Goods & Services | Jayco Canterbury
Ready for holidays on the road Canterbury Caravan Court, now trading as Jayco Canterbury, is a bit of a Christchurch institution as it has been providing Cantabrians with their caravanning and motorhome requirements for almost 50 years.
The company first began selling caravans in 1965 and for its entire history has operated from the same site on Christchurch’s Main South Road. Current owner Peter McWhirter, a joiner by trade, joined the firm in 1977 as repairman and sales representative. Peter and his wife Gwyneth bought the business in 1990, building and developing the company to meet the changing needs of the freedom traveller. “When I first began working for the company we were selling the popular Zephyr caravans, mainly to younger families for their holiday travels,” Peter says. “Today the bulk of our clients are more mature, maybe couples whose children have grown and left home and even retirees who are looking to explore New Zealand on their own, and want the freedom a modern caravan or motorhome brings.” With the demise of the caravan manufacturing industry in New Zealand, Peter and Gwyneth now supply the Jayco brand of caravans and “With the growth of the motorhome the Trailite range of motorhomes for which industry people have rented a motorhome they are the exclusive South Island agents. or bought a second hand one to see if the lifestyle is for them before investing in a “Jayco are the biggest supplier of caravans higher quality unit.” and recreational vehicles in Australasia and manufacture a superb range of quality With more than 35 years experience in the caravans of all sizes with all the conveniences industry, Peter and Gwyneth are well qualified required by the modern traveller,” Peter says. to offer the best advice to caravan and
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Jayco are the biggest supplier of caravans and recreational vehicles in Australasia and manufacture a superb range of quality caravans of all sizes with all the conveniences required by the modern traveller.
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“People now want all the creature comforts. In days gone-by caravanners were happy with the pull out single beds, but most now require a more permanent bedding arrangement, with most of our units coming with a double bed or even bigger. “Most caravans now come with shower and toilet facilities as people want the freedom of deciding where they will park up for the night and do not want to have to be tied to staying at caravan parks.”
motorhome buyers. “We pride ourselves on the quality of our service and products as well as our product knowledge,” Peter says. Jayco Canterbury has a full range of accessories for the caravan and motorhome owner and the trained staff are able to carry out light refurbishment of their units should the new owner require it.
Accessories
Self-tracking satellite dishes for digital television reception are also a must-have for most freedom travellers, while quality sound systems and space for computer technology are high on any contemporary caravan and motorhome buyer’s agenda.
Jayco also stocks a comprehensive range of parts, spares and accessories for all RV makes and models, including:
Peter believes the change in his customers from young families to what he describes as the ‘grey nomads’ has come about because many of the baby boomers did their OE when they were younger and today travelling overseas has become more expensive and there are also safety concerns.
• Accessories
He says many are now looking to stay and explore their own country and that is made more viable with both caravans and motorhomes retaining their value over time, unlike motor vehicles.
• Gas accessories
• Cookers and fridges • Awnings
• Plumbing and toilets • Electrical • Lighting - exterior and interior • Heating
• Televisions and antennas • Steps and ladders.
• Repairers of Caravans and Motorhomes in association with Jayco • Showroom on site
Proud to support Jayco Canterbury
Address 152 Waterloo Road, Hornby Christchurch Ph 03 3442 442 www.motorhomeshop.co.nz
108 | February/March 2013 www.canterburytoday.co.nz