Considering buying Expanda off road new

H

Hunter Gatherer

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Oct 29, 2012
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I am hearing various reports on the quality and reliability of the Expanda off road van, my interest is in buying the new hard top model which I understand may be available in early 2013. I know that no one will be able to comment on the quality or reliability as it is not yet available, however if there have been bad experiences in the past that may be a guide as to what this new van may be like. We don't intend to do any hardcore off road driving but maybe the southern by pass road to Cape York, but not going to the tip, the Tanami and GRR.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Brad

Brad

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Jan 2, 2012
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Welcome to the forum Hunter Gatherer.
I think in the most part, you are going to have an outpouring of comments of positive experiences with the Jayco range generally.
But just search on the site for any of those places such as Gibb river. You will get a stack of hits.

From my end, I have had two Expandas. Both new and purchased about two years apart. A 16 pop top and now a 18 full height. The quality between the two years is noticeable and I would expect Jayco to improve on that again next year.

I can tell you now, if you buy a new expanda then there will be items that will need to be fixed under warranty for your first service and Jayco are great in fixing in that first service. So expect that if you buy new.
Be interested in exactly what you have heard though in terms of reliability. Are you able to tell us exactly what you have heard?
 
Pace

Pace

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HG welcome to the expanda family,

OB expanda will be up to it no problem. do a search of caravanworld magazine they did a 16.49-3 OB run through the GRR with rave reviews.

Agree with Brad re build quality, i have done the factory tour and its impressive for the volume produced. Be sure when you get it do the dust proofing as well as the underframe protection requirements mods as can be found on the forum here to make your trip that much more uneventfull re the van.

Cheers Pace.
 
Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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Welcome, HG. You're on the right track here for balanced advice. With the stories you've heard just remember that Jayco probably more than outsells all other van brands put together. So there well may be more tales of woe. I've also seen criticism from people that don't own Jayco's though. I'm on my third Jayco...that should tell you something.
 
H

Hunter Gatherer

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Oct 29, 2012
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Brad said:
Welcome to the forum Hunter Gatherer.
I think in the most part, you are going to have an outpouring of comments of positive experiences with the Jayco range generally.
But just search on the site for any of those places such as Gibb river. You will get a stack of hits.

From my end, I have had two Expandas. Both new and purchased about two years apart. A 16 pop top and now a 18 full height. The quality between the two years is noticeable and I would expect Jayco to improve on that again next year.

I can tell you now, if you buy a new expanda then there will be items that will need to be fixed under warranty for your first service and Jayco are great in fixing in that first service. So expect that if you buy new.
Be interested in exactly what you have heard though in terms of reliability. Are you able to tell us exactly what you have heard?
Click to expand...

Brad, some people have said that dust proofing was a problem, another said he carried a glass jar to hold all the screws and bits that had fallen off, may have been exaggerating !!!! Thank you for your advice, we flew up to Brisbane last week for the day to look at the Bush Tracker and Spinifex, I think they are great for full on off road driving which we don't intend to do, also will probably only use the van once or twice a year for reasonably short periods, and then store in my warehouse for the rest of the time. Found it hard to justify spending between $120,000 and $150,000 for only limited use. Must say that the people on this forum are very knowledgeable and helpful, for people like me who have had very limited experience in caravanning.
 
H

Hunter Gatherer

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Oct 29, 2012
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Pace, thank you for your advice, i could search for the dust proofing and under frame protection, but would you please steer this novice in the right direction? many thanks.
 
H

Hunter Gatherer

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Oct 29, 2012
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Xpandafan, thank you for the comforting advice, not sure exactly when the new model is available but believe that it will not have pull out beds in the rear but bunks, maybe to make it more dust proof, have you done anything to dust proof your van, any help greatly appreciated. HG.
 
Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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Just browse thru all the posts on this forum, HG, and make a few notes as you go of everything you find interesting.
We've nearly all crawled underneath with silicone, expanding foam, screws, brackets or whatever, and a bit more.
Get an "apprentice" with inspection light to go cupboard by cupboard by storage space, by hatch while you look for telltale light leaks underneath, seal from inside and outside if you can to minimize dust ingress.
Check the plumbing and add extra protection while you're under there, if you think it needs it. It's easier and fun if you've got a creeper trolley (not expensive, try eBay, etc.). Might encourage the good habit of regular checks under your van between trips.
 
leesy

leesy

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We took our new outback up the oodnadatta track 5 days after picking it up and had no issues at all, it handled it all well.
The only points i would add are the dust sealing is not brilliant, a tube of siliflex? and a few hours will fix that, a good stone guard and wide mud flaps on the tow vehicle also would be desireable. I had a full off road soft floor and even though that would go anywhere it was always a pain in any full off road situation, i would always rather get really close, set up and thake the patrol for a squirt without a load on!!!
Good luck
 
Antman

Antman

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Hey HG. Welcome to the forum! Like you I am also a novice to caravaning and have learnt heaps from the Guys and Gals on here.

Stone stomper makes an awesome looking setup for stone protection. He is on here but also http://www.stonestomper.com.au/ .I think it is great as the setup protects anything coming up from the road. Looks easy enough to attach to both car and van and the van can be backed without having to remove it which is a plus.
Other options are rock tamers but I don't think that they are as good and to me look ugly but each to their own.

