Longevity of Jayco Expanda's

[Newcastle Knight]

Hi all, new member here. I am just in the process of buying a new Expander. I have had a Jayco Swan OB CT fro the past three years.

I am impressed with the price and inclusions of the Jayco in comparison to other brands. I do wonder however, about the longevity of the fibreglass panels. This purchase needs to stay with us for the next 10 plus years and I was wondering what people think about the longevity of these vans.

Thanks

NK

 

[kolega]

Me Too, we have a 2011 which we will be selling and buying an Expanda, my Only problem is that we cand decide if we het the 16 or 17" unit. I like the look and extra size of teh 17 but a bit concerned with the extra Weight and once loaded how my Prado will cope with 2 ton. Which Expand are you getting and any particular reason?

K

 

[Newcastle Knight]

G'day, we are getting the 16ft without shower and toilet and have changed the lay out a bit. No particular reason.

 

[mfexpanda]

We had the 2005 expanda which was the first year with smooth fibreglass, in the expanda range, and sold it last year the fibreglass was still as good as new .

 

[Bank of Dad]

I like the look and extra size of teh 17 but a bit concerned with the extra Weight and once loaded how my Prado will cope with 2 ton.

We tow with the Petrol Prado and it is fine. 14l/100k without van, no difference when we had Eagle but 17-18 now with 17.56-2.

Performs OK. On the flat is fine 90-100kmh, small inclines no probs, but proper climbs like the S/E freeway out of ADL, was 2nd gear 40-50kmh all the way to the top. Mind you with the Eagle it was 3rd gear 60-70 kmh so all things considered not bad. Diesel would be better of course but given that the Prado is only towing 2-3,000 km out of 10-12,000km /year, well it might have to wait a bit!

If you have a manual, watch the clutch - you really need a heavy duty one to tow a van with a Prado (straight from Toyota's mouth!). I use Low range diff lock to position it on site and this helps heaps.

 

[kolega]

Thanks Mate, very usful response...

D

 

[Kimmyb]

Hi, we have a 2008 Outback Expanda and only purchased the van in September 2011. When we did purchase it, we stayed the night next to a 2010 Outback Expanda and the owner asked us if our van was brand new!!! The previous owners would have to take credit for keeping the van so well - I believe they are like a car, they need to be washed and polished (much to my husbands delight NOT). We too tow with a Petrol Patrol, it's a little slow when climbing (like the Black Spur here in Victoria), but otherwise we haven't noticed any difference from our old Jayco Swan (except the electric brakes are a dream compared to our old van that had hydraulic ones). We have two children, aged 4 and nearly 7, so we picked the 16-49-1, if you have more than three kids I think you need the layout with bunks. No shower or toilet for us, takes up too much space in the van plus I have daughters and they seem to want to take everything!! My only criteria was a big fridge (150 litre), which we have. Good luck.

 

[cruza driver]

:welcome: NK :wave: I have polished mine 3 or 4 times since getting it 13 months ago and it does make washing it a lot easier as any bugs or even tree sap washes off easily. So far I haven't had any issues with the fibreglass. The only thing is the exposed fibreglass on the front needs to be protected.

 

[Alan]

Ours is 18 months old ( 10000km ) and good as new. I did polish it when before i used it and as was said it makes washing it easier.

 

[Newcastle Knight]

What do you guys use to polish it, product that is.

 

[mfexpanda]

Jayco gives you these with the new van