Swerves 2013, 16.67-1

[davemc]

yes well still have not put weight on ours see how it goes on our trip we 24 days away from Saturday.. If it lasts I might be happy.
Otherwise yes a better leg be good although eventually this will be bed for one of the twins.

 

[meandher (a frost)]

Honestly, Jayco need doing over with a pointy stick in their collective fundamental orifices for putting out designs like this. Unfortunately, eventhough the limitation of this stupid table design is well known by owners, I think the main issue perhaps is that the Expanda concept is purchased initially by people new to the caravanning scene. I know it happened to us when we bought our Swan model a few years ago. Ours too imploded regularly and really got my goat as it is ill thought out and weakly mounted. A 9 year old with crayons and the back of a cornflake packet could design better. I just ensured that the next one didn't have that dopey design when we inevitably upgraded. Unfortunately, being ignorant of the other issues we still fell for the Jayco quality 3 card trick when we saw the 20.63 we bought because we fell in love with it and therefore didn't do our homework.

Until it happens to you, then you haven't a clue about what you don't want when upgrading to a new Jayco model, let alone the predicament of a newbie, which is worse. Until we all get wise and start demanding better quality control and us, as buyers, start giving better perceptions of nous and knowledge to the dealers we purchase them from by demanding they amend known issues of questionable quality and woeful warranty record ( before we sign and not after because as we found out you get stonewalled once they have your cash)we will never see Jayco fix anything. Why would they? They have a public that will put up with crap.

I see lots of evidence of Jayco mind control on this forum and people know that they are going to have warranty issues from day one, but still buy them. Even praise for their wonderful service for fixing things up outside of the warranty period occurs on a daily basis. When what should be happening is to shout from the rooftops to any potential purchaser who will listen that they should be refusing to purchase until Jayco do something about it. Then, and only then, will we see this inferior design and quality subject turn on, quite literally, a coin. As coin is what this is all about. Cheap designs to maximise profit and minimise hassle for the manufacturer. It has spawned a secondary industry in fixing up their bad workmanship.

I think Jayco have hit the mother lode. They can put out what they like, people will still buy them and nothing will change. You wouldn't put up with this bad quality on the cheapest vehicle you can buy on the market, so why would you put up with it on something that can cost up to 4 times as much? As punters we are architects of our own problems. I love the Jayco concept and would look at another one again when ours gets a bit older, but know that next time I will be better armed and prepared to walk away if they will not listen. My hard earned stays in my pocket next time and I will be a much better educated punter in future. Somehow I don't believe our next van will be a Jayco, which is sad and Jayco need to know that brand loyalty is everything in the time honoured tradition of being far easier to keep a client than it is to get a new one.

 

[davemc]

@meandher (a frost) yes I agree.. Sad I expected problems when I spent $40k on a new van.
We had nothing too major. I hate the stupid dinette anyway.. you think they come up with a better idea by now. TV Aerial had to be fixed twice.. See if it lasts when we are away.

Although I will add the fact they actually fix things is good.. I read about a few other brands and the dealers rather not fix anything that goes wrong.
My brother in law traveled back interstate with his van to get fixed.. He was heading close so went back to the company. I said what happens next time your in Victoria?

 

[davemc]

Something like this looks a lot better from a full Starcraft

 

[Swerve]

OK table has been fixed today and wall bracket will not come off unless the whole panel does, I will also change the leg to a mushroom style, but no time as heading out next weekend.

I used "mollys" hollow wall anchors as mentioned before, BUT short ones for 5mm walls. Photos tell the story, I used these every day for 10 years in my trade, so know what I'm doing. A few tips !!!!!

1- As wall material is to hard from gyprock, you need to notch the hole for the spikes to grab, if they don't grab, the molly will spin,
2- Use a molly gun if you have one, will stop spinning, less chance of stuffing up, mine in storage some where
3- If using a screw driver, use it by hand, cordless will strip, if you F these up, they don't come out !!!!!
4- Cut down longer screws later to mount the table
5- If it does spin, I had one, use a screwdriver to stop it spinning.

Enjoy the photos

 

[chartrock]

G'day @Swerve, the "molly Gun' you mention, does that look a bit like a pop rivet tool, it just clips under the screw head and pulls the screw back to lock the unit into the wall?

 

[Swerve]

Yep that's the one

 

[Swerve]

Moved the van out the front and went to turn lights on with 12v battery and she's flat ??? been plugged into 240v last few weeks so really WTF. As this was a old battery first thought was she's toast, anyhow after getting the multimeter out, just had a HR joint on the positive side. All cleaned up and no resistance.

