Van virgin saying g'day

AussieNick

Active Member
Feb 9, 2021
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175
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Darwin, NT
G'day everyone.

Thought, since i'm no longer just stalking these forums anymore, but am soon to become a bona fide cexpanda owner i'd say hi.

We're in the process of finalising the paperwork on a 2010 16.49-1 Expanda, our first family caravan.

Bit of background, with 1 4 year old and hopefully in the not too distant future another kiddo, the wife and I decided that flying is going to become too cost prohibitive when you factor in hire cars, accomodation, flights etc etc. We also love camping, but it's getting too hot up in darwin and the window for decent camping weather is rather tight, plus my daughter has some special needs that make camping in tents on occasion impossible (we've done 2 trip recently where I've ended up driving my wife and kid home after a massive meltdown). We also want to stretch the legs on family holidays, see some other parts of the country, but also be able to camp earlier and later into the season.

With that in mind we set out to find a decent second hand caravan. We ended up settling on the 2010 expanda. Key for us was the A/C, solar, annex kit, queen bed (at least 1 since i'm 6"2) with the idea that aside from food and clothing, it'll be 80% packed constantly so we can hook up and nip away for a long weekend on short notice, but also be comfortable enough to do at least 1 big trip a year (we've got family in Vic and in QLD). My folks made the trip up to brissie to have a good look over the van for us, and via skype, had a good chat with the owner and decided to pull the pin on this.

Screenshot_2021-02-09 2010 Jayco Expanda Pop Top 16 49-1 for sale.png

(Pic stolen from the sellers ad)

So, finalising the paperwork and then i'm planning to drive from Darwin to Brissie mid march to bring the van back that a mate has so kindly offered to pickup and store for us.

Anticipating 3 days down, 2 days to recover and load and then 4 on the way back.

So yeah, G'day all, you'll be seeing me bugging you mob a bit. Plus I'll do a roadtrip log for the trip to collect the van.

Nick
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,723
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QLD
Welcome to the mob for sure and an adventure to start things off, brilliant stuff, I think you will be stoked as expandas are great.
Before you leave to pick it up make sure your 7 or 12 pin plug is all working and you mate checks the vans plug, nothing more frustrating and annoying than problems with these things.........
Something most totally forget about when picking up a new pre loved or even new van is the jack, wheel brace and spare tyre, not only a visual on them make sure the jack works, the wheel brace fit's, as has been found, the odd occasion where, while the jack works they won't lift the van and the brace doesn't match the wheel nuts, worth a check...spare is obvious but make sure you have a spanner to fit and the bolt can be undone and it has air.

So don't be shy, speak up with your questions, have a rant and a laugh with us and don't forget the pics.
 
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poor but proud

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2018
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redlands
do you need a brake controller fitted to your tug to suit the van??? also towing mirrors that stay on and dont fold in passing semis ,the money pit has started ,see you on the road
 

AussieNick

Active Member
Feb 9, 2021
81
175
33
35
Darwin, NT
do you need a brake controller fitted to your tug to suit the van??? also towing mirrors that stay on and dont fold in passing semis ,the money pit has started ,see you on the road

Got the EBC already thankfully.

Need the tow mirrors, and a few other bits and pieces.


Welcome to the mob for sure and an adventure to start things off, brilliant stuff, I think you will be stoked as expandas are great.
Before you leave to pick it up make sure your 7 or 12 pin plug is all working and you mate checks the vans plug, nothing more frustrating and annoying than problems with these things.........
Something most totally forget about when picking up a new pre loved or even new van is the jack, wheel brace and spare tyre, not only a visual on them make sure the jack works, the wheel brace fit's, as has been found, the odd occasion where, while the jack works they won't lift the van and the brace doesn't match the wheel nuts, worth a check...spare is obvious but make sure you have a spanner to fit and the bolt can be undone and it has air.

So don't be shy, speak up with your questions, have a rant and a laugh with us and don't forget the pics.

Yeah my folks had a good look over the van, wheels are new, jack and all that was present. I'll be getting my mate to double check when he collects it next week hopefully before I get down there.

Obviously a bit nervous buying the van sight unseen (to us anyways) but we've had 2 people look over it for us so....

Exciting times
 

AussieNick

Active Member
Feb 9, 2021
81
175
33
35
Darwin, NT
So got confirmation that finance has been approved and they are, hopefully, printing the bank cheque for me to pick up today.

Planning to hit the road on the 15th of March, 10 day round trip.

Time to put pen to paper and start planning the trip, permits, fuel.

