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ChrisU

ChrisU

Member
May 18, 2015
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Wandin North, Vic
Hi guys, my name is Chris and I have been watching this forum for a couple of months now and thought I should introduce my self. My family and I are the proud owners of a 2013 20.63-1Touring Expanda, purchased new after a couple of years with an Outback Eagle. It has a triple bunks and we opted not to include the slide-out as it went too close to the max tow capacity of our 150# Prado with it. It is easily the best purchase we have ever made!! We loved the Eagle, but my wife would never be without an ensuite ever again ( have to admit i like it too!!), and we still get to sleep under canvas, so best of both worlds.
I have been glued to the trip reports at the moment, as we are planning our 12 week trip for next July, and there a few forumites on trips at the moment that are very close to what we are planning to do.

Anyway, thats me, cheers
Chris
 
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Crusty181

Crusty181

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Feb 7, 2010
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Mentone, VIC
ChrisU said:
Hi guys, my name is Chris and I have been watching this forum for a couple of months now and thought I should introduce my self. My family and I are the proud owners of a 2013 20.63-1Touring Expanda, purchased new after a couple of years with an Outback Eagle. It has a triple bunks and we opted not to include the slide-out as it went too close to the max tow capacity of our 150# Prado with it. It is easily the best purchase we have ever made!! We loved the Eagle, but my wife would never be without an ensuite ever again ( have to admit i like it too!!), and we still get to sleep under canvas, so best of both worlds.
I have been glued to the trip reports at the moment, as we are planning our 12 week trip for next July, and there a few forumites on trips at the moment that are very close to what we are planning to do.

Anyway, thats me, cheers
Chris
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard @ChrisU. Awesome van Id say, possible the best van Jayco produced, EVER. We also opted to drop the slide out for the same reasons.

We have a rule here, if theres no pics it doesn't exist and/or didn't happen. Theres is a Vic Annex weekend get together planned for Nov at Beaufort near Ballarat which you would be most welcome.
 
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Bluey

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Mar 31, 2014
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Australia
how dose your prado go towing that my 07 diesel model handles our 1756-2 outback easy but weight is an issue more so on the ball
 
ChrisU

ChrisU

Member
May 18, 2015
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Wandin North, Vic
Bluey said:
how dose your prado go towing that my 07 diesel model handles our 1756-2 outback easy but weight is an issue more so on the ball
Click to expand...

Only issue we find is a lack of power, its fantastically stable, we don't run a WDH, instead pack the van smart and keep the COG as low as possible, never had an issue, don't stray much above 95kph though. Avg fuel usage while towing is between 16.5 l/100km and 17.5. Have upgraded the suspension using ARB's heaviest springs in the rear, settles perfectly once the van is on.
 
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ChrisU

ChrisU

Member
May 18, 2015
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Wandin North, Vic
Crusty181 said:
Welcome aboard @ChrisU. Awesome van Id say, possible the best van Jayco produced, EVER. We also opted to drop the slide out for the same reasons.

We have a rule here, if theres no pics it doesn't exist and/or didn't happen. Theres is a Vic Annex weekend get together planned for Nov at Beaufort near Ballarat which you would be most welcome.
Click to expand...

Hi @Crusty181, have been reading some of your posts, very entertaining! I have to agree with you, I reckon its the best van Jayco have done too. We went down to our local Jayco dealer today to possibly look at upgrading to an outback, but do not like what they have done to the inside of the new ones, plus apparently you can't delete the slide out anymore either, so makes it way too heavy for our Prado, Tare 2615kg, ATM 3090kg!
 
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bigcol

bigcol

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Nov 22, 2012
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welcome @ChrisU yes, there is a heck of a lot of info floating around on here,
lots of interesting subjects to contribute to or ask questions about

never be shy of joining in...................

oh, and watch out for @Crusty181 he will try and tell you about some evil device from hell..........
that is thermostatically controlled..............
 
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ChrisU

ChrisU

Member
May 18, 2015
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Wandin North, Vic
A couple of pics of our rig on our trip up to the sunshine coast last August.
IMG_9263.jpg
IMG_9265.jpg
IMG_9276.jpg
 
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ChrisU

ChrisU

Member
May 18, 2015
37
57
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Wandin North, Vic
bigcol said:
only until you get to know us.........

hahahahahahaha

nah, looks good - bit big for my liking

how does it tow like?
Click to expand...
G'day @bigcol , its definitely at the limit of what i would consider the Prado capable of lugging around, but when loaded with a modicum of common sense, it is a very stable set-up.
What set-up have you got?
 
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ChrisU

ChrisU

Member
May 18, 2015
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57
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Wandin North, Vic
Kenshi123 said:
Welcome to the forum @ChrisU. I like your taste in tow vehicles.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Kenshi123 , I have been watching your trip blog, looks like an awesome trip! We are just starting to plan our 12 week trip for next July, up the centre, then across to Broome and down the west coast. We have been debating whether to book in advance at the more popular spots, or just wing it, what have been your experiences?
Cheers, Chris
 
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