When are you thinking of getting your van? We picked our 2012 16.49-3ob up about 6 weeks ago. Love it so far. As others have said, get under the van with some good quality silicon to fix any gaps - there will be a few. I can update you about dust in the new year got an 8000km trip to do :) over a few dusty roads. All I can recommend is to go over the van with a fine tooth comb after pickup and get everything fixed within warranty and all should be good.

Cheers
Ants
 
leesy

leesy

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Hunter Gatherer said:
Leesy, good advice, who supplies good stone guards for the van and mud flaps for tow vehicle? I previously stated I am a novice. HG.
Click to expand...

Try E Bay or i know that Page brothers Jayco in Seaford Victoria do, its the kind of thing no one has really done in a commercial sense, i think most people make them or have them made to suit their needs, mine was from E Bay, just stumbled onto it and it was a fit so i grabbed it put it on my then Eagle and took it off and moved it to the Expanda, they should angle downwards to deflect stoes away from the rear of you tug vehicle.
Good luck!
 
cruza driver

cruza driver

Hercules
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Wecome HG, I think most have already covered the best way to protect you investment when out touring off the beaten track.

In my view dust is I guess the main concern and the main thing that we all try to combat. We too like Leesy have travelled the Oodnatta Track and we went out through the Painted Desert. We also do regular trips to the High Country that usually involves a dirt rd.

Dust just wipes away at the end of the day and when travelling in the areas you mentioned and it will be all part of the adventure. :smile: What I'm getting at is you will probably never stop every little bit of dust but even vans twice the price will get dust in them.

For me I personally think rocks is the biggest issue so a stone guard is essential. It not only protects the very exposed front of the van but also the rear of your tow car with rocks bouncing back at it.There is a lot of plastic plumbing under the van so the key is to protect that the best you can. This also goes for any gas lines under the van too.

What size is the new van getting released, do you have anymore details about it?

My Stone Guard in action :smile:
565.jpg
 
cruza driver

cruza driver

Hercules
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Ligedy

Ligedy

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Oct 13, 2012
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Newbie ready to purchase in QLD...

Hi all, I am also a newbie to caravanning and getting excited now that I am just about ready to drop and order a new Expanda Out Back.

I have been reading the forum for weeks and weeks sussing out the good and bad and have now priced up a new 17.56-2 OB… but can’t stop thinking about the 18.57-6...

Me, the wife and two boys need the bunk beds thus we really like the layout of the 18ft because we don’t need the rear fold out bed, but I am concerned about the extra height and weight of the full size van behind my tug - a 2.5L D40 Navara (140kw/450NM 3T towing capacity).

If anyone’s got thoughts on the following – don’t keep em to yourself…


1. 17ft Pop top vs 18ft Full Van – concerned about the +500mm roof height – i.e. additional fuel consumption, towing capability of tug and general towing handling and manoeuvring.


2. Storing the van on a slope – due to the limited space on my block the van will need to be parked up on a slope of about 20-25 degrees. Will this cause any issues?


3. Best price and dealer in Qld to purchase from – I’m not holding back on the options and want the van fully loaded from the factory so I don’t have to add too much later on and get the most out of the tare weight from factory. (If anyone has recent pricing please PM me so we can compare notes).

Options Priced in build – let me know if any of these are not worth having:
• Draw bar extension
• Hyland coupling
• Anderson plug to battery
• Additional jockey wheel clamp
• Simplicity independent suspension
• 16” wheels (thinking about going back to the 15’s to save a few bucks…)
• Roof mounted air con
• CD player with internal speakers and external speakers
• Wind up TV antenna
• Roll out awning
• Set of mesh walls for the roll out awning
• External coax TV point under the awning
• Additional 240vlt power point under awning
• Bed converter for the dinette
• Drifter control panel
• RM2553 3 way 150ltr fridge upgrade
• Fridge cooling fan
• Oven upgrade (thinking about taking the oven out save a few bucks…)
• Additional annexe light over the external shower
• Additional annexe light on door side
• Fit a 12vlt & 240vlt point to the base of the seating area
• Fit a 12vlt @ 240 vlt point to the bunk seating area
• 1 x 120watt solar panel with 30amp reg fitted to roof
• 1 x Portable 120watt panel and lead to connect to Anderson plug
• 2 x 100ah batteries in boxes
• Water filter to tap
• 2 x External fold down tables
• Set of mesh privacy screens for bed ends
• Set of vinyl screens for bed ends
• Fit a gas bayonet fitting to the front of the van
• Fit a gas bayonet fitting towards the rear of the van
• External shower
• 4 Shelves installed to the robe


4. TV install – a dealer mentioned due to the window a pivotal TV bracket can’t be installed and the TV sits on the bench. Has anyone got a solution for mounting the TV in a 17.56-2? Also what the best size TV for the space – I’d like as big as possible but don’t want to order a 21.5” sphere TV if it won’t fit…


Thanks in advance, Ligedy.
 
Holden_man

Holden_man

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Aug 21, 2012
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Hi ligedy,
Welcome to the forum :welcome:
Can't give you a lot of practical info as we have only just welcomed our own new arrival. Good list of options and similar to what we included. Didn't get the simplicity only to keep weight down as we were getting near our weight limit for our Prado, and didn't want to upgrade the tow vehicle.
We couldn't be happier with the 1857-6 she's a good looking van great layout and a really good size inside. It is tall, others on the forum will give you more info on towing than I can.
There will be quite a few that can give you advice on the 17's as well.

Take a look at my new arrival, if you can squeeze her in you wouldn't be disappointed.
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/2029-My-Expanda-18-57-6

Jas
 
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