Stan's 09 14.44.2 expanda

[Stan Lee]

I'm using this site to journal my trips, for servicing purposes and to pick up any tips from you guys out there in expanda world !!!

1st trip -

bringing the new girl home from Echuca with my 10 yr old lad (Boys trip hahah!):

Echuca - Adelaide - approx 800 ks

1st night in Echuca - awesome c/van park,
2nd night at Lameroo - saturday night, the local pub was going OFF (cough cough) not!! anyway after a few games of pool and a couple of beverages (soft drinks) we headed back to the c/van park! the park was a community style park, with the keys collected from the pub. 3 other vans in the place so heaps of room! a quick hit with the beach cricket set and later off to bed! well i must say that it was probably THE coldest night i've experienced for a while!!

anyway we got through that and headed back to Adelaide.

fuel consumption on the way to Echuca (no van) - 9 L per 100 k .... return trip with van ave 18.0 l per 100 k .... bit thirsty for my 2009 Commodore wagon but i did give it a bit to get home in a reasonable hour!



TOTAL KS - 800

 

[Stan Lee]

2nd trip:

'shakedown' trip with the mrs - ADELAIDE TO PORT ELLIOTT SA and return about 180 ks - weekend trip!

funny journey ... friends visited us at the local caravan park and after a couple of sherberts gave our van the new name of "Sexpanda" .... even the kids love the name!!

anyway .... coolish days and nights in late October - but couldn't have had a more relaxing weekend!

things to consider for next trips:

webber q - 220
annex ??
waterproof bed end
improving / identifying storage
gaining confidence in using auxilary battery (i'm new to all this caravaning lifestyle - but i can see how i'm REALLY going to enjoy it!!)
getting rid of the water hose (which left a bad plastic flavour in the water!)
replacing light globes for LED......
etc
etc
etc

many more mods to think of! we're planning a big 3 month trip from RAdelaide direct to Brisvegas and travelling south along the east coast back to Radelaide!! so many sleepless nights thinking of mods!! any hints / tips on cvan parks etc would be greatly appreciated (especially those hidden out of the way gems!)

i'll slowly work out uploading photo's etc

I'm massively hooked / addicted (call it what u like!) to this forum!!

cheers
from the
Sexpanda team!


TOTAL KS - APPROX 1000 KS

 

[Brad]

Nice one Stan.
With your hose, have you got food grade hose?

 

[Creating Memories]

Welcome to the Lee clan.
I pick up my new van on Friday and I too have those same sleepless nights- dreaming, analysing and viewing this forum.
My first tip to counter act those sleepless nights. Have a few more sherbs...

 

[leesy]

nice trip Stan! I use the canvas water hose that winds up flat on the reel, easy to use, great storage and no bad taste!
Oh and the consideration of the Webber Q, DO IT!! they are great we have the small one but with the bigger hood which is only available from "webber specialist dealers" i have it sitting between the gas bottles on the draw bar in a big canvas bag i had made.
Cheers

 

[chartrock]

Well done Stan, look forward to seeing you up in the sunshine state. I agree with leesy, get the Weber, if you have a space for the bigger one I'd go that way but even the BabyQ is a worthwhile addition.

Don't be concerned about being new, we were all newbies once and all have stories about our mistakes along the way. Just get out and enjoy.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Hey there Stan , your right Lameroo really goes off - NOT ,any way your right this sight does get you hooked . Like CR says dont be concerned about being new as everything is a learning curve ....

 

[Stan Lee]

Thanks Gang

the water hose is water grade, BUT I couldn't justify spending the big bucks for the wind up flat version, BUT after tasting the food grade hose from 'Bunnings' I think it's a consideration!!

Regarding the webber ... def looking at the 220 ... which is the higher lid and thermostat (i think!!)

Have you guys go the waterproof / privacy screens ?? if so would u mind giving us some idea / versions on what u guys did?? or just forward us the link rather than uploading photos. I've seen some great creations so far!!

