Jayco Greyhawk 33DS (36-1)
Text and photos by Norm Rosen
Touring
in Style in Jayco's Class C Greyhawk.
Jayco's 33-foot Greyhawk is of generous size thanks to two
slideouts
that create lots of interior space, making it ideal for touring
with a family of four. |
Our
Adirondack adventure made use of the 2007 Greyhawk 33DS, a 33-foot
Class-C motorhome built on the Chevrolet C5500 Kodiak chassis.
This vehicle, equipped with a gasoline-fuelled eight cylinder
8.1 L, 325 hp Vortec 8100 MD gasoline engine, provides luxurious
appointments at a realistic price point - not to mention plenty
of power for the mountainous terrain of the Adirondacks.
We had the unique opportunity to road test the very first 2007
Greyhawk that rolled off the Jayco production line. Since the
Jayco road test demo was intended for use in the U.S., we arranged
for the vehicle to be delivered to one of the Jayco dealers
closest to our office - Buffalo RV, in Elma, New York.
With a mere 465 miles on the odometer, the vehicle was fresh
from the production line, having been manufactured just a week
prior to our scheduled road test. Normally, we would expect
a brand new model to have some idiosyncrasies, but we did not
experience that with this unit.
It was obvious that the DS floor plan was ideally suited to
a family of four to six people, and the Kodiak chassis allowed
for headroom beyond what you would expect in the typical Class-C
motorhome - indeed, the Greyhawk had enough headroom for a six-foot
man to sit up in the cab-over bunk without bumping into the
ceiling.
On the Road
While the vehicle was too new for us to push it to the limits,
acceleration was brisk for a 33-foot motorhome, and braking
was positive and smooth. The Allison 1000 five-speed transmission
shifted effortlessly, with overdrive keeping the rpm at about
2,100 for highway cruising. On hills, the tranny downshifted
exactly as expected, producing the power to climb all but the
steepest inclines without slowing down. On the really long climbs,
you can hit a switch on the dash to turn off the overdrive,
which eases the load on the gears.
Handling and roadability of the Greyhawk was top-notch, with
a standard front Stabil-Ride stabilizer bar contributing to
the excellent tracking, and 7,000-pound front suspension springs
well suited for this application. The 13,500-pound multi-leaf
tapered spring suspension in the rear of the unit was also well
suited to a vehicle of this size, and we found that the ride
was stiff enough to produce the desired handling characteristics.
Many Class A or C motorhomes of this size tend to have suspensions
that are too soft, detracting from the roadability on winding
country roads.
With an 80-gallon fuel tank, cruising range on flat terrain
should be in the 500 to 600 mile range. Our trip covered just
a little more than 1,000 miles, through some of New York State's
most magnificent scenery.
Since the floorplan of a motorhome this size pretty well precludes
any rear vision capability through the central section of the
vehicle, the Greyhawk was equipped with a rear-vision monitor,
which takes the mystery out of driving a large RV. Without the
monitor, your rear vision is limited to what you can see in
the rear view mirrors - quite adequate for driving down the
highway, but far from sufficient when it comes to backing into
a campground site. The standard black and white monitor provides
a very good view of the area immediately behind the vehicle,
but not a wide enough coverage to see cars or trucks following
at usual highway distances - don't rely on the rear-view monitor
system to replace your mirrors.
At the Campground
The Greyhawk is very well engineered for campground hook-ups,
with excellent access to all RV systems. We were particularly
impressed by the very clearly marked control panel for the fresh
water system, including a series of valves to control the flow
of water into the RV. There were settings for normal use, city
water hook-up, and every combination of tank filling, winterizing,
and flushing operations.
The motorhome is outfitted with a 63-gallon fresh water tank,
a 41-gallon gray water holding tank, and a 51-gallon black water
tank. The holding tank valves are located behind a cargo hatch,
and a very convenient sewer hose storage compartment is just
inches away. As with most of the cargo and system compartments,
a 12-volt light illuminates the area for convenience during
after-dark hook-ups.
The RV electrical system is well planned, with 50-amp service
and an optional generator. There is also a Xantrex power inverter
that runs the LCD television and DVD player, so your passengers
can enjoy "in-flight" entertainment without running
the generator. Monitor panel controls let you switch the water
heater from LP gas to electric power, and the water pump switch
is conveniently located in the washroom, along with a bank of
light switches for the vanity light, the shower stall light,
and the power roof vent. The campground hook-up is a marine-style
shore power connection, which is a bit heavy compared to the
traditional RV electrical hookup, and you may require a dedicated
"dog bone" adapter to adapt to the campsite receptacles.
The Kodiak chassis is equipped with hydraulic leveling jacks,
which we have used on a number of road test vehicles. During
the pre-delivery inspection, our test unit's leveling system
was found to be inoperative, so we decided to proceed without
completing the required adjustments. In a campground situation
where the site is not level, the hydraulic leveling system is
a definite asset. In a level campsite, the main function of
the jacks is to stabilize the vehicle so that it does not sway
as you walk around inside the vehicle. With a motorhome of this
size, the conventional screw-type stabilizing jacks are just
not strong enough, so you either use the hydraulic system, or
get used to a bit of motion as your family moves around inside
the vehicle.
Our test vehicle was outfitted with a Carefree Eclipse awning,
which was easy to use, but with the mounting at roof level you
have to be very tall or use a stepstool to reach the awning
release locks. This would be an excellent application for a
remote control operated awning upgrade.
