McKenzie's Starcraft 17.58-1 Touring Model

[McKenzie]

Well it's about 58 days to go before we pick up our new van. I'm sure the time will go a bit quicker now. In talking to the Bundaberg dealer (comes recommended) I should get an email to sign off on the floor plan this week. Van should be ready hopefully around the first of Dec after they have done their checks and clean.

To start the ball rolling, the Tribeca needed to get a few extra wires installed.

• Fridge wire (6B&S) from Car battery to the back. Not anderson for now (12pin) but keen to change over once I get the van. Still not sure why I just did not install anderson strange up. But I haven't. From what I understand the van will only have 8 B&S...so I guess I may upgrade that when doing anderson.
• Power cable 6mm both positive and negative from battery to the back
• Both cables above are connect via a VSR which cuts the power to the wires when the start battery voltage drops to low - got it for $38...pretty happy with that as I did see for $80.
• Brake controller - I installed Redarc towpro. I'm pretty happy with the small profile and does not intrude in the cabin space. I also like the manual brake application.
  
• Lastly, rear view camera. I have a factory one on the back of the car which nicely shows me the tow ball when reversing. I installed a new 7"monitor to the right side of the driver (beside door) to install a camera on the back of the van. The monitor is suction mounted to the dash which works well so far - have not driven on any dirt roads as yet. Also 7" to me seems about right in size.
  

That's about it for the car.

The Van Options.

• 164LTR 3 WAY FRIDGE
• ROOF MOUNTED TRUMA AVENTA A/C
• ALKO DROP JACKS
• U/SLUNG AXLE'S
• DIVIDER CURTAIN FOR MAIN BED
• ZALE / CADEL CHARCOAL / FURLO
• BED CONVERTER FOR CAFE SEATING
• Portable toilet and tent for night time use. From what I have read Big W's version has the biggest seat in its class - correct me if I'm wrong as I will purchase same day I get van
• 100mh battery
• external gas point for BBQ
• Looking at getting annex walls from australia wide annexes - they have been recommended to me.
  
• Pic above is of another van but the same

We did not want a internal shower/WC and audio/visual stuff. I hardly use the large screen we have now at home. Also did not like the products Jayco offered. I used to install car stereo's for fun before meeting my wife and then....three kids now. maybe we do need a TV?

Hot water in the end does not interest me either now. for the expensive - extra weight of unit, and from what I can tell the hot water runs out pretty quick as does water in tanks.....camping for me is partly about going to a CV park to spend looong hot showers - really steam it up. I'm paying the same - why would I want to clean my own shower...bad enough at home - for my wife

Solar will be down the track when I know a bit more about, caravanning, free camping and our power needs.

Cheers

 

[mrhappi]

Hope the 58 days fly-by for ya!

 

[Tricky]

Good luck with the new purchase. Waiting is the hard part!

 

[davemc]

now 57 days to go.. see time will fly.. yes the wait.. why we brought floor stock 22

 

[Fabulous]

time will go quickly

 

[FiveInAVan]

How exciting! Perfect time to get the van, just before Xmas holidays. We looked at this model, loved the layout, but the lack of ensuite and weight threw me off and will get an expanda instead as the extra beds are an added bonus. Can't wait to see pics when it arrives. The time should fly by at the time of the year!

 

[achjimmy]

Good luck sounds like you have a plan in place. Just note I doubt Jayco will be installing any 6 B&S wiring. I don't think they have ever heard of it. You'll get 6mm auto to the fridge which is like 4.5mm sq as opposed to 6b&s which is 13mm sq

 

[burnsie]

very exciting @McKenzie good luck

agree with you @achjimmy got them to install an additional anderson plug for some portable solar on mine and it looks thinner than a piece of string.

 

[McKenzie]

Thank you all.

Yes @davemc your quick turn around took me by surprise, good way to go....but we needed more time to save up so Dec is when we wanted to get it anyways...has worked out well.

Thanks @achjimmy I don't really recall anyone mentioning any mods to the van's wire to larger size for fridge....but I suspect you have. I agree, I think it should be larger.