Oh the other thing i forgot to put ups is the amp fibian .... those 10a 15a converters ... Chartrock I was given advice that in Qld one is only allowed to use the RV02 as opposed to the RV01 (diff between the two being the RV02 has a built in RCD) is that the case?? My (i should say OUR van - or the mrs might get shitty ) van already has a RCD!! Difference is only about 70 odd bucks!!

again thanks guys .... def a great forum and the much better half does wind me up about being addicted to it! i responded once I could always take up illicit drugs as a habit, so now she's happy with me on this!! hahaha

 

[Coastrunner]

Hi Stan.
See this link http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/2005-Coast-Runners-Outback-Expanda-14-44-2
Coastrunners 14.44.2. You see my annexe, a couple of mods including my towel rail, 12 volt outside shower along with my water proof bed end covers.
I`ve also done the LED conversion which is a must I reckon.

Have fun champ.

 

[Stone Stomper]

Thanks Gang

the water hose is water grade, BUT I couldn't justify spending the big bucks for the wind up flat version, BUT after tasting the food grade hose from 'Bunnings' I think it's a consideration!!

Hi Stan, it's the Bunning's hose, we bought one years ago and took it back and bought the white food grade hose from a caravan place.

Christian

 

[relgate]

Thanks Gang

the water hose is water grade, BUT I couldn't justify spending the big bucks for the wind up flat version, BUT after tasting the food grade hose from 'Bunnings' I think it's a consideration!!

Hi Stan, it's the Bunning's hose, we bought one years ago and took it back and bought the white food grade hose from a caravan place.

Christian

Same. The bunnings hose sucks. I took mine back after 1 month and got my money back. Got a white hose from caravan show for about $50 and never looked back!

 

[macca]

Buy your Weber from a Weber approved dealer and not just a retailer who happens to sell them as you get the better spec'ed models. I have the smaller 120? because I was worried about the weight of the bigger ones but I would probably go the next size up if I had my chance again. I takes a bit of practice but we used ours heaps on the weekend.

Geoff

 

[Stan Lee]

not very happy at the moment !!!!


.... just went to the new house we have purchased and getting ready to move in this coming weekend .... and there i am thinking about placing the expanda in the d/way under the carport ... do a few measurements .... looks like i'm in trouble by about 100 cms!! :mad::mad::smash::smash:

NOW i have to reconsider other alternative arrangements!! i guess i could buy a set of smaller rims / tires and just change them over all all the time

 

[Burnsy]

Bummer Stan, do you mean 10cm....100 is 1 meter! If only 10cm I'd prefer to raise the roof it if thats possible, changing wheels would p me off.

Cheers.

 

[Antman]

Yeah im with Burnsy. It would annoy me to no end changing Tyres. Somebody else on here mentioned in a post that they had two sets of tyres and it just never happened as the changing of the tyres was just to painful.

How did you go with your hose? We got the white one from Camec but you can purchase the same hose cheaper from other retailers. Masters in QLD have the exact same hose by the meter and works out cheaper then the 20m roll from Camec.

Cheers
Ants

 

[Stan Lee]

yeah sorry 100 mm ..... looked at the raising the carport .... but i'll have to sit on the veranda with a beverage and just ponder for a while!!

it's little shyte like that, that does one's head in!!

re the hose i haven't done anything yet as i'm ploughing my energy into the move!

 

[Brad]

Bummer Stan.
What's the ground? Can't dig down the 100mm by any chance?

 

[Stan Lee]

yes Brad it's definitely 'one' of the many different ideas I have!


just not sure which one to take

 

[Coastrunner]

A bit of a job, but I`d be working on raising the carport 200mm Stan.

Longer poles on one side, and look for higher supports on side of house, even if you have to make some.

Definitely a two man job setting up.

A couple of days work to prevent changing rims every holiday is well worth it in my eyes.

 

[cancan]

I got my hose from masters... Have not had any issues with it although I run a filter that I got from BCF just before I connect to the van...... Removes all that lovely odor that Roma water has.