not a good start to our 2-3 month caravaning experience
Vernleanne said
05:25 PM May 1, 2017
Well we left Adelaide just over 3 weeks ago for our trip up north then across to the Cairns make our way to Nowra the slowly home.
Well got as far as Pt Wakefield received a devastating phone call and turned the rig around and headed home.
Again today we connected up the van and headed of once again.
About 60ks North of Pt Wakefield we pulled over to stretch our legs and let the dogs have a run. Missus went into the van and came out and informed me that the water pump is not working, After some investigating I found we have had a electrical fire in the front boot which was evident by the smell and the blackened wires. So we turned around once again and head home. This time we dropped the van of at repair yard and hopefully in a few days will have it back.
So I am hoping it will be "3rd time lucky" when we finally get to start and finish our road trip with little or preferably NO more issues.
Being a New grey nomad should not be this hard surely ??
msg said
05:38 PM May 1, 2017
Sorry to hear of your troubles.
Just think on the bright side. You may have ended up towing a flaming ball of fire. Yes, things don't go right all the time, but they do most of the time. Look after your fur babies they are precious.
mixo said
06:16 PM May 1, 2017
Well, our first outing we took in our new caravan(2A 3CH), it started pouring rain for 2 days that we were in Albury. Then when we got to sheepyard flat the son decided to go for a bike ride and break his hand. 4 hours in Mansfield and the 1 day in Wangaratta to set his hand in place. The bush docs in Wanga where great. We extended our stay for 1 more day as the son wanted to stay on more...these kids you just can't get them down!
Anyway looking forward to our next adventure..
Mixo
Kebbin said
06:18 PM May 1, 2017
I would change direction and have the van exorcised, that's enough to drive you to DRINK,if you make it out of the state let us know, seriously don't give up, get out there and have a great time!
-- Edited by Kebbin on Monday 1st of May 2017 06:20:14 PM
Linzeelou said
06:59 PM May 1, 2017
The things that go wrong are always the most memorable. Trust me you will laugh about them later. I have made some great friends and had some crazy experiences when things have gone wrong. Good luck with it all and hang onto your sense of humour.
moamajohn said
07:04 PM May 1, 2017
Our first trip in the new van in 2013 I did $5000 damage to the van on a fence railing and had to get a chain saw to remove a 6 inch log out of the ensuite wall! Things happen but you deal with them and move on. Vans as good as new and we have a good laugh at happy hour
-- Edited by moamajohn on Monday 1st of May 2017 07:05:54 PM
Desert Dweller said
07:12 PM May 1, 2017
Hope things improve for you soon. We've found that the more you travel around the more things can go wrong. Enjoy the trouble free times.
Tony Bev said
08:47 PM May 1, 2017
I am not an Electrician
But....
I found we have had a electrical fire in the front boot which was evident by the smell and the blackened wires This should not have happened, with all things being equal, the fuse/s should have blown, long before the insulation got hot enough to melt
I sincerely hope that this was the last of your problems, and that you enjoy your road trip, when the repairs are completed
As Tony said, fuses and/or circuit breakers should have prevented any cables from overheating. Once the repairs have been done I'd be taking the van to an autoelectrician for a check, just to be sure and to get some peace of mind. Thankfully the problem occurred reasonably close to home, and it didn't end as drastically as it could have. Here's hoping you've used up all of your bad luck.
Cheers
Joe
meetoo said
01:39 AM May 2, 2017
Desert Dweller wrote:
Hope things improve for you soon. We've found that the more you travel around the more things can go wrong. Enjoy the trouble free times.
I have found the opposite. The more I travel, the less things go wrong. Maybe it's the case of that you eventually get most everything sorted out over time.
--------------------------
Verneleanne, Quote - Being a New grey nomad should not be this hard surely ??
You are right. But, sometimes s**t happens, especially around caravans . Just work through it and enjoy your trips.
Cheers, John.
