Hello from caravan virgins

[Noodles]

Hi all,

I've lurked around on this site for a while and thought I should finally join. We are Noodles and The Scotsman from the Gold Coast and we have 3 kids (6, 8, and 17).

I've been researching caravans since December last year and we think we've finally settled on what we want. It's tricky when you've never had a caravan before! Firstly we we wanted something with an island bed and bunks, then we thought we'd get a Euro van, then we thought it would be fun to buy an old Viscount or Millard and do it up. But after months of research and looking at caravans, we've decided that an Expanda would suit our family. We have a camper trailer and are very used to having lots of space whilst camping, so the added living space offered by Expandas appeals to us.

Not quite sure which model we will end up getting but definitely one with bunks.

Our tug is an 06 Discovery TD6 and I'd love to hear from anyone who's owned one and towed a van with it. Husband thinks we will need the Outback for the extra ground clearance.

Anyway, thanks for having me and I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

Noodles

 

[Dobbie]

:welcome:

 

[boots33]

Welcome and yes we have never regretted getting an outback model. While not truly an off road van it is nice to have the extra height if you do a lot of off grid camping or national parks.

 

[Dobbie]

And the outback model, with the heavier suspension, handles the dirt a lot better if you happen to stray off the bitumen. We've trusted GPS too often, so have a tendency to stray.

Though sometimes you need a ladder to climb in and that same ladder to undo the pop top clips.

Resale value also seems to be better. Thank goodness!

 

[davemc]

Welcome,
Depends $ if you buy new or not what extras you want and what deals there are
Outback comes with a lot of extras in the price.
Our fist van was a outback our new one touring with axles flipped.
There is a lot of info here you can go through.. 3 kids makes life a little easier van wise then our 4
We brought a 17.58 Starcraft pop top although no loo and kids with Asthma we moved up to a full van 22.68 Starcraft.
It depends on what size do you want new or second hand.
The 17.56-2 is pretty popular can put the 6 and 8 year old on bunks and 17 year old on other bed end.
Just check on bunk length or kids length
Also depends if you want a loo/shower or not.

We had a D3 Petrol towed very well just needed filling ever 350-400k.. Air suspension is great as it can tow 3500 it pulled both our vans fine just slows on hills.
Just brought a D4 Diesel first towing tomorrow

 

[Vere]

Welcome,
We found the outback was to high to get under carport and wife to small to get in.

 

[Noodles]

Welcome,
Depends $ if you buy new or not what extras you want and what deals there are
Outback comes with a lot of extras in the price.
Our fist van was a outback our new one touring with axles flipped.
There is a lot of info here you can go through.. 3 kids makes life a little easier van wise then our 4
We brought a 17.58 Starcraft pop top although no loo and kids with Asthma we moved up to a full van 22.68 Starcraft.
It depends on what size do you want new or second hand.
The 17.56-2 is pretty popular can put the 6 and 8 year old on bunks and 17 year old on other bed end.
Just check on bunk length or kids length
Also depends if you want a loo/shower or not.

We had a D3 Petrol towed very well just needed filling ever 350-400k.. Air suspension is great as it can tow 3500 it pulled both our vans fine just slows on hills.
Just brought a D4 Diesel first towing tomorrow

Thanks davemc! (My husband is also a Dave Mc...!)
We will definitely be buying second hand as we can't possibly justify spending $50000+ for something we will only use 4-8 times a year (unfortunately I work most Saturdays).
If we can find a layout we like with an ensuite that's fine, but if not we will just get a portaloo. We usually stay at caravan parks anyway so it's not a deal breaker.

I've been reading some posts regarding Discoveries and towing. So we won't need a WDH?
The Scotsman says we'll need the Outback because the drawbar of the regular Expanda will be too low for our self levelling suspension....is this correct?

Thanks!

 

[davemc]

Another Davemc ha ha
No WDH if you have the air suspension.
Secondhand depends on $'s get a list of things you want and shop around. Things like a annex you might pay hardly anything extra compared to $2k plus new.
The rest yes think what you want.
Big Fridge
Solar
Extended drawbar
outside shower
TV aerial
Roof air
HWS if you do not go shower loo model

17-56-1 has more storage then the -2 as no Loo so yes its all pluses and minus.
16.49-4 or -2 smaller with bunks.
Not sure the expanda bunk sizes someone here can comment
You could look at the 17.58-1 what we had before there was a older 16.67-1 as well 3 bunks and no loo.

Yes options endless. we started looking camper trailer, then swan then expanda and ended up with a Starcraft so $5k went to over $40k then 18 months later we upgraded to a 22ft monster

 

[bigcol]

welcome @Noodles , lots of great people here with a passion for their Vans and gear

as @davemc said,
extended draw bar
biggest fridge you can get
Solar
roof air
HWS - (we dont have, just boil the kettle for dishes) but resale helps
same with the ensuite, we dont have but it helps with resale

if you dont go back further than around 2010 with the Expanda's, around then is when they changed from soft top to hard top for the bed ends
not major - but resale value kills the older Expandas

 

[dagree]

Welcome to the forum @Noodles . Lots of decisions to be made when choosing the van you want or need!
Plenty of reading and help on here to help out but best of all do the rounds of the yards and try them out.

Be interested to see which way you go!

 

[Bluey]

Welcome to the best forum on the internet so many great people on here carefull we like spending other peoples money now just get a silverline and a cruiser and be done with it lol

 

[chartrock]

Welcome to the forum @Noodles, from another Coaster. You will get all the help you want from the friendliest people on the net I can't comment on your choice of tug but agree that the Outback is the way to go.

Make a list of what is essential, another list of what you would like but can live without. Look at ads and if they have everything in your first list then that is one to look at. If it doesn't have all on your first list don't waste your time looking at it as you will not be happy with it.

Good luck with your search and keep us posted on your decisions.

 

[17triton]

Another thing to consider is how long is the 17yr old going to continue coming away? Do you get a 4 berth and a swag or stretcher in an annexe perhaps? Oh and welcome aboard.

 

[Bushman]

Welcome aboard, and yes definitely go for an Outback

 

[Noodles]

Another thing to consider is how long is the 17yr old going to continue coming away? Do you get a 4 berth and a swag or stretcher in an annexe perhaps? Oh and welcome aboard.

Hopefully not much longer! But we would like to be able to bring extra people, like the kids' friends or a granny. I like the models that have the two big beds and a mini dinette that turns into a bunk.

 

[Noodles]

Make a list of what is essential, another list of what you would like but can live without. Look at ads and if they have everything in your first list then that is one to look at. If it doesn't have all on your first list don't waste your time looking at it as you will not be happy with it.

That is excellent advice!

 

[Bluey]

You can allways put up annex for extra people to sleep in or the bigger kids 1756-2 outback a good model that many of us have my annex takes maybee half hr to put up easy

 

[The Goodwins]

Welcome I would recommend a 17:56-2......

 

[dagree]

and yes definitely go for an Outback

I would recommend a 17:56-2......

No argument from me on the above two statements

 

[Bank of Dad]

Yep, 17.56-2 OB with annex.