The Smith's 18-57.6

[gwadir]

Hi All,

Just a quick update to let you all know we've done it at last, we went down to Jayco Nowra yesterday and placed the order for our new 18-57.6 Outback expanda.

Before placing the order we asked to look at a recently received 18-57.6 that is for another client, went right over it and finalised the options we wanted.

We've placed the order which consists of an 18-57.6 with the following
Radio/CD/DVD/MP3 with speakers
External speakers
Fiamma Bike Rack
RV Control Panel
Winguard wind up TV antenna
LCD TV Provision (Bracket)
Extra Power Point under the dinette
Solar Provision (wiring)
Anderson Plug

That way I can still add my own touches (mod's) that I've identified from reading all of your threads. We are talking to Holiday Annexes about an annex and bed end so that will probably end up being our shake down cruise (up to Newcastle for a few days).

Many thanks to David from Nowra Jayco who was so helpful throughout the whole process.

I will add a few photo's to this thread once we have our new baby. eace:

 

[Burnsy]

Well done mate, it's a great model. What about battery pack? Also extra annexe light and lighter socket beneath dinette is good too!

Cheers.

 

[Holden_man]

Congrats also from us, yep you'll love it.
Agree with burnsy, with us being novices and having now done 3 trips in our 18, the battery pack is a must IMO. The extra annex light is great as well. The boys use the external shower all the time, plus an external light over the shower is great. We have also used the external TV Point for longer stays. We have a 150W solar panel factory fitted, and find the panel excellent. Burnsy has just done a great job fitting his himself. Our Battery is always charged, even under the van cover, enough light gets through for a trickle charge.
We have caught the Free Camp Bug, and the battery is the go.

Now for the dreaded wait, its character building

jas

 

[gwadir]

Hi Guys, we were advised by the dealership the battery pack is now standard, as for the annex light I was going to install an LED lights strip just under the awning. Hadn't thought about a 12V outlet under the dinette, do you think it is necessary.

Jas, know what you mean about the wait, it's been a long time in the planning, dealer advised van should be ready around 1st June so pretty quick really.

Look forward to your comments.

Dave

 

[Holden_man]

Hi Dave, When we ordered ours Burnsy commented on how good the new external LED lights are. He was right, they are great. Just my opinion, save yourself the work and add the extra light. They don't charge much, then have a look and you can then decide whether you need the strip later. I reckon you won't bother. We didn't do the 12v under the dinette and the trip just gone wish we had. When free camping we found the boys always need something charged, iPod, iPad etc. The other thing we like is the fold up dinette table. When you are stopped somewhere for awhile it folds back to give more room. We like it.

 

[Lara]

Congrats on the purchase Gwadir, gotta be happy with a June 1st handover, that's gonna come around pretty quick.
Holiday Annexes are a great company, you won't be disappointed! There quality is first class.
Keep us posted!

 

[gwadir]

Thanks Holden_man,

I'll try and get the annex light added today, being a sparky I'll do the 12V outlet under the dinette myself, add my own touches you know.

Thanks Lara, yep looking forward to getting it and getting away, nearly fell off our chairs when they said June 1, ha ha.

Dave

 

[Burnsy]

Hey Dave, as jas said the annexe lights are pretty good. I also have a 12v led work light from SCA that I cable tie up above webber if needed. With the 12v socket it is handy for charging or vacuum cleaner and I now travel with waeco in van, I also had two 12v sockets added to bunks for the kids. If free camping a few 12v outlets makes things easier, i think Jayco charged me $75ea. Like you said the dinette is easy but the bunks were worth $150 I recon.

Cheers.

 

[gwadir]

Hi Burnsy,

Thanks mate, yeah I checked with the dealership and this year they're including the 12V outlets for each of the bunks as standard, also LED lights for each bunk as well.

Dave

 

[chartrock]

Sounds great, gwadir. June 1 will be here before you know it and it seems Jayco are adding quite a few extras as standard now. Look forward to seeing the pictures when it arrives.

 

[expanda]

Great stuff!!!!

Enjoy the wait it will be fun but will get here quicker than you can blink and you will be sitting in your expanda enjoying the serenity!!!

Looking forward to seeing it to when it arrives!

 

[relgate]

Bunk lights and 12V as standard? Thats a nice addition. My boy reads at night with a torch wedged between his teeth!

 

[gwadir]

The kids have already declared they are sleeping out in it when it arrives home, they're even talking about me doing a camp oven roast on the front lawn, that'll be interesting.

 

[Kenshi123]

Awesome work mate and congrats. Hope the wait doesn't drag on too long for you. Where's the first outing Going to be? (Apart from the yard lol)

 

[gwadir]

Hi Kenshi123,

Thanks for that, probably the first outing will be to Coolandel just west of Nowra on the Shoalhaven River, it's a beautiful private property where you can camp, have open fires, fish, swim and with great really clean facilities.

Dave

 

[expanda]

Hi Kenshi123,

Thanks for that, probably the first outing will be to Coolandel just west of Nowra on the Shoalhaven River, it's a beautiful private property where you can camp, have open fires, fish, swim and with great really clean facilities.

Dave

Coolandel is nice !!!

Just the road in that can be interesting....

Let us know how you find it!

 

[gwadir]

Hey expanda,

The road in keeps the riff raff out, we regularly see caravans in there and normal passenger vehicles, you just have to drive to the conditions, slowly.

Dave

 

[relgate]

Hey expanda,

The road in keeps the riff raff out, we regularly see caravans in there and normal passenger vehicles, you just have to drive to the conditions, slowly.

Dave

I hadnt heard of Coolandel before. I had a look at the website. Looks nice. We might head down there next spring/summer for a quick weekend.

 

[gwadir]

If you do head down you wont be disappointed, like I said earlier it's not cheap, I think last time we went it was about $148,00 for the weekend, that's 2 nights for the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 tin lids under 16, and I think that was classified as shoulder but if you get on the website and click on the rates tab you'll get all the relevant prices. We absolutely love the place and the price is well worth, it's the serenity.:wink:

 

[Moto Moto]

Welcome to the forum, sounds like you have all the options ticked. 12volt in the dining area is a good idea too.

Its nice to see a fellow Illawarra member:first:
We go to Coolendel regularly and never had a probelm towing the van in there, like you said keeps the riff raff out (as does the crazy hugh prices). We go often in winter, have the place to ourself, HUGE campfires, and a bit cheaper. The kids love spotting the wildlife there.