About to upgrade...

[Swanny]

Hi All,

We are currently upgrading from a Swan which we have had for one year. We have loved Swanny but each trip we find we have Expanda-envy when we watch others set up and pack up in less than half the time!

We have been visiting this site often to research Expanda options and ideas. The Swan was an impulse buy, so hoping to be a little more informed this time... We are heading to the Rosehill camping show next weekend to check out more Expandas and hopefully get more ideas.

So far we are thinking of a 17.56-2. I initially thought I didn't want the bathroom and were leaning towards the 17.56-1 but after several trips to the loo in the middle of the (freezing cold) night this Easter, and after reading lots of posts on this site re pros and cons, I think I have changed my mind!

We are a family of 4 with two girls aged 8 and 1, and are based in Canberra. Have had a few great trips to the Bay and hoping that we may feel more adventurous this winter with a warmer Expanda to go to the snow.

Look forward to chatting with you all, thanks for the great site.

 

[Four of us]

We were the same as you. We had a swan and the set up and pack up was a time killer, so just like you wesold our swan and bought a 17.56.2. We love it and having our own shower and toilet is great. We love our expanda and i'm sure you will as well. Make sure you get everything you need and can afford at the time you order you expanda that way you can get a bettr deal and everything is done you.

Welcome to the forum as i'm sure you will get some great ideas.

 

[stuartcarr2002]

Welcome to the Jayco Camper trailer to the Expanda club...

We went from a 10 month old Eagle outback to a 16 49 1 Outback Panda and have not looked back. We bought ours at the rosehill show last year and the one we got was the display model so we got some savings and some extras thrown in. We love our Panda...

Go for it. We got back from our Easter break in Kiama today and we are going to the show next week. I do like the Starcraft... Hmmm maybe. The Panda is around the 10 month old mark :nono::nono:

 

[Pace]

Welcome. likewise for US with a family of 6.look into the 16493.might be better for budget.cheers

 

[chartrock]

Welcome to the forum, Swanny. Good luck with your search.

 

[Moto Moto]

Welcome Swanny, we also love our Expanda (previously Hawk).

Its a considerable step up in finances to get into the Expanda, but we get our moneys worth, way more that we did the Hawk. Its just so much easier, and holidays all year round are easier too:rockon:

 

[Deano]

Hey Swanny,
Good to see you joining this great forum. You will find a wealth of info on here.
We had a 1986 Coleman Camper, we owned it for 2 years before I said to my wife, let's upgrade to a Expanda. With months of lurking in the background on this site, and speaking to owners (especially Crystalyn & Aaron) we visited the local dealer and bought a 17.56.2 off the lot.
We do not regret it one bit. We will make a good effort to get our money's worth. Get away anytime you can.
Cheers Deano

 

[Swanny]

Thanks Deano,

We are also wondering whether we should get an OB...? We have a triton but not 4WD, but will probably upgrade car in not too distant future. We currently don't do a lot of national parks etc.

What's your thoughts? How do you use your OB?

Cheers,
Tami

 

[Swanny]

Thanks Moto Moto,

Holidays year round is part of the attraction for us (esp as we live in Canberra and its cold 8 mths of the year). We also think that it is more likely we will be willing to pack up and go on overnight trips. With Swanny it hardly seems worth the 2 hour set up and 2 hour pack up for one night away (hope that doesn't sound too precious!).

Cheers,
Tami

 

[stuartcarr2002]

Thanks Deano,

We are also wondering whether we should get an OB...? We have a triton but not 4WD, but will probably upgrade car in not too distant future. We currently don't do a lot of national parks etc.

What's your thoughts? How do you use your OB?

Cheers,
Tami

Got to go the outback as it looks a heap better (flame suit on for non outback owners) :sorry: We bought it for the fact our driveway has a slop and the normal one would have bottomed out. As it is the outback comes close to the rear bar. The bigger wheels look nice as well.

The battery wiring is also standard so you only have to option for the battery, plus the drop jacks make life easier...

They also have the shocks which i think gives a better ride.

Also to have the bigger chassis for long term we thought might be better and when we sold our Eagle, Jayco told up because it is an outback it would sell a lot easier. It was correct as it only took 2 weeks to sell and we only lost a grand. For a 10 month old Eagle i was happy...

 

[straydingo]

Hey Swanny,
I got an OB for no other reason than the supposed extra strength in the chassis, and the lower wall protection. I'm not a huge outback driver, nor do we free camp etc in Nat parks, but driving around the country, we can/do hit the dirt roads for hundreds of ks at a time, so just peace of mind.
The extra features like battery wiring, drop jacks etc were a bonus

 

[chartrock]

Like Straydingo, we wanted the extra strength of the chassis, not for off road work but we are happy to run on the dirt when required sa it gets us to a lot more places. We do free camp a bit as well so the added features as standard are all welcome.

 

[relgate]

Hi swanny
Did you go to the show this week? Keen to hear about it if you did.
We made a quick visit. I posted about it here:
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/sh...7.56.2-has-now-been-ordered?p=11594#post11594

Re the OB, we are getting one because of driveway issues, but also I plan to to be more adventurous with the Expanda (we currently have a 30yr old camper trailer that wont go far off the beaten track). I didnt want to be faced with wanting to trade up to an OB in only a year or two.

I agree about the 16 option. would be cheaper and should suit a family of 4. You could then add more options. Just a thought.