Xpandafan's 18.57-7 - the learning curve.

relgate

relgate

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We found that we picked up some ants on a recent trip and they appear every now and then in random places. They are not a big problem and I dont think they have a nest to speak of but they are a little annoying. Have you tried giving the grandkids a magnifying glass on a hot day?
 
Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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The recent hot dry spell proved a point when we were camped on the showgrounds at Albury last weekend. The ground was like concrete. I got a few snide comments when I used my "impact wrench and coach bolt tent peg system".
Then tune changed (and the language) when tent peg after tent peg around me bent double. Double the satisfaction when they were just as hard to pull out and mine simply unscrewed! Downside was that we were on limited power so no A/C with temps in the mid to high 30's. Then the A/C wouldnt work while we were spending a couple of days in Benalla. (E-4 error messasge). Fortunately had a lovely grassed site directly opposite the CP swimming pool! Park* also provided pancake breakfast each day!
(*Benalla Leisure Park, no playground or jumping pillow, but pool and pancakes suit us. Very friendly staff)
 
Burnsy

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Hi Xpandafan, could you elaborate a bit more on your tent peg system, sounds interesting!

cheers.
 
Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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XpandaPegs.jpg

More than happy to share this. Like most of my brilliant ideas, it's adapted from someone/somewhere else!
Xpandafan's Power Peg System with bonus drop down stabilizer winder thingy.
Rechargeable impact wrench/driver, 17mm & 18mm sockets for "pegs" and extension bar and 19mm socket for stabilizers. I take a selection of these coach screws (4" – 10" in old money) to cater for various conditions. It's quick and easy to peg everything out in most conditions (except soft sand/mud where I revert to big poly pegs).
Found particularly effective on sites with compacted road base, granitic sand, and a recent rock hard showground (which played merry hell with tent pegs of all sizes). I use the S/S hooks to attached ropes via the springs and screens via their tie-downs . The awning tie downs are now ratchet straps with hooks that fit bracket directly.
Winding down stabilizers saves time and bending and avoids poking eyes out with Jayco's supersize winder. Also great in tighter spots.
Bonus Tip for Traditionalists.The strongest (thickest) tent pegs always seem to be the longest when what you really need are tough shorties for hard ground. Just cut a few down to about 6" and grind to point/chisel edge. A lot less bent pegs.

PS You CAN also hammer in the coach screws easier than pegs (easier to hit and harder to bend) and then screw them out.
 
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Burnsy

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Thanks for the details xpandafan, I think your van will get blown away before your awning/annexe! :) that would be a sight to see.....bolting down walls but whatever works I guess.

cheers.
 
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Capt. Gadget

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Xpandafan said:
View attachment 12540
More than happy to share this. Like most of my brilliant ideas, it's adapted from someone/somewhere else!
Xpandafan's Power Peg System with bonus drop down stabilizer winder thingy.
Rechargeable impact wrench/driver, 17mm & 18mm sockets for "pegs" and extension bar and 19mm socket for stabilizers. I take a selection of these coach screws (4" – 10" in old money) to cater for various conditions. It's quick and easy to peg everything out in most conditions (except soft sand/mud where I revert to big poly pegs).
Found particularly effective on sites with compacted road base, granitic sand, and a recent rock hard showground (which played merry hell with tent pegs of all sizes). I use the S/S hooks to attached ropes via the springs and screens via their tie-downs . The awning tie downs are now ratchet straps with hooks that fit bracket directly.
Winding down stabilizers saves time and bending and avoids poking eyes out with Jayco's supersize winder. Also great in tighter spots.
Bonus Tip for Traditionalists.The strongest (thickest) tent pegs always seem to be the longest when what you really need are tough shorties for hard ground. Just cut a few down to about 6" and grind to point/chisel edge. A lot less bent pegs.

PS You CAN also hammer in the coach screws easier than pegs (easier to hit and harder to bend) and then screw them out.
Click to expand...


Love the Coach screw Idea might adopt that one,I have been using a cordless impact driver for years and I still cop grief from the people I have been camping with for years about how lazy I am, but while they still have two to wind down I'm sitting in my chair with a beer in hand haha
 
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coled1970

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Yep, looks like an idea we might adopt. The miss's will find it so much easier to use to set the ropes up instead of a hammer to drive in the pegs while i have a scotch and watch. Nah only joking she would probably beat me with a tent pole if she reads this, but this set up could find its way into my front boot too, thats if she lets me.
 
