17' Series The Great Brissie Expanda Shade Sail Storage build

[The Goodwins]

Right,

Let the nightmare commence.

After being the proud owners of in order of appearance;
1. Lifestyle Explorer Camper Trailer
2. Jayco Expanda 16.49
3. Jayco Expanda 17.56

I thought I would share the nightmare that started with the camper trailer and became an ever evolving creature to the point we are at now.

 

[The Goodwins]

Every story starts somewhere and this one begins with this;

OK that's the park for the main car...........I have a cunning plan........

Ok that works............

That looks OK........all finished no more to do........ever......all finished.........done........is it?

 

[The Goodwins]

So after a few years of doing this and what started as 1 child became.....3...........Someone fell out of love with........this.........

Not me I actually loved that beast.....Bought for $5,000 advertised for $6,500.......sold for $8,500.....NOT a typo.....

Hey darling with the kids and the setup and being under canvas in the rain.........I really like.........this..........

Ok that's fine...........but that's the park for the main car...........

Really.......that's a lot of dirt......and I can't hire a bobcat or a dingo.....well as the man of the house.....OK Ill get started.....yes Ill do dinner as soon as I finish digging........

I'm just having a drink of.......water.....I'll get back at it now.........

Ok.......done........off comes the wall

And in with the new retainer.........

And with a platform to get in the van...............

On goes the cover and......

That looks OK........all finished no more to do........ever......all finished.........done........is it?

 

[The Goodwins]

I know.......lets undersling the axles and get more clearance......and you know how I didn't measure properly and you kept smashing the car into the tow hitch.........I can fix that.....
Yeah looks great now but just wait until I finish.......

I don't think I need to dig the whole lot out.........

This works.......

OK All done.....Finished.....Thank god I will never have to revisit this area......ever again........

Great its underslung now lets............OH......How tall is the van.........F^%K...S@#T....wheres the grinder....

So after a few years of doing this and what started as 1 child remained.....3...........Someone fell out of love with........this........not the travel.......the van......particularly as it wasn't a hard lid...........

 

[bigcol]

I'm supposed to be working - but this is WAY more interesting to read as it is un-folding
keep going, I'm loving it

cheers

 

[The Goodwins]

Just for you @bigcol the story continues........

Hey darling with the kids getting olderand the setup and being under canvas in the rain.........I really like.........this..........

Ok that's fine...........but that's the park for the main car...........actually...both cars.......

Really....wow......that's a lot of dirt......and again I can't hire a bobcat or a dingo....OK Ill get started.....OK so you are off to work....OK........back late this afternoon......

Sure darl......no the shovel is moving like lightning....that noise.....its the kids..........

And we are now at this point.............

On a bit of a tangent.......who can pick the other issue I failed to allow for in these photos......A hint look up.....
Before....

After.........

So keep watching the nightmare unfold before your eyes......

 

[bigcol]

me thinks maybe - just maybe the corner of the.......................

I can not say, as I don't want to spoil my own surprise at whats "unfolding"

keep going.....................................................

and then.................

 

[Bmhdg76]

Gee that's a very familiar sounding story there @The Goodwins!

We were pretty similar in that we had the lifestyle camper, now the expanda. And I am constantly looking at the range for the next one when the kids don't want to be in the van with us. I reckon abut 4 or so years and we will get one to suit just us and a internal shower.

BJ.

 

[The Goodwins]

Not just the corner keep looking @bigcol ..........the adventure will continue Monday, Tuesday and across the next weekend.......Stay tuned....

 

[bigcol]

bugga - now I have to go back to work
supposed to be looking for a M30x 500mm bolt for a crusher

oh well..........

thanks, I think............

 

[mccrlc]

Not just the corner keep looking @bigcol ..........the adventure will continue Monday, Tuesday and across the next weekend.......Stay tuned....

I picked the corner, not sure what your other issue is but cant wait to see.

 

[bigcol]

shhh

(don't tell anyone else, but is it also the roof that needs Mods?)

 

[The Goodwins]

The case of the disappearing front carport screen perhaps.......

 

[bigcol]

thats cheating - you told everyone........


hahahaha

 

[Bushman]

sounds like a "NEVER ENDING STORY" an So these are THE DAYS OF OUR....ER CARAVAN

 

[The Goodwins]

As I go I thought I would give a blow by blow of costings for this endevour......of course as I am doing it myself time.....pain.....labour will not be included. I will update it weekly until the job is done and add some pictures as well.

I am going to break up the costings into the following;

Landscaping
Steel
Sail
Paving
Concrete
Hire Equipment

So to begin with costing to date;

Landscaping - Nil to date
Steel - Nil to date
Sail - 3m x 6m Ebay waterproof cover $148
Paving - 24 400mm charcoal pavers $144
Concrete - Nil to date
Hire Equipment - Dingo Single Day hire $240

Running total $532

 

[17triton]

Great read @The Goodwins it's evolving nicely. It will be worth it when it's done.

 

[Bushman]

How long did it take to get the hang of the Dingo, or have you used them before

 

[Kingy]

Fantastic
Sunday arvo, ironing done...... Roast chook in the oven.....what's happening on expanda.....always something!!!!
Great read, can't wait for the next installment.
You guys go alright.

 

[The Goodwins]

How long did it take to get the hang of the Dingo, or have you used them before

First time user and I must say listen to the briefing...and get one with tracks not wheels if you can.
They are very user friendly but a bit like a real dingo....dont let them near kids and dont turn your back
The harder the soil the less useful. I had a lot of clay but it went really well.
I have to says its the most fun you can have clothed!!!!