FYI I'm a new member - have never owned a caravan before, but am planning "the big lap" with the family next year.
We just ordered our 17.58-3 OB - not arriving until October/November - but that's ok as we have nowhere to store it at the moment! Have been looking at Expandas along with other brands - had our heart set on the Expanda 14.44.4 but got lazy and decided we could not bother to make our bed every day
(yes - we'll pay for that by using more fuel with a heavier van!) - also there is not much storage in that van. We have two young kids, so the bunks suit us perfectly - it is a bit surprising how few vans have bunks. After we moved off the Expanda we had our heart set on the Starcraft 17.58.1 - but then my wife and I argued about who would take the kids to the toilet during the night (and as the person who slept on the outside edge of the bed I knew it would be me!) - so we went for the shower/toilet model. I can't see us using the shower at all except perhaps to clean off the kids feet before they hop into bed (last time we went camping they were like feral children...). Does anyone use the showers next to the toilets - the idea does not thrill me?
Anyway - we got the following options:
- Upgraded fridge (N504)
- In-roof air conditioning (Aventa)
- Door outside the lower bunk to access the storage from the outside
- TV arm (Kogan.com has a cheap TV with DVD player for caravans - seems much better than the Jayco one)
- Control panel (for battery and water tanks)
- Supply and fit electronic brakes and 12 pin plug on the car
- Wind-up aerial
I paid $41K for this. Not sure if this is a good price as I am a virgin in the caravan game!
I have heard stories on uneven tyre wear on the vans with the new suspension - so will get the wheels aligned soon after we pick it up (or ask Jayco to make sure it comes aligned!). Also I've been reading about unprotected pipes under the vans being damaged - so will look to protect them - and check it is fully water and dust-proofed. Anything else I should be planning on doing when I get the van to make sure it is in good working order?
Am thinking of putting a reverse camera on the back of the van too - has anyone done that (I assume there is a forum on the topic?). Am keen to know which are the better solutions there.
We just ordered our 17.58-3 OB - not arriving until October/November - but that's ok as we have nowhere to store it at the moment! Have been looking at Expandas along with other brands - had our heart set on the Expanda 14.44.4 but got lazy and decided we could not bother to make our bed every day
(yes - we'll pay for that by using more fuel with a heavier van!) - also there is not much storage in that van. We have two young kids, so the bunks suit us perfectly - it is a bit surprising how few vans have bunks. After we moved off the Expanda we had our heart set on the Starcraft 17.58.1 - but then my wife and I argued about who would take the kids to the toilet during the night (and as the person who slept on the outside edge of the bed I knew it would be me!) - so we went for the shower/toilet model. I can't see us using the shower at all except perhaps to clean off the kids feet before they hop into bed (last time we went camping they were like feral children...). Does anyone use the showers next to the toilets - the idea does not thrill me?Anyway - we got the following options:
- Upgraded fridge (N504)
- In-roof air conditioning (Aventa)
- Door outside the lower bunk to access the storage from the outside
- TV arm (Kogan.com has a cheap TV with DVD player for caravans - seems much better than the Jayco one)
- Control panel (for battery and water tanks)
- Supply and fit electronic brakes and 12 pin plug on the car
- Wind-up aerial
I paid $41K for this. Not sure if this is a good price as I am a virgin in the caravan game!
I have heard stories on uneven tyre wear on the vans with the new suspension - so will get the wheels aligned soon after we pick it up (or ask Jayco to make sure it comes aligned!). Also I've been reading about unprotected pipes under the vans being damaged - so will look to protect them - and check it is fully water and dust-proofed. Anything else I should be planning on doing when I get the van to make sure it is in good working order?
Am thinking of putting a reverse camera on the back of the van too - has anyone done that (I assume there is a forum on the topic?). Am keen to know which are the better solutions there.
