Hi from Swerve, Jayco 16.67-1

Swerve

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2014
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Sydney
Hi all,

Have always been a mad 4wd nut and now with a young family, want my son to enjoy the outdoors along with the Mrs.

Picked up a 2013 16.67-1 Outback last weekend, ex demo with 150L fridge, roof aircon and TV antenna. Stayed at Shoalhaven Heads for a test weekend, stocked the kitchen etc and had a great time with our 2 year old son.

Will be setting it up for free camping as I always prefers the bush, but will be tricky as wife prefers comforts, etc. Been surfing your forum and many good tips.

Thanks Swerve
 

Swerve

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Mar 26, 2014
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Sydney
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Swerve

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2014
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484
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52
Sydney
Coming from 4wd, no doubt it will, I'm very handy so wont be an issue. Starcraft has no hotwater, so have already have a glind to install in the 4WD. This will suffice when not at a CP. My layout has a handy nook inside for a porta pottie when on the road, but again will go outside when free camping.

Picked up a weber baby Q this week, so first up will be a front box for a genie and weber. I have plenty of storage under my front bed, but want these items outside, so to speak.
 

dagree

Well-Known Member
Mar 3, 2012
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Perth. WA
We just picked up a 2014 17.56.2 Expanda two weeks ago and only getting to use it the weekend after next. Have some ideas for mods at the moment (Including moving spare to the rear and adding an ali box on draw bar for weber etc) but I'm sure the list will grow once we get away and use it.

Also being a 4WD and boat owner I also know where my hard earned $'s go :o
 

Swerve

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2014
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484
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Sydney
Thanks all

Yeah got a good deal so can’t complain.

We always seem to buy things on a whim. However I do wish I had have waited for a 2014 model with the new suspension. But then hey I wouldn’t have gotten the same deal, would have been a double axle which I didn’t want, my boat is dual axle and I don’t like it. Plus in many ways I like the old leaf spring as tried and proven, with spares a plenty. I reckon some bigger shocks for better dampening, also check of wheel travel and match shock up will be a big help.

We have been procrastinating for a few years in buying a van, have hired the Britz Expanda’s a few times and did a 3000km trip in one down to Great Ocean Rd and the likes. Really wanted our beds permanently made up as I often drive Syd- Bris overnight. To be able to just walk into bed in priceless for me. After having looked as various van and never actually sold, we saw this, negotiated a price, and sold. People complain the front bed is too small, but we found it fine, we both sleep on our sides so no issue. Plus one of us can also sleep across the rear bunk (full van width) near our son if needed.

The 2013 OB is a bit different than the 2014. Had all provisions for a house battery, but no battery. Have a spare 110AHr at home so in it will go, Has solar provisioned wired up on the roof, so another job in near future. TV will be another one as aerial and booster all installed.

Some of the mods planning are

Generator mounted, but modify exhaust for real unit and reduce noise. Might be a dream but hey why not. Already have a genie.
Mount Weber Baby Q, I’m a firm believer in making things as easy as possible. So if I can just slide her out, light her and cook, I’m happy
Will install 2nd water tank and 12v pump
Install external hand shower to run off cold water. Once 4wd Glind hotwater installed. Will also plumb this back to the van so hot showers can also be used when free camping.
Will start sealing her up for dirt road, light off-road use. Also thinking of installing light stone guards under van. Minimize the sand blasting 4wd’s/ vans get from OB travel.
Privacy curtain above fridge so our son (2 year old) who has claimed that top bunk, has less light when we are still up, also a privacy curtain across main bed would go astray
Outside table, not real keen to mount things on the body, so will either slide out from under, or use brackets from chassis.

But have learnt from 4wd’s, most mods stay as a dream, so will see how we go. Seems like a great family based forum so quite happy to have joined.
 

davemc

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2013
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Viewbank, Victoria
www.expandasdownunder.com
Well have fun we just signed off ours today pickup 3rd June. I hate waiting..

The bed could actually be a larger size they changed them last year. Check if 1.3m. No one locally had an outback with the larger bed late last year hence waiting for 17.58.

Yeah that curtain not going over the fridge what's up with that

We added most of the crap which added to the price as I knew it be on a list :)
 

davemc

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2013
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Viewbank, Victoria
www.expandasdownunder.com
We got the dinette convertor longer term.
2 year old twins will top to toe in lower bunk to start with.
Also thought maybe use a blow up small bed they have as a trundle next to lower bunk. 4 kids not easy we did not want to go expanda and to long less options
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
Staff member
Mar 15, 2011
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The Gong
Welcome to the forum @Swerve
I have looked at that exact van a few times at Jayco Nowra, its a seriously nice looking unit, congrats and enjoy!