After I needed a lot on advice on our car (full story can be read here) it's time to introduce to you our Expanda.
It's a 17.56.2 Outback, year model 2010
It has always been clear to us that we want an Expanda, love the concept. So no doubt on that.
But being a complete greenhorn to the Jayco environment, I do question some of their design decisions as well as I believe not all engineers are campers or have spend even a night in their product.
Maybe you can offer me again your advise on various "discoveries" we have made so far living in our Expanda for the past 4 weeks.
Push-Buttons
These are real moody divas! Sometimes they work on the first go, sometimes we give up after minutes of trying to make them do what they were built for.
And half an hour later, one push and it's done.
They also open up while driving. Just by itself.
Any hints and tips to make coexistence with them more enjoyable?
3-A-Fuse for Flush keeps failing
Not the type you get easily at every petrol station, but I do have some spare ones that will be used within a week.
That fuse keeps blowing up. Need to check the pumps wiring … but I know myself … I am not an electrician ;-)
Dining area
The lower parts (upholstery were you sit on) keeps on sliding forward when his sit on.
Quite annoying as that makes the back parts slide down as well and I guess material won't take that for the next 12 months.
Have not figured out yet how Jayco designed them to stay in place. Velcro doesn't work.
Grill (stove)
Let's be honest, that grill underneath the gas stove is a joke!
Its field of working is limited to 1 cm in front and beyond the flames.
How can one possible do a pizza in there!?
Any mods that you can suggest?
LEDs
As battery only lasts 2 days when free camping (see battery) I need to extend that.
Hell, LED are expensive in Australia … especially that JAYCO T10 socket type. Why can't they just use the ones everybody else is using!?
Have you got a good and cheap source for warm whites ones? Online order is nat that easy as we don't have a postal address in Oz.
Tires
Right side of the caravan is run down, the ones at the left side were replaced.
Any recommendations for cheap tires? I was told to go with the model "SAVERO" by
Battery
I believe it has come to its end of life. 2 days of free camping at it's done.
Just had it plugged onto 240V for 48 hours, but after unplugging, the control panel shows just 2 out of 4.
I do have 2 additional batteries in the back of my car, guess it's time to do split them up and have one to ride in the caravan.
Waterpump
Is quite loud, especially when water levels are getting low.
Any ideas to make them a bit more silent?
Watertank
One of our water tank (rear) looses water after being filled up.
Not sure if it got punctured by a stone.
How to fix that?
Fly Mesh (Mozzy screen)
On one of our first days, my little one was curious what would happen if he pokes his fingers through an already existing tiny whole in the mesh.
Will it widen up? Will it make Daddy happy? It didn't!
Believe it or not, but 2 possums have actually managed to break into our caravan.
They have ripped of one of the mozzy screens of the pop-up-section of it's velcro attachment and enjoyed our food at 2:30 in the morning. Wasn't fun chasing them ;-)
Is there an easy fix for holes in screens or can the one on the pop-up-section be easily replaced?
Fridge Door
Unfortunately the door opens up while driving. That "lock" isn't really very much of a help.
Need to squeeze some cushions between cabinet and fridge door while driving.
Any ideas to fix that?
Privacy screens
Found out that they do a good job as an additional "mozzy barrier".
(First nights my kids legs and arms touched the fly screen while sleeping … and mozzies had a feast)
It also acts as a "rain barrier" as it prevents hard rain from touching canvas.
BUT I believe those "metal-push-buttons" for keeping them in place or when stored away won't last for another 12 months.
How to get round replacing them?
Ants
Was already advised to use Ant-Rid and I have met a family that has sprayed all stabilizing legs, the jockey wheel as well as the axles.
Basically anything that touches ground.
What is your preferred method for "ant-free-camping"?
Toilet
Really that expensive stuff or does Aldi's NappySan a good job too?
Cleaning
The Expanda we bought needs a good wash. Previous owner had been quite lazy.
What are your preferred agents (apart from water)? For vinyl, outside shell and canvas?
Mods
What are your favorite mods to gain additional space, racks, shelves, …
I know you guys have been out there camping for years and made some improvements to your mobile homes.
Please share them
Those are some of the issues we came across the past 4 weeks.
Would be great if you could share your experiences and comment on my points.
