MELBOURNE CARAVAN CAMPING SHOW 2015

[relgate]

Whats with the HiViz green Expanda tent section on the Outbacks ... wow
View attachment 29958

A few notable changes in the Expandas, none more obvious is the new hard lid that closes onto the face of the van ... which looks a little like an after thought.
View attachment 29959
View attachment 29962

The tent section is no longer held onto the bed base with a screwed on metal strap ... there is a sail track around the bed base, and keder on the tent section.

One obvious addition, that has been missing for the entire first 10 years of the Expanda model is the clear zip up vinyl windows to the tent section like the wind up camper trailers have. The new Expandas have both the canvas window flaps and the clear vinyl ... so with the Jayco BEF attached that would be 2 x fixed flyscreens, 2 clear roll up (and down) clear screens and x roll up (and down) canvas flaps. We'd need a spare 2 hours, a warm up yoga session and a 5 day forecast to have any hope of getting that combo right.
View attachment 29960

The rear ext wall of those Expands with no rear bed is flat and square .. ie no moulding or shape. Looks a bit like a cool room from behind

The front bed base is flush with the tunnel boot so the mattress halves are the same depth. The bed seems be lowered to the tunnel boot height, so looks much lower inside the van. The mattress is thinner. The front tunnel is much smaller in height and width. I find the stepped mattress pretty good, and presumed the step stopped the mattress from shifting around.
View attachment 29963

In the 20.63.1 looking incarnation, the kitchen is shorten about a metre at the bunk end, and new floor to ceiling cabinet fill that space. We find that we dont have enough bench in our 20.63.1, so i think this is a poor move. Maybe half would be a compromise. I cant be 100% sure but i think the bathroom was a tiny bit bigger
View attachment 29961

The third roof hatch has been removed.

Great write up. Very interesting.

 

[relgate]

oh yeah the Cell.. The Homestead would be great if I could park it and had a loose $100k
See how we go tomorrow..

I like the idea of the cell but they seem to get knocked around too easily and look crappy early in their life. They are the ones with the outdoor kitchen/laundry arent they? I like that idea

 

[Drover]

The Cell I like opens up like a penthouse, even has a verandah. I would park it by the beach and cast a line from the porch. If I could afford one I would get a beach thrown in as well.

 

[Smergen]

Looking forward to heading in there tomorrow. Might leave the wallet at home.... or then maybe...

 

[Smirke]

After reading up on what you, @Crusty181 , said.......I'm glad we go last years 21-64 model. I like the green decals on mine, but not enough to have it as canvas, and to lose the bench space in the kitchen......ugh. You can never have enough bench space. (Just look at mine, I still want more!)

 

[davemc]

ok a couple of pics from today. 17-56 interior.. sorry forgot to get underneath shot had twins running around everywhere.
The Crusader musketeer caught our eye again, he said he be able to put a bunk over the long seat.

 

[Tone]

Thanks @davemc.

 

[LivingTheDream]

thanks Dave that sticker makes me happy

 

[Crusty181]

After reading up on what you, @Crusty181 , said.......I'm glad we go last years 21-64 model. I like the green decals on mine, but not enough to have it as canvas, and to lose the bench space in the kitchen......ugh. You can never have enough bench space. (Just look at mine, I still want more!)

I don't want to poo poo anyone buying a new Expanda, but I would have to agree with you guys ..... Im very glad I got the 2014 model.

 

[Smergen]

My first time at the Caravan Show and loved it. Didn't ever get to the Caulfield one so can only comment on this show, it's format and layout.

Myself, Mrs Smergs and #3 walked around in glorious sunshine today, in what I think should be named "Grey Nomad Monday".

I've never seen so many vans... I knew it was big, but never did I think it was that big! My focus was really on getting stuff for the truck (hello Mr ARB stand...) but we spent a bit of time checking out the new line of Jayco's and whatever else we could.

Didn't get to see nearly as many vans as I'd like, and Mrs Smergs and I both agreed it'd be a "2 dayer" never year. Was really nice and relaxed there and I'll definitely go on the last day next year also if it falls on the same days.

One development was that the Basestation has now elevated back above the Work N Play in the wishlist, giving truckloads of flexibility for out family. But it'll have to wait, until... well... money falls into our bank account!

I must admit, despite being huge, I loved the top of the line Caria Toy Hauler too... Really cool layout but at $20k more than the Basestation, the quality would have to be impressive...

