Things don't always run smoothly

Duh · Guru

Things don't always run smoothly

Radar · Guru

Gooba53 I went to a lot of trouble when I brought my caravan, measured trice yes I knew it was going to be a tight fit though the front gate.

Van is 2450 wide, gate shade under 2950. that going to be easy and with a lot of years (my whole life, resonantly retired) driving semi trailers.

Yes it would fit with care.

Come home with van in tow backed it almost straight into the front yard except almost taking out the opposite neighbors tree with the bullbar of the car.

Our neighborhood streets are not very wide, a little correction there and job done.

Pretty excited we were going bush for the weekend to test the van, have a real fire, bbq, a nice bottle of wine to celebrate, what could go wrong.

Puling out of the driveway the rear bumper bar of the van clipped the gate post. No damage but $2000 landscaping job latter.

It was the rear end sweep of the van and dropping down off the foot path and the last moment wiggle that did the damage, to close for my liking.

Gates at 3700 wide allowing for narrow street rear overhang sweep, concrete pad to park the van on, removal of large scrubs, planting of more.

Most of the work I have done myself but boy is it easy to get the van in and out.

A little time spent now will in the end make it more enjoyable to come home to. Here's to lot more use of your caravan.

-- Edited by Radar on Friday 12th of July 2013 04:55:06 PM

gooba53 · Guru

Tried to get van down the drive. Needed more clearance between the fence and house. went to take gates off, wood all rotten, almost fell apart. There's another job on the list. Enough clearance on sides, proceed with caution. Couldn't clear the veranda height wise. Draw line where to saw beams, proceed to do so. Still not enough clearance. Try to choc roof up a bit. No! Took whole roof off! Another job to do. Got it down drive, too high for the carport that we had already raised to the height we thought would need. No, not enough clearance! Leave van out of carport, think we should cover it. Put one of those blue tarps over it. Wind sprung up, scratched all the paint on the brand new van. Measure carport, cut beams and braced for support. Van fits. Now have to repair the gate, the veranda and try to polish the scratches out if the van!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

It's always good to have something to do while at home base. Makes you appreciate the playground more when you are in that.

GaryKelly · Guru

You've not had a good day, Gooba. Makes mine look pretty good though.

mongrel · Guru

Stay positive Gooba .These things are meant to try us and they do . I am sure you will work it out. Good luck .Alan

mavicone · Member

Did you think of letting the tyres down? Regular smart that I am. Sorry to hear your dilemma but I am sure we all suffer sooner or later.

bill12 · Guru

As a famous trouserless liberal Prime Minister once said "Life wasn,t meant to be easy!"..............Bill

gooba53 · Guru

Thanks gang for making me smile. I guess if that's the worst things that happen we'll be lucky. Will have to prioritise the jobs before our trip. At the moment we've got a plank from the fence to the veranda which we are screwing the gates to. Does the Job! No, never thought of putting tyres down! Where were you when I needed you?

the rocket · Guru

thats funny. good luck

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I'm sorry you had such a sh*t day gooba, but thanks for the laugh.
We had the carport roof off, and just hadn't got around to finish raising it before the van was brought home. Lucky

, as it wouldn't have been high enough.
Now we've moved house and the poor caravan sits on the front lawn, no more carport.

capricorn and pisces · Senior Member

OK had a good laugh but now we are worried!

New van joins the family in September and we know already that it is going to be a tight fit but the other half assures me it will be ok, it WILL fit, don't worry.

I will keep you all posted so you can have another good laugh! cheers Capricorn

gooba53 · Guru

Oh it is so good to hear other stories of the best plans gone astray. Good luck Capricorn! I look forward to your update!!

Wombat 280 · Guru

Wow! I thought I was alone in this now there are two of use at least , only diff is I'm pulling the entire carport off the house and starting over to get the height I need . As you say one job just snowballs into another and I'm to old for this crap so may hit the road then I won't need to store the bloody thing. Learn't long time back don't cover any painted surface with blue tarps they are like 40 grade sand paper even on two pack

gooba53 · Guru

Yes wombat it was tempting just to take off there and then, and it is really disappointing about the blue tarp experience, dumb i know!!!

Duh · Guru

Not a caravan, but I found my then Hi Ace campervan (pull down pop top roof) wouldn't fit under the carport roller door.

Raised & refitted the roller door runners which gave it the little extra bit to get under ok. Had a win with that one.... smile

The dog lady · Guru

Used to have no problem parking my HiAce (standard roof) in carports, shopping car-parks etc. But she had no clearance, so fitted higher profile tyres and had the "Tortion Bars" (is that right) wound up a bit. Much better on dirt roads. Luckily the first time I realised the 2.1m car-parks were now out of bounds was when I went house sitting for family member who said "sorry but you can't park in the garage, too high" and I started to argue with him about that until the lights went on and I realised she'd gained some 3 inches. Felt a bit foolish but at least I didn't find out by driving into Coles car-park.

And don't feel bad about not thinking of letting the tyres down, I've seen 3 men madly trying to unbolt a roof-rack from a landcruiser jammed in a multi-story car-park, and it hadn't occurred to any of them to let the tyres down