Expanda 14.44-4 Outback

[Berg]

Hello All,

New to the forum, however been following for a while.

We owned a 2007 Flamingo, but we sold that to purchase the 2011 Hawk, WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS! The Hawk camper has to go, and we have decided on a new Expanda 14.44-4 Outback.

Our tow vehicle is a 2012 NW Pajero DiD VRX.

Currently the options that we have picked are as follows:
12v 19" Sphere LCD TV with the built in DVD player
CD AM/FM stereo
Auxiliary battery provision (we have not bothered with abattery , for we will purchase a Outback THUMPER pack)
Innerspring Mattress to front bed
External speakers
12v pump for tap
Air conditioning
Carefree roll out awning
Annex walls
Privacy screen

Mark.

 

[expanda]

Gday Mark, welcome to the forum and oh the humble hawk how fun it can be ....

Couple of things I would add personally -

1) Gas bayonets on the outside of the van. This allows you plug your BBQ into the van rather than having a bottle being dragged around.

2) Not sure if you need it but the boss in the family mandates that any van we own has to have hot water for dish washing.

There is probably a few others but for now that would be the first things I would chuck on the list!

 

[chartrock]

Wow Berg, a 91" TV should just about take up your bed space. :fear: Just joking, I'm sure you meant 19" but it proves we do read your posts.

I think your list covers it pretty well especially if you add Expanda's suggestions. I would fit a battery, not necessarily by Jayco for cost reasons, but if they fit it, the weight of it is included in your Tare weight. Hooking up a Thumper each time you stop for the night would become a real pain.

Do you plan on solar power as it might be wise to have the van wired up for it as well.

Anyway, welcome to the forum and enjoy the new van. It's good to have another 14 footer with us.

 

[BUSH PALACE]

WOW what a big screen you have youll be the envy of every camp ground thats if your into tv !
solar option is a good idea anyway WELCOME and enjoy this site im sure you will

 

[Berg]

Hi,

Jayco is going to fit a battery provision, which includes wiring to trickle charge the Thumper battery.

I would leave the Thumper in the van on most occassions, but it does allow me to remove it for use when I go bush camping with the Swag and WAECO fridge.
The Thumper would also give me some extra insurance if I ever need to jump start the tow vehicle.

At this point in time I do not have any plans to have solar, but if I ever did, I would take the van to Home of 12v located at Mount Barker in SA.
They have been of great help in the past.

 

[Berg]

Thank you about the Gas bayonets, I have contacted Jayco and they are going to fit it.
Question:
Where did you mount the gas bayonet on your van?

Gday Mark, welcome to the forum and oh the humble hawk how fun it can be ....

Couple of things I would add personally -

1) Gas bayonets on the outside of the van. This allows you plug your BBQ into the van rather than having a bottle being dragged around.

2) Not sure if you need it but the boss in the family mandates that any van we own has to have hot water for dish washing.

There is probably a few others but for now that would be the first things I would chuck on the list!

 

[expanda]

The bayonets where fitted by the factory at each end of the van front and back on the awning side.

This allowed me to plugin at the front or rear depending on the site layout.

The factory had them a little way from the corner but there was some reason I think it was regulations but all in all they worked well as I just had a 3m gas hose attached to the Weber.

 

[Bank of Dad]

I agree 100% with Expanda.

Used to cart extra bottles but had the bayonets fitted front and rear and purchased a 3m hose and it is the business! Cost was $103 for the 1st one and $90 for the 2nd - No brainer!

Personally I'd just fit the Battery - they are heavy so if it is done at the factory it will be included in your tare and won't eat into the payload which if memory serves, in a single axle none toilet van is 300kg.

 

[Berg]

Hi,

Thank you for the advise on the battery about being included into the paylaod.
I'm going to Jayco this Saturday, I will have a think about it between now and then and make a decision to have the 100amp battery factory fitted.

Thanks

Berg

 

[Jim and Tab]

gday berg
welcome to the forum its a great place.
can we ask what was the problem with the hawk.
cheers jim-tab and diamond

 

[Berg]

Hi,
I have had enough of the setting up and packing up, I want to be able to stop when ever I like on trips and just open the door and make a coffee, lunch or have a rest.
The stove and sink is about two inch's lower then the old Flamingo camper, which puts strain on by back.
Able to have the fridge running without van having to be set up.
Being able to walk into the van at any given time of the day to get/ put something away.
Able to carry two bikes on the back of the van instead of standing on a coke crate to lift your bikes onto the roof.
Internal cupboards are not very good when storing stuff, especially the one under the sink.
Heating, cooling, wind and noise.


