluminium clad caravan walls. The outer layer is made from hail and dent-resistant fiberglass, and offers really good thermal and noise insulation.
So what’s the cost of these innovative Silverline RV’s? The cheapest comes in at just over $54,000, while the top of the range costs $ 63,289.
The concept has been greeted with excitement by Australian RV’ers. Jayco Australia has received extremely positive responses to these innovations. The introduction of 360 degree parking cameras has proved particularly popular.
And there’s more to come. According to a Jayco spokesperson, “We place huge importance on user experience and essentially we want to make our customers’ lives even easier. Safety and functionality is at the core of what we do, and that’s why we innovate.”
Jayco is planning to build on their innovative offering, transforming the caravan/RV sector even further. Research is already underway into even more innovative technology, with some innovations already planned for the near future. The aim is to increase safety and ensure a positive user experience at all levels.
The innovation and success of Jayco’s products has resulted in the company taking the top gong in Canstar Blue’s inaugural award for customer satisfaction. As Australia’s biggest product comparison site, Canstar covers countless product categories. In its 2019 awards, Canstar found that Jayco scored top marks in categories such as value for money, interior, features and amenities, after-sales service and overall satisfaction. Canstar commented, “Jayco has dominated our review of Australian caravan and RVs by achieving five stars in six of the seven criteria we assessed.” As a result, it awarded Jayco the Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Award for Caravans and RV’s in Australia.
With Australians increasingly opting for ‘stay-cations’ and keen to connect with the great outdoors, the number of domestic caravan and camping users grew by 71% in 2018 – a rise which bodes well for the continued popularity of Jayco’s vehicles.
“For over 40 years, Jayco’s vision has remained the same. That’s to produce the best caravans tailored for Australian conditions,” commented Garry Moore. “We will continue to lead the revolution of the RV industry, and the smart technology implementation into Jayco caravans is just the start of what’s to come.”