Hi all,
Have done a couple of trips in the Expanda now and starting to get a feel for it. Thought I would share some mods and see if I can get some thoughts and ideas on planned changes.
Fixes to things I did not like
From the left is the modification to the Jack wind up with the length cut off above (500mm). Was able to do this myself cut the shaft, cut the weld, and then tapped (big hammer) the shaft out of the "socket". Cleaned up the new end inserted into the "socket" and welded around the outside. Used Silver spray to make it look new again.
Next is the two bags for the annex walls. One for the two sides and one for the front. These were made by the local canvas guy and they fit neatly into the front hatch via the outside. Lot easier than the big bag.
Next is the Aussie Traveller standard bag for the anti-flap (standard) Hoping to place a pole carrier near axle for this.
Next is the peg bag (standard).
Next is the hose bag (made by the canvas guy) to hold the pressure hose (and I have added a funnel if I need to fill up the water tanks).
This leads to the next two pictures that show a tyre cover for the spare and placing the hose bag inside, (if I persist with this) I want the canvas guy to place a zip in the tyre cover to allow easy extraction.
The other mod was to do with the tow height. I purchased a 50mm block that fits under the towing hitch on the van, however with this block attached the parking brake does not have enough clearance to operate correctly. The shape of the lever is such that it tucks underneath meaning that the block stops travel. I took the brake lever off, traced it onto cardboard and then modified it and then cut out the cardboard shape to test. Seemed good so I was off to the local caravan store to see if it could be changed. Thought I would check with a friend (welder) if it was possible. Well he took one look and said simple cut, flip, and weld. 15 minutes later I walk out with the lever modified. Some grinding flat and silver spray and all looks like new (although slightly different).
On tow height, I will say that I am a fan of WDH and feel that they really help with keeping the car easy to control. You can feel the van but you have control. I will limit this to single axle as I have only towed single axle with WDH. Dual without and car carrier only.
I have also split up the sulage hose into 5 1.2m lengths with joiners and slide these into the chassis rails at the back and then hold on with a strap. When connecting use as many as need to get to the drain, so there is no long "snake" on the ground (also considering an "L" piece at the end to avoid the upward loop required for some drains. Also liked this www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1118-Water-amp-sulage-hose-rack-mod.
And the final current mod was to isolate the selection of the mains / pressure water from hand pump (drinking) water, when using the 12V pump. Reason was to allow one tank to be rain water and only used to for drinking to make it last longer. Dealer had a go and connected to front tank (I think I want to review and put in another filter and selection tap so I can choose what tank is what).
Well that covers the actual mods / improvements that have been implemented.
Now onto some of the issues / faults
I have mention the TV in another post, and I have found out from the dealer that both TV outlets (we have the wind up aerial) are active so the TV can go on the Cafe Dine. A little red faced on that one as I did not try before complaining.
The pressure inlet for the water seems to leak (drips not a stream). I bought new hose and fittings (as recommended) and told them for the first service, but still it leaks. Has anyone had this issue and know of a fix. I am thinking of disconnecting it and re-connecting it under the van with a standard hose fitting.
The cupboards seem to use very small screws (a cupboard fell off) and this was fixed but with bigger screws, however another one has come off so it will be off to the hardware store for better screws and a replacement program. On the second cupboard door I wonder if the spring loaded lifter (top cupboard) was not adjusted and pushed the door too high as the hinge was also bent upwards. Any thoughts.
The draw runners on the stove side are very weak at the back. We have broken the plastic bracket twice and I think that I need to replace these with metal angle brackets so that they will not keep breaking. Has anyone had this issue?
We have the external shower connections and was not really happy that the hoses just sit in the rear boot. I would like to enclose them so hoses are not entangled or damaged. I did like the idea of disconnecting the hose and having that separate with a tap type connector (means the shower tent can be away from the van), but another hose to store or isolate them in the boot.
We do not run the van on gas, as we are using powered sites most of the time, but I did run the fridge (150 litre) on gas for awhile and the van had a very strong odour. I would nearly suggest that it is like "hot" wood or wood dust, but not sure. I know that gas fridges will smell a little as the "protective coverings" are burnt off. Can anyone help and tell me how long this should take, I have run the fridge on gas for 2 days (I am not game to run it overnight) is this long enough or would the smell last longer. I have removed the microwave to check that surface and it is not hot.
Well now onto the planned improvements
From the forum I really like the:
Major change
Would like to add a toolbox style box on the front (A frame) this would be able to house the Annex and all fittings, a Webber Q (baby), a spare gas bottle (does not need to be connected) and the tpx ladder. If the A frame was clean then this would not be a problem, however there is an existing gas bottle (only one) and the spare wheel to content with. Do people have ideas / pictures / measurements etc that you have done or seen to help out. I am not sure that I want to do home made specifically but I would happily draw / draft it for a shop to manufacture if I can find one in Adelaide.
Forum discussions on toolbox and mods on A Frame (that I have found):
Cheers
Steve
Have done a couple of trips in the Expanda now and starting to get a feel for it. Thought I would share some mods and see if I can get some thoughts and ideas on planned changes.
