We have locked in the date at the Melbourne Caravan show to be the day we buy our first Caravan. Been waiting for our youngest to get big enough to control. So we originally where looking at Jayco Swan's but have now moved towards the Expanda because of the bunks. I am trying to weight up the cost of the two and if we get to use it enough due to work. As a kid we caravanned 4 months of the year for almost 30 years on a permanent site so I want my kids to have the best time of there life as I did. Over with the spiel. I have two little boys and was wondering what peoples experiences where when buying a van. Did you buy small (camper size) and stay small or got straight too or upgrade to a larger van (Expanda) down the track. If you can make sense of this thanks for your advise.
What Van to get??
- Thread starter Mark8
- Start date
Hi Mark. I'll start....
There are many of us here who started with an Eagle/Swan/Hawk etc. We did. And 8 months later sold it and bought our Expanda 16.49-2 (bunks, single axle).
Never looked back. 5 years later we sold it having completed lots of modifications and lost about $5k in depreciation. Not bad!
We are now onto a Starcraft and love it too. The Expanda and Starcrafts are really about ease of setup. If you are time limited, making things easy will encourage you to use it more. Nothing wrong with the campers though. Easy to tow and they hold their value well too.
I write this as sit beside the van on holidays.... looking onto the beach, my daughter phoning her nanna from down on the sand and our little guy on his scooter racing around the park... Another week to go at another location coming up so 14 days holidays at camping rates. In reality, the experience and memories, priceless.
There are many of us here who started with an Eagle/Swan/Hawk etc. We did. And 8 months later sold it and bought our Expanda 16.49-2 (bunks, single axle).
Never looked back. 5 years later we sold it having completed lots of modifications and lost about $5k in depreciation. Not bad!
We are now onto a Starcraft and love it too. The Expanda and Starcrafts are really about ease of setup. If you are time limited, making things easy will encourage you to use it more. Nothing wrong with the campers though. Easy to tow and they hold their value well too.
I write this as sit beside the van on holidays.... looking onto the beach, my daughter phoning her nanna from down on the sand and our little guy on his scooter racing around the park... Another week to go at another location coming up so 14 days holidays at camping rates. In reality, the experience and memories, priceless.
Welcome mate. I'll add my 10c.
We completely bypassed the campers after tenting for many years with and without small children. We intended to go to campers, but the jump to an accessible quality Expanda was easily justified with benefits against $$.
We've had to rejig our entire backyard and garage set up but we haven't looked back. We've had the van 6 months and used it 6 times. Having it sit there in plain site and easy to hook into helps push us to get out more. We can arrive at a place and be onto dinner/beer/PJs whatever well within 30min of arriving. Unheard of with 3 kids and tents...
If you can afford the space, tow rig and other peripherals, go the van. You won't regret it.
We completely bypassed the campers after tenting for many years with and without small children. We intended to go to campers, but the jump to an accessible quality Expanda was easily justified with benefits against $$.
We've had to rejig our entire backyard and garage set up but we haven't looked back. We've had the van 6 months and used it 6 times. Having it sit there in plain site and easy to hook into helps push us to get out more. We can arrive at a place and be onto dinner/beer/PJs whatever well within 30min of arriving. Unheard of with 3 kids and tents...
If you can afford the space, tow rig and other peripherals, go the van. You won't regret it.
We started in a Hawk, and was awesome for the weekend stays or long, but when you wanted to get out and explore the countryside found it was a lot of work for a 1 night stay here and then pack up and move. We had the Hawk for 2 years and did 2 trips to Queensland in it, one straight up from Melbourne and the other the scenic route out through the centre. I upgraded to a 17:56-1 in February last year, and we love it. I took it from Melbourne to Cairns in July last year did all the overnighters and 2 weeks in Cairns and I's still asking why I didn't just get this when I bought the Hawk! I have 2 young children and for the space and convenience of the expanda, I wouldn't change now, as I didn't want a full size van, but needed the beds so the 17:56-1 had all that and more! Hope that helps, but as @Smergen says, if you can afford it, have space, the right vehicle to tow and all the other gear, the open road will be your oyster!
We went through a familiar pattern had a soft floor camper trailer then (after having the family stand around and watch me pack up) we were introduced to caravaning by a friend with a Jayco swan. Our friend realized the advantages of being able to acces the van without a "full" set up and upgraded to an Expanda 16.49.1. We got the bug and started our research and ended up with the 2014 17.56.1 Expanda.
We just finished 2 weeks in the heat of Mildura and loved our air conditioned Panda with space to move around. And the kids love the bunks.
We bought before the caravan show and still think we got a better deal although we had settled on the model. You will see the "end of year" run out sale ads any day now and the dealers will be wanting to either get rid of the 2014 stock or reserve their places in the 2015 model runs. They can't just wait to the caravan show to start their sales for the year so it is a good idea to shop around now otherwise you may be waiting to next summer. Because we bought just after Christmas we took delivery before Easter and got a few trips before winter. We still had a great time at the show buying all the inevitable bits and pieces and getting to see our model on display.
