New member Hi!

Dove

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2013
232
288
63
Melb, Vic.
Just found this forum. We currently own a Jayco 15.48 Discovery. Purchased new in Sept 2010. Our last trip up thru Bourke NSW and across to the coast we encountered night temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees. The one thing that I noticed was the air vent over the bed let in cold drafts. Otherwise the van handled the cold well as we used a small electric heater at night.

SWMBO feels the cold and likes the idea of a full caravan with ensuite. She has her eye on the StarCraft 16.51. I like the pop top for towing (less wind resistance and better fuel consumption). I am still considering the StarCraft 16.67 or a bigger Discovery.

Question: Why do so many of you like pop tops??? I realise young families go for the Expanda for its volume and kid capacity. But why are couples without kids going for pop tops vs a full caravan.

I will probably do a trade in next month but have not yet really decided on the full van or a bigger pop top.
I would appreciate any thoughts on this subject.
 

rojoberry

Active Member
Mar 16, 2012
145
27
28
Pakenham Victoria
When there are 6 of you to house and you don't have an unlimited money source the Jayco Expanda offers a very good product with all the luxuries of any other caravan and enough room for all.
 

Bonners

Active Member
Jan 24, 2013
244
111
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65
wollondilly nsw
Hi Dove,
welcome to this awesome site.
we took delivery of our first van - a poptop, 17.55.5 a few months ago, and we opted for it over a full van primarily b/c its less bulk to tow and can squeeze it in shed. we have one 14 year daughter with us and room for one of her cousins. Resale should be quite good if we go to sell it in seven years when we retire.
very plzed with it for the price.
cheers
 

Xpandafan

Seriously Likeable!
Aug 24, 2012
1,711
648
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Kealba, Victoria
Full height Expanda for us. Love the extra sense of space (due to higher overhead cupboards), the full height wardrobe, microwave/bread bin above the big fridge, etc.
 

chartrock

Forum Patriarch
Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
6,163
7,448
113
Gold Coast Hinterland
Pop top for us for above reasons (towing and storage) but also as there are only two of us we don't need all the space. The van is really only for sleeping, as we cook outside and basically live outside.
 

Soaring

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2013
998
1,249
93
Melbourne - Eltham
Xpandafan just reminded me of another reason for the pop top. I'm 6ft 1, and my head almost touches the roof mount A/C unit on a full height. On a pop top I've got a few inches to spare.
 
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Burnsy

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2012
2,663
977
113
Newcastle
Full height for me too, we had pop top before and couldn't get undercover anyway. I'm nearly 6ft 4" and can walk under roof mount air con (just). From my experience you can tell the difference between towing a pop top and full height, especially when trucks pass or in windy conditions but I don't regret going the full height.....love it and won't go back.
Personally I believe the Jayco pop tops need more than just struts to support the roof, I think the scissor brackets should still be used!
Welcome to the forum Dove, hope to see you around! :)
 

shiraz

Active Member
Oct 22, 2012
140
154
43
sellicks hill s.a
Just found this forum. We currently own a Jayco 15.48 Discovery. Purchased new in Sept 2010. Our last trip up thru Bourke NSW and across to the coast we encountered night temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees. The one thing that I noticed was the air vent over the bed let in cold drafts. Otherwise the van handled the cold well as we used a small electric heater at night.

SWMBO feels the cold and likes the idea of a full caravan with ensuite. She has her eye on the StarCraft 16.51. I like the pop top for towing (less wind resistance and better fuel consumption). I am still considering the StarCraft 16.67 or a bigger Discovery.

Question: Why do so many of you like pop tops??? I realise young families go for the Expanda for its volume and kid capacity. But why are couples without kids going for pop tops vs a full caravan.

I will probably do a trade in next month but have not yet really decided on the full van or a bigger pop top.
I would appreciate any thoughts on this subject.


Hi And Welcome,
The reason we have a pop top is we like to Bushwalk ,hence the use of National Parks and Free camp sites. we need the lower hight as tree branches are a problem. the solar panels are not on roof for same reason.Any roof mounted air conditioner would be history .The use of van is the factor to take into consideration when buying,as is inside comfort in cold wet weather if you use van in winter,
Gotta love that shower after a20klm hike.
Shiraz
 

Brad

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2012
2,645
723
113
Rowville, Victoria
Welcome @Dove. We have had a pop top 16.49.1b pop top and now the 18.57.5 full height.
Better insulation was a big driver for us to move to the full height. Both of us are 6ft also so headroom is nice.
 
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crackacoldie

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2013
2,593
3,802
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Newcastle NSW
Hi and welcome, we have the pop top purely because I stuffed up when I built the house and forgot about the eaves when I allowed extra space for a caravan, the pop top fits under the eaves where the full height wouldn't. Otherwise we would have a full height, less to setup and better insulated. We have had full heights in the past and have not found a huge difference in fuel economy.

Cheers. Cracka
 

Dove

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2013
232
288
63
Melb, Vic.
Thanks for your replies. Sounds like full height is the way to go unless you have height restrictions. I note that Jayco offer ESC for around $1k. Do you think it is nice to have or must have for a full height van? I don't want a large van hence looking at the 16.51

Regards,
 

Burnsy

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2012
2,663
977
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Newcastle
Never had the esc so can't comment but it does sound good. Our 18 rides nice without much movement at all!
 

Soaring

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2013
998
1,249
93
Melbourne - Eltham
Thanks for your replies. Sounds like full height is the way to go unless you have height restrictions. I note that Jayco offer ESC for around $1k. Do you think it is nice to have or must have for a full height van? I don't want a large van hence looking at the 16.51

Regards,
You do get a discount on your insurance if you the ESC, so they must rate it.
 

Brad

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2012
2,645
723
113
Rowville, Victoria
My 18.57.5 rides superbly. I have the simplicity suspension also.
As for esc, I am always a yes for something that can save a life.
Without a van attached, I have swerved around a multitude of things in my life and feel comfortable I can take evasive action in an appropriate and safe manner.
Swerving with a van on back.......who knows.....I hope it goes well as I have never had to do it before at speed.
 

Dove

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2013
232
288
63
Melb, Vic.
Thanks for your replies. Yesterday we had a day out looking at caravans. We did not intend to buy anything. We arrived home having purchased a new StarCraft 16.51 Outback full van with the lot. This thing has solar panel, battery, stereo, TV & arm, roof antenna etc. And, best of all SWMBO is very happy with the outcome.

Oh and thanks to the Forum talking about radio interference with LED lights on I have added another check item to the list when we do the hand over in a couple of weeks.
 
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Xpandafan

Seriously Likeable!
Aug 24, 2012
1,711
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Kealba, Victoria
Thanks for your replies. Yesterday we had a day out looking at caravans. We did not intend to buy anything. We arrived home having purchased a new StarCraft 16.51 Outback full van with the lot. This thing has solar panel, battery, stereo, TV & arm, roof antenna etc. And, best of all SWMBO is very happy with the outcome.

Oh and thanks to the Forum talking about radio interference with LED lights on I have added another check item to the list when we do the hand over in a couple of weeks.
Welcome to the home of impulse caravan shoppers.:becky: