Jayco dove to expanda

[createit]

Seems like we have made the progression like a lot of others. We went from a soft floor to the jayco dove and love it, however we find the constant dance every morning to reshuffle the bed setup and suitcases a bit much with the amount of time that we use the van and decided to look at the options whilst on holidays at Christmas. A second hand 17-56.2 came up with everything added in the for sale section of this forum and we ended up setting up to meet them in a couple of days once we got back from holidays. Got a call the night before to say it had sold.

Well that planted the seed and set about the list of what we wanted and the best time to buy - Melbourne caravan show. Had the list of options with the dealer and told them to call with the show special and best price on all our selected options. Very happy indeed with the result and we commited over the phone with the offer.

Made our decisions based on extensive reading on this forum, so thanks to all the help spending my money.

17-56.2 outback
2 x 120w solar panels ( extra as show special )
Extended draw bar
ESC
2 x picnic tables
External shower with light above
Wind up antenna
Stereo with external speakers and tv point
Extra 240 and 12v external
Drifter control panel
Long wall and short side shade ( show special )
Outside floor mat ( show special )
Centre mount point for jockey wheel placement.
Anderson lead to draw bar
Rear external gas point

Very happy and excited and counting down the days until delivery in June.

Just have to sell the Dove now if anyone is interested. If you can tell from this it has the works.

 

[17triton]

Sounds like a great van! I hope the wait is painless for you. Nice Dove you have there as well.

 

[DRW]

@createit 17's are taking over the world, congrats you wont be sorry

 

[BUSH PALACE]

@createit we love spending other peoples money on here , June is just around the corner , did i say Corner what a great trip it will be - come along ....

 

[cruza driver]

@createit :welcome: to the forum mate.

You may spot some familar names on here too

Where is your maiden voyage for the new Expanda?

 

[createit]

Picked up the van two weeks ago and have had it under the carport and got to take it for a shake down trip to the inlaws at Peterborough on the great ocean road and it poured rain all night and the Panda came through with flying colours. What a dream it is to setup and so much more room than the old dove with the wife and I and two boys under 4.

 

[createit]

Just able to pop it up if I get it all aligned right. The extended draw bar and the height of the new suspension have pushed my carport space. Did I mention millimeters.

 

[createit]

First mod added to the van after picking it up I drove it to northern rv and had a truma gas heater installed under the front seat. Heats the whole van in 15 mins and kept it within 2 degrees all night which is handy in Vic in the middle of winter.

 

[dagree]

Talk about a close fit...... Our carport had about 5mm extra clearance on our previous van (Not Offroad) but only just fits the new one in and not able to lift the lid. Lost count how many time the head has hit the roof when entering it :dejection:

 

[Smergen]

Love the new wheels @createit ! I do recall seeing your add for the Dove when we were shopping around too! That is one snug fit under that carport. Unfortunately our panda was too tall for the shed door despite it being a 6 car shed, and the effort to get it there just wasn't desirable. So we're now knocking down fences and moving garden beds for the new girl!

Lost count how many time the head has hit the roof when entering it :dejection:

When out in the van on the weekend I actually popped the roof (usually leave it down) and spent the whole day ducking my head when entering looking like a fool. Mrs Smergs, who is a midget, can stand in there with the roof down didn't really know what the fuss was about!

 

[carpanda]

@createit lovvveee the pictures! That is a tight fit, looks great though

 

[davemc]

wow just just fits.. how long did that take to get it in... looks great

 

[skippy]

OMG that tight fit @createit

 

[Jo Howell]

The Stone Guard look great.

 

[createit]

wow just just fits.. how long did that take to get it in... looks great

The good thing is that when it is not popped up it fits easily. Fortunately as long as I get the drawbar to touch the gate it means that I can pop the top back first and the the font and she opens up perfectly. So not long each time now that I have it figured out. My wife came home to me with a very frustrated look the first day home with the van, but once I got it in place and up I was pretty happy.

 

[createit]

The Stone Guard look great.

Really happy with the stone guard and the fact that myself with no handyman ability when it comes to things away from computers I had it installed in 15 mins.