we are looking at buying and expand 17.56-2 probably new if we don't find a good used one
what should we look out for
thank you
what should we look out for
thank you
what to look out for in an expanda outback
- Thread starter Eahab Arja
- Start date
Welcome @Eahab Arja,
Have a browse through the many discussion threads on here, and I'm sure you will as I did pick up a plethora of information on the must haves in the Expanda's.
Having picked up our 21.64-1 outback in May, I have a couple of suggestions straight up.
Waterproof bed end covers - these are now available from Jayco (previously only from aftermarket annex manufacturers). These are a must have to keep 100% dry in heavy rain.
Other things that you should consider would be an extended draw bar, larger fridge, outside picnic table. The list is endless, but I'm sure others will share their experience.
One big pieve for us was the entry door swinging over the window meaning you can't actually open the window. If this is the same in the 17.56-2 you might ask for a left hand hinged door.
Have a browse through the many discussion threads on here, and I'm sure you will as I did pick up a plethora of information on the must haves in the Expanda's.
Having picked up our 21.64-1 outback in May, I have a couple of suggestions straight up.
Waterproof bed end covers - these are now available from Jayco (previously only from aftermarket annex manufacturers). These are a must have to keep 100% dry in heavy rain.
Other things that you should consider would be an extended draw bar, larger fridge, outside picnic table. The list is endless, but I'm sure others will share their experience.
One big pieve for us was the entry door swinging over the window meaning you can't actually open the window. If this is the same in the 17.56-2 you might ask for a left hand hinged door.
coming from a soft floor camper trailer into a OB Expanda and researching this forum I have found issues with van weights both allowable payload and total weight in that you do not overload the van or exceed your vehicles ball weight or tow limit.
We have just bought a 2010 16.49-1 OB. We looked at lots. The big thing we found was sun and water damage.
Sun fading the plastics and dulling the aluminium.
Water getting inside and swelling stuff.
A tip that we were given is to contact the seller and have a chat and get their address telling them you will drop around next week.
Then ring them when you are 20min away a few days later saying you were in the area. That way when they open it up you will get hit with the damp smell straight away because it has been locked up.
We found the hard cover models easier to open up and seemed to make more sense, being covered when open. On one of the outback van models you could hardly reach the top swivel locks or push in the canvas. On the hard covers this was not an issue.
Have fun. Really impressed with our new one.
Sun fading the plastics and dulling the aluminium.
Water getting inside and swelling stuff.
A tip that we were given is to contact the seller and have a chat and get their address telling them you will drop around next week.
Then ring them when you are 20min away a few days later saying you were in the area. That way when they open it up you will get hit with the damp smell straight away because it has been locked up.
We found the hard cover models easier to open up and seemed to make more sense, being covered when open. On one of the outback van models you could hardly reach the top swivel locks or push in the canvas. On the hard covers this was not an issue.
Have fun. Really impressed with our new one.
If buying second hand @Eahab Arja one of the first things to look for is water damage as @homerJ mentioned... Especially under the bed end mattresses... Only other idea I can offer is to open and close everything and check inside everywhere possible.
If buying new make sure the dealer does a good two hour (Minimum) handover and go over everything to make sure it works and ask as many questions as you can.... Even check minor things like making sure all cupboards and drawers stay locked when closed.
From our experience when we were looking for a second hand lateish model... All I can say is "Good Luck" as there were not many out there and what was advertised were only $2,000 to $3,000 less than new
.
OH and one more thing...... Good choice in van and model
If buying new make sure the dealer does a good two hour (Minimum) handover and go over everything to make sure it works and ask as many questions as you can.... Even check minor things like making sure all cupboards and drawers stay locked when closed.
From our experience when we were looking for a second hand lateish model... All I can say is "Good Luck" as there were not many out there and what was advertised were only $2,000 to $3,000 less than new
.OH and one more thing...... Good choice in van and model
Yeah true second hand 2011 - 2010=2 go from 35-39k and a new 2014 been quoted 46500 k with some extras 3rd water tank TV aerial sound system waterproof bed ends picnic table hyland coupling and TV
we looked secondhand as I did not want to wait.. Ended up going new and getting what we wanted added.
Waterproof bed end covers work well if in driving rain, they won't help if the hinge on the lid is subject to leaking. This can be fixed easily by resealing the hinge. I would suggest looking under chairs & beds to see if any water has made it's way in, also look at the tyres to see if they are running true and not scrubbed out on inners or outers