17' Series Eagerly awaiting delivery of new 17.56-1 in June

[Cuttsy888]

Hi all
Thanks for all of your awesome ideas! I discovered this forum while researching Expandas and it has really helped us make decisions on which extras to get on our 17.56-1 due for delivery in June....the wait since initially ordered in Feb has been painful but finally signed off on floor plan this week!!

We have had a Swan camper for the last 5 years but felt we weren't using it enough because it was just a bit too much set up for a weekend getaway. So we made the decision to upgrade with the plan to use it much more. Already planning a 3 week trip early next year on top of our usual camper trips and many short weekend getaways.

It rapidly became very expensive with all the extras and the need for a new car. Decided to change the sv6 sportswagon for an AWD Territory to give us the extra towing capacity!

After many changes the extras we settled on are full annex with fly screens and extra door on back, battery, 12v, extra internal tv point, external tv point, extra gas bottle, 3 extra power points, gas boyonet, picnic table, stereo with external speakers, extra external power point, Alko ESC, jockey wheel in centre of a frame, fridge motion sensor for traveling....think that's it. We will always be in caravan parks so didn't see need for hot water, shower, etc and had to draw the line somewhere.

When we finally get it my husband is going to put shelving in both wardrobes as he did in the swan, a pull out pantry next to the hot plate and I'm hoping for a pull out bin.

We we're unsure on whether to get annex as aren't planning on using it much. We have 2 kids (9 and 6years) and told my husband everything needs to fit in the van as I'm not spending those $$ and setting up wardrobes in an annex. Do you use annex much?

And what about shade cloth sides? We haven't ordered them but they look good.

Also dealer doesn't recommend bars to support awning, are they necessary?

What TVs are best? Are the Sphere ones that are made for caravans more durable or are we better putting the $$ into a better quality tv?

Does anyone have issues with water leaking into bed ends on the new ones?

Thanks again for all your ideas and help. I can't wait to be able to post our own pictures.

 

[dagree]

Welcome to the forum @Cuttsy888. A good list of options there... Looks like you did do your homework.
And I bet there will be lots of mods done apart from the shelving etc after you get to use it.

We use the annex if staying for a week or more. Any less than that it's the sunblocker (shadecloth) long wall and smaller one for the back. Gives you a little bit of privacy as well as some shelter from sun and lights winds.

Funny about the dealers comment re the awning bars.... Our dealer recommended using deflapper bars and curved roof bars which fortunately came with the annex when we ordered it.

Can't help with the Sphere TV as we have always used brand name TV's with no issue.

Wet bed ends. Might be able to answer that one after we go away in June.... Haven't used the new van in wet weather yet.

Looking forward to the pics and reports when you get it

 

[Cuttsy888]

Hi Dagree.

There is something called an anti flap kit that comes with the annex walls. However when I asked if this includes the 2 bars to support the awning I was told they weren't included but could be purchased for $70 each if we wanted them.my logic tells me that we should get them but dealer wouldn't have even mentioned them if we hadn't asked.

Sunblocker sounds like what we'd use... Will have to speak to dealer about that.

Due to come offline at jayco 4 th June.. Hoping to get pretty soon after but dealer won't give us a date until they have picked it up.

 

[Cuttsy888]

Also can you get a 12v plug for any tv? Would rather get a name brand tv but wanted to have the 12v in case we want to use it.

 

[dagree]

Not all TV's are able to be run from 12V.... The way it was explained to me when looking was "If it has a lead that goes direct from a power point to the TV... Keep looking".

A lot of newer TV's are now 12V. If it has a power transformer and smallish lead going to the TV it is more than likely 12V but check the voltage on the transformer to make sure!!!!!

Unfortunately most don't come with the 12V lead but are available from places like Jaycar, Dick Smiths etc.

Hope the above makes sense?????

 

[Vaughan Reeve]

Kogan stock 12v TV's pretty cheap.
We bought a 24" for our 17.56-1 and its great.
http://www.kogan.com/au/

 

[Cuttsy888]

Thanks for that info. I think it makes sense to me but will also relay if to my husband.

Will have a look at the Kogan site but all our home TVs are Panasonic and great quality so was hoping to be able to stick with them.

 

[dagree]

Best place we found when looking was JB HiFi. Have a look on the Panasonic website and see what options they have then see if JB have them in stock.

