Hi, we've been looking at various Forums for a while trying to get sufficient info to decide what tow vehicle and van would best suit our needs. As the tow vehicle side is now settled and we're awaiting the imminent arrival of the Ranger, it's now time to discard so many vans considered and I think you can guess that there's a reason for posting here.
We've considered a number of different Expanda's but our preference has come down to the 17.51-2 Work n Play. We could have gone with one of the other more normal Expanda's but as we live in the tropics it's more likely that we will travel South in the cooler months and we just don't think that we can cope with too much canvas sleeping while there. At the same time we would like the Expanda for warmer weather while North or travelling to or from South. We feel that with the Expanda in front and bunks in the rear it would give us the best arrangement for our needs. At the same time we have some ideas about customising the rear that would add to its usability. Not likey at our age that we would want to transport more than bikes but it gives us freedom to choose how much we want to take. The bonus is that it has a 600kg payload and we could travel with full tanks and not breach the load limit. A pop-top version would have been better but as there isn't one we'll just have to take it as is.
The van would be optioned with as much as we can get fitted at factory and included in the Tare weight. The Outback version with solar and extra battery plus heater would be ordered, and with many other items as well while I think that she will agree. In discussions with a Dealer and some email contact with Jayco itself the only issue at the moment is whether they will allow me to supply a set of rims & tyres to match the Ranger and for them to supply axles to match the bolt pattern.
I've tried doing searches in this Forum and others but as yet can't find anyone else who has one. The only downside I've seen so far is a mention of the small kitchen bench area, but as the chief cook has given it her blessing even after actually looking through one, that isn't a real issue for us.
Phil & Lyn
We've considered a number of different Expanda's but our preference has come down to the 17.51-2 Work n Play. We could have gone with one of the other more normal Expanda's but as we live in the tropics it's more likely that we will travel South in the cooler months and we just don't think that we can cope with too much canvas sleeping while there. At the same time we would like the Expanda for warmer weather while North or travelling to or from South. We feel that with the Expanda in front and bunks in the rear it would give us the best arrangement for our needs. At the same time we have some ideas about customising the rear that would add to its usability. Not likey at our age that we would want to transport more than bikes but it gives us freedom to choose how much we want to take. The bonus is that it has a 600kg payload and we could travel with full tanks and not breach the load limit. A pop-top version would have been better but as there isn't one we'll just have to take it as is.
The van would be optioned with as much as we can get fitted at factory and included in the Tare weight. The Outback version with solar and extra battery plus heater would be ordered, and with many other items as well while I think that she will agree. In discussions with a Dealer and some email contact with Jayco itself the only issue at the moment is whether they will allow me to supply a set of rims & tyres to match the Ranger and for them to supply axles to match the bolt pattern.
I've tried doing searches in this Forum and others but as yet can't find anyone else who has one. The only downside I've seen so far is a mention of the small kitchen bench area, but as the chief cook has given it her blessing even after actually looking through one, that isn't a real issue for us.
Phil & Lyn