Antmans 16.49-3

Antman

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Jul 18, 2012
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Brisbane
almcrae.blogspot.com.au
So we left Brissy on Thursday, picked up the Van in Mildura on Friday at 10am. :) Had the induction from Halls Caravans which was fantastic. And then back into Brissy at midnight on Saturday night. 3247km all up but worth every one. :)

We didn't get too many options just what we needed which included an Awning, 100ah battery, Heron 2.2 Air Conditioner, Privacy Screens, Winegard Antenna, some extra power points and a gas bayonet fitting on the A Frame.

The first mod was done before the van was even hooked up to the car. We changed the standard ball hitch over to an Ozhitch. :)

Today we cleaned the van from top to toe. This was a big job due to all the bugs on the van from the drive home but this was expected. We also tightened all of the water pipes under the van and tested everything inside to ensure all is working as it should and so that we know how it all works. :) Also setup the beds with some linen the wife had purchased.

Things still to do: seal up underneath the van where the pipes enter / exit the inside. Replace lights with LEDS, protect the shocks from rocks, protect the van / car from rocks, tighten up the bed ends so they seal better. Im sure there is more.

Here are some piccys.

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Burnsy

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Mar 26, 2012
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Looks nice antman, and I thought I drove a long way for pickup! I hope your shower is all good! :)

Cheers.
 

brookes2622

Active Member
Jun 24, 2012
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Bywong NSW
About a foot short for my liking and I dunno about the blood stains on the beds, very hard to find pillow cases to match, but otherwise looks good.
 

ROnEM

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Mar 13, 2012
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Macedon Ranges, Vic
Antman:

Awesome effort - Brissy to Mildura and back - that is keen!

Trust you are going to "Love That Van" and have some great trips. Look forward to pics and posts...
 

Antman

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Jul 18, 2012
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Well done, Antman. Glad you had a good trip, now let the mods begin. Nice photos, your backyard?

No unfortunately. Its my father in laws backyard but its where our van will be kept as we just don't have the room at home. Actually in one the photos you can see his van in the background, he is towing a 17" Discovery.
 

Antman

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Jul 18, 2012
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Looks good Antman, and that model has to be pick of the Expanda's too :cool:

I agree! hahaha or i wouldn't have bought that model. The only thing that i think would make it a bit better would be tandem axles. But jayco just didn't have any in the 17" models that appealed to our needs. In saying that, it did tow very well behind the Prado :)
 

greggels

Member
Aug 2, 2012
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Sunshine Coast
I agree! hahaha or i wouldn't have bought that model. The only thing that i think would make it a bit better would be tandem axles. But jayco just didn't have any in the 17" models that appealed to our needs. In saying that, it did tow very well behind the Prado :)

Nice Van Antman!! Congratulations, Agreed that is the pick of the models Very Nice indeed, have fun in it, I will look forward to seeing your mods!

Cheers Greg
 

leesy

Active Member
Jul 26, 2012
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Lysterfield
I agree! hahaha or i wouldn't have bought that model. The only thing that i think would make it a bit better would be tandem axles. But jayco just didn't have any in the 17" models that appealed to our needs. In saying that, it did tow very well behind the Prado :)

Congrats AM same as mine! pick of the bunch i recon!!
 

Antman

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Jul 18, 2012
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Brisbane
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Well did some work to the van on the weekend and found some warranty issues as well. :(

The van has an issue with the shower wall where it has come apart from the wall that it should be stuck to. It appears that the actual wall is slightly too long and looks like it has pushed itself off the wall but that could just be my untrained eye too. No cracks Burnsy. I can only imagine the heartache you are going through.

Got underneath and siliconed up as many of the holes that i could see where Jayco don't do it properly. Re-routed some water pipes. Put some non-slip matting on the step. New mud flaps back and front. Added a piece of strong rubber belting to protect the shockies better than the standard jayco metal deflector. Attached strong rubber belting over as much of the water / gas pipes underneath the van to protect from stones and the like.

And the wife baby proofed the babies (13mth old) bed so she can't fall out. :)
Here are some piccys.

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Antman

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2012
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Brisbane
almcrae.blogspot.com.au
Looking good Antman same model as ours Like the idea with the rubber shocky protection might pinch that one cheers

I can't take credit for it, i pinched the idea from another member on here... just can't remember who otherwise i would have given credit :director:

We like the fact that it gives the shocky a better protection width. :)