Lara's 16.49-1 OB

Lara

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Jan 23, 2013
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And finally to share some pics of our new Australia Wide 'Ultimate clear' annex.
Absolutely love it.

It has clear PVC windows to let plenty of light in even when its raining, roll them up for mesh only, and then theres the inside curtains. I have to say the curtains are a great addition. So simple and smooth to open and close, but the biggest bonus is being able to close them quickly from the inside. Dont have to go outside dodging guy ropes and pegs at night to close for privacy like the traditional drop down zippered canvas windows.

The other thing I like is the door which has both a canvas zipped door and a mesh zipped door. Great to have options!

Annex is bottom 1/3 vinyl, and top 2/3 canvas. Best of both worlds.

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expanda

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Annexe looks great, I get what you mean about the spreader bars.

When he had the demo setup at the show he had rigged up spreader bars for his own.

I asked him if can do it when he does ours and he said he could no problem which is good.

P.s The family looks happy :) which is the best part!!
 

Lara

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Jan 23, 2013
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Annexe looks great, I get what you mean about the spreader bars.

When he had the demo setup at the show he had rigged up spreader bars for his own.

I asked him if can do it when he does ours and he said he could no problem which is good.

P.s The family looks happy :) which is the best part!!

Spot on Expanda, very happy family :grouphug:

I might make a call to Joe at Australia Wide and see what he can do for us about the porch. He's such a helpful guy, so I know he'll come through with a solution.
We could notice the porch flapping and it wasnt all that windy at Narrabeen. Not sure how the porch would handle some really strong winds without more support. But other than than that, annex is 100%.
 

expanda

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Spot on Expanda, very happy family :grouphug:

I might make a call to Joe at Australia Wide and see what he can do for us about the porch. He's such a helpful guy, so I know he'll come through with a solution.
We could notice the porch flapping and it wasnt all that windy at Narrabeen. Not sure how the porch would handle some really strong winds without more support. But other than than that, annex is 100%.

He has done it on his one so he should be able to sort you out :)!!!!
 

shiraz

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Oct 22, 2012
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sellicks hill s.a
OK, where to start, so much to share, including mods! Apologies in advance for what could be a very long post.

We have had a very successful first weekend in our 16.49-1 OB.
We stayed at Lakeside Big4 Narrabeen. Great park, huge sites, good facilities, staff were very friendly and we look forward to returning sometime soon. No problems with the Expanda, and trust me, we tested everything as even though its 18 months old, Sydney RV group offer a 3 month warranty on used vans. So we are very happy to say all is in perfect working order.

As you may have read in my previous posts we bought our Expanda from Sydney RV Group and I have to give them the biggest rap. They are absolutely incredible, from the sales yard to service centre. They truly went above and beyond for us. We got a great deal, nothing was ever too much trouble and they continued to surprise and impress us with their service. Even when we wanted work done by the service centre, they would happily pick up our expanda from storage and put it back when finished. For our weekend at Narrabeen, they again took it from storage and put it on site for us, as an unexpected but very pleasant surprise. Its things like this that make them stand out from the pack. There are so many businesses that could and should take a leaf out of their book.

Now, I have been keen to share my mods with you all and have finally taken some pics over the weekend.

First up is the TV bench mount bracket. As the walls were not strong enough for a wall mount bracket, I did lots of homework to find the perfect TV bench mount. The result is exactly what I hoped for. We can turn our TV in any direction, it even swings around the corner and out the door. This thing goes up down and all around!


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As for TV storage during travel, I came up with the following! First had to source a quick release plate, can now single handedly take down the TV in 2 seconds flat. Then headed to clark rubber for some custom cut foam. Simple to put TV in and take it out, also stores our Bose stereo. Very happy with finished product.


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Now onto wardrobe and pantry storage! Standard mod of fixed shelves in the wardrobe. In the pantry I have installed rubbermaid slide and stacks. Fit perfectly and from Bunnings. They are on a bottom mount slide, so slide half way out and makes it easy to get to things at the back. Also handy when packing, take them out of slide, take into house, fill, and return to carvan and slide back in. Too easy!


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Under the wardrobe is an Elfa mesh wire basket on bottom mount slide. Fits perfectly, Easily holds 4 bath towels and 4 beach towels. Glides in, glides out.

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Now onto the lounge/dining area. We are a lounging family, love a bit of space to lay around, watch TV, read the paper, get into bed with climbing over seats...... So for us the answer was to remove the Jayco table. We have kept/stored the Jayco table for future re-sale.
We will always be eating either outdoors in the sunshine or in the annex. Should the need arise for a table inside then we have a bunnings blow mould table in the annex that can come inside if needed. (Sorry, didn't make the bed yet)


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Hope you like my mods as much as I do!!
Also have some photos of our new Australia Wide 'Ultimate' annex to share. Will post up tomorrow for you all!

Lara.
 

andrea

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Nov 9, 2011
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Hi Lara, I don't know how I missed your thread but awesome to see your new van and all of your great mods! I hope you are all enjoying the camping experience!
 

Lara

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Jan 23, 2013
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Hi Lara, I don't know how I missed your thread but awesome to see your new van and all of your great mods! I hope you are all enjoying the camping experience!

Thanks Andrea,
Yep, loving it all, should've bought an Expanda sooner! But better late than never. Kids are having a ball, love the freedom and independence they get at a caravan park! Very happy.
 

shiraz

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Oct 22, 2012
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Hi Lara,
you are putting us males to shame,but also prompting me at least to do MAINTAINANCE
renewed wheel bearings for next trip,also took out the hotwater anode "it had "gone" just a bit of wire left" the wife thanks you.
on another note look up www.geocaching.com this will add another diamention to trips away.

thanks Shiraz.
 

Lara

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Jan 23, 2013
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Manly NSW
Hi Lara,
you are putting us males to shame,but also prompting me at least to do MAINTAINANCE
renewed wheel bearings for next trip,also took out the hotwater anode "it had "gone" just a bit of wire left" the wife thanks you.
on another note look up www.geocaching.com this will add another diamention to trips away.

thanks Shiraz.

Thanks Shiraz, glad I could motivate you, the wife must be happy! Brownie points coming your way!

Just had a look at the geocaching website. Never seen anything like it, I watched the demo and I have to say it looks amazing. My girls would have a ball hunting cach. What a great way to add to an adventure. Many thanks for sharing!
 

expanda

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www.expandasdownunder.com
Thanks Shiraz, glad I could motivate you, the wife must be happy! Brownie points coming your way!

Just had a look at the geocaching website. Never seen anything like it, I watched the demo and I have to say it looks amazing. My girls would have a ball hunting cach. What a great way to add to an adventure. Many thanks for sharing!

The best part of geocaching is the amount of time the kids will spend looking for something when you are right on top of it :)!!!