I finally picked up our new Expanda 14-44-3 a week or so back from Newcastle Jayco. They were very helpful but, unfortunately, the Air Conditioner failed and could not be repaired that day. As I had to be home the next day I could not wait for it to be repaired and I did not want to travel home and back to Newcastle at another time so I took it home after they had arranged for me to get it repaired on the Gold Coast (it goes in next Monday).
It poured all the way home which made for an interesting trip as I found the van heavier than anticipated. However, the Navara handled it well and I was happy with the way it towed. My only gripe with the tow was the Hayman reese towing hitch. The dealer set it up for me but told me I needed a longer hitch which would drop my towball a bit more as the van was not level. It was up at the front and down at the rear with the ball on the lowest setting. But if I get a longer hitch it will only have about 200mm ground clearance which is pointless with a 4WD. I wonder why Jayco weld the plate for the tow connection under the A-frame. If it was on top, then my towball could be raised up on the hitch and the van could be easily levelled.
I also discovered something about the fridge which was either incorrectly explained or misunderstood by me. I turned the fridge off at the thermostat while I stopped overnight and left the van connected to the car. Of course, the next morning the car battery was dead flat so, NRMA to the rescue. On reading the manual at home it states that the only way 12V can be turned off is to switch the selector knob from the 12V position. When all else fails, read the manual.
I had trouble getting the 12V lighting to work just off the van battery until I found the battery switch had been fitted upside down. When I thought it was on it would not work but when I accidently switched it off with one of the lights on I twigged to the problem.
A couple of other minor problems but we are generally very happy with the van and are just waiting for our first chance to take it away.
It poured all the way home which made for an interesting trip as I found the van heavier than anticipated. However, the Navara handled it well and I was happy with the way it towed. My only gripe with the tow was the Hayman reese towing hitch. The dealer set it up for me but told me I needed a longer hitch which would drop my towball a bit more as the van was not level. It was up at the front and down at the rear with the ball on the lowest setting. But if I get a longer hitch it will only have about 200mm ground clearance which is pointless with a 4WD. I wonder why Jayco weld the plate for the tow connection under the A-frame. If it was on top, then my towball could be raised up on the hitch and the van could be easily levelled.
I also discovered something about the fridge which was either incorrectly explained or misunderstood by me. I turned the fridge off at the thermostat while I stopped overnight and left the van connected to the car. Of course, the next morning the car battery was dead flat so, NRMA to the rescue. On reading the manual at home it states that the only way 12V can be turned off is to switch the selector knob from the 12V position. When all else fails, read the manual.
I had trouble getting the 12V lighting to work just off the van battery until I found the battery switch had been fitted upside down. When I thought it was on it would not work but when I accidently switched it off with one of the lights on I twigged to the problem.
A couple of other minor problems but we are generally very happy with the van and are just waiting for our first chance to take it away.
