Dave and Sarah's Starcraft 22.68-1

[Gilmorehappy]

Ours triple bunks so nothing changes there Doubles be nice to have the small cafe dinette or extra storage.
Although been on 4 trips now and wardrobe next to my bed has collapsable buckets, laundry basket in and overheads above empty. Overheads above dinette half empty and we have not filled up all the food draws yet.
So more storage probably not needed inside Although my front boot gets everything put back in like a jigsaw one piece wrong and nothing fits.

Hi @davemc thanks and nice to know the storage is adequate. I was picturing two sets of golf clubs in tunnel boot, but I suppose will need that space for sensible stuf... Hoses leads parts etc. seeing as you have one of these large behemoths, how does yours tow? Do you keep it under 100 km/ hr? Does it sit tight or sway at all? Mine will be a step higher in centre of gravity it that makes any diff.

 

[davemc]

@Gilmorehappy I would think the Jtech would make it a little smoother then our overslung leaf.
Depends on condition depends on where I sit it speed wise, on the way home Monday I had it between 85-100 and drove to tacho trying to keep economy down and it worked. We also had a tail wind

Had the 22 up to 110 a few times for short bursts although mostly around 95-100.
The 17.58 we had we sat on 110 in 110 zones and I over took things although with the 22 I am being a lot more careful at the moment. I feel trucks overtaking where the 17.58 we never did.
With the D3 we have extra power if I need it although no WDH as air suspension it tows the 22 better since I emptied the front water tank. I think if we plan to use it I assume we have to move the weber from the tunnel to somewhere in the van. We had almost 290k on the ball dropped back to 260 emptying the tank.
They have ESC although have not felt it grab as yet.
Just take it slow and as always drive to conditions

 

[Gilmorehappy]

@Gilmorehappy I would think the Jtech would make it a little smoother then our overslung leaf.
Depends on condition depends on where I sit it speed wise, on the way home Monday I had it between 85-100 and drove to tacho trying to keep economy down and it worked. We also had a tail wind

Had the 22 up to 110 a few times for short bursts although mostly around 95-100.
The 17.58 we had we sat on 110 in 110 zones and I over took things although with the 22 I am being a lot more careful at the moment. I feel trucks overtaking where the 17.58 we never did.
With the D3 we have extra power if I need it although no WDH as air suspension it tows the 22 better since I emptied the front water tank. I think if we plan to use it I assume we have to move the weber from the tunnel to somewhere in the van. We had almost 290k on the ball dropped back to 260 emptying the tank.
They have ESC although have not felt it grab as yet.
Just take it slow and as always drive to conditions

@davemc thank you for the towing info. I reckon we'll just be cruising and letting the rest of the traffic go by and driving to conditions as you say. I towed a work trailer daily for over 6 years but the caravan is 2.5 tonnes heavier, and certainly a bigger sail! So I will just be cautious and learn how to handle it!

 

[davemc]

Look at putting a reversing camera if you can we got ours bolted through spare wheel hole works fine and no holes to drill

You get cars that sit up your ass which you cannot see always with mirrors.
We have a safety Dave kit

 

[Gilmorehappy]

Ok thank you for advice I will look to get one

 

[McKenzie]

Gilmorehappy have a look at my jayco page. The reverse camera setup cost me about $160 via ebay. I know most like safety dave....nothing wrong with it. So if ur handy or ur auto guy is. Could be worth looking at. I have the system up and running now...works fine.

 

[McKenzie]

All just want to say thanks for putting me in touch with @Ligedy. He has been very helpful in fulling me in on the cans and can'ts of gas hoses and devices.

Recommended him to anyone wishing to purchase or to ask questions.

 

[McKenzie]

Sorry davemc...hijacked your thread a little. Just wanted to close out the gas story.

 

[Gilmorehappy]

Gilmorehappy have a look at my jayco page. The reverse camera setup cost me about $160 via ebay. I know most like safety dave....nothing wrong with it. So if ur handy or ur auto guy is. Could be worth looking at. I have the system up and running now...works fine.

Thanks @McKenzie i will take a look there too. I'm now addicted to watching dash cam vids too so I'll really have a look at what's available for both tasks!

 

[davemc]

So stup at Ballarat for a few weeks first time setup with the big annex so much more room was not hard to put up although no space for front porch
Will commute a few days to city, Sarah doing some late/ early and stay home overnight.

 

[davemc]

So setup bucket under pipes working well so far, used 50mm so can swap between washing machine and bucket.

Mini up here now squeezed on to site maybe should hitch it up Got 21.3 towing with Disco from home 6.1 with Mini

 

[Dobbie]

Little Mini looks overwhelmed in front of the big van.

Maybe you could put a HD tow bar on it....you might get home next year.

Tempting?

 

[davemc]

Version 2 of the bucket Sarah did not like the fact had to change over between washing machine and sink/shower. So added a seperate pipe from washing machine into bucket.. Although hindsight should of put the smaller hose off the bucket as the larger black one is a bugger to pack up

 

[davemc]

vans back at Jayco to get bike rack fixed. Turns out the plans are provisioned so lets hope they drilled the holes in the right place.
Getting them to fix centre awning arm as came off again.. now on with screws and more silicone then even Jayco do
Also have a water pump that does not always goes off, front tank that does not empty and there is a small leak somewhere near washing machine
Funny I knocked the back left tail light the other day walking past and as it moved noticed it did not have all the screws holding it all on

I asked about gas lift table they said the pole sit in the middle. So back to do we do the tri-fold
Other news had a sparky put a 15amp in next to van at home so I am not running the lead across where the kids play.

 

[davemc]

ok van back.

Now the bike rack is bolted through the wall

Also they did the same with the middle awning arm, said they had to lower it a bit as it was too high. They think it was too high so it pushed out the arm each time. So through the overhead cupboard and a plate,


Pump they said air leak and plumbing and they changed the plumbing for the front tank so hopefully it works

 

[davemc]

So not going away now for Easter
Next week we will be

Have not used away yet picked up a Sizzler BBQ to replace Weber for van
Takes up less space and I actually prefer it the couple of times used this week

 

[Bluey]

Mmmmmmmmmm looks good fits a bit of food too which your troops need

 

[davemc]

Mmmmmmmmmm looks good fits a bit of food too which your troops need

Less then the Q200 did though although like the flat plate. Takes up a lot less room. The Q200 fitted in the front tunnel boot although pushed up the top bit of ply when you squished it in.

 

[davemc]

Seeing I cant go away I do some mods. Saw this idea on Facebook page.. Pull down power point.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111686888484
Was a bit of a pain to put in only as the hole cutter I had broke and its Good Friday. Could not get another so had to finish with multitool and jigsaw so 10 mins job took over a hour.
So a couple of small scratches when it slipped as broke the boss has seen them so this could be my last post :hail::laser:

 

[mrsmfexpanda]

Seeing I cant go away I do some mods. Saw this idea on Facebook page.. Pull down power point.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111686888484
Was a bit of a pain to put in only as the hole cutter I had broke and its Good Friday. Could not get another so had to finish with multitool and jigsaw so 10 mins job took over a hour.
So a couple of small scratches when it slipped as broke the boss has seen them so this could be my last post :hail::laser:
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You should have given us a call @mfexpanda would have at least 20 hole cutters here at home