When we ordered our 17.55-4 OB from the local Cairns dealer, the original order included a request for a Highland Hitch among a number of other changes. When the Jayco acknowledgement came back to the dealer, the Highland Hitch was deleted with an explanation that it didn't meet the ATM of the 'van. Bollocks!! Our Jayco has a plated ATM of 2459 Kg. The Highland is rated at 3500 Kg !
So we took delivery with a standard ALKO ball hitch and intend replacing it with a Hitchmaster DO35.
It appears to me that Jayco deal with a number of specific suppliers - in particular, Camec, Coast to Coast, and Dometic - and if a request is for equipment from another supplier, then they fabricate a lame excuse as to why the item cant be fitted.
My local dealer offered to replace the ALKO with a Highland if we wanted meaning added expense that could have been averted if the Highland was factory fitted in the first place.
The local dealer have been very helpfull rectifying other issues as well.
Example - we also requested that the dual batteries (2x100AH and solar instalation) be fitted under the dinette seat instead of the original plan which had them both located under the off side bed. My reason for the change was to 'balance' the van better as all the heavy items (Air conditioner, fridge, microwave, Sitec and Cassette ) were on the off side. The dinette location would also place the heavy battery weight directly over the tandem axles instead of midway between axle group and the tow hitch. Weight added to the axle group area has virtually no effect on ball weight. Especially if added directly above the load sharing rocker.
Jayco responded that there wasn't enough room under the dinette seat. Rubbish! I had a spare 3rd battery and fitted it - then took it to the local dealer who relocated the orginal 2 to the original position that we requested - no problem!
These poptops come off the production line at 90 per week. About one every 25 minutes. Anything that deviates from the basic original design can't be accomodated it would seem.
Are we happy with our unit? Yes - still a few small items for the local dealer to sort - but yes - happy so far.