 

[createit]

Congrats cuttsy. I have a 17-56.2 on order that is supposed to come off the line on the 6th of June, so they must be going through close together. We didn't go for the awning, but did get the anti-flap kit and the dealer also told us the he never sells the curved roof rafters on his vans. All the vans I know with larger awnings have these so I am a little unsure, but they are added at the dealership so can always be added.

What is the motion sensor for the fridge whilst traveling that you have added? We have put a 12v cooling fan as an option in the back of the fridge.

 

[dagree]

Hi Dagree.

There is something called an anti flap kit that comes with the annex walls. However when I asked if this includes the 2 bars to support the awning I was told they weren't included but could be purchased for $70 each if we wanted them.my logic tells me that we should get them but dealer wouldn't have even mentioned them if we hadn't asked.

Sunblocker sounds like what we'd use... Will have to speak to dealer about that.

Due to come offline at jayco 4 th June.. Hoping to get pretty soon after but dealer won't give us a date until they have picked it up.

Missed this post @Cuttsy888 ... I would recommend at least one roof bar as they stop water from pooling on the awing roof.
As for the shadecloth screens look for the sunbuster brand http://www.sunbuster.net.au/ .. found them to be the best for non see through.

 

[Cuttsy888]

Congrats cuttsy. I have a 17-56.2 on order that is supposed to come off the line on the 6th of June, so they must be going through close together. We didn't go for the awning, but did get the anti-flap kit and the dealer also told us the he never sells the curved roof rafters on his vans. All the vans I know with larger awnings have these so I am a little unsure, but they are added at the dealership so can always be added.

What is the motion sensor for the fridge whilst traveling that you have added? We have put a 12v cooling fan as an option in the back of the fridge.

Hi Createit. Are you waiting as impatiently as us? Is this your 1st Expanda like us? Has your dealer given you an indication of when you can actually pick it up?

Sounds like your salesperson has same opinion as ours but I agree with @degree that when raining they will be necessary. We were told $70 each and will add them at delivery.

The fridge motion sensor is also added by dealer (Page Bros in Seaford) and when running off the car during travel the fridge will only run when the car is moving to stop it flattening the car battery. We were concerned about it not being good for the fridge to be constantly cutting in and out but asked around and this seemed to be the best option as apparently the 150l fridge will flatten a car battery fairly quickly.

 

[Dandy]

Hi all
Thanks for all of your awesome ideas! I discovered this forum while researching Expandas and it has really helped us make decisions on which extras to get on our 17.56-1 due for delivery in June....the wait since initially ordered in Feb has been painful but finally signed off on floor plan this week!!

We have had a Swan camper for the last 5 years but felt we weren't using it enough because it was just a bit too much set up for a weekend getaway. So we made the decision to upgrade with the plan to use it much more. Already planning a 3 week trip early next year on top of our usual camper trips and many short weekend getaways.

It rapidly became very expensive with all the extras and the need for a new car. Decided to change the sv6 sportswagon for an AWD Territory to give us the extra towing capacity!

After many changes the extras we settled on are full annex with fly screens and extra door on back, battery, 12v, extra internal tv point, external tv point, extra gas bottle, 3 extra power points, gas boyonet, picnic table, stereo with external speakers, extra external power point, Alko ESC, jockey wheel in centre of a frame, fridge motion sensor for traveling....think that's it. We will always be in caravan parks so didn't see need for hot water, shower, etc and had to draw the line somewhere.

When we finally get it my husband is going to put shelving in both wardrobes as he did in the swan, a pull out pantry next to the hot plate and I'm hoping for a pull out bin.

We we're unsure on whether to get annex as aren't planning on using it much. We have 2 kids (9 and 6years) and told my husband everything needs to fit in the van as I'm not spending those $$ and setting up wardrobes in an annex. Do you use annex much?

And what about shade cloth sides? We haven't ordered them but they look good.

Also dealer doesn't recommend bars to support awning, are they necessary?

What TVs are best? Are the Sphere ones that are made for caravans more durable or are we better putting the $$ into a better quality tv?

Does anyone have issues with water leaking into bed ends on the new ones?

Thanks again for all your ideas and help. I can't wait to be able to post our own pictures.

Hi @Cuttsy888 nice to meet another newbie!