Bundeena this weekend here we come. I have 240c ON, so the Setec is charging and not being passed to the battery due to the high resistance conection

Good example below for those new to electrics

 

[Swerve]

Well back from a great weekend away at Bundeena (Bonnie Vale) in the Royal National park. I grew up here as a kid doing 6 weeks stints caravaning every xmas.

Van went well, only issue was the the top draw under the rear bunk, on the drive out it had come out, I assumed wasn't closed properly. Drive home it had also come out, upon closer inspection the lock is misaligned. i.e. when locked the bottom catch which goes up , probably overlaps the catch by 0.5mm. So will need to lower the catch 2-3mm.

Heading to Dubbo in 2 weeks so need that done before then. Also decided to infill the drawbar with some mesh, wood or something as that's become my Weber Q location, very tight fit for feet on drawbar without something there.

My phones were flat so no photos, unless my mates have some

 

[Swerve]

Heading to Dubbo this weekend for a 5 day extra long weekend cant wait

 

[Swerve]

Well at Dubbo City Holiday park for a zoo trip.

Good park but little noisy, but once in your in your van you don't really notice.

Toilets all good, few aged kid soft mats in playground, but overall OK.

Chilling out yesterday afternoon

Winding down the 2.5 year old for bed, I was ready before him

Good little water park in town , which I road over with the kiddies trailer, son had a ball

 

[Swerve]

Well back from the trip.

Left Thursday night 9pm, drove to Geurie (25km outside Dubbo) and set up a free camp at 2:25am Friday.

Friday relaxed day in Dubbo, water park as above, ride around town, friends arrived, nice day. Sat to the zoo, tiring but fun. Not that many animals, what was there was hard to see, harder for the 2.5year old.

Stayed at Dubbo Holiday City Caravan park, found the road noise very bad, but park was great, grass struggling but it was dubbo.

Sunday, drove to Parkes, (saw the dish, not that exciting), stayed at Big4 Forbes, Great little family feeling park, GREAT soft grass, old facilities but feels like home, clean tidy flowers GREAT

There is a great water spray park in Forbes, great for the kids, McFeeters car museum was good also. Monday drove to Orange/ Blackheath. Nice park at Blackheath. Home Tuesday.

Damage
Most of my drawers will not stay closed, will need to redo the L brackets as these bend. Also some misaligned, Kid broke the table leg as held in by 5 screws only 7-8mm into 12mm ply table. Have a high pressure water leak from the rear of the high pressure inlet. Plastic reading lights come out to easy when my 2.5year old moves them, Really need a screw through the base, also Setec / battery is playing up again. Need to do some more tests now I'm home.

 

[davemc]

trip looks good @Swerve the Dish was a good hour or so stop for us.. Had some nice Bacon and Eggs
Yes those lights all of them been pulled out of the bunk at one time or another.. on my list to either secure or swap over to something else.

 

[BigSkiddy]

Gday @Swerve when booking to stay at Bundeena, what would be your recommendation as to which site to pick.
Any specific site numbers? Keeping in mind I have an 18ft van.

 

[Swerve]

I would select between 63 - 69, 69 is best.

All camping is via a one way road. take all corners WIDE !!!

Nominate on your booking what you want, also suggest you call as soon as you lodge it, that way you can select next best

NOTE - 63 would also be good, but very very tricky to get a van in !!!!!!

http://bundeenainfo.com/images/stor...onnie_vale/bonnie-vale-campground-map-560.png

 

[Swerve]

Well van and car packed for our xmas trip to inlaws QLD.



Genie also strapped to drawbar incase we free camp and need air con in Northern NSW.



Otherwise it’s a van, its getting used, and all that stuff. Tried looking at some ongoing faults as two drawers pop open, upon looking at the other drawers, issue is the drawer catch only overlaps the catch by a 1mm at the most. Even though you can go 4-5mm, nope only the 1mm.



Hence my food drawer under the seat gets the awning mat against it, stops it opening and my rear nappy drawer just needs some toilet paper wedged in the catch.

 

[Swerve]

Well this van will leave us next week, yes something better is coming

 

[davemc]

spill what are you getting

 

[Swerve]

Something big , lots of space

20.64-1 Outback

Ext drawbar
Ext shower
2 x 150w solar
2 way Waeco fridge (compressor)
Drifter
Grey water tank
Picnic table
TV , aerial etc
2nd battery

 

[Swerve]

Plus we have number 2 child due in 5 weeks.

Just need to check the wheel calculator and check how much bigger the 16" wheels are also.