P.S. don't forget that you may need to upgrade your tow vehicle if you go for something bigger!
Welcome.
We just finished 2 weeks in the heat of Mildura and loved our air conditioned Panda with space to move around. And the kids love the bunks.
We bought before the caravan show and still think we got a better deal although we had settled on the model. You will see the "end of year" run out sale ads any day now and the dealers will be wanting to either get rid of the 2014 stock or reserve their places in the 2015 model runs. They can't just wait to the caravan show to start their sales for the year so it is a good idea to shop around now otherwise you may be waiting to next summer. Because we bought just after Christmas we took delivery before Easter and got a few trips before winter. We still had a great time at the show buying all the inevitable bits and pieces and getting to see our model on display.
P.S. don't forget that you may need to upgrade your tow vehicle if you go for something bigger!
Welcome.
Welcome to the forum @Mark8. Great advice from the members and not much more I can add. We also came through the soft floor camper, an Avan, then the Expanda and finally our new Journey. We used the camper for touring to the Kimberly while our mate had a van. He was sitting with his cup of coffee at least half an hour before we could even think about it.
If you are going to use the van to go somewhere and camp for a week or two then the Swan or similar is great but if you want to tour with a lot of one night stops then the Expanda is the way to go.
If you are going to use the van to go somewhere and camp for a week or two then the Swan or similar is great but if you want to tour with a lot of one night stops then the Expanda is the way to go.
if your funds stretch far enough, go for the Van............
as @Smergen said, if you see it there looking at you, you tend to want to take it away on weekend overnighters............
happy trails........
as @Smergen said, if you see it there looking at you, you tend to want to take it away on weekend overnighters............
happy trails........
Welcome @Mark8 and its a good question you asked. I will give you our story, in 2004 we went looking at second hand vans and camper trailers but the benches were to low and ended up buying a new expanda which we sold 8years later for about $1500 less than what we paid for it. We now have a bigger hard lid model and love it. Good luck.
All good experienced replies, need to consider the tow vehicle and if child 3 (or twins!!!),comes along in the not to distant future. Tow vehicle a factor due to not having to change that too and those dollars chew into your van budget.
We went from dome tent to 3 room tent to Swan all with Mrs Pace's Tarago, to now and final (say that loosely) current set up. Pending on your budget you can get a good 16.49-3 for around the 30k mark which could be towed by the family truckster.
Fill in some of the blanks and lm sure the replies will flood in more for you.
Cheers Pace
We went from dome tent to 3 room tent to Swan all with Mrs Pace's Tarago, to now and final (say that loosely) current set up. Pending on your budget you can get a good 16.49-3 for around the 30k mark which could be towed by the family truckster.
Fill in some of the blanks and lm sure the replies will flood in more for you.
Cheers Pace
We have been very different from many on here. We started with an old caravan 20 odd years ago, then moved to a more modern van, several upgrades later we ended up with a 25' sterling with bunks and ensuite in 2008. Following an accident with that, we downsized to a soft floor camper and then into the Expanda.
As others have said, the difference between a wind up and the expanda is the time difference between arrival and a cold beer. We camp with friends with a wind up, I am relaxing under the awning at least 30 minutes before he is. This is not so important if camping for a couple of weeks, but if overnighting or a quick weekend away, this is a big amount of relax time.
As others have said, the difference between a wind up and the expanda is the time difference between arrival and a cold beer. We camp with friends with a wind up, I am relaxing under the awning at least 30 minutes before he is. This is not so important if camping for a couple of weeks, but if overnighting or a quick weekend away, this is a big amount of relax time.
Welcome to the forum @Mark8 ... We tented it for too many years with two daughters in dome tents and cabin tents and after setting up as a cyclone was bearing down on us (Luckily it fizzled out as it took me 5 hours to set up with all the extras) then trying to pack up two weeks later between showers we decided to look around for a camper trailer or something similar to a swan or eagle. Ended up driving away with a 2007 expanda tourer. Had that for three years and still felt like we were tenting it having to set up the bed fly's etc. Called into the local Jayco dealer to look at floor plans of some later model vans and ended up walking out with a receipt for a new 17 hard lid expanda. Never looked back since.
If you can afford it go a later model with bunks... It will save your sanity and $'s over the years!
If you can afford it go a later model with bunks... It will save your sanity and $'s over the years!
Hi @Mark8. We have the 14.44 and absolutely love it. We have two girls and it has the bunks at the end which is different to the 16 and 17 layout as the kids can sleep that little bit distance further away from when we want to sit at the table or watch TV. It also allows us to have the bike rack on the back of the van and is smaller for ease of parking. In any case spend time sitting in each version and thinking how you would use it. Good luck.
We can add our imput as well. Our strategy was to do heap and heaps of research and buy once.