We took delivery of our 17.56.1 OB a few days before Easter and went through the same dilemma over annexe etc. We ended up getting our Panda through Page brothers who packaged a TEBBS annexe. The anti flap kit comes as part of the annexe and we specified the rafters. On delivery the awning had been pre marked to the correct positioning for the annexe walls then we spent a few hours fiddling with the perfect positioning of the roller and marking accordingly. Now we feel we can set up in a few minutes and have a very stable awning with good water run off and more confidence in the wind (after a friend had their awning blow away in a strong wind).

One thing we discovered is a ladder is an essential accessory, especially for the outback, as you will need to reach the top of the awning! We also ordered the extra window and door and found that they hadn't been done when we first unpacked the annexe! No big deal as I work in Dandenong and could drop it in to be done, would have been much more of a problem if we weren't local!

Otherwise we have been very happy with our Panda so far. You will love the lightness an feeling of space withe the skylight and LEDS. The kids love the bunks and have their own table. It is a quantum leap from our old camper.

We are also investigating the TV and going through the same process.

 

[Pace]

Gday and welcome. Pace.

 

[Cuttsy888]

Missed this post @Cuttsy888 ... I would recommend at least one roof bar as they stop water from pooling on the awing roof.
As for the shadecloth screens look for the sunbuster brand http://www.sunbuster.net.au/ .. found them to be the best for non see through.

Have you ever tried the Cgear screens to know how they compare to the Sunbuster? Also do you need the anti flap kit to have an end shade screen on?
We are actually thinking of canceling the full annex order and just getting the side and 1 end screen. We only set up the annex on the Swan because we had wardrobes and kids toys in it, never sat in there. With the Panda we won't need wardrobes etc so thinking the money could be better spent.
We are definitely going to get 2 support bars for the awning roof.

 

[Cuttsy888]

Hi @Cuttsy888 nice to meet another newbie!

We took delivery of our 17.56.1 OB a few days before Easter and went through the same dilemma over annexe etc. We ended up getting our Panda through Page brothers who packaged a TEBBS annexe. The anti flap kit comes as part of the annexe and we specified the rafters. On delivery the awning had been pre marked to the correct positioning for the annexe walls then we spent a few hours fiddling with the perfect positioning of the roller and marking accordingly. Now we feel we can set up in a few minutes and have a very stable awning with good water run off and more confidence in the wind (after a friend had their awning blow away in a strong wind).

One thing we discovered is a ladder is an essential accessory, especially for the outback, as you will need to reach the top of the awning! We also ordered the extra window and door and found that they hadn't been done when we first unpacked the annexe! No big deal as I work in Dandenong and could drop it in to be done, would have been much more of a problem if we weren't local!

Otherwise we have been very happy with our Panda so far. You will love the lightness an feeling of space withe the skylight and LEDS. The kids love the bunks and have their own table. It is a quantum leap from our old camper.

We are also investigating the TV and going through the same process.

Hi Dandy. When did you order to get yours at Easter? Do you have any warranty issues?
Ours isn't the outback but is also coming from Page Bros. We were in there yesterday discussing the annex and had another sit in one as we just can't wait. Kids are so excited about it. The 9 yr old has claimed the top bunk and the 6 year old is happy with having a double bed to himself.
Myself, I can't wait for the ease of packing, setting up and packing up compared to our Swan camper.
We have pretty much decided to just get the shade cloth end and side as I mentioned in above post but are getting 2 support bars for the awning. Did your Page Bros sales person recommend them? As ours didn't?
The tv is a dilemma. We wanted to get a Panasonic one but they don't seem to make one small enough. JB Hifi have a few around the 21" size that are 12v compatible and they say just go to Jaycar to buy the lead but I've read a few things that say it's not that straightforward. Or we just buy the Sphere one that is made for vans and comes with 12v lead. Final option would be to forget the 12v as we are unlikely to use it. I'm going to ring Jaycar in the morning and see what they say.

