Expanda bunk models

[lori]

I am starting my search for our first ever van (been camping for years in a camper trailer) and am looking at used expandas from 2010 onwards.

I am interested in a bunk model with en-suite (separate or all in one,) similar layout to the current 17.56-2 or 18.58-2.

Can anyone point me in the direction to find the layouts and model numbers of older model expandas? Or if you know which model numbers have the layout im looking for, that would be great too!

I have done a search on caravan sales and gumtree and noted down the model numbers of the layouts we like, but just want to make sure we arent missing any.

Thankyou in advance.

 

[warren cook]

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

That website is probably the best to look at, it will take you a while to get your head around the differences as I done a similar thing 6 months ago before I purchased my van and thought it was an absolute mind field.

It might be better to mention on here what you need on the new van, storage/bed space/weight/tow vehicle/ features etc and then some of the guys on here will give you a nudge in the right direction, be careful as they all love to help spend other peoples money!!!!!!

Maybe upload some photos of what you have your eye on and the guys will give you honest feedback or may even know someone who is selling one.

The biggest factor is budget by the way, that will generally steer you in the right direction as well.

 

[lori]

We are definitely looking at an expanda type setup, we want to get maximum interior space whilst maintaining a small as possible tow length. Our requirements are;

• Expanda main bed (other brands with same basic setup ok)
• En-suite (all in one or seperate shower/toilet)
• larger fridge (negotiable)
• Off road
• bunks (double preferable over triple)
• full caravan preferable but pop top ok
• Air con preferable
• solar ready
• wind out awning
• 18ft max

Our tow vehicle is a 150 Prado with 2500kg max, we are looking to get a van with a tare of no more than 2000kg. I have noticed that the older vans are not as heavy as the current ones.

My husband is keen on getting a new off road van, so far our pick in the new market is a New Age Gecko Enduro (not pop top) 16ft bunk ensuite with some upgrades at $62000. http://newagecaravans.com.au/caravan/16ft-gecko-pop-top-bunk-ensuite/
New Age only started building Gecko's in 2015, so used isnt possible, even if they were available second hand they would be so close to new price it wouldnt be worth it.
We have ruled out Jayco new and I want to take another look at the Golfs and Paramounts., though there are no paramount dealers nearby. I have given up on windsors, we have a windsor dealer nearby but they only carry coramals and the windsor website is next to useless.

My preference is to spend closer to the $40K mark. Husband has grudgingly agreed to look at used vans with the stipulation that it is no older than a 2010 model. So far he has decided he doesnt like the windsor rapids.
His interest has been peaked by the Jayco 17.56-2 like this one http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-4483055/2012-Jayco-Expanda-17562-Outback
and the Jayco 18.57-9 like this one http://www.caravancampingsales.com....0306/2013-Jayco-Expanda-1857-9-OB13EX-Caravan

 

[bigcol]

hi @lori welcome to the forum
there is no hard and fast rule I am afraid

they have changed the model designations so many times (each year) it is daunting

the model numbers you have quoted (17.56.2 & 18.58.2) are for the current ones with bunks and shower / toilet


just a couple of major things to think about before you start to spend money on a new Van

what is the capacity of your current tug (tow car) - those 2 weigh in from 2100 through to 2700kg depending on Outback or Touring

how much area do you have at home (in back yard) to store Van (some places you cannot store Van out the front or on the verge)

can you easily get the Van in and out of your Back yard....single reverse into yard, or several angles to get it in - you will be putting it away in reverse, and driving out.........

 

[lori]

Storage isnt a problem, caravan will sit next to the house where we currently store our current camper.

At this stage we arent interested in purchasing a Jayco expanda new only used, the current models I mentioned (17.56-2 & 18.58-2) were only used as a comparison for the sort of layout I am after. It would seem that similar layouts in the older models weigh significantly less, we are limiting ourselves to vans with a tare of 2000kg or less.

 

[bigcol]

yes, the older models are a single beam axle,
where as the newer models have the J-tech independent suspension - with the added weight

anything up to 2014/2015 is the old leaf springs (beam axle), which yes is a lot less in weight

I think with the 150, you should be ok to tow an early 18'

 

[dagree]

Hi @lori and welcome to the forum.
If looking at a 18.58.2 outback I don't like your chances without upgrading the Prado to something that will tow more than 2500KG's (The one you linked to has an ATM of 2800KG's unfortunately).

As @bigcol said

anything up to 2014/2015 is the old leaf springs (beam axle), which yes is a lot less in weight

We have one of the last 17.56.2 Outbacks built with the old leaf spring suspension systems and has an ATM of 2433KG's which is just under our Prado's limit.

If you don't need an Outback version you might get away with getting an older 18'er in the On-Road (Touring) model. A 2015 model has a Tare weight estimated at 1965KG's and dependent on whether you get an internal shower unit or not allow up to an extra 475KG's of payload giving an ATM of 2440KG's. (Used as a guide only!)

As for your dot point options you shouldn't have an issue finding what you want but the larger fridge and "Wind Out"? awning may mean looking around for a while.

Good luck with your search and which ever way you go you won't be disappointed! Keep searching caravan sales and gumtree and I'm sure something will pop up sooner or later..... Even keep your eyes on the for sale section here as you never know?

And as @warren cook says.......

be careful as they all love to help spend other peoples money!!!!!!