Which Jayco Expanda?

Hi Troy The Webber would have to be the bets BBQ on the market. Everything you can cook in the oven can be done in the webber. So you have got everthing you need the Expanda and the Webber.

Troy. Thanks for the comments, wish i was travelling around Oz but maybe one day. I also use the baby webber q and love it. Especially good for oysters kilpatrick on the beach! Have showed my wife the comments and am swaying towards this model.

Travel safe.

Hi Dieselonly The 16.49.3 looks like a good layout. I see they have a B option with the Cafe lounge, this would be a good option as you wound'nt have to climb around the table to get into bed.

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I have to agree with Bill, look at a Rapid! see the differance in quality you will get your money back when it's time to sell and upgrade.

Cheers.

I agree also the windsor is a better built van BUT after just upgrading we found they were also dearer and have less cupboard space inside, shower and toilet was smaller and from memory they are only double beds both ends. So we went for a Jayco expanda outback and have fixed up small things ourselves. At the end of the day it is how you treat them when travelling.

After 20,000+ kms in nearly two years my 16-49-3 Outback Expanda HL is still performing faultlessly. Nothing fallen off or broken and everything works. This is my second Jayco and I'll certainly look at another when the times comes to change.
Still seeing the older style expandas selling S/H for not a lot less than I paid for my brand new one, so it would seem that they are holding their value well.

Hi we have had a 2006 windsor rapid 441 offroad for 12 months and love it. Upgraded from an older version jayco eagle and the setup time saving is amazing. With 2 girls 7 & 9 we didn't go the expanda due to finish levels and for price on the second hand market could not get hard lid expanda. Rapid had a better layout,but I would suggest you test the bed length if over 180cm(6ft) as wife and I are 6'2" and we use the table folded to extend the bed length instead of sleeping across the van as intended. Everyone has preferences but we found the rapid storage great after camper trailer and storage spot designed for porta loo meant you only had to go to shower block once a day for shower. The toilet shower models add at least 100-150kg for the extra weight of water to cart around, do you intend to do that much free camping? I would have gone that way if we had money to buy new. Off for 3 months in May so will know more after that.
In 2010 we helped a couple with a 2009 hard lid expanda who had a wheel seperate from the van near balina on their trip!!!

The Jayco is a great product, they have excellent warranty and back up through nation wide dealers. Yes we had some minor issues under warranty but we did not have any issues with getting the issues fixed.

I know of other people that have purchased other manufacturers and have had issues and even arguments on getting warranty claims fixed.

If you subject any van to extreem conditions, off road, speed, weather, exsessive weight etc you will have maintenance issues. Look after it and maintenace it will last.

Bill, thanks for your comments. My wife really likes the Jayco but i will look at these models that you suggested. Thanks for that. What problems do you know happen with the Jayco Expanda as it seems some people say that there are troubles but i have not found anyone who can tell me what they are. Do the other brands have the same problems? Obviously this is a very big purchase for us so want to get it right and not have to update for a long time.
Thanks.

Diesel,
The problems with Jayco have been mentioned. Quality control and several trips back to the dealer. If you have owned a van before you should know what to look for when you pick it up. Secondhand, you still have to look carefully.
Look at several layouts to see which give the best wide access to the beds.
Measure the headroom in the bed area. Expando look to be small. Measure the bed width if you are tall. I am 5'7" and have no problem in the Windsor.
Get the Outback version if you can afford it as they usually have a better suspension standard. Otherwise you will need to sit the springs on top of the axle rather than underneath. this gives a height increase of 100mm. You need this on the road models as they can drag their bottom in and out of driveways.
Look at how the rear bed door seals as this is where the red dust comes in. My Windsor had the addition of sticky back foam strip that seals now about 95%. Paramount look like they have a better solution. Look carefully.
Your choice will be a compromise, whichever model you go for. The trick is to have only a few compromises!!
One thing confuses me, in your post and others, is this 'fear' of sending children to the shower block in a caravan park. Most children, mine included, go with a parent, uo until a fairly old age. Can't see a problem there. Even toileting will have a parent. At some stage, children need to go out on their own and solve life's problems; including the 'fear' of being on their own. This is why they need to go to school on their own. After a lot of practice, they get good at it and are happy with their image and place in the world.
Putting ideas of 'bad' people lurking everywhere is not a sensible option when bringing up children.
Sorry, to preach but I see too much of 'helicopter' parents and dependent children.
Good luck with your caravan search. The Expanda bed concept is the way to go. Oh yes, I have seen a Coromal 'expanda' to day in Perth. They look as big in the beds as a Windsor.

Christian. Thanks for your comments and links, it is a real help. Definitely thinking of the shower model now. Resale value on Jayco is definitely high, so high i would prefer to pay the little extra and buy a new one. I am prepared to buy second hand as long as hard lid but although people are not selling them, they wont reduce the price. It is a major concern of my wife's with the 2 girls and them going to the toilet block themselves. As they are only young this will be a problem for a long time in the future for us.

Thanks again.