Nearly ready to order our 17.56-2OB

[MichaelB]

Hello all...

We are just about ready to order our new van... and our first Expanda!

Currently going over and over in my head trying to make sure I have covered all we want fitted from the factory, hopefully you can all give me some feedback if you believe there is something else I should consider...

So details at this stage are;

Expanda 17.56-2OB, 2015 compliance plate, delivery circa March 2015 (Feb build most likely given the time of year) Includes all normal Outback options plus

• Extended A frame (will fit a box eventually... so many great ideas/examples on this forum for that)
• Alko ESC
• Additional water tank (so 3 in total)
• Antenna
• Waeco 12/240v in place of standard Dometic fitment
• External Shower
• Additional external light above external shower
• Larger oven in lieu of standard cooktop/grill
• Standard stereo pack
• TV and bracket
• Drifter control panel
• Water Filtration system
• Bed Converter
• External fold down table
• Waterproof bed end covers
• Shelves to robe
• Treg hitch

Will be having some additional power outlets installed and am considering the location of the external gas bayonet, but the dealer has advised that I can alter these items once plans are issued for the build. We will be having the fold-away bunk option rather than fixed ones.

We have a 4WD show on in Perth on November 7, and I have the dealer's commitment to extend to me any additional "show specials" if I order the Expanda before the show, so I think I have myself covered pretty well...

So can I ask for your feedback on anything I may have missed, or what you think of what we plan to order?

Thanks Mike

 

[Smirke]

Sound wonderful. We made sure there were double power points and 240v outlets with our fold away bunks as well as privacy curtains. (We have ordered a 21-64ob, to be picked up in dec) that's so the kids can charge their iPods in their own section and we don't require as many power boards. Plus another light in the annex area and 2 extra tv points.

 

[twscoot]

Congratulations on getting this far. A great list of inclusions.
Just consider all your weights.
What are you towing with? The three water tanks will eat into your payload so you want to be sure that your vehicle can tow it and that you have sufficient payload left over.
The tanks (full) will not form part of your Tare weight. Full they may also give you a heavy ball weight.
Specify all the weights (or acceptable ranges) if you can.
Good luck!

 

[TTBRIDGE]

@MichaelB, looks to me like this is being setup to free camp with the tanks etc. With changing the oven / grill you might already have considered this.

But what about a 4 burner stove in leiu of the 3 gas / 1 electric. When we had ours it was useless unless you do a lot of caravan parks. We did not realise untill we got delivery as it is not something you consider. But we did not make the same mistake twice on the new one.

So good luck with the order, they are a good choice.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks @Smirke

Does yours have the light strip on the annex barrel? I have seen one being used and it seemed quite bright?
And yes, iPads and iPods are the main reason for installing additional power outlets!!!

 

[MichaelB]

Hi @twscoot and cheers :very_drunk:

Towing with a PX Ranger, so have 3500kg towing capacity and 6000kg GCM. The third tank won't be used all the time, but I would prefer it on board as it leaves me free to carry fuel as opposed to water in jerrycan holders. Our other car is a 120 Prado, a with 180 litres of fuel capacity I never need to carry any extra. But with the Ranger I don't have this luxury!

I work out the tare to be around 2100kg without the tanks full. For short trips, or trips only to caravan parks we would not fill all the tanks, and could likely still tow with the Prado. But for anything extended or remote it will be the Ranger.

With its capacity I think I should be safe on the weights

Mike

 

[MichaelB]

Hi @TTBRIDGE yep you are right, being set up to free camp. We love it, just came back from a lovely couple of weeks in Karijini and on the Ningaloo coast that involved a lot of free camping with our current Johnnos camper. Very sore though after carrying my 17 month old on my back up and down the gorges.... And he feel asleep the instant he went into the carrier

Kids love the freedom of it, although they do also love jumping pillows and there aren't too many of them in the middle of the Pilbara :eek-53:

And thanks for the advice on the oven. This is what we want, need to make sure that is what the dealer is quoting!!

