The Crusty's 20.63.1OB

[Drover]

@Drover you have a mounted grey tank?? And does that mean you carry grey water. Where do you dump that. Im interested, if you can expand on the post

If you check out my thread it has a pic of the original which only holds 40lt and I have found seems to make those annoying uphill drains usable, possibly by storing a certain amount and the pressure forces the flow. Where do I dump it ?????? yes, well....somewhere where theres no sign'??? or a dump point if it's handy. The Mark 2 holds about 65lts but is sitting on the shed floor and can be fitted without dropping the original.

I tested some of the draw on the electics for gererator reference, for those interested.

Great info there, my HONDA 2kva hardly makes a burgle with AC and hit the pump, didn't try the toaster, though I was tempted, on heat it had a grumble but still carried on but I have it mainly if the panels need a help, missus wants to use a blender/micro wave or the invertor craps out when I want to watch the cricket...................or most importantly the Engel needs extra to keep the beer cold.

 

[Smirke]

Howdy @Smirke. In the old Expanda the Xbox was set up on the TV bench, but I promised the little man his own TV this time around. He has timed use of the Xbox, so we'll probably just set it up on the bed (or maybe the stove, didn't think of that). I won't be a permanent install (mum won't allow that caper)

Whatever we got was going to be an Outback, because we have a long term trip planned with remote and off road sections. I was really concerned and struggled with the weight of the standard 20.63.1, with regard to my cars tow capacity, carry capacity, insurance, and more importantly safety. With the trip we're planning, we needed ample carrying capacity.

We tried to step down to an 18ft, but Jayco stopped offering the 18ft single Expanda bed model 2 weeks before we made that decision. (great timing). I cancelled the sale of the 20.63.1 OB, and made the unfortunate decision to buy an 18ft second hand Expanda. No real options were tabled by the dealer. We had to find out and research everything for ourselves. We were told the original configuration was all good ..... an ATM 20kg shy of my cars limit. And on top of that, they stated that actual weights could be completely different. A difference of 21kg would mean selling my new van, or buying a new car. Thanks for the safety tip.

Anyway, a mate of a mate had recently ordered the 20.63.1 in the 2013 format, i.e. no slide out. We approached the dealer and was told that in no uncertain term that option wasn't available ..... the mate of a mate van was still in production at the factory; so with a few calls we knock off 100kg with deleting the sideout. Aside from the loss of dancing/floor space the seating and layout etc is only marginally different. We can jig, but we can't foxtrot. But Im a jigger anyway. We have the same area, but we of course don't have that grand sense of space that the slide out has.

The Tare is a touch over 2400kg, and we had the weight savings added to the ATM, capped at my cars tow capacity at 3000kg. So we ended up with over 100kg more van capacity than the standard plated jaycos I added the Alko ESC as well.

Oddly the ball weight is very low at 145kg. Im a little uncomfortable with that; I would prefer at least 180kg with a 2400kg van. I can only assume that the chassis is engineered for the slide out weigh, and its removal has impacted on lightening the ball weight. I ordered the extended drawbar for a large tool box, so in hindsight it will be a godsend because the tool box and goodies should add the required weight to the ball, and it all should balance out nicely.

Thanks for that. If you have a tow capacity of 3T, then we should be fine, as ours has one of 3.2T .....Phew

 

[ShaneT]

Crusty after reading a fair bit about gennys and ibis ac they all seemed to say it ran fine most of the time and would only fail when the temps were around 40deg. Weather this is the ac drawing more in high heat or the generator backing off I don't know, I brought a 2.4 Yamaha because the last thing I want to happen when its 40deg is the ac to fail. I know what you mean buy the disappointment of the vans handling, on theses rough tazzy roads its quite scary sometimes the way the van pushes the bt around. Have you tried your oven yet? Ours is a pain in the a%s to light.

 

[Crusty181]

We collected the van on Sat morning and loaded it up before taking it to the factory on Sunday morning. I tinkered around with with it per the post above, but didnt get to test the washing machine.

