Jayco Expanda Hard Lid

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One problem families getting into the caravan lifestyle face is finding a van that's light to tow, yet large enough to accommodate more than two people. A solution is to choose a caravan with expandable ends, which add considerably to the internal space without adding to the towing length.

The expandable ends, however, often have canvas ceilings that may be vulnerable in inclement weather. Enter the Jayco Expanda Hard Lid pop-top, a compact van with expandable ends, each with a hard roof. And herein lies the principal point of difference between the HL and previous Expandas - the bed-ends of previous Expandas had canvas roof covers. The HL still has the canvas, but also hard lids that shield the bed-ends from rain, without the fuss of owners having to fit a separate fly.

David Carrick, proprietor of Jayco Sydney, was keen to get CW into the first Expanda HL off the production line and arranged an opportunity soon after the van's debut at the NSW Supershow.

The Expanda offers a financial benefit for families on tight budgets (the price as reviewed is $34,361) and the pop-top design brings with it a number of assets. Its low profile makes it a good towing prospect, as do its external length - 16ft 1in (4.89m) - and ATM (1692kg).

Indeed, we felt our Jeep Cherokee tow vehicle was overkill, as the Expanda is well within the towing capacity of many sedans and mid-sized vehicles.

QUICK AS A FLASH
Some prospective buyers of pop-tops worry about the set-up time, but in the case of the Expanda, it's minimal. After parking, the pop-top roof clips are released and, at each end, the external doors/bedroom roofs are lifted up and the mattress bases are lowered down. The attached canvas walls simply stretch out with the bed base.

Once that's done, it's a matter of stepping inside, lifting the roof and flattening out the mattress at each end. With the mattresses in position, the canvas-stretching end frames are pushed into position. In fact, the whole operation doesn't take much longer than we've taken to describe it!

A benefit of this style of pop-top caravan is that, unlike rising roof campers, it can be used easily for roadside meal breaks without fuss.

Jayco has used its standard construction with the new Expanda. This includes a hot dipped galvanized chassis, aluminium tube/bonded fibreglass walls, a Camec security door and Camec hopper windows. The canvas extension walls have simple insect screened windows with zipped canvas flaps.

The gusset between the roof and walls also has similar window coverings made from vinyl. The hard wall windows are standard acrylic hoppers with screens and blinds.

It's not feasible to get a front boot into a caravan of this style, so Jayco has opted for a front tunnel boot. This provides enough space for all manner of camping gear, such as tables, chairs and hoses.

ROOM ON THE INSIDE
Like slide-outs in larger caravans and motorhomes, it's interesting to observe just how much internal space (both perceived and actual) that fold-out sections can add to a caravan's layout. In the case of the Expanda, the towed length of 16ft 1in converts to a living area of 24ft (7.3m).

The interior layout features a front lounge/dining area, with the kitchen mostly occupying the rear. There are several variations on this layout, one with extra bunks and two others with a bathroom cubicle.

The power system comprises 240V powerpoints and 12V incandescent lighting.

They might look the same size, but the beds have slightly different widths - both mattresses are 6ft 2in (1.9m) in length, but the front one at 4ft 11in (1.5m) is a couple of inches wider than the rear bed. Bed ceiling height is a minimum of 2ft 5in (74cm). Although they weren't fitted to our review van, there are a couple of lights on extension leads that can be used in the bedroom ends.

The dining/lounge arrangement seats a family of four, has a swivelling table and, for added flexibility, an extra lounging area in the form of an L-shaped seat on the offside.

Under the seats are the usual storage areas, accessible via the ply timber seat bases. There is also a drawer on the end of the nearside seat.

Part of the offside seat area is occupied by the air-conditioner unit and the 240/12V power supply.

A problem with pop-top vans is their design does not always allow the very useful overhead locker space to be built in. However, Jayco has fitted in low-height lockers around the top of the solid walls. They're small but will prove useful for all kinds of items.

FAMILY KITCHEN
In a caravan designed for a family, the challenge is to build in a practical kitchen with reasonable benchtop area and storage space. In the Expanda, the kitchen occupies most of the rear area with benches on both sides - the nearside one having the cooktop and grill, the offside one having the sink, fridge and microwave. To make use of space, the sink/drainer is set at an angle, thereby increasing the cupboard area underneath.

Above the sink and fridge, the overhead locker space is occupied on one side by the air-conditioner outlet and on the other by the microwave - the lower height of the walls meaning that the latter is set at a user-friendly height.

On the opposite side, the cooktop is surrounded by cupboards and drawers, including at the rear end by a two-door wardrobe. So although the Expanda might be small, there really isn't a shortage of storage space.

THE BOTTOM LINE
It's not hard to figure out who the Expanda HL will appeal to - families, couples with a smaller tow vehicle or anyone who prefers a light, ‘off the ground' camper with a few home comforts. Easy to set up, it's good for the constant traveller or those who like to sit still for a few weeks.

Jayco Sydney, 63-67 Glossop Street, St Marys, NSW 2760, (02) 9623 1971, www.jaycosydney.com.au

For more information, including your nearest dealer, visit www.jayco.com.au