Mike

 

[DRW]

Hi @MichaelB looks like most bases are covered, (great choice by the way). Have you considered having the 3rd tank for grey water? Just a thought if you can manage on 2 tanks and maybe carry 20lts of drinking water in the ute just in case. We just did the Cameron Corner run with the others , we came back via Birdsville and Longreach and never had any water issues, we "free" camped a few times and a grey water tank would have made it easier in a couple of those, just a thought, cheers Dave.

 

[Bluey]

Hello all...

We are just about ready to order our new van... and our first Expanda!

Currently going over and over in my head trying to make sure I have covered all we want fitted from the factory, hopefully you can all give me some feedback if you believe there is something else I should consider...

So details at this stage are;

Expanda 17.56-2OB, 2015 compliance plate, delivery circa March 2015 (Feb build most likely given the time of year) Includes all normal Outback options plus

• Extended A frame (will fit a box eventually... so many great ideas/examples on this forum for that)
• Alko ESC
• Additional water tank (so 3 in total)
• Antenna
• Waeco 12/240v in place of standard Dometic fitment
• External Shower
• Additional external light above external shower
• Larger oven in lieu of standard cooktop/grill
• Standard stereo pack
• TV and bracket
• Drifter control panel
• Water Filtration system
• Bed Converter
• External fold down table
• Waterproof bed end covers
• Shelves to robe
• Treg hitch

Will be having some additional power outlets installed and am considering the location of the external gas bayonet, but the dealer has advised that I can alter these items once plans are issued for the build. We will be having the fold-away bunk option rather than fixed ones.

We have a 4WD show on in Perth on November 7, and I have the dealer's commitment to extend to me any additional "show specials" if I order the Expanda before the show, so I think I have myself covered pretty well...

So can I ask for your feedback on anything I may have missed, or what you think of what we plan to order?

Thanks Mike

don't forget outside tv point maybe fridge fan help keep it cool

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks @DRW I hadn't thought of the grey water situation. Will need to give that some thought... Soooo many ideas on the forum!!

 

[Smirke]

Thanks @Smirke

Does yours have the light strip on the annex barrel? I have seen one being used and it seemed quite bright?
And yes, iPads and iPods are the main reason for installing additional power outlets!!!

I think it does. Haven't got it yet, we are driving to melbourne to pick it up in dec.

 

[dagree]

Thanks @Smirke

Does yours have the light strip on the annex barrel? I have seen one being used and it seemed quite bright?
And yes, iPads and iPods are the main reason for installing additional power outlets!!!

@MichaelB The awning LED strip is now a standard item in the expandas.... And yes they are bright.
Mrs Dagree calls them "Party Lights"

 

[dagree]

Forgot to add I like your list of extras..... Makes me wish we ordered our own instead of picking a floor stock van. But then again the minimal wait for pick up made things different

 

[MichaelB]

I thought it was standard @dagree and I agree with Mrs dagree. From what I remember it had that disco feel!

And yes I'm not much looking forward to waiting until March. But at least it will tick most boxes from the moment I hook it up

 

[dagree]

And minimal additions required after pickup. But in saying that I've enjoyed modding ours how we want it

 

[MichaelB]

Yeah that is the positive. I'm sure I will add my own mods - heave together that spare tyre out from where it is,finding the time though will be a challenge like normal. So I am glad I won't have too much to do to it. At least not at first

 

[MichaelB]

Have to get that tyre out I meant! :doh:

Damn auto correct

 

[dagree]

The way they mount the spare wheel... I would stick with the comment "Heave it out" :whip:

 

[MichaelB]

Off topic I know @dagree but how often do the WA expanda members catch up for weekends away, and where do you go?

I noticed some details on a Toodyay catch up, but not much else?

 

[dagree]

@MichaelB Have been to two personally.... Toodyay in June organised by @bigcol and Waroona Dam (Lake Navarino) in Sept organised by myself.
It seems to be a birthday thing that prompts the weekend away!

Looking forward to another one but times running out for a good summer get together. We are booked for a week in Dec and two weeks in Feb down south... But another weekend away is sounding good..... We're a good bunch