Which Expanda 16" or 17"

[kolega]

Hi Folks, we are putting our brand new Outback Swan on teh market in order to buy a new Expanda but cant decide if we want the 16 or 17 with toilet and Shower.. There are 4 of us (2 adults and 2 late teen kids) so the 17 look ssomewhat more appealing in terms of the extra space etc, however I also like the 16" as it seems much lighter.. Any advice you may have in helping me decide between a 15" Single axle and 17" tandem Expanda would be appreciated...

Kolega

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Hard Decision We went the 16 pure and simply because it had the layout that we wanted , but it was cheaper, lighter and should have less wear on the Tyres than a dual axle 17 , But a 17 would have more room ,more pay load and a dual axle is nice & steady to tow, So I've probably been no help at all. Best to go to the dealers and have a look at a few and choose what suits what you want to do with it. We also have two kids 12 and 13 and they will be camping in their Oztent 30 second tents or on the odd occasion where we have an overnight stop one can have an end and the other can sleep on the converted dinette.

 

[Jim and Tab]

just our opinion
we have 4 kids 22-21-18-11 we have noticed as the teens get older there not interested in camping with mum and dad.when we bought our expanda(16-49-3)
that was a huge investment for us we thought about whats it going to be like in a cpl of years time.we liked the 17 but couldnt justify the extra money when theres really only 3 of us using it all the time
at times a cpl of the older kids come along but usually the 18yo daughter so `penny(18) and diamond(11) share the queen bed.
there has been once when ashley(21 yo son) penny and diamond came away.penny just slept on the couch.
1 foot really isnt that much bigger to us it might be if your a young family with a couple of young children that will be using the van for years to come.
but for us it wasnt worth the extra $ layout.we bought annexe walls so worst case if the all come along sleeping bags in the annexe
you say you have late teen kids they wont want to come along all the time.
the first and best thing we noticed with the 16 footer the first time we went away.it was raining hard and we didnt have the annexe then so it was out side under the awning untill the rain got to heavy so we all went inside.there was tab and my self diamond and her friend.it was time for dinner so tab was cooking and i was doing the dishes.the girls were all excited and playing between the 2 beds and the lounge and we didnt run into each other .plenty of room(unlike the eagle).
just a cpl of weeks ago we were away with another cpl and the 3 of us.it got really cold so we sat inside listening to music and a few drinks no problem room wise.
our sugestion is think of what your needs are now and in the near future. and what you plan to use your van for when the kids dont come away any more.
cheers jim-tab and diamond

 

[stuartcarr2002]

Go the 16. We all know the 16 is the superior expanda

 

[Pace]

we too have gone from a swan to expanda 17ft, for us it was shower/toilet,additional area for movement, payload increase due second axle,towing stability and must say what luxury it is (from the swan) especially having the 4 kids (3 boys 11,9 and 8 then her majesity 4). all personal perference, though what sold us from 16ft to 17ft is that we all sat in it at the dealer for while (a long while!), and imagined/ done what we'd do as we were away to see how we'd all cope. ok, you can't swing a cat around (to use a pun), though once you see all the packing options, your eyes just light up. we've just returned from our annual 2 week summer break and we never use all the space to pack (don't worry though,the minister for war and finance filled it for the trip back home) thanks dear you do so much for us.

 

[simond]

We have just signed today for the 17.56.2 O/B
We have had the second dinette replaced with more cupboards & another robe.
We went for the 17 for the dual axles for smoother towing, along with slightly more room.
We took others advise & shopped around for price.

 

[mfexpanda]

Go the 16. We all know the 16 is the superior expanda

x 2 we wouldn,t lie to you !!! :smokin:

 

[chartrock]

x 2 we wouldn,t lie to you !!! :smokin:

Tru th? ound: