We started our Big Lap from Perth on 1st July and ran into a problem on 2nd July. After leaving Billabong Roadhouse after a good o/nighter we came to a detour about 30+ klm up the road. There was a detour which was in horrific condition. We crawled along at 20klm ph dodging around huge potholes and rocks. Nearing the end I hit a big rock on the right hand caravan wheel while missing others. We stopped back on the highway and inspected to see if any visual damage and found none. On arriving at Wooramel Roadhouse for lunch I noticed that the Right hand Van tyre was completely devoid of any tread on the inside while having plenty on the outside thus realized it was tracking off line. The van has indipendant suspension so the rock had created too much "toe out". Put on the brand new spare and took off to Canarvan to get things looked at. 37 klm from town the right van tyre delaminated and the whole tread flew off. With no spare we drove on at 30/35 klm per hour. Luckily we made it to the Tyrepower shop. Checking and verifying that the new tyres were not at fault it was left to the suspension being offline. I was told I was not the first to have tyre/suspension trouble at that Detour and was instructed to report it to MRD. After talking to the big gun there they (MRD) will cover all my expenses such as new tryes and suspension repairs. I just have to produce the receipts. The one place in town that can do the repairs cant do it until Monday 6th. We have traveled across the Nulabour and all around SA and Vic last year with no hiccups.
Hope this is the first and last one.
Aus-Kiwi said
01:31 AM Jul 5, 2015
Seems like dramah at the time .. Hopefully a few weeks time you'll look back and only be slight hiccup ?
Hope repaires work out fine Be joining you shortly ..
Radar said
01:36 AM Jul 5, 2015
Hoping for a good out come.
Not a good way to start a trip. May things get better.
enjoy the experience.
kiwijims said
03:30 AM Jul 5, 2015
It's great to hear that MRD will foot the repair bill, If I was you, I'd be keeping a copy of all expenses that you forward to the MRD,
There are some Gov't Depts that have a habit of loosing paper work and saying they never received it, lets hope the rest of the big lap trip goes like a dream for you.
K.J.
Dougwe said
08:02 AM Jul 5, 2015
Welcome to the gang Largeone, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Far from a good experience for sure. I hope all gets sorted ASAP for you and continue your journey hastle free from here on.
Just as well it was not here in Townsville as it is a long weekend due to the Townsville Show. They always seem to have holidays up here in the tropics Most inconvenient for us southerners
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 5th of July 2015 10:41:15 AM
Ontos45 said
10:34 AM Jul 5, 2015
That's because we Northerners are layed back and not time driven like you Mexicans.
Phil C said
10:36 AM Jul 5, 2015
Welcome Largeone, looks like you have had your glitch for this trip. At least the MRD are going to pay for the issues.
As Dougwe has said "enjoy the playground"
Cheers
Largeone said
10:07 PM Jul 10, 2015
All fixed and on the road again. Had to stay 3 extra days and tried to get MRD to pay for the accommodation also but no go. It was worth a try. We are in Broome and booked in for 4 days R/R. Fantastic trip so far except for the first hiccup. The roads are chockablock with caravans and campers and most heading south. Sort out our fishing gear. Cant wait until eating fresh caught ocean fish.
Cheers
LO
Wizardofoz said
08:50 AM Jul 11, 2015
Ontos45 wrote:
That's because we Northerners are layed back and not time driven like you Mexicans.
That's why you are deep potty slush, too much playtime!
We started our Big Lap from Perth on 1st July and ran into a problem on 2nd July. After leaving Billabong Roadhouse after a good o/nighter we came to a detour about 30+ klm up the road. There was a detour which was in horrific condition. We crawled along at 20klm ph dodging around huge potholes and rocks. Nearing the end I hit a big rock on the right hand caravan wheel while missing others. We stopped back on the highway and inspected to see if any visual damage and found none. On arriving at Wooramel Roadhouse for lunch I noticed that the Right hand Van tyre was completely devoid of any tread on the inside while having plenty on the outside thus realized it was tracking off line. The van has indipendant suspension so the rock had created too much "toe out". Put on the brand new spare and took off to Canarvan to get things looked at. 37 klm from town the right van tyre delaminated and the whole tread flew off. With no spare we drove on at 30/35 klm per hour. Luckily we made it to the Tyrepower shop. Checking and verifying that the new tyres were not at fault it was left to the suspension being offline. I was told I was not the first to have tyre/suspension trouble at that Detour and was instructed to report it to MRD. After talking to the big gun there they (MRD) will cover all my expenses such as new tryes and suspension repairs. I just have to produce the receipts. The one place in town that can do the repairs cant do it until Monday 6th. We have traveled across the Nulabour and all around SA and Vic last year with no hiccups.
Hope this is the first and last one.
Hope repaires work out fine Be joining you shortly ..
Hoping for a good out come.
Not a good way to start a trip. May things get better.
enjoy the experience.
It's great to hear that MRD will foot the repair bill, If I was you, I'd be keeping a copy of all expenses that you forward to the MRD,
There are some Gov't Depts that have a habit of loosing paper work and saying they never received it, lets hope the rest of the big lap trip goes like a dream for you.
K.J.
Welcome to the gang Largeone, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Most inconvenient for us southerners 
Far from a good experience for sure. I hope all gets sorted ASAP for you and continue your journey hastle free from here on.
Just as well it was not here in Townsville as it is a long weekend due to the Townsville Show. They always seem to have holidays up here in the tropics
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 5th of July 2015 10:41:15 AM
That's because we Northerners are layed back and not time driven like you Mexicans.
As Dougwe has said "enjoy the playground"
Cheers
Cheers
LO
That's why you are deep potty slush, too much playtime!