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Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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It'll work all right and a good price for a top brand. Then your Missus will work out how to use it and do a "Lara" on you and add it to her tool kit
Mrs XF now does the stabilizers and the annexe pegs as well, just to impress neighbours.
Saw re-chargeable hammer on YouTube. But I reckon that's one tool too far.
 
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Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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Expanda Jobs Listed on Fridge.
Re-gas the Ibis A/C.
Fix bathroom sink outlet that some idiot unscrewed.
Rework gas bottle holders so bottles can be removed with bed end down.
Fit rear view camera.
of course will need to road test in between.
 
Bushman

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Xpandafan said:
View attachment 12540
More than happy to share this. Like most of my brilliant ideas, it's adapted from someone/somewhere else!
Xpandafan's Power Peg System with bonus drop down stabilizer winder thingy.
Rechargeable impact wrench/driver, 17mm & 18mm sockets for "pegs" and extension bar and 19mm socket for stabilizers. I take a selection of these coach screws (4" – 10" in old money) to cater for various conditions. It's quick and easy to peg everything out in most conditions (except soft sand/mud where I revert to big poly pegs).
Found particularly effective on sites with compacted road base, granitic sand, and a recent rock hard showground (which played merry hell with tent pegs of all sizes). I use the S/S hooks to attached ropes via the springs and screens via their tie-downs . The awning tie downs are now ratchet straps with hooks that fit bracket directly.
Winding down stabilizers saves time and bending and avoids poking eyes out with Jayco's supersize winder. Also great in tighter spots.
Bonus Tip for Traditionalists.The strongest (thickest) tent pegs always seem to be the longest when what you really need are tough shorties for hard ground. Just cut a few down to about 6" and grind to point/chisel edge. A lot less bent pegs.

PS You CAN also hammer in the coach screws easier than pegs (easier to hit and harder to bend) and then screw them out.
Click to expand...


Not a bad idea there XF, not as silly as it sounds, last year at Lighting Ridge the park manger was lending people a Rotary impact hammer drill with long masonary bit in it to drill hole for there pegs
 
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Kenshi123

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Xpandafan said:
View attachment 12540
More than happy to share this. Like most of my brilliant ideas, it's adapted from someone/somewhere else!
Xpandafan's Power Peg System with bonus drop down stabilizer winder thingy.
Rechargeable impact wrench/driver, 17mm & 18mm sockets for "pegs" and extension bar and 19mm socket for stabilizers. I take a selection of these coach screws (4" – 10" in old money) to cater for various conditions. It's quick and easy to peg everything out in most conditions (except soft sand/mud where I revert to big poly pegs).
Found particularly effective on sites with compacted road base, granitic sand, and a recent rock hard showground (which played merry hell with tent pegs of all sizes). I use the S/S hooks to attached ropes via the springs and screens via their tie-downs . The awning tie downs are now ratchet straps with hooks that fit bracket directly.
Winding down stabilizers saves time and bending and avoids poking eyes out with Jayco's supersize winder. Also great in tighter spots.
Bonus Tip for Traditionalists.The strongest (thickest) tent pegs always seem to be the longest when what you really need are tough shorties for hard ground. Just cut a few down to about 6" and grind to point/chisel edge. A lot less bent pegs.

PS You CAN also hammer in the coach screws easier than pegs (easier to hit and harder to bend) and then screw them out.
Click to expand...

went and got the extended 19mm socket for the wife. Absolute breeze when setting up.
Love the coach screw and bracket idea. Going to get a set with brackets and hooks for our big trip.

Great idea mate. Cheers!
 
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Xpandafan

Xpandafan

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Had a chance to take the Expanda out for a trip to the shops today. Hardly recommend Melbourne roads in peak hour though, but needed to get the Ibis A/C fixed. Was getting E4 error (gas issue). Went to Network Air in Preston (the Air Command service agents). Pretty cosy workshop but you drive in the back door and out the front. (Apologies for dodgy photos). I was well looked after by Goran and Aaron. Fixed cracked pipe and re-gassed and on on my way inside 2 hours. Home and parked (in one shot) just before rain started.
Had time to get the Pathfinder serviced before lunch!
So two jobs ticked off the list this week. :angel: Restocking "brownie points" jar.

389086728.677825.jpg 389086751.243026.jpg
 
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