2015 17.56-2 Outback - Dunc's and Tennille's Poptop

Duncanblake36

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
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168
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Doreen
2015 Jayco Expanda 17.56-2 Outback
We got this van when it was 12 months old. The guy who owned it before us pretty much ticked all the boxes and got all the upgrades which was great (saved us a packet). These are all the things that I've added since getting it 4 months ago.

The aim of this exercise is to get the van up to a point where we can hook it up and off we go. Just add clothes and fresh food.

We used to camp in a tent but since #3 came along in August - setting up a tent while looking after 3 munchkins was near on impossible.

So here we go.

Outside
- Toolbox on drawbar (used for storing Annex, tarps, floor mats, Weber Q, drain hoses, water hoses, power cables, gas bottles, etc (all the bulky stuff that I used to carry in the back of the Hilux). The toolbox was made by DS Customs (http://dscustomtoolboxes.com.au). They did an awesome job and very happy with how it turned out.
- 2 x 150mm quick access lockable bazooka pipes for annex poles and fishing rods
- Drain breathers and drain connector to allow for fast drainage
- Portable 200ltr Water Bladder and 12v mini water pump for filling water tanks when bush camping (very
handy)

Inside
- Pull out Pantry (very handy)
- 2 x new memory foam mattresses (sooooo much better than the hard Jayco mattresses)
- Dual USB charge points at each bed end
- Circulating Fan in Fridge (frost free fridge)
- Fridge Thermometer
- GPS tracker and Portable 4g Wi-Fi hotspot (Hidden Prepaid IPhone 5 that is always on)
- Anderson Plug near front seat for Engel fridge when travelling
- Shower mat (stops water and mud on the shower base)
- Shower area - Toilet roll holder, hooks, mirror, suction tub holders for toothpaste and shampoo etc.

Electrical
- Duel 100AH Batteries with inline 200a circuit breaker
- Added 4 Anderson Plugs - one on all 4 corners of the outside of the van (used for Engel, portable solar panel (follow the sun), external lights, etc).
- CTek D250S DC to DC charger (to charge batteries when travelling for fridge - from Hilux)
- Input 12v Anderson plug from Hilux to CTek DC to DC charger.
- Fuse Boxes under each seat (for all electrical equipment)
- CTek Battery Sense Battery Monitor
- 1500w (3000w Peak) Power Inverter (for microwave and any other electrical equipment we want to use off grid)



Still to come
- Reversing Camera
- Magazine holders

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Duncanblake36

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
103
168
43
Doreen
Some new mods. ECO-THERM HEATER. Makes the van a nice 20 degrees for off grid use.
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Filtered Drinking water tap - Saves carrying those big drinking water containers
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12v Inverter Power Point - Left switch turn on the 1500w inverter. Right turns on the power point.
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Duncanblake36

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
103
168
43
Doreen
250w extra Panel on the roof.
150w with the van
140w slim portable panel.

Total 540w.

Have removed the regulator off the portable and have both the 250w and 140w feeding into the Ctek 250s. Smart charge.

No more running out of power again!
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DaveR

Well-Known Member
Mar 13, 2017
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Gold Coast
I like reading posts like this, it makes me think I am not the only one who spends camping trips away thinking what oter reno's can I do on the van...
Nice work there, how are you liking the Ctek kit?
 
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Duncanblake36

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
103
168
43
Doreen
@DaveR yeah its a bit of a hobby :) Every time we head away there are things that go on the list to fix or enhance. The Ctek chargers are great. Have 3 of them (Hilux, Prado and Van). Next big test will be after winter so I'm hoping it will work well.
 

Duncanblake36

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
103
168
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Doreen
Just the Hilux currently. The Prado is the wife's and it doesn't have a tow ball on it at the moment. It has the new 2.8 ltr engine so I would be interested in how it travels as it has heaps more power compared to the Hilux.
 

Bluey

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Mar 31, 2014
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As far as i know they tweek the prados up a bit so they go better than the hilux i have the same set up but the van is far too heavy to tow legal for prado but it tows it fairly easy the van is well over ball weight and van as well
 

Duncanblake36

Active Member
Nov 17, 2016
103
168
43
Doreen
Cot out and draws in :)

Draws In the Expanda
Storage has always been tight with the Poptop 17.56.2 with a family of 5. After a lot of head scratching I've installed 5 draws in the back of the van. Pretty happy with the result. Converted the two bottom drop down cupboards to draws. Installed a set of 3 on top of them.

Draws are from Ikea and are self closing $20-$25.
The frame is made on 2 x 1800mm x 900mm x 16mm MDF
With a bit of tazzie oak on top to hold the mattress in place.

Colour coded with semi gloss Dulux "Easily Suede"
Held in place with Velcro.
 

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DaveR

Well-Known Member
Mar 13, 2017
287
545
93
Gold Coast
That's a great idea, although I'd wanna improve on the velcro, we've had exploding drawer / broken latch syndrome twice now on bumpy roads, each was an east west drawer.