New from Melb. Family of 6. Soft or Hard Lid? Bunk or Shower?

[davemc]

Hello,

Thought I would say hi and ask some questions been reading a lot in the last few weeks.

We are currently looking at getting an Expanda secondhand $30k our max.
Family of 6 inc 4 boys 7,4, and twin 2 year olds.
We would like to put the van out the back, pushing we would get a 16" in if we move the fence line a little, the Gas meter is right next to the current fence we would replace with gates.
The extra 50cm's of a 17.52.2 would mean an angled fence? or Fold up A-Frame and then we rather not go over $30k. We would back the van in as as there is a slope as well so will not winch like my brother in law does with the camper trailer.
Yes the 17.52.2 looks to be great has bunks and shower. Although your looking around $36k and then not sure what we can do with the fence or fold up a frame.

Around $30k we can get some 2009-2011's 16.49.2's with hard lids
Around $26k 2007 16.49.2 or 16.49.3 so no hard lids
or go for smaller 14.4.4 around $25k with hard lids less space.
Just over $22k 2005 16.49.3 seems a few been going lately.
We have thought of a Windsor Rapid although they seem a lot smaller inside.

Personally I think the Expanda shower/toilet is pretty small and with the twins we need to wash them so be one of us have to get in somehow. So your using it as a loo only a porta potti in a shower tent in the annex would cover that. Although for free camping it would be handy.

A bunk will give us the table to use always, the fact the queen is up the same end as the lounge in the 16.49.3 means we have to sit in the annex when kids go to bed and climb over them to get in later.

With the soft top you need to put up the flys really or hope it does not rain, the wife thinks its worth getting the hard lids. I am not 100% sure the extra $'s is needed. Bagged flys be 5-10 mins a side.

An Outback be nice if we are lucky, we drive a Land Rover Discovery 3 so should pull the van with no problems.

So after some thoughts for those who have the above what they think.

 

[Pace]

@davemc. welome to the forum. mate you have allready your homework. personally speaking, we love our 17.56-2 and we will not ever have a van without shower/toilet combo in it.

go the 16.49-3, great van and you can get the dinette as a bed convert also. yes will be a pain to lower and set up for the last person to sleep though a big help then doing those alterations for where you want to house the van. the twins can sleep length ways with your 4yo in one of larger size beds, as an option too.

have seen hardlid models for sale with annexes for your price range on ebay/ gumtree.

seeing as your young blokes can stand, you can shower them from standing out of the shower as the shower head is on a flex pipe so mum or dad can direct the water flow with the door open and not splash everywhere, this is what we do with our princess, ahhh the joys and adventures of camping.

cheers pace.

 

[davemc]

thanks Pace yes love to get a 17.56.2 although a lot of money.
We also had a look at the newer Starcraft and the Discovery with bunks/toilet although just pushing what we do to get it in the back. Rather not leave it at a Caravan storage place as I think will lessen the times we use it.
$ wise as this be a our first van do not want to push the savings on it.

Yes was wondering how many kids we get on the double in the rear. Four in a bed might fit although could they lay still

Really interested to know how much of a pain are the soft lids again save $7-8k would be nice.

 

[Pace]

Hardlids are so much better (biased of course), though the insulation is that much better and when lids are wet you can still fold in the beds no drama, just a little wipe down of the sides extreme ends. go with SWMBO thinking there, then you can all ways say that you never not listen to her.

Sorry that is just an argument waiting to happen, isnt it. LOL. Pace.

 

[Drewser]

Hi @davemc, we have just upgraded from a Swan to a 14.44-4 with full annexe, which we pick up next week, woohoo, only 4 of us though.My personal thoughts are go for extra space over the ensuite,and get the annexe, I have personally never been a fan of them and the wife doesn't fancy the idea of eating her weet bix while I'm in there doing my biz. We usually get ensuite sites at caravan parks and if we free camp a porta potti/tent is fine. Also from reading on here the water tank for shower is very small so with a family of six showers would be really short or done in multiple shifts, not that practical if you are planning on going out somewhere. As kids get a bit older a couple of them can go on beds in annexe. Have no experience with the hard lid as yet but the soft beds on the Swan were ok with flys over them for extra protection and have seen some great wet weather covers on here, so if money is really tight would have to be worth considering. From personal experience we spend very little time in the van itself, basically just sleep in there, most of our time is either outside or in the annexe where I set up the tv and chairs etc. good luck with the decision.

 

[davemc]

thanks Drewster.

Yes well I had that point again today with the wife.
Shower we can go to shower block or camping shower if we free camping.
Toilet I said maybe put a shower tent and porta loo in the Annex.
Yes we want a Annex as well. Although for short weekend aways might not always put it up.

I have an idea which could buy me a a meter will post on a fresh post

 

[17triton]

There is a 16ft 2010 bunk van advertised in the Ballarat Courier newspaper for $32500 been in for a couple of weeks, might be able to haggle them down maybe?

 

[davemc]

Thanks yes a few bunk vans around and a few toilet/showers as well.
Working out what to get and can we park it

 

[davemc]

Well we went to Jayco to look at the Starcraft and Discovery.
As well as new expanda's
Starcraft double bed to small for us.
Discovery I did not mind, actually preferred then non shower model.

Then we looked at a 14" work and play. Was not on my list to think about before.
It fits in the backyard better, no toilet or shower. Although the rear section can be setup for the kids only.
Thoughts where if we put a middle section in between singles and make it one large bed
Would not mind putting the two bunks in the back although where not an option? not sure if we can do something ourselves?

