After months of searching for the right off-grid-ready caravan, we finally landed a Jayco Starcraft 2024 model with the Bush Pack upgrade — and we got it at a great price through auction. It’s 19.3 feet long, features a washing machine, and came with most of the mod cons you’d expect from a high-end touring van. While the original invoice shows a price of $73,000, we picked it up for $46,000 — a big win in today’s tight housing and travel market.
The Catch: Auction Quirks
As expected with any auction purchase, the van came with a few issues:
- A damaged electric awning
- Some fibreglass exterior damage
- And the usual uncertainty around registration and component support
But considering the savings, we were happy to roll up our sleeves and do some troubleshooting.
Jayco Support: Helpful, With Limits
When we reached out to Jayco via email, their response was polite and prompt. They acknowledged our purchase and asked for ownership details to help us better. Since our van isn’t registered yet, we provided proof of purchase from the auction, and that was sufficient for the time being.
We appreciated the responsiveness — they replied same day, even when we followed up about technical issues.
Fixing the Basics: Hot Water ✅
The first win came when we managed to get the hot water system working. No major repairs needed — just a bit of trial, error, and digging through the manuals. There’s nothing quite like that first hot shower in your own van to make it all feel worth it.
Air Conditioner Troubleshooting: Enter Dometic
Next on the list was the air conditioner. The unit powers up and the compressor kicks in, but it doesn’t cool or heat. We flagged this with Jayco, but they reminded us that they don’t manufacture all components in-house. The air con is made by Dometic, so we were advised to contact them directly at 1800 212 121 or visit their website.
This isn’t a big surprise — it’s common in the caravan world that appliances are sourced from third-party specialists. Still, it’s a helpful reminder that owning a caravan is a mix of dealing with multiple brands, each responsible for their slice of the system.
Final Thoughts (for now…)
We’re only a few days into owning the van, but here’s our verdict so far:
- Value for Money: Excellent
- Jayco Build Quality: Solid
- Support from Jayco: Responsive and professional
- Auction Surprises: Manageable with a bit of DIY spirit
- Next Steps: Contact Dometic, fix the awning, register the van, and start planning trips!
We’ll post more updates as we get closer to hitting the road, but for now, the Starcraft 2025 Bush Pack has been a promising start to our vanlife journey.
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