Fixes to things I did not like
From the left is the modification to the Jack wind up with the length cut off above (500mm). Was able to do this myself cut the shaft, cut the weld, and then tapped (big hammer) the shaft out of the "socket". Cleaned up the new end inserted into the "socket" and welded around the outside. Used Silver spray to make it look new again.
Next is the two bags for the annex walls. One for the two sides and one for the front. These were made by the local canvas guy and they fit neatly into the front hatch via the outside. Lot easier than the big bag.
Next is the Aussie Traveller standard bag for the anti-flap (standard) Hoping to place a pole carrier near axle for this.
Next is the peg bag (standard).
Next is the hose bag (made by the canvas guy) to hold the pressure hose (and I have added a funnel if I need to fill up the water tanks).
This leads to the next two pictures that show a tyre cover for the spare and placing the hose bag inside, (if I persist with this) I want the canvas guy to place a zip in the tyre cover to allow easy extraction.
The other mod was to do with the tow height. I purchased a 50mm block that fits under the towing hitch on the van, however with this block attached the parking brake does not have enough clearance to operate correctly. The shape of the lever is such that it tucks underneath meaning that the block stops travel. I took the brake lever off, traced it onto cardboard and then modified it and then cut out the cardboard shape to test. Seemed good so I was off to the local caravan store to see if it could be changed. Thought I would check with a friend (welder) if it was possible. Well he took one look and said simple cut, flip, and weld. 15 minutes later I walk out with the lever modified. Some grinding flat and silver spray and all looks like new (although slightly different).
On tow height, I will say that I am a fan of WDH and feel that they really help with keeping the car easy to control. You can feel the van but you have control. I will limit this to single axle as I have only towed single axle with WDH. Dual without and car carrier only.
I have also split up the sulage hose into 5 1.2m lengths with joiners and slide these into the chassis rails at the back and then hold on with a strap. When connecting use as many as need to get to the drain, so there is no long "snake" on the ground (also considering an "L" piece at the end to avoid the upward loop required for some drains. Also liked this www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1118-Water-amp-sulage-hose-rack-mod.
And the final current mod was to isolate the selection of the mains / pressure water from hand pump (drinking) water, when using the 12V pump. Reason was to allow one tank to be rain water and only used to for drinking to make it last longer. Dealer had a go and connected to front tank (I think I want to review and put in another filter and selection tap so I can choose what tank is what).
Well that covers the actual mods / improvements that have been implemented.
Now onto some of the issues / faults
I have mention the TV in another post, and I have found out from the dealer that both TV outlets (we have the wind up aerial) are active so the TV can go on the Cafe Dine. A little red faced on that one as I did not try before complaining.
The pressure inlet for the water seems to leak (drips not a stream). I bought new hose and fittings (as recommended) and told them for the first service, but still it leaks. Has anyone had this issue and know of a fix. I am thinking of disconnecting it and re-connecting it under the van with a standard hose fitting.
The cupboards seem to use very small screws (a cupboard fell off) and this was fixed but with bigger screws, however another one has come off so it will be off to the hardware store for better screws and a replacement program. On the second cupboard door I wonder if the spring loaded lifter (top cupboard) was not adjusted and pushed the door too high as the hinge was also bent upwards. Any thoughts.
The draw runners on the stove side are very weak at the back. We have broken the plastic bracket twice and I think that I need to replace these with metal angle brackets so that they will not keep breaking. Has anyone had this issue?
We have the external shower connections and was not really happy that the hoses just sit in the rear boot. I would like to enclose them so hoses are not entangled or damaged. I did like the idea of disconnecting the hose and having that separate with a tap type connector (means the shower tent can be away from the van), but another hose to store or isolate them in the boot.
We do not run the van on gas, as we are using powered sites most of the time, but I did run the fridge (150 litre) on gas for awhile and the van had a very strong odour. I would nearly suggest that it is like "hot" wood or wood dust, but not sure. I know that gas fridges will smell a little as the "protective coverings" are burnt off. Can anyone help and tell me how long this should take, I have run the fridge on gas for 2 days (I am not game to run it overnight) is this long enough or would the smell last longer. I have removed the microwave to check that surface and it is not hot.
Well now onto the planned improvements
From the forum I really like the:
txp ladder Ladder and clothes line
Space saver coat hangers www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1111-Mods-are-complete-for-now
LED lights
Space saver coat hangers www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1111-Mods-are-complete-for-now
LED lights
Major change
Would like to add a toolbox style box on the front (A frame) this would be able to house the Annex and all fittings, a Webber Q (baby), a spare gas bottle (does not need to be connected) and the tpx ladder. If the A frame was clean then this would not be a problem, however there is an existing gas bottle (only one) and the spare wheel to content with. Do people have ideas / pictures / measurements etc that you have done or seen to help out. I am not sure that I want to do home made specifically but I would happily draw / draft it for a shop to manufacture if I can find one in Adelaide.
Forum discussions on toolbox and mods on A Frame (that I have found):
Cheers
Steve