 

[Bushman]

:welcome: Davemc

 

[davemc]

thanks Bushman.

Still have not decided probably look at discovery or similar tri-fold bunk vans

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Welcome davemc enjoy this forum !!!

 

[chartrock]

Welcome to the forum @davemc . Can't really offer advice as we don't have kids but we would not do without our shower/toilet. Also have the hard lid and happy with that.

 

[davemc]

Funny we went into jayco to look when the wife walked off the salesman said with 4 young boys he would not get a toilet model. As they will fill it up almost daily playing.
He said and you know who will have to empty it.
Wife seems happier with ensuite sites or emergency porta potti

She would not mind external shower though, not cheap after market.

Comes back to there are deals on old 2012 stock vans or do we look secondhand. Expanda's seem to loose around $10k in first few years discoverys a little less.

Real pity the Starcraft bed too small. Although like a large double or queen as we not to small

We looking at Secondhand re-branded vanguard van on the weekend. Queen island bed and tri fold bunks. Even though I hate to have to setup the dining table daily, I also like to have kids up one end us another. We looked at expanda 14 bunk again it just to small

The endless threads on wet bed putting wife off on expanda

Brother in law just picked up his ultimate camper last week he happy although 2 kids less and a whole lot $ more

 

[Pace]

Funny we went into jayco to look when the wife walked off the salesman said with 4 young boys he would not get a toilet model. As they will fill it up almost daily playing.
He said and you know who will have to empty it.
Wife seems happier with ensuite sites or emergency porta potti

She would not mind external shower though, not cheap after market.

Comes back to there are deals on old 2012 stock vans or do we look secondhand. Expanda's seem to loose around $10k in first few years discoverys a little less.

Real pity the Starcraft bed too small. Although like a large double or queen as we not to small

We looking at Secondhand re-branded vanguard van on the weekend. Queen island bed and tri fold bunks. Even though I hate to have to setup the dining table daily, I also like to have kids up one end us another. We looked at expanda 14 bunk again it just to small

The endless threads on wet bed putting wife off on expanda

Brother in law just picked up his ultimate camper last week he happy although 2 kids less and a whole lot $ more

Mate, don't let the wet bed ends get to the wife, there are really not a nightmare. You can protect the ends with self made plastic weather screens (do a forum search for what members have done).
We haven't experienced the really wet bed ends, though yes it can dampen the lower section, though our model has the canvas lining there which is a good design thought.

Don't let us down now, keep positive.

Pace.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

The Toilet / shower model has been great for us I think we may have used the shower once or twice but its too much like hard work to clean up after using it, the Dunny though, has been invaluable gets used at night instead of having to wander all the way to the ablutions when at a caravan park but the real plus for me is having access to a Toilet while on the road, when we bought it we knew the kids would soon get sick of coming away with us as they hit their mid teens and sure enough the Son much prefers to stay home now , unless there are a few others his age coming so Bunks were not necessary for us, we have a couple of Oztent RV3's for them when they both come otherwise my Daughter has one end , we have never had any trouble with wet bed ends but I did make some covers from a clear tarp I bought at Bunnings

 

[davemc]

Thanks guys. It is also the climbing over each other, so island bed be better.
I use cpap so wife have to go against canvas or I strangle her with tube over night he he
16-49.3 has the queen next to where the extra kids have to sleep on the lounge. Also cheapest we seen around $33k with hard lids
16-49.4 selling for same $ as a 17-56.2 would fix the above problem although around $36k
Seen a few 16-49.2 go around $30k prefer the 16-49.4 setup
16-49.1 go around $27-$28 although no bunk or toilet.

For $28k we have our eye on this heading up Sunday. Full van though
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/northsta...pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item338848a44b&_uhb=1
Or for around $25k seen a few discovery 17-55.5
Saw an 17-55-5sh although went quick

 

[BigSkiddy]

Hi Davemc. I've got a 17.55.5sh. Had similar concerns as you. With young kids the toilet is so worth it. When they need to go late at night you won't have to tramp them through the caravan park to the tiolet block.
In regard to getting out of the bed you just exit via the end, instead of the side, if that makes sense.
Good luck with your decision. With 4 boys they will love it whatever you get.

 

[davemc]

thanks BigDaddy yes like the sh model only ones new are outback models i can find
saw one which went for 32k s/h
The one on ebay seems same layout as normal discovery just queen and a little smaller in length better lounge setup. we also looking to movers on the wheels to get it in to backyar singlr axles and raised suspension helps.

Thought porta potti in shower tent in annex would solve toilet problem.

 

[davemc]

So we went to see the Sofala was a very very nice, people where great if someone is looking for a nice full van have a look.
Although we struggle to get it in the space we have available I measured it a few times.:frusty:
We where also worried about space for sleeping on the drop down table, similar setup to a Discovery although back rest against wall as more L shape.
Was a nice 3 hour each way trip to see it with 4 kids they where pretty good. Although realised need more then one DVD player on back of seat.
So now space wise we have to go Expanda, unless we want to spend the $'s to store it.
We can get at most I say a Work and Play 17" as they a little smaller then a 17.56-2.
Now back 16's and the bunk or dunny choice. Or just plain. I think for 4 kids a 14.44-4 is just too small although fits a lot better.

We looking to hire a 16.49-4 for a few days before Christmas.