Fun times
 

Bluey

Well-Known Member
Mar 31, 2014
2,651
3,817
113
Australia
Well done and welcome to the 16-49-1 club. We have one and love ours! Off next weekend to Euroa and then more trips planned.
I want to have a weekend in that park looks good let me know how it is but they allow dogs i think
 

Grandpa Gunna

Active Member
Dec 29, 2020
64
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Northern Tablelands NSW
Hi @AussieNick,

A belated welcome.

We also travel with kids (young teenagers now) who have special needs, and fully get the disruption and stress it can place on your travels. Believe me there’s no where to hide on a peak hour tram in Adelaide when the youngest has reached the point of no return, or the fear of being asked to leave a caravan park.

We have found caravanning allows the girls to to meet and play with other children with no judgement and they are slowly appreciating the wonderful country we live in.

Yes we have gone close to packing up and driving home but our trips away are precious to us and we ride things out.

But there’s that one thing you will always find with caravanning

“that one person who approaches at a quiet moment and offers a word of support”

this easily outweighs any of the negative stares etc.

Look forward to your travel reports and one day our paths may cross
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,723
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QLD
Your certainly right @Grandpa Gunna , times when you think stuff it, stupid people, stop the world I wann get off or push them off then someone will walk by, say G'day and makes your day good again ..............................
 
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AussieNick

Active Member
Feb 9, 2021
81
175
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35
Darwin, NT
Hi @AussieNick,

A belated welcome.

We also travel with kids (young teenagers now) who have special needs, and fully get the disruption and stress it can place on your travels. Believe me there’s no where to hide on a peak hour tram in Adelaide when the youngest has reached the point of no return, or the fear of being asked to leave a caravan park.

We have found caravanning allows the girls to to meet and play with other children with no judgement and they are slowly appreciating the wonderful country we live in.

Yes we have gone close to packing up and driving home but our trips away are precious to us and we ride things out.

But there’s that one thing you will always find with caravanning

“that one person who approaches at a quiet moment and offers a word of support”

this easily outweighs any of the negative stares etc.

Look forward to your travel reports and one day our paths may cross
Oh man, we've had some judgemental looks from people when my daughter has been losing her mind over something. Autism, Sensory processing Disorder, Speech apraxia is a bitch when she can't communicate whats wrong (She can talk now) even had someone come over and tell me to shut my daughter up as she was disturbing her. Good thing we camp with a group of friends who are well aware and understanding of my kiddo, we all jumped down this persons throat and told them quite quickly to eff off.

Having a van where we can control the external environment when she needs a controlled, quiet place to chill is going to make things a heap easier for all of us, most of all her. She loves camping and being outdoors with her friends, but gets worked up when we end up leaving early.
 
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Crusty181

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Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
You guys are basically us quite a few years ago the 2.5 Nav, asd and a 2009 16.49.1. I didn't find the Nav too bad with the van on the back, a Steinbauer gave it a very subtle leg up. My first D40 was the manual and the fuel eco was sweet compared to the guzzling auto. The economy difference btw the two was extraordinary. I eventually traded that for the last of the D40 V6s, lucky enough to get the last silver one in Aus, so I could swap the canopy over. Used the V6 Nav to tow the current van around Oz .... very under-rated vehicle, and the best tow vehicle I've ever owned.

We loved the 16.49.1, and have very fond memories of it. For what its worth a 135/335 Thetford porta Potti on an upside down carpet tile will slide neatly straight in through frameless left side lower door under the robe/pantry cabinet. Makes life a little easier with kids
 
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AussieNick

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Feb 9, 2021
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Darwin, NT
Oh man that's freaky haha. Nice to see someone else with the same idea with positive comments about the whole idea of caravanning.

A portapotti was the first big thing in the agenda for us, for those same reasons haha. Middle of the night pees for the girls, not having to trek to the facilities. We plan to get one of those popup ensuite tents and pop it into the annex when we have the full thing setup for a bit of convenience
 
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Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
Oh man that's freaky haha. Nice to see someone else with the same idea with positive comments about the whole idea of caravanning.

A portapotti was the first big thing in the agenda for us, for those same reasons haha. Middle of the night pees for the girls, not having to trek to the facilities. We plan to get one of those popup ensuite tents and pop it into the annex when we have the full thing setup for a bit of convenience
With no bathroom in the 16.49.1, I had a 600mm wide door zippered into the rear wall of the annex, and set up the toilet tent hard up against the outside of the rear wall .... instant ensuite
 

AussieNick

Active Member
Feb 9, 2021
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175
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35
Darwin, NT
Just saying...... @Crusty181 says best tow car eva ?????? Thats untill he got the one he has now evan with his stuffed knee he dose the toyota jump every morning giddy up ......
Ha!

Once the d40 is no longer financially viable (So about another 2 years haha) to keep on the road i'll be upgrading to something in the Landcruiser range.
 
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