We originally started in tents, and then bought a hard floor camper which we loved (Cub Drover), went everywhere that the Patrol would go - had a lot of great trips in it ! Our little girl arrived, and we decided that even though the hardfloor was quick to set up, it wasn't quite suited, so we sold the Cub. We originally thought of a Swan or Eagle but the set up was no better, and wasn't really much better than the Cub, we also saw plently of people selling their Swan and buying an Expanda - we looked at the expanda, but still had to set up the beds each time, as well as the beds still being surrounded by canvas which Mrs Fabulous didn't really want, we also saw quite a few people selling their expandas to purchase a starcraft (or like) type van which was easier to set up, we also liked the idea of a toilet as I didn't like the idea of little girl waking me in the middle of the night (when its raining and cold) to tell me she needed to go to the toilet, we decided a toilet was required. We agreed on a Starcraft with bunks which will hopefully do the family for quite a few years !
My final recommendation is to get a van that suits the type of holiday that you want to do, and what would suit your family ! Also give considerations for the next couple of years, ie bike rakes / bed converters etceven if you don't need them right now.
Good luck
We originally started in tents, and then bought a hard floor camper which we loved (Cub Drover), went everywhere that the Patrol would go - had a lot of great trips in it ! Our little girl arrived, and we decided that even though the hardfloor was quick to set up, it wasn't quite suited, so we sold the Cub. We originally thought of a Swan or Eagle but the set up was no better, and wasn't really much better than the Cub, we also saw plently of people selling their Swan and buying an Expanda - we looked at the expanda, but still had to set up the beds each time, as well as the beds still being surrounded by canvas which Mrs Fabulous didn't really want, we also saw quite a few people selling their expandas to purchase a starcraft (or like) type van which was easier to set up, we also liked the idea of a toilet as I didn't like the idea of little girl waking me in the middle of the night (when its raining and cold) to tell me she needed to go to the toilet, we decided a toilet was required. We agreed on a Starcraft with bunks which will hopefully do the family for quite a few years !
My final recommendation is to get a van that suits the type of holiday that you want to do, and what would suit your family ! Also give considerations for the next couple of years, ie bike rakes / bed converters etceven if you don't need them right now.
Good luck
Hi guys, thanks for your imput, seems like Expanda will be our choice. Just to work out what model 14ft or 16ft (bunk option) I do have the space in the shed for either length wise but limited to pop top due to garage door height. how much extra length does a bike rack add to the back of the van and how many bikes does it hold?
We had a hawk for a couple of years and was great for setting up and staying put but I have trouble doing this and prefer to be on the move, saying that we did do tassie for 1 month and it became tedious for quick stops. We moved to an outback 16.49.2, we wanted a small as possible but with 3 kids the double, queen and 2 bunks are perfect, from the start we new we wanted a shower and in the end we found one down south which was perfect with hot water external shower and gas heater. Although we live in Brisbane the heater has been great we have done a heap of free camping in winter when nobody is around. We do a bit of beach camping so the smaller van helps.
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/white-knuckles-16-49-2-ob.4347/
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/white-knuckles-16-49-2-ob.4347/
Welcome we brought last year.. looked at Swans almost got one. Decided we look at Expanda's hired one was not to keen on the bed ends so brought a Starcraft.. We can leave all the beds setup and ready to go.
A few questions might help you
1) Tow vehicle as you can only pull a certain van.
2) Any more kids coming.. We have 4 that should be final
.. You may want a van big enough for more if your thinking of more
3) Toilet/Shower do you want one? We opted without although I do wonder
4) Yard Space.. our place we could fit a 16" pushed for a 17. Ordered van then moved the gate and we probably get in a 19" now.. Which is not great as I keep looking
5) Outback or touring..
Sometimes secondhand you do not save much on new although the 3-6 months wait pushes prices up.
A few questions might help you
1) Tow vehicle as you can only pull a certain van.
2) Any more kids coming.. We have 4 that should be final
.. You may want a van big enough for more if your thinking of more 3) Toilet/Shower do you want one? We opted without although I do wonder
4) Yard Space.. our place we could fit a 16" pushed for a 17. Ordered van then moved the gate and we probably get in a 19" now.. Which is not great as I keep looking
5) Outback or touring..
Sometimes secondhand you do not save much on new although the 3-6 months wait pushes prices up.
We needed outback just to get up the slope at the front of the house
If your buying new you get a lot of extras as standard on outback. We wanted a few as well so was not much of a choice.
Depending on what car you have might depend on the van, the Jayco website is not 100% accurate as others have found out.
If your buying new you get a lot of extras as standard on outback. We wanted a few as well so was not much of a choice.
Depending on what car you have might depend on the van, the Jayco website is not 100% accurate as others have found out.
Your vehicle can only tow a certain weight and have a certain towball weight
Most people find what is on the Jayco site might end up being less and it's not always add ins.
I know the length on the site did not match ours 20cm out which could be a problem with some. I know others had problems with heights as it did not always match.
So best to measure or check plates at dealers if close
For us it was originally length we worried the most from
Most people find what is on the Jayco site might end up being less and it's not always add ins.
I know the length on the site did not match ours 20cm out which could be a problem with some. I know others had problems with heights as it did not always match.
So best to measure or check plates at dealers if close
For us it was originally length we worried the most from