The Marshian's New Home - 19ft New Age Gecko
- Thread starter Smergen
- Start date
Just showed it to my SHMBO'd and she loves the bunks..... Said we should get one and take more Grandkids away at the same time
One is enough!
Pics look great @Smergen and looks like it had a good test for the shakedown trip.
Very Schmicko.................looks great inside....................but really you are depriving your offspring the joys of camping under canvas and the wonders of all things native on the ground joining them in bed, or of freezing cold or soaking wet...the wind blowing the camp into the tree's...............................................................things we all had when young and your not sharing the adventure......................don't you feel ashamed..........
.................but really you are depriving your offspring the joys of camping under canvas and the wonders of all things native on the ground joining them in bed, or of freezing cold or soaking wet...the wind blowing the camp into the tree's...............................................................things we all had when young and your not sharing the adventure......................don't you feel ashamed..........
He's still got the swags and tents to keep it real lol.Very Schmicko.................looks great inside...
Where do we start? Really it's just about planning. There will be a tool box addition at some stage, as well as a diesel heater. Mounts for a TV for the Big Trip will also needed to be added, rear camera, bike rack solution... Then there's pantry arrangements, wardrobe storage solutions, etc... Loads and loads of things really. But ultimately they are just small little comfort items. We've got all the big bones in place and won't be doing any kind of crazy left field kind of thing.
Thanks mate. Was a good test, but we're probably going for an off-grid one asap to test out battery/water life and see how we go.
Thanks Bluey. Weights are:
Tare: 2310kg
ATM: 2810kg
GTM: 2690kg
So a little heavier than I was hoping, as I was aiming at around 2200kg. But I think the robes and air con added a bit more than I thought. Not to mention bigger tanks and wheels. Either way, it's within the Rock Trucks capabilities, but we need to make sure we don't overdo it with stuff we don't need.
Very Schmicko.................looks great inside...
Ha ha... Yeah I suppose they are spoilt, but #1 loves his swag, and #2 & #3 have their two man tent as well. We'll be doing plenty of side trips where the van is left behind to get to those hard to reach spots. They'll rough it enough. Trip to the High Country earlier in the year showed they're not adverse to roughin' it.
I refer you here: http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/the-marshians-do-the-high-country.8830/#post-150848
Mind you after this van, they might go "stuff that Dad! where's the heater?"
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Nope, not at this point, but it is on the to-do list. Trying to work out how to mount it to the lid is the harder bit. Having said that, we had gale force winds and rain on the weekend and there was no moisture or leaks into the van that I could see.
But yep, something I want to look into.
I would see if you really need a storm cover before spending on something thats not needed.............it's not a jayco.
looks great mate the window on the third bunk be great for some light? Did you get any sunshades as yet for it?
I really like how they do cut outs of the ladder I really starting to dis like the Jayco one that takes out half your walk way.
I really like how they do cut outs of the ladder I really starting to dis like the Jayco one that takes out half your walk way.
Yeah, preferred the vertical metal ladders of the older basestations. Our kids ended up breaking one of the plastic brackets on our Expanda just by lifting it lightly. And yep, always in the way. The cut out ladder on the loft bed actually are "pigeon holes" for the cupboard behind it, so storage not lost. And what do you know... 3 kids, 3 pigeon holes...
Really? That makes me a little happier then as she's a few hundred kegs heavier than our old Expanda.
Both Mrs Smergs and I were very happy with the differences the full height van brings. The set up time is down, and there is a lot less clutter around during it's use. It also means that the van presents "ready to use" in the backyard, which helps prepping for trips. The offset to this is a bigger sail on the back, but we'll wait until we get a few more trips under our belt before we can gauge exactly what that means to the hip pocket, fuel wise.
Almost the same as our 22.68 as well Tare 2305 ATM 2780.
With the Petrol D3 we went up a couple of litres from 17.58 to 22.68 fuel wise so you might be happy.
Yes ladder 17.58 they climbed up without it so left it at home now the 22.68 and triple bunk we have been taking it.. Thinking of a better solution.
Your Gecko still a sweet van
With the Petrol D3 we went up a couple of litres from 17.58 to 22.68 fuel wise so you might be happy.
Yes ladder 17.58 they climbed up without it so left it at home
now the 22.68 and triple bunk we have been taking it.. Thinking of a better solution.Your Gecko still a sweet van
Due to size and weight should it be called Goanna ??????
Or Lace Monitor?
A serious case of envy prevails from all who check this out.
A serious case of envy prevails from all who check this out.
Almost the same as our 22.68 as well Tare 2305 ATM 2780.
With the Petrol D3 we went up a couple of litres from 17.58 to 22.68 fuel wise so you might be happy.
Yes ladder 17.58 they climbed up without it so left it at home
Your Gecko still a sweet van
Hopefully the fuel won't be too bad. I'm thinking of possibly reflashing the ECU or chipping the Rock Truck with an exhaust to give it a bit more grunt, but I'm not sure. Still researching it all. Sits comfortably on the flat on 90-95 and wasn't straining but the wind and hills certainly had an effect. A few more drives to see what's "normal".
The name is still a debate in the house. I like the BFG (Big Friendly Gecko) but wasn't met with support. I thought Gordon was innovative too but that was lost on the kids.
Thanks mate, we reckon it's pretty sweet and a layout that's been missing in family vans for some time.
Big Mal is 21ft, supposedly tops at 2.7t, more like 2.5t for just holiday touring, holiday touring load fuel went up about 2 per 100 overall, pushed me to high 14 to mid 15, moving house and loaded to the gunwhales with a bit of wind around we hit 18.3 but both van and tug had a big load...........I only get about 10.4 normally around town unloaded been thinking of a 3" system, will try a muffler delete and work from there, new system is about $1300, priced one the other day though would like a Steinbauer, FWHubs have made things a lot better to drive and can use low range on the hard stuff if needed plus saving CV's.