Got the opportunity to rectify that today. My partner asked via txt message if I actually washed something. Normally I wouldnt communicate with my partner about washing machines ... I dont want her to know I know how they work. I prefer to keep the mystic alive.

My responce to her question went like this "Well. I didnt intend to wash anything, but ended up washing something I think will surprise you as much as it did me"

I decided to test my sump at the same time, set the machine on low (significant point), and set it off. I was quite stoked watching the tiny machine swirling around just like its bigger household brothers. I got back to what I was doing, whilst on action standby. The machine waste outlet is pretty big so I was expecting a large volume to pump out ..... and I was not disappointed.

I heard a gurgling and ran around to the waste ... and waited .... and waited. The machine is only a matter of feet away, but the draining was taking forever.

Then water started pouring out, But not in such a good, or expected way. It was flowing out increasingly through every hole in the floor, the wall joins, and rear moulding ..... and significantly not a drop from the waste pipe. I ran inside and water was running all over the place. Throughout the bathroom, under the robe, under the bunks and toward the kitchen.

I managed to process the disaster and focus on a solution (Men can only do one of these things at a time)

The bloody washing machine drain pipe wasnt connected; it was just hanging inside the cabinet. By connected I mean the machines 20mm drain pipe wasnt dangling into the 50mm PVC pipe in the cabinet next door. It was dangling near the 50mm PVC pipe.

The washing machine pumped the entire contents through the cabinet and out into the insides of the van. Im stupified at not only that it wasnt "connected", but the pathetic manner in which is would be/ or is designed to be connected (and I use the term "designed", losely). There is no chance as long as my arse points to the ground would that connection be able to be relied upon. Why its not hard plumbed defies all logic.

So, to answer my partners question; Yes and no, I didnt washng anything in the machine, but I washed plenty outside the machine including the inside of the cabinets, the floors and the storage under the bunks, and some stuff that was sitting on the floor. One thing is for certain, the van is most absolutely not sealed ... water was running out of it from every direction.

So ....check you pipes people .... and then check you washing machine drain.

 

[Crusty181]

@ShaneT . As you can see from the post above, testing things is proving to be a time consuming, one at a time exercise. The oven is on the list .....

I was actually amazed at how small a draw the Ibis has. At 900w its well under the gens rated output. The Heron in the 16.49.1 had a higher draw, and the gen was good with that in some reasonably high temps. Hopefully, this combo pans out. Yesterdays test is a good start.

 

[Crusty181]

@Crusty181 how is the van to tow and do you have WDH? we are getting the 20.63.1 outback in December and plan to tow with Dmax my15. I am a little concerned about the van weight being above that of the ute even though it is still legal.

The van was a little "lungy", it kind of felt a little like it was springing up and down a little on the back of the car (if that makes sense). I was very concious/concerned about of the weight when we ordered it. After we loaded it up with our stuff at home, I towed it to my factory. It was much better with some more weight in it. Felt alright, but Im only rolling around the burbs. We are off Ballarat on Thu so Ill get a better idea once we hit the highway. I bought a Reece V5 WDH, but the bloody thing wont fit in the cars receiver (its solid so Ill grind a little of the corners) The rated ball weight is 145kg (no @Drover, I havent checked yet), and although that may not be accurate is does feel quiet light and doesnt drop the car anymore than the 16.49.1 did.

So bottom line is I dont really need it, but Im determined to use it because I bought it. Once the Alum tool box goes on the front and I load up the van and car for travel it may become more relevant. Ive never bothered with one before and a lot of the car manufacturers recommend against using them anyway, including Nissan (I drive a Navara)

 

[Crusty181]

@Drover. My toaster was fine (on its own) but the kettle threw the gen a curve ball and it blew a valve, and couldnt started. Should have checked the lable under it first I suppose. Turned out kettle thud dropped the throttle thingy me bob off.