 

[DRW]

Hi @Cuttsy888 when you go looking for a TV you will have to tell the sales people they are 12 volt even at Dick Smiths and JB, they both said sorry we don't have any 12 volt TV's until I pointed them out????
Great to see another 17 as well, cheers

 

[dagree]

Have you ever tried the Cgear screens to know how they compare to the Sunbuster? Also do you need the anti flap kit to have an end shade screen on?
We are actually thinking of canceling the full annex order and just getting the side and 1 end screen. We only set up the annex on the Swan because we had wardrobes and kids toys in it, never sat in there. With the Panda we won't need wardrobes etc so thinking the money could be better spent.
We are definitely going to get 2 support bars for the awning roof.

Haven't tried the Cgear screens so can't help there.
Have only used the new van once and setup with the sunbuster screens along with the anti-flap kit and roof bars. On previous van we used the anti-flap straps even if the awning was open without having annex or screen walls fitted.

 

[Bonners]

Welcome @Cuttsy888 , for a compact ladder, checkout squeezebox ladders http://www.txp.com.au/shop/home.php?cat=289,

 

[Dandy]

Hi Dandy. When did you order to get yours at Easter? Do you have any warranty issues?
Ours isn't the outback but is also coming from Page Bros. We were in there yesterday discussing the annex and had another sit in one as we just can't wait. Kids are so excited about it. The 9 yr old has claimed the top bunk and the 6 year old is happy with having a double bed to himself.
Myself, I can't wait for the ease of packing, setting up and packing up compared to our Swan camper.
We have pretty much decided to just get the shade cloth end and side as I mentioned in above post but are getting 2 support bars for the awning. Did your Page Bros sales person recommend them? As ours didn't?
The tv is a dilemma. We wanted to get a Panasonic one but they don't seem to make one small enough. JB Hifi have a few around the 21" size that are 12v compatible and they say just go to Jaycar to buy the lead but I've read a few things that say it's not that straightforward. Or we just buy the Sphere one that is made for vans and comes with 12v lead. Final option would be to forget the 12v as we are unlikely to use it. I'm going to ring Jaycar in the morning and see what they say.

@Cuttsy888 we were looking for a few months towards the end of last year then started looking again in January at the run out sale. We ended up getting the 2014 model with all the upgrades for not much more. Apparently there were still a few places left on the march production run so we grabbed one. They can check the Jayco schedule before the order goes in. Our wait was about 8 weeks but the important part was we got the Panda before Easter.

So far we haven't had a major drama for a warranty claim. The hand over seemed to be over very quickly but we ended spending a couple of hours. Our girls were wrapt with the bunks too. Once we used it a few times our 7yo worked out that she could set herself up in a private cubby by closing the curtains on the rear bed. The other little surprise was the "nightlight" setting on the LED lights. We did the same thing and went to see them at the caravan show because we hadn't actually seen the 2014 model or even a brochure! And we slept in it the first night!

The rafters were suggested by a few different people including the TEBBS guys but I think they are pretty used to people ignoring the advice. The jayco staff weren't too fussed although I didn't specify them as part of the original quote (which we bundled the annexe) so each dealer could quote on their standard set up then we added them later.

We will probably just go for the largest screen size we can get with 12v. We have a couple of little DVD players for the car so they will come in handy for the times when we are free camping with the kids.

 

[Flanders]

@Cuttsy888 , G'day. We also upgraded from a Swan. My experience with the awning has been to use a de-flapper kit and peg down the awning poles. On our 1/2 lap we ran into some very windy conditions and had very few issues. I believe the support bars would help, but just another thing to carry, store and put up. I've never had issues with water pooling, you just need to make sure the awning is tight (have a look at the prestige jayco videos on youtube about setting up the awning, I'm sure whoever you purchase your van from will also show you this in handover).

We also considered getting an annex, but thought we would try shade screens and they have been great, they also help to stabilise the awning and hold it down. Another piece of advice is to get a decent floor mat (C-Gear are great). Because you now have all the extra room in the Panda, extra storage is not so much of an issue. If I store things outside (engel, weber, bikes), I use some security cables do deter theft. So my advice would be to try these first, a lot less expensive than an annex, especially if you are not planning to use it much. You could always add an annex in the future, if you find the need.

TV-Kogan 12 volt. Cheap, light, work well, uses bugger all power (LED model), sound is a bit "tinny", but you're camping, who cares!

I've only had the bed ends leak once, in very heavy, driving rain. We have the Prestige bed-fly's which I believe are a bit thicker than the jayco ones. I've considered getting the full canvas bed ends (lot's of threads in the forums about these).

Happy Camping!