16' Series Longer Drawbar - worthwhile or not?

[S&P]

Hi All,
With the recent debacle on our new 16.49-3 OB, I guess we have the opportunity to change a few things from the factory that we hadn't considered when we originally ordered at the Leisurefest back in Oct.
The major one is a longer A-Frame / Draw Bar.
I plan to relocate the spare wheel to under the rear (might even ask Jayco not to put the spare carrier in the draw bar) and move the gas bottles to accommodate an aluminium box for a genie, chainsaw, fuel etc, as well as making a stone guard. With all that going on, I think the longer draw bar is a good option, but would love to hear your thoughts.
Anyone get their 16 with a longer drawbar?
Anyone get it without and now wish they had?
Any other good factory mods we should consider?
Cheers,
S&P

 

[Ch00ka77]

S&p we had the 16 footer with the standard length drawbar which was fine but limited us to add items to the front. We now have the 17 foot model with the extended drawbar and love it especially towing with a prado which allows a bit more room to open the door when connected. We have fitted a stoneguard to the front and there is still heaps of room for a aluminium box.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Hi All,
With the recent debacle on our new 16.49-3 OB, I guess we have the opportunity to change a few things from the factory that we hadn't considered when we originally ordered at the Leisurefest back in Oct.
The major one is a longer A-Frame / Draw Bar.
I plan to relocate the spare wheel to under the rear (might even ask Jayco not to put the spare carrier in the draw bar) and move the gas bottles to accommodate an aluminium box for a genie, chainsaw, fuel etc, as well as making a stone guard. With all that going on, I think the longer draw bar is a good option, but would love to hear your thoughts.
Anyone get their 16 with a longer drawbar?
Anyone get it without and now wish they had?
Any other good factory mods we should consider?
Cheers,
S&P

I've got a 16 without an extended drawbar managed to get a small box on the front thread here

 

[S&P]

OK, after doing a bit more research, the longer A-Frame is on the list, and I think I'll ask them to put the jockey wheel on the inside too, will save me having to relocate it later

 

[Stan Lee]

Yes re the jockey wheel. I have wd bars and they r a pain to put on and off !!!

 

[Kenshi123]

OK, after doing a bit more research, the longer A-Frame is on the list, and I think I'll ask them to put the jockey wheel on the inside too, will save me having to relocate it later

Hi S &P. We have a 16 with extended draw bar and jockey wheel welded to the middle. Definitely go for it as it is very difficult to extend later on. I find it maneuvers easier with the extended drawbar too. Personal preference I guess. All the best mate.

 

[17triton]

I haven`t got the longer drawbar but I`m not putting a toolbox up front but if I was ordering again I would get it, it`s a nice piece of real estate for future mods.

 

[Brad]

Extended drawbar also retains your turning circle if you put the toolbox on and also travel with a bike rack. The hanging bikes don't get in the way at all.

 

[S&P]

For those of you with the jockey wheel on the inside, did you/Jayco remove the clamp from the outside or is it still there?
The reason I ask, is I went to see the dealer today to request the A-Frame extension and j/w relocation and they've come back just now confirming my request for an additional j/w clamp on the inside, as well as leaving the one on the outside.

 

[hamish22]

On my old van had one on the inside and one on the outside, 2 came in very handy especially when you got into those situations where you need to re-postiton the jockey wheel when setting up!

 

[S&P]

Thanks Hamish, in that case I'll leave it there. If it get's in the way, I'll exercise my right to bear arms and attack it with the 9-inch!

 

[BUSH PALACE]

a longer draw bar is what i miss , maybe on the next one !!!!

 

[JASA]

Hi @S&P we got the 17 without...wish we got it!!! Although I still managed to fit a toolbox and bike rack with 4 bikes without it fouling

 

[Ligedy]

As above extended draw bar is the go for fitting tool box, turning circle and real estate for mods... but keep in mind adding all the extra weight on the draw bar increases the tow ball weight way too easily.
I measured my tow ball weight with a towsafe on the weekend and got a big big surprise with how heavy it was...

 

[S&P]

@JASA, you have an distinct advantage over us - we have a Prado with the giant door!
@Ligedy, yes the extra weight is a concern, hopefully moving the spare to the rear will help to offset it somewhat.
Cheers,
S&P

 

[JASA]

@JASA, you have an distinct advantage over us - we have a Prado with the giant door!
@Ligedy, yes the extra weight is a concern, hopefully moving the spare to the rear will help to offset it somewhat.
Cheers,
S&P

Yeah, but we still can't access through the rear doors with the bikes on anyway. I gotta send the kids in through the side doors if I want anything out of the back!!

 

[Xpandafan]

Go longer. Two jockey wheel clamps can really be asset as @hamish22 has mentioned.
I like the easy overnighting without unhitching.

 

[S&P]

Yep. The order is in, longer drawbar and additional jockey wheel clamp on the inside.
Now the waiting…..

 

[S&P]

So this is the box I need, just need someone to make it now!
Divider in the middle to keep the contents separate -genset, chainsaw, fuel etc on one side, weber Q220 on the other.

 

[Brad]

Looks good @S&P .
I can recommend www.toolboxcenter.com near chadstone.
They have done my toolbox plus a mod to it at what I thought were good prices.

I know they do the toolboxes for the lotus range of caravans also which I think use black checkerplate.
I have the older silver checkerplate expanda, but if you have the later black checkerplate version, then you may be able to get them to make it in the black color instead.