Starcraft Starcraft 17:58-3 options & quirks. Post them here.

[timbo2002]

Hi - my 17.58-3 arrives soon (I think? Allegedly it should be here by end-October but have not heard from Jayco Sydney yet. I just have a quick question - does anyone use a caravan cover? If so what model is it, where did you get it, and are you happy with it? I see a lot around on different caravans on the streets and some look ok but most downright terrible (ill fitting etc).

My good news is that I have now finished my driveway extension (and drop level so it fits in under steel girders) so I have somewhere to store the caravan- and have fixed the pool pipes that I broke when digging holes for the retaining wall posts when I extended the driveway. Just have to concrete pool filter box, build the box, set up the pump again (which we had to move when i extended the driveway) and finish building our new pool fence that we had to remove when I extended the driveway... Seems like this caravan is a lot of work and I have not even got it yet!

Also I purchased one of these Optitec caravan movers - http://www.optitec.com.au/caravan-mover-remote-control-jockey-wheel.html I'll let you know what it is like when I get it going!

 

[Middo]

"Also I purchased one of these Optitec caravan movers - http://www.optitec.com.au/caravan-mover-remote-control-jockey-wheel.html I'll let you know what it is like when I get it going!"

Be very interested in how it goes. Have looked at them to. Our StarCraft 16 arrives next month and where it goes, I will need something to move it around.

 

[halbster]

I just bought a cover off eBay for my 17.58. Not fitted it yet because I gotta put those rubber corners on the solar panels. If you can wait a couple more weeks I can let you know how it fits.

 

[Elvis]

Hi all we have also joined the starcraft 17.58-3 outback after owing 4 different expandas over 8 years. Our new van is due first week in December so really excited now after selling our expanda last week. One silly question the length of the van I measured one in the dealership and it approx 7 metres but the brochure states around 7.3 metres ?????? I believe when the brochure was done it had the spare on the rear but now it lives in the a-frame. So could someone with a new 17.58-3 outback please measure there's up. Our new van we live in our garage so knowing the measurement would be a great help. Thanks in advance

 

[davemc]

Yes when we measured 7.06 we got the rear tyre so extra 30cm's. Did you measure a outback.. Yes we where worried as original space was tight.. Specs and real life does not always match with Jayco

 

[davemc]

I just bought a cover off eBay for my 17.58. Not fitted it yet because I gotta put those rubber corners on the solar panels. If you can wait a couple more weeks I can let you know how it fits.

I did the rubber corners and had a cover before we got the van from Aldi 16-18.
I washed it ready to go after Gold Coast trip.. then it rained again.. bloody Melbourne.
We are off this weekend..
Then off to dealers with list to fix.. So I gather you beat me to it let me know how you go
Did you swap the 12v reading light as yet?

 

[halbster]

Haven't quite finished moving the lights yet Dave keep changing my mind about how I'm going to plug the holes in the cabinets at the TV end. Will post it up when finished.

 

[davemc]

Depending on size of TV a 12v clock? Our TV takes up all that space so never see the hole.
I am more thinking where I get the 12v try to tap into the door handle.
Take the wire down under the bed and up.
Or across the cabinets either under or through taping into the light we will leave in the corner.
Might just put against the wall and run the lead from the 12v light we leave on end wall overhead.
So one each end

 

[halbster]

I ran the cable inside the front cupboard from existing light location. I thought about trying to get power form the door handle, but thought I could end up making a real mess of it! From what I can tell the wall panels are insulated so would be hard I think to get a cable up there from the door handle inside the wall.

 

[davemc]

@halbster I was planning to remove the one near the sink/stove had a idea today put a 12V/USB plug there
Then tap into the one on the front left and run a cable to the other side? So have both on the front wall.
I think I can thread a wire through without drilling seems a space up the top inside cabinet.

 

[halbster]

Here's how I ran the cable, it fits through the gap between the cupboard dividers without needing to drill.

 

[davemc]

thanks a lot @halbster yes I thought it would fit. Looking to put one of these in the hole.


Has anyone got a 17.58-1 and come up with a idea for the rear boot storage.. at the moment normally what I want is behind everything and I have to get everything out. I asked for the hatch to be bigger although they would n't as awning arm It would be as big inside as the red square on the picture of a touring van I have. Its 50 deep 93 high and 66 wide. Access door is like 58 high 22 wide
http://www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/windows-doors-vents/access-doors/access-door-6-black-288-x-653.html

 

[cruza driver]

Would putting a hatch in that is that big have any affect on the structural integrity of the rear corner of the van.......just a thought. We want pics of the hole you cut though

 

[davemc]

I thought of a bigger hatch although unless I move the awning arm. I put all the hoses etc etc in here so would not want to move arm each time.

 

[halbster]

Maybe a 2nd hatch next to the current one???

 

[davemc]

Not sure other models have something like this hatch, the similar Avan we looked at had a larger hatch and they moved the awning arm.
I think doing something with the hatch might be too late now unless I move the arm
This would fit only 12cms more . http://www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/windows-doors-vents/access-doors/access-door-2-black-415-x-681.html

I was thinking of putting some shelves in there so I stack things up although probably first time we stop..it go flying.
Or do access from the bunk above?

 

[achjimmy]

I think there is a second alloy upright inboard of the end of the van. Also there is plywood fitted in at the awning base to enable it to fasten to.

If you look closely at the inside lip of the hatch you can see a couple of mm of foam that the hatch doesn't cover, often they then silcone it up. Through there you can insert a sharpened 2mm rod of wire (welding wire) and poke through the foam till you feel the upright or structure. This should dictate your hatch size.

Personally having to drop awning ran to open hatch would be a pian.

 

[MDS69]

We want pics of the hole you cut though [/QUOTE]

I want to be there when he does it.

 

[davemc]

We want pics of the hole you cut though

I want to be there when he does it.[/QUOTE]
I might cut one on the other side under the bunks, although might pay someone else less blame . Too late now to make it bigger.. thinking of something inside as a lot of wasted space everything stacked on everything.

 

[halbster]

Not to defer too much from Dave wanting to cut a big hole in the side of his van, finished wiring up the bed lights. I ran the 12v from the existing location at the tv end, and then had the "jump" across from the front cupboard to the one closest to the door. This was about as neat as I could get it using some conduit. It's right between the cupboards so unless you climb on the bed and look close you don't really see it.