2014 Expanda OB 17.56.....

Matty4 · Feb 2, 2015

I'm curious, why didn't you use a WDH with the Jeep? I have QL in mine and also use a WDH, never had trouble with sway or levelling it.
I take it you didn't have quadra-lift in it, just the self-levelling rear shocks, which should have kept it level anyway.

A WDH won't bring it back to level but will help in tying the 2 units together and make it a far more stable tow rig.
The Jeep also has built in Trailer Sway Control.
I would always recommend a WDH, just to help tie it all together.

TRAKADU · Feb 3, 2015

cruza driver said:
Nice mate, I'll have to google that campground now

Did you get to Rubicon at all?

I didn't get a chance to go away on that weekend but Rubicon is definitely on my list of places to camp.

TRAKADU · Feb 3, 2015

Matty4 said:
I'm curious, why didn't you use a WDH with the Jeep? I have QL in mine and also use a WDH, never had trouble with sway or levelling it.
I take it you didn't have quadra-lift in it, just the self-levelling rear shocks, which should have kept it level anyway.

A WDH won't bring it back to level but will help in tying the 2 units together and make it a far more stable tow rig.
The Jeep also has built in Trailer Sway Control.
I would always recommend a WDH, just to help tie it all together.

I completely agree with you Matty4. WDH is highly recommended however, with my expanda setup I don't have the room on the draw bar to fit one. (It is not the extended draw bar). I have a toolbox which takes up fair bit of space.

I should rephrase what I said earlier as the sway I experienced with the Jeep was no where near at dangerous levels except it was a minor yawing. So it wasn't too bad. The Jeep is definitely a very capable rig when properly setup. cheers TRAKADU

Dajotrad · Mar 15, 2015

TRAKADU said:
Installation:-

Hey Trakadu love the toolbox could you send me some dimensions?
prattie

TRAKADU · Mar 16, 2015

Hi Dajotrad, Sorry I only saw this email now. I was camping in Walhalla (again) on the weekend

. I will get the measurements for you tonight when go home. (back at work

) Cheers TRAKADU

TRAKADU · Mar 16, 2015

Went to Walhalla on the weekend again. This time around we camped at Chinees Garden campground which is an absolute beauty. We weren't alone this time as one of our family friends came along with us which made a great company (lots of yarn around camp fire :blah:

)

This Camping spot is located up the road from the free camping area called North Garden. It is $35 per night but it has very clean toilets and hot water showers. We didn't need to use it but it was handy for our friends who were doing tent camping...

For the Expanda buddies who live around Melbourne - Walhalla is definitely a great place to camp which is only 3 hours from Melbourne... give it a go.... some pics now

TRAKADU · Mar 17, 2015

Dajotrad said:
Hey Trakadu love the toolbox could you send me some dimensions?
prattie

OK. here you go.

H = 500mm
W = 500mm
L = 1,800mm (this includes 200mm on each side for the Jerry can holders)

I got this box made from a mob called Tru Blue Campers in Mordialloc. (247 Boundary Road, Mordialloc, Tel 03 9580 2444). Then got a mate to powder coat it for me to match the expanda colours.

Dajotrad · Mar 22, 2015

TRAKADU said:
OK. here you go.

H = 500mm
W = 500mm
L = 1,800mm (this includes 200mm on each side for the Jerry can holders)

I got this box made from a mob called Tru Blue Campers in Mordialloc. (247 Boundary Road, Mordialloc, Tel 03 9580 2444). Then got a mate to powder coat it for me to match the expanda colours.

Thanks for that - I have checked out my dimensions will be different but will get Tru Blue to quote on what I want - thanks again will let you know how I go. Hooroo

burnsie · Mar 25, 2015

TRAKADU said:
Finally, connected the inverter to the battery . Went with a coloured GPO for the inverter power so the Misus and the kids would know which one to use while free camping. Also connected the CO/Gas leak monitor. I installed it facing the Fridge - thought that would be the best place to detect nasties...

Hey @TRAKADU was looking through your write and noticed you have installed a direct 12V connected Gas/CO monitor.

Just wondering how this has gone over the past 6months since you have installed this, any issues or concerns with battery usage, was thinking of getting one of these for my new van which will be here soon. Was it a pretty simple install?

TRAKADU · Apr 20, 2015

Hi All,
It has been awhile since I have posted something here. Want to share a mod I did on the weekend. Pretty easy one too. A visit to Bunnings and a cost of $20, the following gadget was born. I checked the water pressure once connected and it was pretty good. With the shut off valve, I can shut one tank if it is full and vice versa. Also connected a swivel snap on connector which stops the horse from bending when I run it under the van. Here are some pictures.

cruza driver · Apr 20, 2015

Its funny you posted this I was going to do the same thing this week. So much quicker to fill the tanks :thumb:

TRAKADU · Apr 20, 2015

burnsie said:
Hey @TRAKADU was looking through your write and noticed you have installed a direct 12V connected Gas/CO monitor.

