2014 BAV Finalist - Jurgens Jindabyne PT2210: Review

The Jurgens Jindabyne PT2210 is a new-for-2013 pop-top with plenty of class and credibility for Aussie touring. Although the manufacturer has South African origins, Jurgens vans that are sold locally are designed here, and in our view are sufficiently Australian to qualify for Best Aussie Vans. 

VALUE FOR MONEY

At the lower end of the budgetary scale, nudging $33,000 (RRP), the Jindabyne offers terrific value for money. It mightn’t have a bathroom, as the other two pop-tops in the category do, but most other features are there for comfortable touring.

TOWABILITY

The exceptionally light weight of the Jindabyne – 1650kg fully loaded – is one of its key strengths. On offer is a well-featured pop-top that could be safely and legally hitched up behind most family sedans or wagons. 

SETTING UP AND HITCHING UP

With any pop-top, there is a bit of work involved in setting up. Unclipping and raising the roof is unavoidable. But because of the van’s light weight, we found that it could, to some extent, be manoeuvred on site by hand. When it comes to hitching up, the only drawback is a plastic cover on the A-frame that’ll have to be removed before fitting a WDH.

SUITABILITY FOR INTENDED TOURING

For somebody with a light weight tow vehicle and who likes to stay in caravan parks, the Jindabyne is a winner. For touring couples – no kids will fit in this van – it offers a reasonable level of comfort.

LAYOUT

Generally speaking, the layout of this Jindabyne works well. It’s open and spacious, with a nearside dinette and offside two-seater lounge. However, the overhead cabinetry sits quite low, so most people will need to be careful not to bump their heads when sitting on the lounge or in the dinette.

QUALITY OF FINISH

By any measure, the Jindabyne is a well finished van that includes plenty of attention to detail. There are no unsightly gobs of silastic around the J-moulds, for example, nor are there unreasonable gaps in furniture joins or rough edges. All wiring, too, is hidden behind the internal furniture.

BUILD QUALITY

Underneath the van, the chassis sports a number of engineering improvements to cope with varying road conditions and the weight of the van. Overall, it appears to be put together well. Its build quality is sufficient for long-term blacktop travelling.

CREATURE COMFORTS

Yes, the Jindabyne lacks some creature comforts but given its price point, this is to be expected. Adding a bathroom, for example, would increase price, weight and, in all likelihood, length. From a budgetary point of view, the Jindabyne ticks most other comfort boxes.

INNOVATION

The innovations in the Jindabyne are hidden from view. They include the weight-saving chassis as well as the structure of the body – a frameless composite structure – front and rear mouldings, and walls that are secured below floor level, rather than directly to the floor, to, among other things, minimise leaks.

X-FACTOR

Aside from the obvious elegance of the Jindabyne, its X factor lies in the different build approach used for almost every other van on test, while retaining the required strength and lowering the overall weight.

THE CARAVAN WORLD VERDICT

Elegant, light to tow and thoughtful build quality. These are the hallmarks of the Jurgens Jindabyne PT2210. It mightn’t excel in the comfort stakes, but from a budgetary point of view it’s a cracker of pop-top that deserves it place in the Best Aussie Vans.