Kate and Tony's New Outback Expanda 20.63-1

[Macropod]

Great looking van. Good choice getting the leather with kids ! Noticed that the plinth where the bunk ladder connects to is not leather. This was how ours was supplied and it cheesed me off..paid all that money for leather and they miss one really obvious place. Our dealer was kind enough to give us a lounge seat that was replaced under warranty and we used that to cover the bunk ladder mounting plinth (or whatever it is called). If you can get ESC fitted its well worth it. Might want to fit a dishwasher too !

 

[Crusty181]

I hope our van comes plusith the correct vents! I'm a bit worried now...

I quieried the dealer and they said my van will definately have the 400x400 Seitz Heki hatch which is the hatch with the blind/mesh blinds. Flossy, your van is likely on the same run as mine so you should be good

 

[Flossymk1]

I quieried the dealer and they said my van will definately have the 400x400 Seitz Heki hatch which is the hatch with the blind/mesh blinds. Flossy, your van is likely on the same run as mine so you should be good

Good to know - I would be horrified if it had the wrong ones!

 

[Kate File]

Ok, so back to the issue with wdh (sway bars), Landrover confirmed that they should NOT be used with our Discovery 4.

But we are on the road, heading up the Pacific Highway from Sydney and we passed a B double. It was in the left lane, we were in the middle lane. We were doing about 95, it was doing about 85. Our bloody van started swaying all over the place. Hubby took foot off accelerator and applied the trailer brakes and it stopped it. But it was really scary for about 5 seconds.

What is this all about? I want our sway bars back. Never had this happen with our Territory, sway bars and 16 foot Expanda.

We are driving very carefully now. In the far left lane.want to keep to 90, but hubby creeps up to 100 when no trucks around. 90 when big trucks pass. B double just passed again and hubby applied trailer brakes as he could feel it. Nothing like the first time though.

Tony said it towed much better driving home from the dealer with our sway bars on. That was the M5, some trucks but not as any.

Suggestions anyone? Are we doing something wrong?

Towing a new a 20.63 Outback Expanda, on first highway trip.

 

[Kate File]

This is not relaxing!!!!!

 

[davemc]

That is no good Kate. What are the tyres like all pumped up?
We towed our smaller Starcraft up the Newell has no sway at all passing or getting passed. Only time I noticed a pull was when we where on a section with concrete barriers along the side and we got over taken.
We have ESC did you get that not sure that helped or just the van is stable.
The D4 supposed to have trailer assist does it detect the van is there?

 

[davemc]

Just looking at pic that Y cable where did you get it? Wonder if something not wired correctly
We replaced the round in that back with a 12 pin flat.
Although if brakes working with controller you thinks it's fine ?

 

[davemc]

Should add I sat on 110 a few sections no problems although could watch fuel gauge drop while driving we have petrol model. Mainly sat on 100

 

[Kate File]

Oh and we have Tekonsha electric brakes. Jayco recommended them as the best. Currently set on 7.3.

 

[Kate File]

Just looking at pic that Y cable where did you get it? Wonder if something not wired correctly
We replaced the round in that back with a 12 pin flat.
Although if brakes working with controller you thinks it's fine ?

Landrover wired it up. Tony says brakes are working fine.

Is this just the price of moving from a pop top to a full van? Or is it the Discovery?

Tony likes the way the independent suspension handles on the bumpy uneven highway though.

 

[Pace]

I had similar issue when first got van,it was how we loaded it in the end. Suggest to move things around inside first or rotate hitch on car to alter van angle.
Cheap easy quick alterations before going WDH anti sway setup. Let us know and safe trip. Pace.

 

[Crusty181]

For a start, Ive never bothered using my WDH. Back in 2010 work made it impossible to test our 16.49 behind a new car before a planned 10 week trip. Within an hour of leaving home, the van and arse of the car were lurching considerably. Some non related issues forced a unscheduled roadside repair stop. During the stop I put an extra 2 or 3 pound in all the car and van tyres, over the recommend tyre placard pressure, and the lurchind has never happend again .... for more than 20k km over the next 4 years. After that I could feel when the tyres needed air. 2 pound made an incredible difference, I would have not previously believed

 

[Kate File]

I had similar issue when first got van,it was how we loaded it in the end. Suggest to move things around inside first or rotate hitch on car to alter van angle.
Cheap easy quick alterations before going WDH anti sway setup. Let us know and safe trip. Pace.

Nothing inside apart from normal stuff in cupboards. Not like our last van when we had tables, chairs, Ickes etc inside the van.
Tony says we can't rotate the hitch. It is just the Landrover tow hitch, not like our last Hayman and Reece hitch.
Can't use the WDH with the Discovery.

 

[Kate File]

It has got better. Just had a B double pass us, we were doing 100 and it obviously more. Didn't need to do anything.

The first problem was a particularly high B double and it had curtains rather than walls so it might have created much more buffeting...

 

[davemc]

That is great yes standard Disco hitch very basic. So hopefully only a one off. Although that will stay in the back of your mind forever

 

[Kate File]

Wow! A dishwasher! I can't work out what cupboard that is?

 

[dagree]

Ok, so back to the issue with wdh (sway bars), Landrover confirmed that they should NOT be used with our Discovery 4.

@Kate File .. One thing not to get confused about is that WDH systems are not sway bars as such. They are used to level the van/car and distribute weight to the tow cars front wheels. In saying that I found that they do tend to help with a little bit of sway (Must create some friction?). Unfortunately cant use them with our setup either

If worried about sway it's possible to still use the HR hitch that you have with the WDH system (Or a new drop hitch) and get a friction sway system fitted.... Can't help with details or price but have heard they are good.

Getting our van measured up for ESC tomorrow.

 

[dagree]

You'll find some info on the friction sway system here @Kate File
http://www.haymanreese.com.au/products/sway-controls

 

[Macropod]

Hi Kate - re the dishwasher. We had a deeper TV cupboard (the one on the left of the door as you walk in) installed to accommodate the dishwasher depth. They had to run water and sullage as well - but believe me - well worth it. Who wants to do dishes while on holidays !

Regarding your sway issue - check your tyre pressures - our compliance plate indicated that we should have 310 kpa (45 psi) cold and 345 kpa (50 psi) cold (max load). What was interesting for me was that my 20.63.1 OB was delivered with 33psi in the tyres. Made a big difference having them pumped up to the right pressure. We also have the ESC fitted which I guess makes a difference - have not had any sway issues despite high speeds, big trucks, high winds, and roads with funny camber. We use a weight distribution hitch so that will also have a positive impact on stability.

 

[Kate File]

Our first little trip - 5 days at the White Albatross at Nambucca Heads - beautiful spot and dog friendly!
Love the coffee station!
And really love the annex from Australia Wide. So versatile with 3 layers to each section - canvas, mesh and plastic window. And love that it can be so completely opened up during the day. We like it at night not just for warmth but so my two dogs can sleep off the lead and not be barking at possums in the night and every single person that walks by, particularly the early risers.