Jayco Expanda

Don't know a thing about those vans but I do know enough about the "sale guys" not to trust them and you would be well advised to get the true and correct information from other owners (which you should no doubt get from here).

Good luck with your search for the true answers to your questions.
Regards, Trevor.

ColR,

I had a canvas type camper for years out in the bush, however it wasn't a Jayco. But canvas neverthless. I now have a 12 foot Supreme Getaway Offroad caravan. I would never go back to canvas.

I found it to be hot when the sun was on it and I couldn't have an afternoon kip in it. When it got wet it was freezing inside due to the "Coolgardie Safe" effect. I'm too old these days to be putting up with canvas and it's flappin' in the wind. Plus all that pulling out bed ends with brackets and stuff. I'd never go back to it.

I looked at the Jayco offroad range and after listening to the number of people that had complaints about 'em, I decided against buying one. These weren't just minor complaints, these were things falling apart after being fixed 2 & 3 times.

I've lost count of the number of Jayco's that I've been with in the bush where the wind-up mechanism has fallen apart - one of 'em was brand new. Another, older model cost around $2,000.00 to repair the winder as half the van internals had to be removed to get at it it.

Jayco do sell a lot of vans and that's maybe why the complaint ratio is so high, but,,,,,,,,,,

Bilbo

Hello ColR

Some readers of this collumn will confuse the Expanda with the Jayco windup campervans ; it is a normal caravan with beds that extend under canvas similar to the campervans . Bilbo's comments reference the canvas bits apply , except of course , the Expanda has air conditioning .

The first reaction for many would be that the Expanda combines the disadvantages of the canvas extensions with the disadvantages of towing a full size [ 16ft ] caravan . The idea behind the Expanda is that you get giant floor space and beds for 6 , plus good furnishings and cupboards , in a rellatively small caravan . It is a compromise , but one which will appeal to many .

The reverse cycle airconditioning is the key . I wouln't worry too much about the weather proofing , of all the problems with canvas ended campers , water ingress rarely gets a mention . For camping away from parks you will need a good generator for the airconditioner .

Some readers will criticize a commitment to generators and aircon , but for those who wish to camp in extreme conditions , why not ?

G'Day Col,

We own the same Expanda as you propose and in a nutshell we love it. The big advantage (as already stated) is you are towing an 18' van, but with the living space of a 28' van! We do have the flys (as do most Expanda owners) and have had it in driving rain with no leaks.

There is a forum especially for Expanda owners, would be owners and interested readers at

Site Link

There are plenty of photos, tips and discussion about all things to do with Expandas!

Ian

We have an Expanda and also love it. It is the 3rd van we've had, 1 eagle wind up, 1 Westport pop top and then this one. This is a compromise between the two and has the best bits of both. We have a small van for towing, a large van when set up, access to the van during the day on the road, comfort with A/C, Microwave, etc. and uninteruppted floor space when some occupants are in bed and quick set up (one and a half minutes if I leave it hooked up to the vehicle and that's with the awning set up, 3 minutes with the vehicle off).

As for the beds, they are not as comfortable as the one at home but we still get a good nights sleep. As for Jaycos falling apart well there ave been issues with this although not in my case. The original Eagle had the stupid door set up fail but I fixed that. Jayco have about 60% of the market so they wil have more faults than others just by sheer volume. They do have an extensive dealer network and a 2 year warranty so any fault can be repaired almost anywhere around Australia.

The weatherprofness of the ends has not been a problem. We camped on the South Coast of NSW and it rained for a few days full on. We got a little wet on the last day due to touching the canvas sides while sleeping but that's part of camping. I am a little lazy and only use the end flys if I am staying somewhere for a while or if it is rain or hot.

The expanda is a great van for families. I looked at them for a while before the change over and know I made the correct decision. It has been to some remote places and I have had no problems. How you tow is more important than where you tow.

Thanks to those who responded, and thanks for the link.
Still pondering.....but you have helped.
Col

mate what can i say, have a real good look at the Windsor rapid. Brother had one of the jayco expanda's, after going away together and being able to compare side by side for two weeks he came back and sold it and ordered a rapid.
some things to think about, we took no more than three minutes to set up each bed, where he had to erect the flies on his to have close to the same comfort.
we did not have canvas flapping in high wind, he did.
our canvas did not get wet because the solid roof part shelted the canvas but his did because of the design of the canvas roofing
we do not get heat in the day time over the beds (solid insulated roof) he did.
we can put our beds up (if for some reason the canvas gets wet) without touching our bedding, he can't.
our pack up time was about three to four minutes where he had to role his flies up first before packing up.I could go on more but have a good look at both before you buy.

the off-road rapid cost about $34000 but out of the two this was the van for us, and thats what choice is all about and why there is so many different builders and designs.