20' Series Tool Box options for 2018 Expanda caravan

Sparks on the road

New Member
Jun 12, 2018
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Millfield
Hi Guys,

Very new to this page but we are currently awaiting delivery of our new Expanda caravan, I have been looking around for front box options and haven't really found anything that i belive will do the job. Can anyone suggest a box and model they have and it works or are we best to look at a custom build?

Thankyou in advance,
 

Ben Sweetnam

Member
Oct 17, 2017
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52
Sydney
What do you want it to do? Requirements vs constraints?

I used DS Custom in Melbourne and had my box shipped up - very happy
 

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Sparks on the road

New Member
Jun 12, 2018
3
0
1
Millfield
Hi Guys,
Im up in the Hunter valley NSW, Your box looks very fit for purpose Ben, i like it. All i want to do is have a useable space at the front which can house the gas bottles and than other essentials(eg chainsaw/tool kit etc). depending on design maybe a BBQ

What do you use the tube frames for @Ben Sweetnam?

Can i have DS custom contact please?

Cheers,
 

Ben Sweetnam

Member
Oct 17, 2017
27
58
13
52
Sydney
Hi Guys,
Im up in the Hunter valley NSW, Your box looks very fit for purpose Ben, i like it. All i want to do is have a useable space at the front which can house the gas bottles and than other essentials(eg chainsaw/tool kit etc). depending on design maybe a BBQ

What do you use the tube frames for @Ben Sweetnam?

Can i have DS custom contact please?

Cheers,

Thanks - very happy with the result - the tubes on top for wood, other stuff to sit there and just tie down very useful
 

JBee

New Member
Nov 2, 2017
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44
Croydon
What do you want it to do? Requirements vs constraints?

I used DS Custom in Melbourne and had my box shipped up - very happy
Thanks - very happy with the result - the tubes on top for wood, other stuff to sit there and just tie down very useful

Hi Ben

I'm in Melbourne, and after putting a dint in the rear panel of the car doing a sharp right hander towing the van which has a plastic tub on the drawbar, I'm looking at having something made similar to the pics you posted. What was the turnaround on your box? And the cost?

Thanks
James
 

Ben Sweetnam

Member
Oct 17, 2017
27
58
13
52
Sydney
Hi Ben

I'm in Melbourne, and after putting a dint in the rear panel of the car doing a sharp right hander towing the van which has a plastic tub on the drawbar, I'm looking at having something made similar to the pics you posted. What was the turnaround on your box? And the cost?

Thanks
James
They were done in a couple of weeks - cost was $2400 plus freight from memory - well worth if from my end
 

Derm

Member
Oct 18, 2015
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18
Mornington Peninsula
Hi JBee, did you end up going with tool box on the draw bar, been trying to see if I can get one to work but the spare wheel seems to be the issue
 

JBee

New Member
Nov 2, 2017
12
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44
Croydon
Hi Derm

After all the messing around getting the rear of the cruiser repaired ive finally got the plans for the toolbox drawn up and will visit M20 and MW in Bayswater, and also DS in Campbellfield. Once ive chosen ill let you know. As for the spare tyre I haven't given too much thought, will probably end up welding a hinge on the current frame so it can be lowered and dragged out from under the van??

cheers

James
 

Derm

Member
Oct 18, 2015
33
25
18
Mornington Peninsula
Thanks James,
Never thought of lowering it as they do in the Landcruiser, good luck with the project.
I have the extended drawbar and can't work out why they don't suspend it under the floor behind the step as they do in i think the 17ft vans.
You can never have enough storage.
Cheers,
Derm
 

Derm

Member
Oct 18, 2015
33
25
18
Mornington Peninsula
Yeah that looks pretty cool, only concern I have is the weight of the tyre suspended by it, however it works on the cruiser though. If it lowered a cradle like the wheel currently sits on which had locking pins then I think I would more comfortable. Not sure if you have the extended drawbar, but I had thought there may be enough room to slide the tyre out in front of the toolbox. Will have a closer look. Jayco suspend tyres on some of there other vans.
Cheers
Derm
 

chartrock

Forum Patriarch
Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
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Gold Coast Hinterland
I think @Crusty181 idea of the extra locking cable is a necessity. I had a cable windup setup on my earlier van. When wound up, it appeared it was up tight but on bumpy roads, the weight of the wheel pulled the cable tighter allowing slack in the system and the wheel swung loose eventually allowing enough slack in the bracket holding the wheel for the wheel to fall out just as I was pulling into a camp spot so I didn't lose it but I was lucky. If I had something like that shown there would have been no problem. I eventually mounted the wheel on the rear bumper.
 
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JBee

New Member
Nov 2, 2017
12
11
3
44
Croydon
Hi Everyone

After doing my homework on what was going to work best for me with the Toolbox, I finally got one made from MW Toolboxes in Bayswater Victoria, Jing the salesman/draftie was very helpful and put up with my ocd.
I've also attached a couple of pic of the relocated spare tyer, and the relocated gas bottles.

We are have just landed in Esperance and happy to report everything is working well

Thanks
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James
 

Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
13,971
113
Mentone, VIC
Hi Everyone

After doing my homework on what was going to work best for me with the Toolbox, I finally got one made from MW Toolboxes in Bayswater Victoria, Jing the salesman/draftie was very helpful and put up with my ocd.
I've also attached a couple of pic of the relocated spare tyer, and the relocated gas bottles.

We are have just landed in Esperance and happy to report everything is working well

ThanksView attachment 63215View attachment 63216View attachment 63215View attachment 63216
View attachment 63217View attachment 63218James
Nice, similar to what i did on our 20.63. What the purpose of the drawer/tray. Does it slide under the floor of the box
 

JBee

New Member
Nov 2, 2017
12
11
3
44
Croydon
Hey Crusty

Yeah mate it slides back under the box, I store the BabyQ in the front storage tunnel and pull it out and onto the slide for cooking, wanted to be able to leave the BBQ out but keep the box locked.

Cheers

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