We refer to tag axle/lazy axle/tandem axle (call them what you will) Fiat Ducato-based motorhomes. We took a look at one in the last issue of MHW, but this time it’s Jayco’s turn. We refer to the 27ft 6in (8.4m) Optimum.

The correct name for the rear axle setup used on the Optimum is tandem axle – the other terms are mainly used for rear-wheel drive vehicles, of which the Fiat Ducato is certainly not – the rear wheels providing only braking and carrying capacity.

Ducato is the base vehicle of choice at the moment, mainly because of its motorhome friendly cab and its three-year/200,000km warranty.

Easy rider

For the Optimum, Jayco has chosen a cab that’s attached to an Al-Ko chassis. The additional axle provides Jayco with more room and layout flexibility in its C class motorhome, and a GVM of 5000kg for extra capacity. You need a Light Rigid truck licence to drive it, which will be a minus in some people’s eyes, but given what’s achieved in the design it’s probably not a bad trade.

Powered by the mighty 115kW 3L turbodiesel engine, the Ducato had no difficulty moving the Optimum’s extra length. Ours came with a six-speed manual gearbox, but we understand that an auto will be available soon.

Being a front-wheel drive vehicle, there weren’t any of the traction problems that can occur with tag axle setups, but across uneven ground we did notice some noises that suggested the rear wheels were occasionally catching. To be fair, we were driving the prototype, not 48 hours out of the factory.

The Optimum is the same width as those in the rest of the Jayco stable and is similar to drive. You will notice the extra length when turning sharp corners though, and you must remember to request a larger site at caravan parks as many sites allow only for a maximum of 23 to 24ft (seven to 7.3m) vans.

Jayco has added a reversing camera screen in the driver’s cab with two cameras out the back, giving both a wide screen and a narrow view.

Safe and secure

Naturally, when a motorhome length increases, so too does the external bin space. On the Optimum there are three bins along the nearside and two on the offside. That doesn’t include the gas locker for two 4.5kg cylinders behind the driver’s door. Notably, entry is via the Roamsafe security door, and the windows are Seitz hoppers. Also of interest is the awning, an electric Carefree: push a button and it rolls out – push it again and it winds back.

We rarely talk about external colours, as it’s usually “any colour you like, as long as it’s white with a few stripes”. We note the standard cab colour for the Optimum, however, is silver (along with the side body skirts), with white being an option.

Inside the Optimum, Jayco has opted for a full width rear bathroom adjoining an

east-west bedroom. Further forward, a nearside kitchen bench sits opposite the

four-person dinette. Although Fiat has designed the driver’s seats with motorhomes in mind, the front cab has no part in the motorhome living arrangements.

The internal styling and decor is along the lines of the Conquest and Premium models, but with a few more features. Ventilation is supplied by large Seitz hatches fore and aft, and there is a roof-mounted Aircommand air-conditioner.

Starting at the front, the four-person dinette has leather upholstery seats, with the rear lounge having high backs and seat belts. A large window alongside gives a good view of the surrounding countryside and there are both overhead lockers and a small shelf above the dinette. Halogen downlights provide table and reading illumination and fitted to the base of the rear seat is a powerpoint.

TV viewing is made possible by the flatscreen TV mounted on the cabinet fitted to the opposite side of the motorhome between the door and front cab. This cabinet also has a cupboard and a few open shelves.

Above the cab, the C class motorhome is fitted with a Luton bed. Measuring 6ft 11in x 4ft 2in (2.1m x 1.27m), it can be lifted out of the way if not needed. Ceiling height in the Luton bed is 1ft 10in (0.56m) and there is one ceiling light fitted towards the offside. Given that this motorhome has an island bed in the rear, we can’t see the Luton peak bed getting much use, unless of course the Optimum is being used for a family or the grandchildren happen to be regular travellers.

A chef’s delight

The kitchen area on the nearside contains a Smev four-burner cooktop, grill and oven. One of the burners is gas, the rest electric. Alongside the cooktop is a stainless steel sink. Benchtop area is very generous and there’s a good supply of drawer space (five of different sizes), cupboards (two) and overhead lockers (three). Other appliances include the Dometic 150L fridge and LG microwave, which are located behind the dinette.

Lighting in the kitchen area comes from several overhead halogen lights plus a benchtop downlight and rangehood light. A double powerpoint is fitted to the front end of the bench.

One of the achievable benefits of a longer motorhome is an island double bed, which is appreciated by many people. This one, with an innerspring mattress, is 4ft 4in (1.32m) wide and 5ft 5in (1.65m) in its short form and 6ft 1in (1.85m) extended. Walk-around space is tight in the latter case. Both sides of the bed have full height cabinets fitted with a wardrobe, drawer and cupboard. There are no bedside shelves as such. Instead, Jayco has put recesses into the bottom of the wardrobe areas – a very neat idea.

In both corners at the foot of the bed are waist high cabinets, one has half height mirrors above and the other has shelves, a small cupboard, AM/FM radio/CD/DVD player plus a mounting bracket for a flatscreen TV. On both sides of the bed, you get a shelf.

There is a fair bit of bedroom storage, including the overhead lockers above the bed. Jayco has made good use of space in this area.

The rear bathroom has concertina doors for privacy and a fitout that includes a circular door shower in the nearside corner, vanity cabinet in the middle and Thetford cassette toilet on the offside. It’s not quite in the rear corner though, as the appliance of choice for the fully self-contained traveller, a Lemair top loading washing machine, takes this place. Close proximity to the toilet makes it slightly awkward to get at, but there’s no surrounding cabinetry to get in the way.

Summing Up

It’s an interesting move by Jayco to release a tandem axle-based motorhome. It gives the Optimum more interior space to play with. We note that Jayco has not integrated the front cab into the motorhome layout – something that for space reasons has to be done in smaller motorhomes.

The extra length makes the Optimum attractive for family or grand-family travel – there is just a bit more room for personal space. For two people, this extra space and a bed that’s not tucked into one of the corners or across the rear of the motorhome will please. In all, the Optimum is a good proposition, especially for long term travel.

Jayco Sydney, 63-67 Glossop Street, St Mary’s, NSW 2760, www.jaycosydney.com.au, (02) 9623 1971.

For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit www.jayco.com.au, or phone 1300 JAYCO RV.

Liked

• Jayco venturing beyond the 4.5-tonne GVM mark (the maximum for a standard car licence) to fully utilise the capabilities of the Ducato
• The security door fitted as a standard item
• Generous drawer space in the kitchen area and a decent sized fridge
• Two mounting points for the TV

I would have liked

• The factory-fitted swivelling seats integrated into the living area
• Lighting for the Luton bed that is more user-friendly

By Malcolm Street, as featured in Motorhome World issue 19, March-April 2008.

Base vehicle Fiat Ducato cab, Al-Ko chassis with tandem axles

Engine 3L turbodiesel

Gearbox Six-speed manual

Max power 115kW@3500rpm

Max torque 400Nm@1700rpm

Brakes ABS disc all round

Tare 4260kg

GVM 5000kg

External length 27ft 6in (8.4m)

External width 7ft 8in (2.3m)

Internal height 6ft 9in (2.1m)

Cooktop Smev four-burner

Fridge Dometic RM2555

Microwave LG

Gas 2 x 4.5kg

Lighting 12V

Toilet Thetford cassette

Shower Separate circular cubicle

Hot water Truma 14L gas/240V

Fresh water 160L

Grey water 80L

An RVMAA Approved Supplier