While the Greyhawk features a full complement of exterior cargo
compartments, we suggested two modifications to fine-tune the
usability of these facilities: our unit (and several others
that we have checked during the autumn months) was not equipped
with any method of holding the cargo compartment doors open.
The addition of a gas strut, or even a latch on the side of
the vehicle, would be a logical enhancement to an otherwise
fine design. The second suggestion requires more owner awareness
than manufacturer modification - the cargo compartments under
the slideout sections are literally under the slideouts, so
watch your head when you stow or retrieve items from these areas
when the slides are in the extended position! (Page
Top)
Interior Appointments
The Greyhawk offers a very well designed interior floorplan,
with a compact but efficient galley, and a dinette slideout
that's large enough to include the refrigerator. A mid-section
washroom is spacious for a vehicle of this size, with a generous
linen closet and a corner shower.
The rear bedroom features a side wardrobe, and a slideout section
that extends to provide enough space to walk around the queen
size bed. A privacy door slides across the aisle to separate
the bedroom from the remainder of the floorplan. The master
bedroom was compact but quite comfortable, with a pillow-top
mattress and matching quilted bedspread providing a residential
appeal.
Our test vehicle was outfitted with the standard cab-over bunk,
and was exceptionally roomy thanks to the high profile of the
vehicle. The cab-over featured a flat-panel LCD TV, mounted
in a swing-out cabinet that locked at various positions, making
the TV visible from the dinette, sofa, and bunk areas. There
is an entertainment option that replaces the overhead bunk with
a very attractive large screen TV and additional cabinets -
this may be of great interest for those who do not require the
additional sleeping accommodations.
All of the Jayco interior furnishings are designed and built
with maximum comfort in mind, and we found the quality and convenience
of the interior appointments to be excellent for a vehicle in
this price range. Also, with a generous allotment of windows,
and roof-ducted central air, the Jayco Greyhawk is bright, spacious,
and comfortable for year-round RV enjoyment.
In the Galley
Preparing meals in the Greyhawk 33DS takes a bit of organization,
as the kitchen is a compact L-shaped galley. However, you soon
realize the ingenuity of the layout, which compromises galley
space to provide a larger living room area than most vehicles
of this size. Placing the refrigerator in the dinette slideout
section is an interesting approach to galley organization, and
once you get used to the idea, it seems very logical. The galley
countertop is compact, but the flip-up extension helps, although
(as in many cases) it does partially block access to the vehicle
entry and exit.
Selection of appliances in the Greyhawk is excellent, with a
three-burner range, 9,000 BTU "SuperBurner", and eye-level
microwave. There is a reasonable amount of cupboard space in
the galley, with ample additional overhead cupboards in the
dinette area and above the sofa. A slide-out pantry puts all
of your provisions within easy reach.
For outdoor cooking, the Greyhawk is equipped with a portable
"RVQ", which mounts to a rail in the side of the motorhome,
and features a quick-connect coupling to the vehicle's LP gas
system - a neat idea! We found the RV mount to be a bit high
on the side of the motorhome (but maybe we're just short), and
ultimately preferred to place the RVQ on the campsite table
and connect it with an optional long LP hookup.
Construction
The Greyhawk is a solid example of RV engineering, with first-class
materials and traditional Jayco workmanship assuring many years
of reliable service. The motorhome features a welded tubular
aluminum sidewall framework and aluminum roof frame, with TuffShell
vacuum-bond laminated sidewalls, a smooth FRP fiberglass exterior
surface, and bead foam insulation (R-7 max in the walls, R-9
max in the floor, and R-15 max in the roof). A one-piece underbelly
covering protects the vehicle from road debris and reduces aerodynamic
drag.
Inside, the handcrafted Northridge Maple cabinetry is solid
and beautifully finished, with screwed stile construction. All
drawers glide on ball bearing guides, and the hinges and latches
are top quality.
Interior decor and materials are well coordinated and excellent
quality for a vehicle in this category. Three decor packages
are available, Coffee, Jade, and Pearl.
Warranty and Road Assistance
For 2007, Jayco vehicles are covered by a "Customer First
Roadside Assistance" program, which is provided at no charge
for the first year that you own the vehicle. Coverage includes
24-hour emergency message service, free dispatch of on-site
mechanical service, jump starts, tire changes, lockout service,
and $2,000 trip interruption reimbursement, as well as a full
range of additional services. The program is offered through
Coach-Net, the largest RV emergency road service in North America.
Jayco provides a two-year, 24,000 mile manufacturer's limited
"Co-Pilot" warranty against defects in materials and
workmanship, and this can be transferred one time within the
warranty period. The Allison transmission carries a five-year,
200,000 mile warranty. A seamless TPO rubber roof tops off the
unit, and carries a 12-year warranty.
For more information visit www.jayco.com or see your local Jayco
dealer. (Page Top)
SPECIFICATIONS:
2007 Jayco Greyhawk 33DS
Exterior length: 33' 10"
Exterior height: 141"
Interior height: 84"
GVWR: 19,500 lbs.
GCWR: 26,000 lbs.
Engine: Vortec 8100 MD Gas
Chassis: Chevrolet Kodiak 5500 Chassis
Wheelbase: 225"
Rear axle ratio: 4.78
Furnace: 31,000 BTU
Fresh water: 63 gal.
Gray water: 41 gal.
Black water: 51 gal.
MSRP base unit: $114,995 |
With the slide extended, there is ample room to dine in comfort.
Note the swing-out TV and the headroom in the cab-over bunk.
The rear master bedroom is compact but well planned, with a
closet unit
at the foot of the bed, and a shelf with all the hookups for
a television. (Page Top) |
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