18' Series 2010 or 2012

[Rhys]

Hello

My Wife and I are looking and getting a Caravan.
we like the 18' Expanda model. after shower, Toilet and extra bunks.

Looks like we can afford around a 2010 - 2012 model.
is there much difference? they look the same to me.
Any year we should avoid?

Thanks for any help

Rhys

 

[dagree]

Good luck with your search @Rhys ... Keep an eye on the for sale section in here as they pop up every now and then.

Models around that era would mainly be alike apart from the possibility of colours (internal and external), types of locks on cupboards etc.
Predominantly the suspension, layouts etc will be the same.

Being an 18'er with toilet/shower etc I am assuming you will be going an Outback?
If so check the weights and ensure your car is capable (legal) to tow it.

Apart from the above enjoy your time going through the many posts on here...... So much information available.

 

[Rhys]

Hello

Thanks for the info, I feel like I know the van already because of this forum.
wasn't going for outback, might look tho.
budget around 30 - 35k

Also, My car is a 2012 NW Pajero, I think it has really good towing capacity but I'll check.

Thanks again

Rhys

 

[ady17]

I am pretty sure those pre 2012 did not have the hard lid on the bed ends.

 

[Brougham]

Nah that was much earlier. 2010 onwards all had hard lids.

 

[dagree]

Hard lids actually started in 2008... We made the mistake of buying a 2007 model first off

 

[ady17]

Ok. I admit it, I was wrong....just don't tell the missus!

 

[dagree]

Ok. I admit it, I was wrong....just don't tell the missus!

Would never do that

 

[bigcol]

Ok. I admit it, I was wrong....just don't tell the missus!

tell her what
you were wrong
or
you admitted it............

either way - our lips are sealed

 

[bigcol]

welcome @Rhys lots of great info on here as well as great people with a passion for their Vans

as @dagree said, there is not a lot of difference from 2008 to 2015 except colours & such
2010 was when they went to LED lights I think (my 2009 Flamingo had normal globes, that I changed to LEDs)
2015 is when they changed the styling slightly on the outside on the lids, and the rear as well as the outside colouring

you Pajero is more than capable of towing the 18', so no worries there

the difference between the Touring and Outback versions is the obvious suspension - but the chassis is also larger and they are usually already set up with Solar & such for the "free camping"
depending on what sort of Vanning you intend doing, will determine what you should be looking at
just remember
the Outback is NOT an OFF road Van - totally different kettle of fish

if you are only ever doing black top roads & caravan parks - the Touring would suit you better
the odd off road adventure - the Outback is more what you need
the Touring WILL go everywhere the Outback will - just at what cost to Van itself????

 

[dagree]

either way - our lips are sealed

What happens on this forum stays on the forum :rofl:

 

[NoWorries]

2012 18's still had normal interior lights but all the external lights are LED
The main difference I found with the 2010 and mine was the external hatches, everything else was the same
Interior lights can be changed out for led globes really cheaply via ebay

 

[NoWorries]

The Pajero will tow it fine unless you leave the handbrake on the caravan. (the transmission will overhead and you will get a flashing center diff light)
but be aware my Pajero 2014 NW sometimes used 28 ltrs per 100 while towing with it so with a 80lt tank you can get a bit worried sometimes
It also did not like corrugated roads while towing either
This is why I now have a Crusier.

 

[bigcol]

my Pajero 2014 NW sometimes used 28 ltrs per 100 while towing

thats a Petrol one yes..............................
(I freaking hope so..............)

 

[Herbertclan]

Geeez!! I thought that kind of fuel economy was an urban myth @NoWorries ??


My mate tows a Jayco fattener about 20' long with a Pajero (I'm printing out the Spanish definition of Pajero for him for our first trip just in case he didn't know :noidea he said it does it fine but he likes to sit on 90kph and ticks along fine, he also has a WDH fitted and recall him saying it was a big change in handling.

Cheers Max,

 

[bigcol]

when we did a trip up to Exmouth a couple of years ago (4 now..... wow that long)
my father was filling up his petrol Paj, at the same rate I was filling up the V8 Cruiser...........

he thought he was doing well, until he realised he was using the same as me
then he got even more miffed, and my Bro-in-law used 1/2 what we were - in his diesel Playdoh

 

[NoWorries]

thats a Petrol one yes..............................
(I freaking hope so..............)

Nope

 

[bigcol]

thats a Petrol one yes..............................
(I freaking hope so..............)

Nope

W T F...............
when we did the Exmouth trip, my fathers Paj was a 2011 (whatever model) V6
he traded to a 2013 DiD just after
towing his 22' Coromal he could do Perth to Albany and back on a tank (once he had to stop at Nth Dandalup to fill up, as he had done a side trip through Katanning)

I'm thinking there may have been something the matter with your poor old Paj

 

[NoWorries]

No nothing wrong with it
They just don't like headwinds towing 2.5 tons with two kayaks on the roof driving down to Esperance.
a 22ft Coramal weighs about the same as a 16ft Jayco because they have a Aluminium chassis.

 

[NoWorries]

Perth to Albany and back is 840 klms
I could not do that with the Paj without towing
They only have a 80lt tank