Hooked already...

dirtdiggler

Member
Sep 6, 2016
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Perth
Hi guys,
I've owned a 16.49.4 expanda for a couple of months now and have been lurking this forum since before i took ownership (finding info on wiring up 12 pin plug on the tug and fridge wiring etc) so i figured it was about time i said hello ☺

Two up, my wife and i had many epic 4wd adventures, usually with our travel partners, my parents, in tow. Things have changed. .. we now have kids and the oldies have ditched their camper trailer in favour of a big rig of a caravan. We tried camping with 2 yr old son - more trouble than its worth. There was only one thing to do... Admit that my hard core remote 4wding days are over and buy a caravan. It's a lot easier to manage fussy little kids with a van compared to camping out of the back of the 4wd.

The van is a 2013 touring model with en suite. Being a 4wder at heart I really wanted an outback model but when this one came up it was immaculate, and really who was i kidding? An outback model was not going to do the kinds of tracks I'd really like to do anyway, so we took the plunge.

The van is pretty standard with just about zero optional extras from the factory.

Our first shakedown trip was up to Coral Bay (we're from Perth) - all went well and we've also done a couple of weekends in jurien bay and bussleton. I spent most of those trips looking at the van thinking about the things I'd like to do to it, and of course reading about it on this forum!

My tug is a 2007 Patrol with lots of fruit. Most important of which are a few engine tweaks (plus some heavy duty springs/shocks). It's running a unichip, rail pressure restrictor, egr block, 3 inch zorst and upgraded intercooler. It pulls the little jayco like it's not there... 5th gear up hills or overtaking no worries. I was initially worried about the patrol with them being big slow slugs and all, but I've been very impressed with how it tows.

That's enough for now. I will start up a build thread shortly to show what I've done so far...

See you round!
 
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Bellbirdweb

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2014
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Sydney
Welcome @dirtdiggler, your story is not dissimilar to others of us who are at various stages of our family and travel journey.

We started off tenting it and lots and lots of outback travel and 4x4 when our kids were young, with our son being introduced to camping from 12 weeks old.

We have progressed now with the kids now grown up and camping themselves, and now a grandchild on the way to introduce to the joys of camping, albeit glamping these days with the bells and whistles.

Still have a cruiser with all the bits, but it tends to be little more than a tow wagon now.

You and the family will get years of enjoyment out of your van, and the kids will get the best education imaginable touring Australia.

Enjoy the forum, lots of great people and information here, and we are more than happy to inspire you to part with lots of cash making all of those 'necessary' improvements.
 

dagree

Well-Known Member
Mar 3, 2012
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Perth. WA
Welcome to the forum from another "Perthite" @dirtdiggler :welcome:
Looking forward to your build up thread and trip reports and pics.

Keep your eye on the WA Meets/Members section for any upcoming get togethers! Have been few and far between lately but I'm guessing trips will pick up a bit after the festive season and now the weather is improving....... Not that the weather worries us "Just look at previous trips that a certain "Rain God" (ME) has attended :rain: :rofl:
 
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Crusty181

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2010
6,854
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Mentone, VIC
Howdy @dirtdiggler welcome to the forum and vanning. I had the same anguish trading up from a camper to our first 16.49.1 which we had for 5 years, before trading up again. To survive the transition with my "I'll never own a caravan" bravado intact I never once referred to the 16.49.1 as 'the caravan' .... it was always called 'the camper' and I happily justified that because it had canvas just like the camper.

Now I have a 20ft'er and its a caravan which ever way I look at it, a bloody big caravan and there's no way around that.

PS ...... you'll never look back, or regret it. ;)

PSS ...... you'd be surprised where these things can be dragged (the Outback anyway). Upto and then onto the beach at Kalumburu for example. Not me, not my van and not recommended
 
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