From then to now..... How did your Expanda evolve?

[dagree]

Had a couple of friends over tonight, that spend their time away in a camper trailer, for a few drinks.

The subject came up about how/what we used to use for holiday accommodation back in the day and what we evolved into!

Went through some old pics and thought I'd share our journey (Unfortunately no pics from "The old days pre 2009" as that's a story for another night)

When SWMBO'd and I first dated she was spoilt and spent her time away with family in hotels, motels, rental holiday homes etc...... Me, well my time away was spent sleeping in the back of the car, a swag or a small el cheapo tent and loved every minute of it.

Just thought I'd put it out there and see what others did in their early days and why you ended up with an Expanda?

Pics to follow!!

PS: After they looked through our van, and our discussions tonight, I think we may have another member on here

 

[dagree]

For some reason cannot upload a file??????

Will try again later!

 

[dagree]

OK photo uploading now works so here's a few from then and now.


Pre 2006... Chalet for stays of one week or more (But tented it for the boy's weekends away)


2007 - 09... Convinced SWMBO'd to give the tenting a go for longer stays! Bought a 3 room tent on special from Kmart and she loved it!


2010 - 11... After the amount of accessories required while tenting ended up upgrading to a large Oztrail Cabin Tent.
The corolla was NOT ours Unfortunately the Cruiser blew a head gasket on the trip and had to hire it to get around while repairs were done. Ended up staying in the same chalet as in pic #1 for a few extra days while the cruiser was fixed!


2011 - 13... After "The Boss" tripped over one of the guy ropes and bruising some ribs and spending a night in hospital (I still blame the "Red" on the night LOL) and me having to pack up the Oztrail tent and loading the 4WD and boat with all the comforts of home while a cyclone/storm was passing by myself we (I) decided to look for either a camper trailer or Swan/Flamingo or similar to reduce the 3 hour packup time. Ended up doubling our budget expenditure and drove away with a 2007 16.49.3 Expanda tourer. Thought it was the best thing since sliced bread!


Present as of 2014... After spending a VERY WET week away in the glorious South West of WA we ended up getting bed end fly's for the 16'er... Felt like I was setting up the tent again with having to use tent poles, guy ropes etc. The decision was made after our 2 week trip down south in February that we would upgrade to a later model hard lid 16' expanda. After some time looking online and around locally the second hand market for late model expanda's was very grim (Unless you wanted to travel to look at them or pay new prices).

So one day while passing our local Jayco dealer we called in to have a look at the later model floor plan.... Long story short... We ended up walking out with a receipt for a deposit on a 17.56.2OB that was ordered in for floor stock and never made it to the Caravan and Camping Show!

This one will do us until such time as I can afford to retire, get a full sized van and take off!!

So what's your early accommodation style and how did you're Expanda evolve?

 

[Drover]

Great thread, we have to go back 40 yrs so stand by, it could be a long journey. Luckily you will have to wait till we get home to access the carvings of our very early adventures........................K Mart tents..the memories.