Either way, if any was ever looking at getting a van, this show is the perfect, the ultimate, way to check them all out side by side...

Can't wait to get back next year.

 

[Smergen]

Did like the new Expanda's and spent some time in them looking at comparison. Don't mind the reverse layout, seemed a lot more open and spacious than in our van. But not enough "jazz" to convince me an upgrade would be required. I did like the triple bunk StarCraft there which was nice.

Disappointed I forgot to get in touch with @davemc too...

 

[davemc]

no probs @Smergen As said I spent all day chasing little ones around Also think I found almost every toilet as one goes and 5 mins later another one would go
Yes like the basestation as well.. Sarah said no so I push for a maybe There are a few around under $50k s/h

 

[vivkingsa]

Sorry to be a big downer, but we were looking at upgrading, but found them so ugly and clinical and hyper shiney and Cheap looking that we decided to hold onto our 2011 model for a bit longer! Did anyone else find them white and shiny and cheap looking? It seemed all the caravan builders are heading that way.

 

[Colsar]

Sorry to be a big downer, but we were looking at upgrading, but found them so ugly and clinical and hyper shiney and Cheap looking that we decided to hold onto our 2011 model for a bit longer! Did anyone else find them white and shiny and cheap looking? It seemed all the caravan builders are heading that way.

Hi @vivkingsa , yeh always tossing around the idea of an up grade , but not sure about the lime green ?

 

[vivkingsa]

Hey guys! Their current colours are just SO wrong and it looked so cheap! I was wondering how they were getting all those extras into the price.... I don't know what market they are going for, maybe my tastes are off point but...not for me this year, maybe a few more years....

 

[Smergen]

Sorry to be a big downer, but we were looking at upgrading, but found them so ugly and clinical and hyper shiney and Cheap looking that we decided to hold onto our 2011 model for a bit longer! Did anyone else find them white and shiny and cheap looking? It seemed all the caravan builders are heading that way.

Hey guys! Their current colours are just SO wrong and it looked so cheap! I was wondering how they were getting all those extras into the price.... I don't know what market they are going for, maybe my tastes are off point but...not for me this year, maybe a few more years....

Spot on Viv... Definitely didn't like the lime green canvas either. Looking at the price point against other vans, there's no denying they are markedly cheaper, which is their prime sales point in my opinion. I didn't really look at the quality of things, given I knew we weren't upgrading (this time around) so it was just general feel for me. And the general feel was that they didn't really do much for us. Happy to stick with the '12 model at this stage.

I don't mind "white" in the van, but I reckon the silver/grey/black ones looked classier. The orange/yellow/red vans screamed "look at me!"... which we didn't.

 

[davemc]

not 100% sure Jaycos are always cheaper.
A 20.62-3 Starcraft was around the same $ as the Crusader and Mantra Ray we looked at.
The Nova triple bunk van I liked was $38k which around the same as our 17-58 when you add ESC etc.
Although anyone see New Age Expandas big $$ and most had sold sticker on them

One thing we did notice was there was some cheap feeling vans there. I think more are getting made in China.

 

[Bluey]

what I don't like about the new ones the 240 power in is on the on the annex side and the toilet is on that side too so if u have an annex up u have to empty toilet in annex ?????? didn't like that I like emptying it then coming back putting in chemicals then putting it back in we brought an annex for our van Australia wide annex with a porch told them what van we have no issues I think but if he comes and dosnt want to fit it will get the gas disconnected from fridge well for now anyway and two new camp chairs too good day had by all

 

[AzHaych]

what I don't like about the new ones the 240 power in is on the on the annex side and the toilet is on that side too so if u have an annex up u have to empty toilet in annex ?????? didn't like that I like emptying it then coming back putting in chemicals then putting it back in we brought an annex for our van Australia wide annex with a porch told them what van we have no issues I think but if he comes and dosnt want to fit it will get the gas disconnected from fridge well for now anyway and two new camp chairs too good day had by all

Hey @Bluey agree with the cassette emptying on the annex side, not cool. But the power input is actually on the standard side and the 240v point on the door side is for drawing power from.

Az

 

[Bluey]

Hey @Bluey agree with the cassette emptying on the annex side, not cool. But the power input is actually on the standard side and the 240v point on the door side is for drawing power from.

Az

I stand corrected no dramas