New member Hi!

[Dove]

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.

 

[Soaring]

Two main reasons. Lower tow height for fuel consumption, and storage options. Much easier to fit a pop top in a garage or carport that a full height van.


BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

[rojoberry]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Burnsy]

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]

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]

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.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Were the same as Chartrock but some nites dont even make it to thje van !!!!!!

 

[crackacoldie]

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]

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]

Never had the esc so can't comment but it does sound good. Our 18 rides nice without much movement at all!

 

[Soaring]

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.

 

[Xpandafan]

Like @Burnsy, my 18.57-7 tows very nicely.
Seems even better than my Flamingo. The dual axles and extra weight help with stability I suspect.

 

[17triton]

Welcome Dove to the forum hope you enjoy it here!

 

[Brad]

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]

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.

 

[Xpandafan]

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.