Well we went away for the weekend to mount Alexander Koala park not far from Bendigo on Friday left Home about 8:20 am dirt roads from the farm were rather muddy and as I stopped to check my rain gauge on one of my blocks on the way and spotted water leaking out of the hose from the tank to the pump, ok so a stone must have hit it, well that's ok only two nights wont matter too much if we run out of water, it's only a small leak anyway, so keep going, got out on the black top get up to 90 k and the steering wheel starts shaking like , s.. well you know, too much mud inside the rim so slow trip for 50 k to Sea Lake to wash the wheels, pulled up at the servo only to be told to go to the RV park and wash them ok no probs off we go, find hose and all.
OK all good now let's go, about 15 k later there is this scraping sound coming from the van, stop for a look, and what do I see but the belly strap around the water tank has let go, broken screw ok get a stone and a big stick to lift it up get a rope and tie up the tank and a bit of fence wire to tie up the strap, ring a freind back in Sealake yep all good so off to his workshop and fix the problem strap, beauty lets go.
So, about an hour down the road allmost at Charlton and what the heck there's that same scraping sound ":&;' not again stop, yep the darn strap where it had previously dragged on the road for a bit as I stopped, had worn enough that it cracked and broke, on the phone rang son who's brother in law is a welder and lives in Charlton, great timong he is at his shed working and can fix it for us, so tie up the tank again with rope and wire and off we go, get to workshop and fixed, bloody ripper, of we go again amongst grumbling about going on or not, no debate we are still going, well Finaly we got there at 3:20 pm, Beer OClock 8 hours for a 4 hour trip, things come in threes that's three AND we survived, so let's hope it's all good from here, ok so I got some work to ( Whops sorry Doug ) do on the van before the next trip, but that's ok I'll be in my own workshop and not under the stressed out watchful eye of swmbo, phew .
Woody
rayaroundoz said
11:57 PM Oct 2, 2016
As they say Woody, its not about the destination but the journey getting there. An adventure in itself.
I'm heading out on my maiden voyage in 2 weeks. Hope it's uneventful.
CC Bear said
08:17 AM Oct 3, 2016
Glad I was not the only one this weekend. Glad you enjoyed the rest of the journey. Cheers
Radar said
08:49 AM Oct 3, 2016
I bet you would be great to travel with. Enjoy.
Dougwe said
09:04 AM Oct 3, 2016
What an experience, Woody. One I would not rather experience myself really. Good to read you got home safe and better still, got away for a couple of days.
Rayaroundoz, your idea of "An adventure in itself" is a lot different to my sort of adventure, mate
madaboutled said
09:36 AM Oct 3, 2016
Can relate, this year we've named "the year of the fix". before leaving home we replaced the fridge, had the rear springs re-set and the engine serviced/tuned. Then it seems for every 200 K's we travelled something needed to be fixed or replaced and in parts alone we've injected over 9 grand into the local ecconomies. The upside is on the mechanical side we've just about replaced everything including the engine and front suspension. So we should have some trouble free motoring for some time to come. The downside is in the last 2 weeks we've just started to experience some issues on the house side of the motorhome and have so far replaced our solar controller, house batteries and repaired the flowjet water pump which needed the pressure switch overhauled and some seals replaced.
Oh well its only money and you can't take it with you, so we'll push on and just enjoy the adventure!.
Tony Bev said
01:11 PM Oct 3, 2016
Hello Woody n Sue
Sorry to hear about your problems, but at least they were in an area where some family help was available
It will be something to tell your grandchildren in the years to come
Keep enjoying yourself
Cupie said
03:47 PM Oct 3, 2016
Fencing wire is one of the most valuable spare parts when on the road. I always carry a small coil & practice my Cobb & Co hitch. In the old days I have been known to borrow a bit of wire off a nearby fence. Chewing gum & plumbers tape come in second I think.
My poor old 1999 Jayco is starting to get to the age where plastic fittings are breaking. On a recent trip down the road to Broadbeach I foolishly had a go at a fine spray leak from the water inlet. Gave it a gentle'ish' twist/shake & ping went the fitting & I got a soaking. Fortunately I recalled a spare part place that was just up the road & was able to get the $5 John Guest fitting - what luck - just before the shop shut on Friday afternoon.
