Macayak's 16-49-4 Mods

[macca]

I did a little mod the other day, well not really mod just an extra precaution on the mains water pipes. For some reason caravan manufacturers dont install the locking circlip on the fittings (red circlips). While I was at a caravan shop a couple weeks ago I bought some. 25cents each so I thought it was a cheap insurance policy. The other reason I did it was because we were at a park a couple months ago and a water pipe let go in a van and really made a mess. The fittings are designed for the locking clip just so I did all the ones in the van, took a couple of minutes.

Geoff

 

[Chooky]

Great idea I didn't know they were even available so that another thing going on the list.

 

[Brad]

Thanks for that tip Geoff. I will be doing mine also.
We went from the 16 to the 18 and I have noticed the difference in weight, fuel economy dropping, for the first few trips being more diligent in turning corners and having to turn corners just ever so slightly different. I also have to look up more often to make sure I don't hit something. So not so bad really in terms of differences. The 18 is excellent. So much cosier.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Good idea we did the same from new ... would be nothing worse being away to come back to find the van flooded YUK ....

 

[Burnsy]

After a couple of trips we thought a toilet/shower would be good. We will probably keep the van for a year at least and look at going to a 17 or 18. Our summer trip was cancelled at the last minute due health issues with my old mum and my wifes dad (we must have run over a black cat). We had planned to see how we went, away in van for 3 weeks, so now we will go away in the next school holidays and lots of weekend trips to compensate. I think we will keep the van for at least a year now, plus I am really happy with our van, touch wood it has had nothing major go wrong with it. Could have been because I had a mate watch it go down the line, I think he told the various stations to look after it as he was taking photos.

I also want to get better at backing and more confident towing before going to a larger model. Mother and Father in law both coming good.

Geoff

Hey Geoff, my advice, if you have a spot that allows the extra height then go the 18! Like Brad said, you do notice a bit of difference but you'll get used to that. As expandafan said the way to get used to backing, just do it, the height doesn't make a difference when doing this (unless there's branches), it's the same width and only 2' longer.
I looked at the 17's and nothing against them but after owning a poptop if I was buying another van I wanted a substantial difference next time around, my family and I are all very happy with the choice and a toilet and shower (no cracks) is priceless!
In years to come when my girls have left home, I think I'll always have a full height van.
That's my 2 bobs worth anyway!

Cheers.

 

[macca]

When we ordered our van I opted not to get the stereo fitted, but when away I dont mind a bit of Aussie Crawl playing in the back ground. Anyway I looked at car stereos at JB, but the music I play is stuff I have downloaded from my CD's or purchased online so I decided I didnt really need a car stereo. So I thought a tablet might be a better option, it stores music, I can create a playlist and they do heaps of other stuff. Easy installation, no cutting and no wiring. I can mount it in a case mounted on the wall or I can unclip it and use it as normal. The sound is connected via a 12/240V bluetooth speaker so I can have the speaker inside or outside. If the kids want to listen to their music, they can pair their gadgets and listen to whatever. I can listen to radio in any area providing I have wifi using apps like Tune In Radio etc, but I normally dont listen to radio when I am away. The sound is great for a portable speaker and I dont loose space by cutting a car stereo into a cabinet, it also can be wired to the Kogan TV as its sound is ordinary, so this makes a massive improvement. A little bit more effort required than popping a cd in a stereo, but I can still put a cd in the Kogan and have it come through the new speakers.



I did a dummy install with a Samsung but I was thinking of buying a Kogan tablet, on sale for just over a $100 with latest android system. I am an apple man but android is fine for this. I can even bring up a map of the area so I can show the kids whats around. Anyway, I think this will be more common place oneday.

Geoff

 

[andrea]

Geoff, that's a brilliant idea! There is a great app (its in the app store but probably on android as well) called Music Tube. It caches the music you listen to on youtube so you can listen offline. The jayco speakers are pretty ordinary and in our 17 they are both down the back so I think you've done is an excellent idea!