Or maybe I'm just getting old!

gday berg
welcome to the forum its a great place.
can we ask what was the problem with the hawk.
cheers jim-tab and diamond

 

[boots33]

Hi Mark
We have the larger fridge option, which makes the wife very happy. It does put the microwave down below the oven though. Not a problem for us as we seldom use it. You might like to add the rear bike rack also.

 

[Berg]

Hi,

Do you remember how much extra you payed for the larger fridge?
We have selected the rear bike rack option, thanks.

Have you had any issues with your van?

Hi Mark
We have the larger fridge option, which makes the wife very happy. It does put the microwave down below the oven though. Not a problem for us as we seldom use it. You might like to add the rear bike rack also.

 

[Bank of Dad]

In the 17.56-2 the upgrade from 90 to 150 ltr fridge last year was $893 from memory.

I can say that with 2 adults and 2 kids it has been worth it.

Will probably help with re-sale too?

 

[Moto Moto]

This brings back memories, trying to decide on options.

Berg i also have a 75AH Thumper in my car, i've had it for about 4-5 yrs now. Personally if i was you i would opt for a normal battery and keep the thumper in the car as a backup if required. My Thumper is struggling to hold charge now so i am up for either getting it re-packed or getting a whole new dual battery system:doh:

Plus as other have stated a factory one is added to your TARE. Don't forget to ask for a payload upgrade. This model runs on a 2T axle, way more than was stamped on my plate, so i asked and got a new compliance plate with and additional 75kg payload for nothing:whoo: It all adds up pretty quick.

On the micorwave topic when we ordered our van we asked to have the microwave removed, it was missed on the order and in the end we are glad we got it. Don't use it all the time but we found it useful in winter when we mostly use powered sites. Great for heating up some pre-made frozen dinners.

PS we don't miss our Hawk at all. All the reasons you listed for upgrading are well worth it!

 

[Berg]

Hi Moto,

Thanks for the advice, we are going to go with a 100ah battery for the van.
Like yourself, we will have a back up battery (Thumper), I will buy the battery from Home of 12volt
They are the ones that actually manufacture the Thumper packs. They are located at Mount Barker South Australia.

We ordered our van today, delivery should be late May, we can't wait.

My daughter has already shot gunned the top bunk.

We still haven't seen the 14.44-4 OB in the flesh yet, but there is a Caravan Camping Show in Adelaide later this month, and we have been told that there is going to be one on display.

I going to take plenty of pictures, and start planning where everything is going to be stored.

Once again thanks for your advice.

Q: Is there any thing that you wished you had optioned on your van?

 

[linrod]

think about a few extra power points if kids are involved. I have four kids and we are waiting on delivery of our new17.56.1 OB, I had extra power points put in under the second dinette for ipods, dvd players etc, and also i got an extra 12v point.
Bigger fridge is a must and for ease of set up and pull down go for the quick release drop down jacks.
Cheers :yo:

 

[cruza driver]

G'day Berg and welcome, the 14' is a great size van I've taken a look inside them down at our local Jayco and was impressed.

How long is the wait?

 

[Berg]

Hi, and thanks for the advice, our Outback model comes standard with the drop down jacks.
We decided on keeping the standard fridge, for we really like where the microwave is located.
Regarding the extra power points and 12v auxillary plugs. Just before our van goes into production, our Jayco dealer has arranged for us to return to do our final confirmation, on this day Jayco will be able to show us where everthing is going to be loacted, and if we are not happy we can move things at no extra cost to our liking, and for additional cost we can add more plugs EG: Auxillary battery, power points, 12v plugs, lights, stero, speakers etc etc...
So we are waiting for this day before we add more plugs.

Best of luck with your neew van

think about a few extra power points if kids are involved. I have four kids and we are waiting on delivery of our new17.56.1 OB, I had extra power points put in under the second dinette for ipods, dvd players etc, and also i got an extra 12v point.
Bigger fridge is a must and for ease of set up and pull down go for the quick release drop down jacks.
Cheers :yo:

 

[boots33]

Hi Moto,



Q: Is there any thing that you wished you had optioned on your van?

If you plan on doing a lot of off grid camping you might want to get the pre wired for solar option.