I just pulled out my little Honda 0.5kW two stroke inverter and off we continued. That thing runs for 4 hours on 800ml of 100/1 two stroke, is the size of 2 loaves of bread and weight just as much.

 

[Crusty181]

@Drover. checked out your grey tank post. Makes sense

 

[Smergen]

@Smergen the pump was $30 and 5 minutes to put in the tub. My pet hate in poor drainage, and uphill sullage. Once the 12v is run and plugged off, there will be zero extra user input ..... I hope

Hmmm... maybe it is a doable mod for me... 20L is a sizeable bucket. Where do you put it?

 

[Drover]

It has been mentioned somewhere about New washing machines regularly flushing the van insides, probably fit them just before the school bus turns up to pick the work experience kids up.

Try filling one water tank up and see how it balances, I have a short hose which I can hook up to the tap on draw bar with the other end stuck in the other tank fill point and using the pump transfer water from one tank to the other to find the sweet spot, otherwise a couple of jerry's full of water (4 or 5) which you move around, saves a heap of ginning around with equipement. BUT you need to be able to open and shut each tank....ooppss.....................don't forget to play with tyre pressures as well.

 

[Crusty181]

Hmmm... maybe it is a doable mod for me... 20L is a sizeable bucket. Where do you put it?

Just sits on the ground directly under and independant to the 3 waste outlets. Waste drops in and drains out in its own time. The theory is if it drains at half the volume it going in, it will take 40 ltrs before it overflows ... and if it does over flow it will be on the ground, not in the van.

It will get field tested this weekend

 

[Smergen]

Ha ha... sorry should have been more clearer. When travelling, where do you put it?

 

[Crusty181]

It has been mentioned somewhere about New washing machines regularly flushing the van insides, probably fit them just before the school bus turns up to pick the work experience kids up

Im not in the least surprised after what i found today. If mine is a normal configuration, im amazed they all dont flood

Try filling one water tank up and see how it balances, I have a short hose which I can hook up to the tap on draw bar with the other end stuck in the other tank fill point and using the pump transfer water from one tank to the other to find the sweet spot, otherwise a couple of jerry's full of water (4 or 5) which you move around, saves a heap of ginning around with equipement. BUT you need to be able to open and shut each tank....ooppss.....................don't forget to play with tyre pressures as well.

I like the hose idea ...

 

[Crusty181]

Ha ha... sorry should have been more clearer. When travelling, where do you put it?

Whoops. Just in the front boot. 20lt tub is fairly small, only about a 1ft cube. Just use it as another storage tub for hoses and fitting etc when travelling

ill post up a review, including the pump after the weekend

 

[17triton]

I find the WDH just takes that bounce or pitching out of travelling. I have towed ours to the dealer without it on and certainly makes a difference.

 

[Crusty181]

I find the WDH just takes that bounce or pitching out of travelling. I have towed ours to the dealer without it on and certainly makes a difference.

Good to know. The extra weight added with all our gear made a difference too. Ill try to fit the WDH before the weekends outing to see if I get the same benefit

 

[james saunders]

I've already pickup the WDH for my 17.56 OB and I still don't have the van yet.A few around on gumtree second hand as it something that doesn't really wear out

 

[Marv_mart]

sounds great @Crusty181 you know we want pictures he he

No pics and it didn't happen!

 

[Marv_mart]

Awesome pics @Crusty181 ... what an awesome van.

And your "sump" pit is very similar to something I'm in the process of putting together. Mine isn't going to have the pump in it though as, well, I really can't be faffed. If it overflows onto the ground, so be it...

We just use a silicon collapsible bucket if we experience drainage problems because of distance to or uphill sump outlet.
Usually enough capacity for normal things and if we have a shower and it overflows, so be it!

 

[Drover]

Keep it under your hat but it has been known for someone to wait till dark of night, then open the valve on their grey tank which then waters the lawn nearby in those places with stupid uphill drains............if it overflows during the day it secretly drops it on the lawn under the van........