 

[Chooky]

Hi Geoff do you have some more info on the 12/240 v speaker as we have an iPad and that sounds like a great idea, I was just looking the other day for somewhere to mount the stereo but this might save me having to fit one.

 

[macca]

Chooky, I got this one from JB Hifi as I find they are normally really good.

http://www.soniq.com.au/index.php/Accessories/Travel-Bluetooth-Speaker-MB301/flypage.tpl.html



This one is the larger one, it has a 12V Dc input so i can adapt a lead to make it work on the van 12V system. There was a smaller one which ran on batteries and 240V, this was really good also and it was very light and more portable ($65). I liked the sound of the larger one and the fact it is 12/240V. I am going to always have 12V so this swayed me. There were other brands also, but these worked easiest in my opinion. I originally was going to install speakers and have them attached to a bluetooth adaptor ($40) but this is easier for what we need. I showed my daughter, she wants one for her bedroom now!!..It was $79, I think doing it this way has saved me 3 trips to Bunnings, it is fully removable and I think the sound would be better than Jayco speakers.

Cheers Geoff

 

[Chooky]

Thanks Geoff definitely going to look at these, great idea.

 

[zerosecta]

Good Idea, Mate...

I use the Ipad for storing\playing the music and it go's through BT onto a BOSE Soundlink we got using CC Points

Its awesome sound and Battery go's for a good 9,5 hours

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Well after a couple of little trips, the sink was annoying me, it would take ages to drain. A little investigation, any wonder! Drain pipes that look like a snake and restrictions in fittings etc etc. I know they do it cheap because it's a caravan so I had a play with it. I only have a sink so I did not have to go to the trouble Brad did in his 18, I do not have a shower. I decided to use 20mm pressure pipe for two reasons. You can get it from Bunnings cheaply and it fits perfectly in between the chassis openings.

View attachment 10823View attachment 10824View attachment 10825

Look at the restriction in the pipe your sullage hose hooks up to and the bent drain pipe. Even the fitting in the sinks is restrictive.

I stripped every thing out and started again. The clear plastic drain pipe under the van was all over the shop, like they have one length and that fits all. The main thing I thought was wrong was no air can get in the head (sink end) of the drain. I fitted a air admittance valve, over the top but I did. Then I just ran the 20 mm poly and fitted a barrell union at the hose end so I dont have to stuff around with my sullage hose. I fitted a home made p trap but you would not have to. I just used standard plumbing principles. Straight pipe and air in drain, just like home.

View attachment 10826View attachment 10827View attachment 10828View attachment 10829

I lost a little bit of space, but the drain works great so I can live with it and my wife does not even know I have done it!

Cheers Geoff

After this weekend away I have made it my evening mission this week to do this mod also , I'm over the wet feet in the bathroom from the sink water backing up though the floor waste

 

[Glen Bundesen]

I did a little mod the other day, well not really mod just an extra precaution on the mains water pipes. For some reason caravan manufacturers dont install the locking circlip on the fittings (red circlips). While I was at a caravan shop a couple weeks ago I bought some. 25cents each so I thought it was a cheap insurance policy. The other reason I did it was because we were at a park a couple months ago and a water pipe let go in a van and really made a mess. The fittings are designed for the locking clip just so I did all the ones in the van, took a couple of minutes.

Geoff

View attachment 11775

I hope Jayco are now putting the JohnGuest circlips on all the water connections. It makes me so annoyed as they are an integral part of the fitting. One let go in my van and I was not impressed with the Jayco 'no answer' when I raised it with them. It was one of my mods - to put one on each fitting.
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/jayco-expanda-modifications.2140/page-2#post-62189

 

[navmatt]

Good Idea, Mate...

I use the Ipad for storing\playing the music and it go's through BT onto a BOSE Soundlink we got using CC Points

Its awesome sound and Battery go's for a good 9,5 hours

Got a BOSE soundlink for chrissy, LOVE it!!! A friend of ours brought theirs with them when we RV'd around the south island NZ, so had to have one. And the sound....nothing compares to a BOSE