Hi forum members - we had intended trading our Expanda 14.44-3 for a 20ft StarCraft - but opted for an 18.55-3. this gave us all we need but a warning for smaller Expanda owners - with this move up in size we had to get 12 pin plug with circuit breakers and extra live wire direct from battery, plus Andersen plug for the car and van for the Electronic Stability Control, plus buy and instal Hayman Reese Weight Distribution System - setting us back almost an extra $2000.
To make matters worse Jayco had mounted the jockey wheel clamp on the outside of the drawer bar so it can't be used when the WDS is engaged - meaning we have to get a clamp welded to the inside of the drawer bar – we opted to buy a TrailAMate (another $310) hydraulic jack to double as an easy to use jack and jockey wheel. Once the WDS is disengaged we can use the normal jockey wheel on the outside clamp.
It is beyond our strength to fully engage the WDS without jacking up the van first to take the tension off the WDS bars – which can only be done with an inside mounted clamp.
Next we noticed the rear bumper was touching the van - on inspection underneath the placement of the box section that the bumper bolts into has been set too far to the front of the van so the bumper can't be adjusted back - we will leave that to Jayco to sort out - I will keep you posted on that one.
Another very BIG beware – the new Jaycos have bigger drawbars that measure 125mm X 50mm, which means our front mounted Fiamma bike racks and bolt-on Alko swivel clamp don't fit - we had to have a new plate welded to the Alko swivel with two steel strips for the inside of the drawer bar for through bolts as you can't buy 125mm U Bolts – fortunately this was only $20.
To top it off we have far less useable storage than our Expanda 14.44-3 (2010 model) and although we travel very light a lot of stuff had to be left at home.
I think the good lady cried and wished we had stuck with our Expanda - we had 33 safe and trouble free trips including up through far western Queensland.
Hope things improve - we have yet to make the first shakedown trip as all this new set-up has not only cost $'s but taken time - something the good sales staff didn't even hint at.
ACTraveller
To make matters worse Jayco had mounted the jockey wheel clamp on the outside of the drawer bar so it can't be used when the WDS is engaged - meaning we have to get a clamp welded to the inside of the drawer bar – we opted to buy a TrailAMate (another $310) hydraulic jack to double as an easy to use jack and jockey wheel. Once the WDS is disengaged we can use the normal jockey wheel on the outside clamp.
It is beyond our strength to fully engage the WDS without jacking up the van first to take the tension off the WDS bars – which can only be done with an inside mounted clamp.
Next we noticed the rear bumper was touching the van - on inspection underneath the placement of the box section that the bumper bolts into has been set too far to the front of the van so the bumper can't be adjusted back - we will leave that to Jayco to sort out - I will keep you posted on that one.
Another very BIG beware – the new Jaycos have bigger drawbars that measure 125mm X 50mm, which means our front mounted Fiamma bike racks and bolt-on Alko swivel clamp don't fit - we had to have a new plate welded to the Alko swivel with two steel strips for the inside of the drawer bar for through bolts as you can't buy 125mm U Bolts – fortunately this was only $20.
To top it off we have far less useable storage than our Expanda 14.44-3 (2010 model) and although we travel very light a lot of stuff had to be left at home.
I think the good lady cried and wished we had stuck with our Expanda - we had 33 safe and trouble free trips including up through far western Queensland.
Hope things improve - we have yet to make the first shakedown trip as all this new set-up has not only cost $'s but taken time - something the good sales staff didn't even hint at.
ACTraveller