Sounds great.
South Australia is awesome for caravanning 
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No, it doesn’t have one fitted, but I have heard about the issue. I keep a close check on the temperature when towing. So far the temperature has not got much over 50% so I haven’t even thought about getting one fitted.
Apparently it weirdly affects the ambient temp display, people see that number creeping up real high.
My uncle got quoted about $700 to add one to his ranger.
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The ranger does have trailer sway control as standard, but I’m thinking of adding it to the van as well. Any thoughts?
We had it on our van. I’m not sure if it ever came on though tbh. The Expanda was pretty stable. But it doesn’t catch as much wind as a full size van.
I’d speak to a pro and see if having both is beneficial or would there be any issues using both. I’m not entirely sure how the Ranger one works.
You’ll hear this a million times, but it really pays off to get your set up weighed properly when fully loaded. Not just a weigh bridge. They do everything, including your individual axle weight, ball weight and if the height is right. Plus they give you great tips for packing. I was pretty OCD about it. I had everything listed as it went in and what it weighed so wasn’t too much shuffling. But it’s great peace of mind.
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I have heard that the additional trailer Sway control that you add to the van works a little better than the Ranger because it works on each wheel where is the Ranger? Put the brakes on both at the same time.
It depends which model you get.
I don’t have one fitted to my current van, but my recollection is that the ALKO ESC does all wheels at once, but the Dexter and Lippert do one side or the other depending on what it senses is needed.
If I was to fit one it wouldn’t be the ALKO - partly for that reason and also because you are supposed to unplug them when driving on corrugations.
The Dexter just puts it’s self in standby mode when you drive on corrugations.
I don’t know how what the Ranger has already has compares to having it onboard the van sorry.
Just getting into the idea of a van. entry level , just 2 of us, not really going off road or off grid. Just camp grounds . I was looking at something cheap like a used jayco swift, thinking I could get a up to 10year old for around 12 to 15k isk, even have seem some up around 2018 for 17 ish k
A met a person with a van and they reckon the pull out beds are a pain, so I thought about a penguin, have seen those up to around 2018 and up for 20 to 23k
Then I saw this. There is a van expo where i live nest week and will check this out.
I might still consider a 5 year old penguin as I like the idea of everything being inside and it being a bit bigger at 14ft
bit this looks pretty sweet for 25 k
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There is also an off road version of this with higher ground clearance more solar and a batwing awning and enclosed annexx option for 37k, still very good value
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It is worth going to one of these just to suss out options. It’s on this weekend in Melbourne.
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Haha, isn’t it amazing how the budget keeps creeping 
It’s a story all too familiar - I too suffer that issue.
There’s always something tempting you to spend just that little bit more.
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yeah lol . I think I’m more likely than not to go for a used penguin or similar . easy setup someone already has over spent on extras . I reckon I’ll get a decent one for a max of 25k
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It’s a pretty good time to buy if you’re after a 2nd hand one. It’s a buyers market atm.
As always, it’s right when I’m trying to sell mine.
Yep, sold mine 3 weeks ago for way unders, get a very tidy van right now for 25K.
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On that note, I’m not sure what the Blitz policy is on selling stuff, but if anyone is in the market for a 2023 Jayco Expanda. Hit me up.
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wondering what the brains trust here thinks of camper trailer for a first timer.
looking at this a s really cheap entry level . the one I’m looking at is MDC explorer forward fold hard floor . brand new near enough to 20 k
I actually spotted a 2018 version that seems the same setup and with a fridge freezer for 10 k. what appeals to me about this is the price obviously . but also the space and what it comes with . full Annex king size bed U shaped inside the van pop up table eating area that can also be a double bed .
because I’m in Qld , I think the rent thing as far as cold goes isn’t an issue for at least 6 months or the year
they claim the canvas is water proof and it seems pretty heavy duty
it’s also full off road even though o don’t have a 4wd. I have an older for ute that could get to most campsites that are not 4wd only with no drama.
I’m thinking at 10 k I’m getting something that packs away small which is definalty a big deal for me and fully set up would be quite big with the fully enclosable Annex
so do any of you have pros or cons for this ?
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Mostly pros.
Lightweight - great for fuel economy and won’t catch the wind.
Price of course.
Mobility.
Cons
Set up time. Could be tedious if you’re planning on moving on every couple of days.
Heating/cooling will lack the creature comforts that bigger vans have.
At that price, you could give it a run and see how you go. It sounds like fun.
The camp trailers are a great idea, and I’ve had quite a few mates that have had them, but it is the Setup time that inevitably ends up having them upgrade to a regular van.
Only takes a couple of trips in a row where you get to the campsite and it’s ■■■■■■■ rain and you start thinking about a pop top. And after you’ve had a pop up for awhile, you eventually start thinking about a full size van.
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From someone who’s never had one, I reckon the most painful part would be packing up wet then having to fold out again at home to dry it out.
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