@burnsie looks like another rewire also down the track. btw the photos you have taken just recently look really good!

 

[McKenzie]

@FiveInAVan wish you all the best with the expanda....I was looking at it originally. Could not get it to work for us. My tow ball weight and overall weight was against me....plus starcarft is cheaper by a bit and no canvas (apart from pop top).

There's a few of us who I'm sure are interested in seeing how the Subaru performs. It's going to have it's work cut out very soon

 

[burnsie]

@burnsie looks like another rewire also down the track. btw the photos you have taken just recently look really good!

Hey @McKenzie yeah looking to install a Manager30 instead with new wiring to resolve the potential problems, yeah the pics turned out pretty good, but it was easy as the places we went to were fantastic.

 

[McKenzie]

@burnsie the manager looks the business. Are u running solar yet?

 

[burnsie]

yeah @McKenzie had an additional panel installed when we collected it so 2 x 120W on the roof, currently 1 x 100 Battery (expanding to 2 once the Manager30 gets installed and also additional Anderson Plug for portable solar when needing a bit more juice. We have the Waeco compressor fridge so it only runs off 240/12V no gas so need to make sure we have enough whilst free camping

 

[McKenzie]

Got the phone call today from dealer to confirm the options. Wife does not like Microwaves.... something about health effects. So I asked the dealer to place a cupboard door in. Keep the MW in storage should we ever sell van and get a 22 foot version Also they don't do privacy curtains for main bed. Damian has offered to install once they receive.

He is also going to install the camera and cable I have...I'll post it up so they can install. We are planing a shake down trip upon pickup - bold move? I need to see family member asap, hence the trip. Just hope they are still around by the time we travel.

The van is targeted to roll off the line on the 23 Nov and then ships to Bundaberg dealer.

 

[dagree]

Hope the trip timing works for you @McKenzie !

 

[Robbie Reddog]

Not long to go now. End of November is just around the corner.
It's a good layout and and so easy to set up and pack.

 

[McKenzie]

Thank you dagree and robbie.

 

[davemc]

going on a trip straight away will be fine just make sure everything is working We picked up the 22 at Mount Gambier and stopped at local park and found one of the drop down jacks was no good. They replaced it straight away, although hate to load up and head 300kms away and then find it
Getting closer you can almost smell it

Funny the microwave is the only thing we used in both the vans now. Yes there are some interesting articles around microwave use. The stove/grill never used in 18 months in the 17 and the 22 been out for two trips and only Weber used.

 

[McKenzie]

Hi @davemc Yes plan to spend a couple of nights on coast of bundy....any issues we'll call in and sort it out.

Then make our way down to GOR and up to adelaide to see family.

I have a feeling GOR is going to be very busy at that time of year. Colleague in Melbourne recommend getting up early in the morning so as not to get stuck in traffic....tells me Melbournites don't like getting out of bed

Yes microwaves...what can i say....stories been around since the day they came out. She gave our home one away! Anyways appreciate that she cares and the only cooking i do is behind a bbq.

Interesting you only used weber last time. I don't have one yet...you don't feel the need the use a pot? I don't know much about them and different ways of cooking. What size do you recommend? Baby q or weber q? We have five in our family. I have not gone and looked at them yet

 

[burnsie]

Interesting you only used weber last time. I don't have one yet...you don't feel the need the use a pot? I don't know much about them and different ways of cooking. What size do you recommend? Baby q or weber q? We have five in our family. I have not gone and looked at them yet

Hey @McKenzie we just bought a Weber BabyQ for our recent trip down south, we were originally unsure about how much we would use it but found that it pretty much does everything, having said that we did invest in all the bits required to do all the different types of meals etc but with the 3 kids and 2 adults we found it sufficient, the usual bbq's, roasts and pizza's were the main courses for our dinners, with of course the big breakfasts.

If weight and size is not an issue I do know of a few people who use the next size up the Q200 as it is bigger and you can get more on the plates at the same time, but we generally cook for the kids who eat earlier and then for us or just plan it all out.