Kisha said
07:50 PM May 2, 2017
I'm so glad you kept your home, as you have seen through your experience how good it was to have your home to go to when something unexpected arises. I am sure you will both be on the road to adventure before you know it. Happy travels to you both.....Kisha
Vernleanne said
08:11 AM May 3, 2017
Thank you everyone for your comments.
We had a update on the van and it appears to be a back feed of power down the earth wiring from the Anderson Plug on the van side. The earth had burnt out on the Gas hot water system, this was found yesterday and fixed in the Arvo. The van has been tested and all appears now to be how it should be. We are now just waiting on a gas certificate and should have the van back home today ( Wed 3rd). Plan to begin our trip on the Thursday. ( AGAIN)
Thankyou All
aussie_paul said
12:31 PM May 3, 2017
Vernleanne wrote:
Thank you everyone for your comments.
We had a update on the van and it appears to be a back feed of power down the earth wiring from the Anderson Plug on the van side. The earth had burnt out on the Gas hot water system, this was found yesterday and fixed in the Arvo. The van has been tested and all appears now to be how it should be. We are now just waiting on a gas certificate and should have the van back home today ( Wed 3rd). Plan to begin our trip on the Thursday. ( AGAIN)
Well we left Adelaide just over 3 weeks ago for our trip up north then across to the Cairns make our way to Nowra the slowly home.
Well got as far as Pt Wakefield received a devastating phone call and turned the rig around and headed home.
Again today we connected up the van and headed of once again.
About 60ks North of Pt Wakefield we pulled over to stretch our legs and let the dogs have a run. Missus went into the van and came out and informed me that the water pump is not working, After some investigating I found we have had a electrical fire in the front boot which was evident by the smell and the blackened wires. So we turned around once again and head home. This time we dropped the van of at repair yard and hopefully in a few days will have it back.
So I am hoping it will be "3rd time lucky" when we finally get to start and finish our road trip with little or preferably NO more issues.
Being a New grey nomad should not be this hard surely ??
Just think on the bright side. You may have ended up towing a flaming ball of fire. Yes, things don't go right all the time, but they do most of the time. Look after your fur babies they are precious.
Anyway looking forward to our next adventure..
Mixo
I would change direction and have the van exorcised, that's enough to drive you to DRINK,if you make it out of the state let us know, seriously don't give up, get out there and have a great time!
-- Edited by Kebbin on Monday 1st of May 2017 06:20:14 PM
Our first trip in the new van in 2013 I did $5000 damage to the van on a fence railing and had to get a chain saw to remove a 6 inch log out of the ensuite wall! Things happen but you deal with them and move on. Vans as good as new and we have a good laugh at happy hour
-- Edited by moamajohn on Monday 1st of May 2017 07:05:54 PM
I am not an Electrician
But....
This should not have happened, with all things being equal, the fuse/s should have blown, long before the insulation got hot enough to melt
I sincerely hope that this was the last of your problems, and that you enjoy your road trip, when the repairs are completed
Cheers
Joe
I have found the opposite. The more I travel, the less things go wrong. Maybe it's the case of that you eventually get most everything sorted out over time.
--------------------------
Verneleanne, Quote - Being a New grey nomad should not be this hard surely ??
You are right. But, sometimes s**t happens, especially around caravans . Just work through it and enjoy your trips.
Cheers, John.
I'm so glad you kept your home, as you have seen through your experience how good it was to have your home to go to when something unexpected arises. I am sure you will both be on the road to adventure before you know it. Happy travels to you both.....Kisha
Thank you everyone for your comments.
We had a update on the van and it appears to be a back feed of power down the earth wiring from the Anderson Plug on the van side. The earth had burnt out on the Gas hot water system, this was found yesterday and fixed in the Arvo. The van has been tested and all appears now to be how it should be. We are now just waiting on a gas certificate and should have the van back home today ( Wed 3rd). Plan to begin our trip on the Thursday. ( AGAIN)
Thankyou All
Hang in there and enjoy the journey.
Aussie Paul.