Considering buying Expanda off road new

[chartrock]

Welcome to the forum Ligedy. Boy, you sure have done your homework on options, that is some list.
1. I can't help with full height vans, never pulled one
2. My van sits on a slope in its shed to the point where I can't level it but it is fine. Maybe if you want to run the fridge while parked it may give a problem. Just make sure the wheels are well chocked.
3. Phone as many dealers as you can and don't restrict yourself to Queensland. A lot of members (me included) went interstate for their purchase with great savings.
4. The answer will have to come from some one with that type of van

Good luck with the purchase.

 

[Brad]

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.

Welcome to the forum Ligedy. Wow that is an excellent list.
1. I have had a 16" pop top expanda and now the 18" full height. With the OB model plus the simplicity suspension on mine when I look at it I think how high it is. It is a lot higher than most vans I see. Don't forget also with 16 wheels you will make it higher still. Fuel guzzling ability, yes I se a difference. Maneuvering, about the same but I need to look up a bit more with a full height. Towing handling. I see no difference between the two but I highly recommend a weight distribution hitch to improve the handling.

2. Storing van on slope.... Guess it is possible, but for me I would prefer to see the van stored somewhere level. But if you have no option, then what choice do you have to make? I wonder about brakes that would play a larger part in holding the van in place.

3. I don't believe in a best dealer. But I do believe in playing one off against the other. Get a price from one, say thank you but I am going to get a comparison price at the other Jayco dealer and I bet the first thing he will say is make sure you come back because we will do better than the price given. If height is a concern then the ibis is a lower profile. Not sure if this is compatible on a pop top thought.

4. That is a real bummer about no wall mount for the TV where table top comes in handy and is at a premium in a caravan. Not knowing the layout of the 17s it is hard to provide advice, however in my old 16 I installed a wall mount to the side of the pantry which backed onto the bed. I suggest thinking outside the box on this and visit a dick smith or google wall mounts and get creative with some ideas. I purchased my TV from JB HiFi. A 23" mounted to the wall on a bracket. So I suggest taking a drive to JB HiFI and researching TVs that can run off 12 volts. That will knock out Samsung and a few of the other well known brands, but there are plenty still to look at.

 

[Deano]

Hi Ligedy,
As for dealers, you must give Warburtons Bundaberg a go, a few have gone through them. Be a nice drive down the Bruce for you.
There are plenty of cheaper 12volt TV's than the dealers Sphere. We picked up a Kinezo 22 inch and mounted it in the 17.56.2.
Cheers Deano

 

[Burnsy]

Hi and welcome Ligedy, that is a nice list of options, good thing you have 3T capacity. As Brad said there is a noticeable difference when towing, I also went from 16' to 18' but I expected that. As far as manoeuvring goes, bit slower to respond than a single axle but if your looking at 17' or 18' then no different. Like chartrock said the fridge won't work if it's too far out of level, not sure which way your slope runs but this is what I have done at home.

Cheers.

 

[MolongMick]

Hi and welcome Ligedy, that is a nice list of options, good thing you have 3T capacity. As Brad said there is a noticeable difference when towing, I also went from 16' to 18' but I expected that. As far as manoeuvring goes, bit slower to respond than a single axle but if your looking at 17' or 18' then no different. Like chartrock said the fridge won't work if it's too far out of level, not sure which way your slope runs but this is what I have done at home.

Cheers.


View attachment 10481

That is impressive Burnsy, it also doubles up as a servicing area for the tug.

 

[Brad]

Holy crap Burnsy

 

[relgate]

"we have liftoff". First expanda in space...

 

[Ligedy]

Just ordered a new 17.56-2 OB Expanda ... can't wait to get it but that won't be until mid March (this will be the longest 4 months of my life)

The dealer told me there are a few changes to the 2013 models – I’m not sure what it will look like as the brochures haven’t been updated… but OB Expandas now include:

- Black checker plate finish to the sides
- LED internal lights (rolling stock update - so I went for a mid march delivery instead of the first run due early march)
- Updated 15” alloy wheels (I went 16” so will probably get old stock…)
- Upgraded wheel arches
- Upgraded step insert
- Revised fabric patterns and/or/maybe a new colour
- Updated tent colour – Mineral (no idea what this looks like)
- Upgraded Joinery pattern – Avikira (aparrantley used in Sterlings?)
- Galvanised rear bumper

Expandas will now come standard with:
- Roll out awning
- Air conditioning
- Gas bayonet

When shopping around some dealers mentioned up to a 3% price increase for 2013 models – pricing remained the same as 2012 pricing if you optioned-up the now standard features, as this is what you are paying extra for in the 2013 van price…

Cheers Ligedy

 

[Brad]

Nice one Ligedy.
Did you go for any extras?

 

[Ligedy]

Sure did

• 300mm Draw bar extension
• Anderson plug
• Additional jockey wheel clamp
• Simplicity independent suspension
• 16” wheels
• Roof mounted air con (Truma Aventa)
• DVD/CD/AM/FM player with internal speakers and external speakers
• Wind up TV antenna
• Roll out awning
• External coax TV point under the awning
• Additional 240vlt power point to rear of van (outside of awning arm)
• Drifter control panel
• RM2553 3 way 150ltr fridge upgrade
• Fridge cooling fan
• Additional light over the external shower with separate switch
• Additional annex light LHS of door with separate switch
• Fit a 12vlt & 240vlt point to main dining table area
• Fit a 12vlt & 240vlt point to the bunk seating area
• 2 x 120watt solar panel with 30amp reg fitted to roof
• 2 x 100ah batteries
• 2 x External fold down picnic tables
• Set of mesh privacy screens for bed ends
• Fit a gas bayonet fitting towards the rear of the van
• External shower
• 3 Shelves installed to the robe

I will add the following to my shopping list and fit after receiving my Panda…
• Hyland coupling (factory will not fit these due to weight of van…)
• Curtains for bunk beds (Jayco factory option to get matching curtain material)
• Set of mesh walls for the roll out awning
• Set of vinyl privacy screens
• TV and mounting bracket
• Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller
• Eaz Lift WDH
• Reversing cameras
• Stone Stomper
• Webber Baby Q
and the list keeps growing...

Cheers Ligedy

 

[Brad]

Fantastic list!!
Do you have an iPhone? I can recommend an app if you do. It is called T-zero. Allows you to count time down. So you can set your four month wait and know down to the second how long the wait will be. Yes this is anal. But somehow seeing a reducing time each week is satisfying.

 

[Ligedy]

Thanks Brad... or maybe not
Just installed the app - so now I'll be checking the countdown timer regurlary... I need a fast forward button...

 

[Burnsy]

Congrats Ligedy, I'll look forward to your pics of the new look 2013 model!

Cheers.

 

[brookes2622]

Thanks Brad... or maybe not
Just installed the app - so now I'll be checking the countdown timer regurlary... I need a fast forward button...

Only fast forward I know is to spend a day riding dirt bikes. All you remember is the start and the end and wonder what happened?

 

[Bushman]

Holy crap Burnsy thats one hell of a parking spot, good for underbody service cleaning though.