18' Series First Trip in our new OB ExpandaExpanda

[Lozza T]

Hi all. Our 1st family trip in our new van went really well.
Destination - Wilson's Promotory Tidal River.
Here are a few pics...

Quick stop to stretch the legs...


Kids getting involved in set up.

I decided to fill the tanks upon arrival at The Prom as I was concerned about weight and also pushing the Triton.
As it turns out the Triton handled the trip reasonably well.


Nice camp spot with a view of Mt Oberon.


Beautiful Tidal River


Norman Beach


Picked up the new Aussie Traveller Annex 3 days before we left.
1st time erection took about 2 hours. Didn't take a small step ladder which made it tricky erecting the Anti flap bars on our OB.
I am sure its will be much quicker next time.

.
I have a question regarding the annex floor. The floor I have is larger than the size of the annex, which means I have to penetrate the floor to tie the walls down. Is that the norm? Or should I have a floor that is the exact size of the annex?


Really happy with the Storm Covers to the bed ends. We had a few strong wind days and we were very comfortable at night.
It was so good to be in a stable van and annex while listening to peg tinkering of all the tent sites...



Young fella learnt to surf....
All the kids had a ball!


All packed up and ready to go.
Now to plan the next trip. Thinking Lakes Entrance way.

 

[dagree]

Good to hear the maiden trip went well and even better seeing the little ones helping (Make the most of it because when they get older they disappear straight away looking for friends)

I have a question regarding the annex floor. The floor I have is larger than the size of the annex, which means I have to penetrate the floor to tie the walls down. Is that the norm? Or should I have a floor that is the exact size of the annex?

Our mat is just slightly larger than the annexe and we use the ladder straps? supplied with the annexe and peg them down along the edge. A couple of times I had to knock a peg through it but didn't seem to do any damage.

Didn't take a small step ladder which made it tricky erecting the Anti flap bars on our OB.

Thanks to @bigcol I ended up getting a platform step instead of stretching while on the small step ladder...... Doubles as a BBQ stand once the van is setup as the legs are adjustable

 

[bigcol]

Thanks to @bigcol I ended up getting a platform step instead of stretching while on the small step ladder...... Doubles as a BBQ stand once the van is setup as the legs are adjustable

awe shucks

good bit of kit that platform, easy to setup
easy to climb up and down, very stable

and, as @dagree said, the Weber sits on it once setup

mucho betterer than a wobbly step ladder

 

[Marv_mart]

Good to hear the maiden trip went well and even better seeing the little ones helping (Make the most of it because when they get older they disappear straight away looking for friends)


Our mat is just slightly larger than the annexe and we use the ladder straps? supplied with the annexe and peg them down along the edge. A couple of times I had to knock a peg through it but didn't seem to do any damage.
View attachment 47499


Thanks to @bigcol I ended up getting a platform step instead of stretching while on the small step ladder...... Doubles as a BBQ stand once the van is setup as the legs are adjustable
View attachment 47500

We use a folding collapsible ladder like this one but just the 4 step version. Very compact and steady.

We also have a single step stool for SWMBO as the OB first step can sometimes be a big step depending on how the van has been leveled. The step is stored in the door well when traveling, the ladder easily slides in the van front boot in its own canvas bag. Can post where we bought the ladder from if needed. Marv

 

[bigcol]

I like the idea of a folding Ladder

just (having fallen off so many over the years) I'm not a fan of Ladders themselves

but to be fair, it was never the ladders fault - just some large knob trying to climb onto roofs to clean gutters

 

[Paul75]

G'day Lozza, looks like a great camp site. Do you know what number it was?

Cheers.

 

[Lozza T]

G'day Lozza, looks like a great camp site. Do you know what number it was?

Cheers.

Site 446.
It was a good site. Surrounded by greenery and not too close to other campers which made it very relaxing.
Well, as relaxing it can be with 3 little rascalls under 8 years old

 

[Dobbie]

Looks good....how did the Rugrats cope with the luxurious camping?

 

[Lozza T]

Rugrats had nothing to complain about. Beside being in a kids paradise with Tidal River and Normans surf beach just a few steps away, the van was very comfortable! There was plenty of food in the 180L van fridge and the new Waeco 50L (used as a freezer to store pre-made vegie beef mince, chicken fillets, sausages, bread etc) so no one went hungry. Had enough to last the 2 weeks which eliminated the need for a 2 hour return trip into town. And most of all, they had dad around 24/7 carrying their beach toys back and forth!
Kids did not want to go home after 2 weeks which was obviously a good sign they loved it.