Just wondering how this has gone over the past 6months since you have installed this, any issues or concerns with battery usage, was thinking of getting one of these for my new van which will be here soon. Was it a pretty simple install?

Hey Burnsie,

Sorry mate I overlooked your query

.. It is a great little gadget to have specially when you are confined to a small enclosed space with all those electrical / gas operated appliances. (better safe than sorry).

Fortunately, It is yet to be tested as no leaks were detected in the van

but I know it works as it was installed by mate of mine who has tested for me with different types of gases. It is also pretty easy to install. I have it in front of the Fridge and ran the cable through the kitchen cupboards to the battery under the seats. We connected to the battery via a fuse. I believe it uses a very minimal voltage as I hardly noticed anything different as far as the battery usage is concerned. Hope this helps

Cheers TRAKADU

burnsie · Apr 20, 2015

cheers @TRAKADU just ordered one through Ebay for the new van, better than replacing batteries all the time, and of course having something that safe guards against any potential leaks.

numbez · Apr 22, 2015

TRAKADU said:
Hi All,
It has been awhile since I have posted something here. Want to share a mod I did on the weekend. Pretty easy one too. A visit to Bunnings and a cost of $20, the following gadget was born. I checked the water pressure once connected and it was pretty good. With the shut off valve, I can shut one tank if it is full and vice versa. Also connected a swivel snap on connector which stops the horse from bending when I run it under the van. Here are some pictures.
View attachment 31629 View attachment 31630

What a fantastic idea @TRAKADU. I got as far as 'cursing at the filling process', but never thought about a way to make it easier. :clap2:

TRAKADU · Jun 23, 2015

We picked up the Panda after its first ever service on the weekend. Apart from couple of little warranty issues there wasn't anything significant for them to do. The service fee + $35 bracket cost me $335 all up. The left side awning bracket (which attaches to the side wall) was bent for some reason while we were camping, though I can't recall how it happened the service guy thinks it was due to the wind. The Service Manager (Rickie) at the Bayswater Jayco was very helpful. The next service is 10,000 km or 12 months whichever comes first. How does everyone keep a tag of the km they do? Is there gadget for that too or simply write the KM on each trip?

Drover · Jun 23, 2015

I have a log book which I record when and what Servicing I do to my vehicle and also trip details which I sometimes correlate at the end of the trip, it is scary though to see how much youvé spent on fuel, anyway the sub total of the distance travelled gives me a rough idea on how far weve dragged the Panda. I find the old pen and paper to be far better than using a computer or laptop, programmes/apps change and you end up loosing the details or change units and it's gone, I still have my log books from back when fuel was 12c/ gallon makes for interesting reading I also have floppy discs with data on them which I can't read now as they are ancient windows.

TRAKADU · Sep 14, 2015

Finally installed the LPG detectors I bought about 2 months ago...

. I decided to install one inside the lower drawer directly under the Gas stove and the other inside the toolbox next to the gas regulator (the most likely places where a leak could start). These units are in addition to the combined Gas and CO monitor I have already installed opposite the Fridge long time ago. Since the CO could be lighter or heavier (depending on the cabin air velocity and temperature, I fixed two CO monitors on the roof as well. Below are couple of pics....

TRAKADU · Jan 13, 2016

I have recently setup an external water filter system for the Panda (something I wanted to do for a long time). It came in handy on our last trip to Corryong (Colac Colac Caravan Park). The park was using bore water and it was kind of murky. The filter did an extremely good job….

TRAKADU · Jan 13, 2016

I thought I'll post some of the photos of the recent getaways we had. First we did a road trip to Coffs Harbour in September last year. All the way from Melbourne to coffs and back - did around 4,500km all up. The pick of the places were Port Macquarie and Coffs.

some of the locals

Gosford

Mick Tuck Reserve between Gosford and Port

On the way to Ellenborough Falls - The biggest single drop waterfall in Soughtern Hemisphere. Must see on your list...

and the Coffs

TRAKADU · Jan 13, 2016

The December getaway to Colac Colac Caravan Park which is located on the foothills of the Mount Kosciuszko National Park. A beautiful heaven with plenty of shade and by the Corryong creek. Well worth the 5 and half hour drive. We stayed there for 5 nights and it was very relaxing…