Any help is more than appreciated!
Cheers!
JLJ
It's a 17.56.2 Outback, year model 2010
It has always been clear to us that we want an Expanda, love the concept. So no doubt on that.
But being a complete greenhorn to the Jayco environment, I do question some of their design decisions as well as I believe not all engineers are campers or have spend even a night in their product.
Maybe you can offer me again your advise on various "discoveries" we have made so far living in our Expanda for the past 4 weeks.
Push-Buttons
These are real moody divas! Sometimes they work on the first go, sometimes we give up after minutes of trying to make them do what they were built for.
And half an hour later, one push and it's done.
They also open up while driving. Just by itself.
Any hints and tips to make coexistence with them more enjoyable?
3-A-Fuse for Flush keeps failing
Not the type you get easily at every petrol station, but I do have some spare ones that will be used within a week.
That fuse keeps blowing up. Need to check the pumps wiring … but I know myself … I am not an electrician ;-)
Dining area
The lower parts (upholstery were you sit on) keeps on sliding forward when his sit on.
Quite annoying as that makes the back parts slide down as well and I guess material won't take that for the next 12 months.
Have not figured out yet how Jayco designed them to stay in place. Velcro doesn't work.
Grill (stove)
Let's be honest, that grill underneath the gas stove is a joke!
Its field of working is limited to 1 cm in front and beyond the flames.
How can one possible do a pizza in there!?
Any mods that you can suggest?
LEDs
As battery only lasts 2 days when free camping (see battery) I need to extend that.
Hell, LED are expensive in Australia … especially that JAYCO T10 socket type. Why can't they just use the ones everybody else is using!?
Have you got a good and cheap source for warm whites ones? Online order is nat that easy as we don't have a postal address in Oz.
Tires
Right side of the caravan is run down, the ones at the left side were replaced.
Any recommendations for cheap tires? I was told to go with the model "SAVERO" by
Battery
I believe it has come to its end of life. 2 days of free camping at it's done.
Just had it plugged onto 240V for 48 hours, but after unplugging, the control panel shows just 2 out of 4.
I do have 2 additional batteries in the back of my car, guess it's time to do split them up and have one to ride in the caravan.
Waterpump
Is quite loud, especially when water levels are getting low.
Any ideas to make them a bit more silent?
Watertank
One of our water tank (rear) looses water after being filled up.
Not sure if it got punctured by a stone.
How to fix that?
Fly Mesh (Mozzy screen)
On one of our first days, my little one was curious what would happen if he pokes his fingers through an already existing tiny whole in the mesh.
Will it widen up? Will it make Daddy happy? It didn't!
Believe it or not, but 2 possums have actually managed to break into our caravan.
They have ripped of one of the mozzy screens of the pop-up-section of it's velcro attachment and enjoyed our food at 2:30 in the morning. Wasn't fun chasing them ;-)
Is there an easy fix for holes in screens or can the one on the pop-up-section be easily replaced?
Fridge Door
Unfortunately the door opens up while driving. That "lock" isn't really very much of a help.
Need to squeeze some cushions between cabinet and fridge door while driving.
Any ideas to fix that?
Privacy screens
Found out that they do a good job as an additional "mozzy barrier".
(First nights my kids legs and arms touched the fly screen while sleeping … and mozzies had a feast)
It also acts as a "rain barrier" as it prevents hard rain from touching canvas.
BUT I believe those "metal-push-buttons" for keeping them in place or when stored away won't last for another 12 months.
How to get round replacing them?
Ants
Was already advised to use Ant-Rid and I have met a family that has sprayed all stabilizing legs, the jockey wheel as well as the axles.
Basically anything that touches ground.
What is your preferred method for "ant-free-camping"?
Toilet
Really that expensive stuff or does Aldi's NappySan a good job too?
Cleaning
The Expanda we bought needs a good wash. Previous owner had been quite lazy.
What are your preferred agents (apart from water)? For vinyl, outside shell and canvas?
Mods
What are your favorite mods to gain additional space, racks, shelves, …
I know you guys have been out there camping for years and made some improvements to your mobile homes.
Please share them
Those are some of the issues we came across the past 4 weeks.
Would be great if you could share your experiences and comment on my points.
Any help is more than appreciated!
Cheers!
JLJ