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 3rd of October 2016 03:49:51 PM
LLD said
05:47 PM Oct 3, 2016
100mph tape & cable ties are a must in a repair kit.
Aus-Kiwi said
07:55 PM Oct 3, 2016
Tie down straps , Velcro, double sided tape and sikoflex . Cable ties , self tappers . Always come in handy ..
Woody n Sue said
01:21 PM Oct 4, 2016
As a further update when I washed it all down on Monday found the battery lead to the rear battery on the patrol had come adrift luckily it didn't earth out on the chassis , that would have been very interesting , phew
Well we went away for the weekend to mount Alexander Koala park not far from Bendigo on Friday left Home about 8:20 am dirt roads from the farm were rather muddy and as I stopped to check my rain gauge on one of my blocks on the way and spotted water leaking out of the hose from the tank to the pump, ok so a stone must have hit it, well that's ok only two nights wont matter too much if we run out of water, it's only a small leak anyway, so keep going, got out on the black top get up to 90 k and the steering wheel starts shaking like , s.. well you know, too much mud inside the rim so slow trip for 50 k to Sea Lake to wash the wheels, pulled up at the servo only to be told to go to the RV park and wash them ok no probs off we go, find hose and all.
OK all good now let's go, about 15 k later there is this scraping sound coming from the van, stop for a look, and what do I see but the belly strap around the water tank has let go, broken screw ok get a stone and a big stick to lift it up get a rope and tie up the tank and a bit of fence wire to tie up the strap, ring a freind back in Sealake yep all good so off to his workshop and fix the problem strap, beauty lets go.
So, about an hour down the road allmost at Charlton and what the heck there's that same scraping sound ":&;' not again stop, yep the darn strap where it had previously dragged on the road for a bit as I stopped, had worn enough that it cracked and broke, on the phone rang son who's brother in law is a welder and lives in Charlton, great timong he is at his shed working and can fix it for us, so tie up the tank again with rope and wire and off we go, get to workshop and fixed, bloody ripper, of we go again amongst grumbling about going on or not, no debate we are still going, well Finaly we got there at 3:20 pm, Beer OClock 8 hours for a 4 hour trip, things come in threes that's three AND we survived, so let's hope it's all good from here, ok so I got some work to ( Whops sorry Doug ) do on the van before the next trip, but that's ok I'll be in my own workshop and not under the stressed out watchful eye of swmbo, phew .
Woody
I'm heading out on my maiden voyage in 2 weeks. Hope it's uneventful.
I bet you would be great to travel with. Enjoy.
What an experience, Woody. One I would not rather experience myself really. Good to read you got home safe and better still, got away for a couple of days.
Rayaroundoz, your idea of "An adventure in itself" is a lot different to my sort of adventure, mate
Can relate, this year we've named "the year of the fix". before leaving home we replaced the fridge, had the rear springs re-set and the engine serviced/tuned. Then it seems for every 200 K's we travelled something needed to be fixed or replaced and in parts alone we've injected over 9 grand into the local ecconomies. The upside is on the mechanical side we've just about replaced everything including the engine and front suspension. So we should have some trouble free motoring for some time to come. The downside is in the last 2 weeks we've just started to experience some issues on the house side of the motorhome and have so far replaced our solar controller, house batteries and repaired the flowjet water pump which needed the pressure switch overhauled and some seals replaced.
Oh well its only money and you can't take it with you, so we'll push on and just enjoy the adventure!.
Hello Woody n Sue
Sorry to hear about your problems, but at least they were in an area where some family help was available
It will be something to tell your grandchildren in the years to come
Keep enjoying yourself
Fencing wire is one of the most valuable spare parts when on the road. I always carry a small coil & practice my Cobb & Co hitch. In the old days I have been known to borrow a bit of wire off a nearby fence. Chewing gum & plumbers tape come in second I think.
Won't fix blown engines though Steve.
My poor old 1999 Jayco is starting to get to the age where plastic fittings are breaking. On a recent trip down the road to Broadbeach I foolishly had a go at a fine spray leak from the water inlet. Gave it a gentle'ish' twist/shake & ping went the fitting & I got a soaking. Fortunately I recalled a spare part place that was just up the road & was able to get the $5 John Guest fitting - what luck - just before the shop shut on Friday afternoon.
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 3rd of October 2016 03:49:51 PM
Woody