Hello from Brisvegas

[Bmhdg76]

Hi all, new to the forum as am using it for bit of research. We are currently waiting on selling our Lifestyle camper trailer to upgrade to an Expanda. We are looking at the 14.44-4 to accommodate us and the 2 rug rats. We are hoping that we may be able to do something at the upcoming pre-Christmas caravan/camping show at the end of the month.

BJ.

 

[Brad]

:welcome:enjoy the forum BJ. Plenty to read here on the forum.

 

[Holden_man]

Hi BJ welcome from me also, :welcome:
enjoy the forum, we have. Plenty of helpfull hints and tips.
I can't talk too much about the Expanda experience, as we are waiting for our first.
Can give a few tips however in the purchasing part, as you move into the process of purchasing.
Before you sign anything get your wishlist of options together, plenty of threads on this forum with members comments on which options work for them.
We didn't find the forum until signed up, so added a few options later and you lose bargaining power.
The other thing we have learnt is to think outside the box as far as Jayco Dealer, some seem to be getting very good prices far a field if you aren't to worried about going for a drive. we found the brissy dealer competitive than other dealers close by but you may get better if you look further. we didn't think to look to far a field, but since finding the forum, would now look further from home.
I am also a believer though in building a relationship with local, might help later during warranty times. Some members though not seeming to have issues with buying away from home and getting warranty fixed at home.

just some thoughts, enjoy.

jas

 

[Xpandafan]

Welcome BJ. Good luck with your Expanda shopping. It could be the kid's Christmas present! You'll love the step up from camper trailer.

 

[jdove]

Hi BJ and welcome to the forum.

I think you will love the 14.44.4OB as it's perfect for you and the kids.I picked up mine almost two weeks ago and have just returned from ten days away in it and we loved it.We had a jayco camper before this and this is so much better in every way. We shopped around a fair bit and finished up buying ours at Warbutons Jayco in Bundaberg.We dealt with the owner direct (Damien) and were very happy with the price and service we got as it was a few grand cheaper than other quotes. We Know a number of people who have purchased from them,we also have friends that purchased down in Brizzy and are also happy.

We were going to wait for the big caravan show in Brizzy (June) but we new about the long waiting times and we placed our order in april. Just out of interest we did get a quote at the show and ours was still a lot cheaper.
There are a few of us with this van now so check out older post's and you will get lots of great idea's for the new van. I did a fair bit of research before I place my order and found that any extra's are cheaper factory fitted.
Cheers

 

[Bmhdg76]

Thanks everyone.

It certainly seems to be the case that people are willing to ring around and then make a trip out of picking up their vans. We will look at this as well. I have a fair idea of what we are wanting, just need to work out what we need to get fitted by the factory and what I can do myself as I am relatively handy. My only concern is the affect on the weight allowances. Certainly a lot of interesting reading on here so far with lots of great ideas and advice.

Thanks for the welcome..,

BJ

 

[jdove]

Hi BJ
If you get the extra's factory fitted it wont affect your weight allowances.What the factory do is build you van with every thing you ask for,weigh it and then add 300 kgs payload allowance or if you get the factory fitted 2nd water tank ( I got this)they will up the allowance to 375kgs.
I am a tradesman and can also do most things myself but found I would of had trouble buying the water tank and mounting bits and pieces fotr the price I got it factory fitted.
Cheers

 

[Holden_man]

Hi BJ,
Jdove is on the money, included things at factory will get included in van TARE weight, do it later and it eats into the load specified by Jayco, that you aren't legally allowed to exceed.

Jas

 

[Antman]

Hey BJ, :welcome:
As you have seen already by the sounds of it, heaps of info and help on the forum. I rung quite a few places for our van and travelled down to Mildura to Halls as their service and price was fantastic. The next best was Damian from bundy. He is a straight shooter. Work out all your extras and then bargain away. Some extra power points and external gas bayonets are some good options.

Enjoy the forum.
Ants

 

[Burnsy]

G'day BJ, good luck with the order process and welcome to the forum!

Cheers,
Burnsy.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Gday and welcome aboard BJ ..

 

[leesy]

Welcome, i agree with Ants and others get the things you want at the time of order, going back to cover them later cost more and is more hassle.
Go the gas bayonete and hot water, my two favorites!!
Cheers :high5:

 

[Bmhdg76]

Hi all,

Thanks for the welcome. We are starting to get our wish list together after trolling through all the info on this site. It is amazing what some of you have done on here and gives great food for thought. Will post up our list when we get it closer to being what we want.

Mentioned to swmbo yesterday re calling around and thinking outside the square of where to buy from and she was all for it. Hey if it saves us money going to a dealer a fair way away, we will just pack the kids up and make it a holiday in itself!

Anyway will keep reading and stealing, um, using :smile: some of the suggestions on here.

BJ

 

[cruza driver]

G'day BJ the best thing about the forum is there is plenty of info to go through to fine tune what would suit your needs when you get your Expanda.

Cheers Cruza

 

[04diesel]

Hi all we ordered our 14.44.4OB last week with delivery expected mid december. From what we were told we have the last one in this production run for the year and they wont be doing another run of 14.44.4's till march next year. we too were going to wait until the caravan show next weekend but the deal we secured was too good to pass up

 

[Bmhdg76]

Hi all,

Well we sold our camper trailer yesterday so all good to go on looking at the expanda's. we were told a couple of weeks ago that the wait would probably be till around April, but figure it just gives us a bit more time to save for some extras! We generally only go away in the cooler months so suits us well.

Just toying up what to do with solar and fridges at the moment so I might do a bit more research and if I can't find the info I am after I'll start a new thread.

BJ

 

[Bushman]

g'day BJ and :welcome:

 

[04diesel]

Was told by the salesman that word from Jayco is that solar will be standard fit from next year.

 

[Brad]

Was told by the salesman that word from Jayco is that solar will be standard fit from next year.

Interesting.... Hope they spec the base model that they offer up appropriately.

 

[Glenn]

Hi BJ, Welcome to the forum friendly people and heaps of good advice. Good luck with the purchase. We opted ours up with everything we wanted from the start and then negotiated the price, saved about $5K on individual price's we were quoted on extra's

Cheers Glenn