Hi All. Travelled south from Gayndah the other day with my Millard Micro in tow, no hurry , and came thru Bald Rock. Had a look at Thunderbolts Hideout but ran into 15kms of corrugated dirt road. Reduced speedand continued on my way and stopped 2 nights at Beardys Creek. Then struck out for Premer via Tamworth where I stopped for some fuel. I then noticed that the right front of the van appeared very low. Checked it out and found that the right A frame had broken away from the van chassis rail completely and that the left frame was also in the process of repeating the process. RAC membership and same insurance on van so van was picked up and taken to repairer who starts back at work tomorrow. So hopefully after inspection, quote and acceptance by RAC, repairs can begin.
While this is a real dissapointment,, I feel so lucky that the van did not detach completely as this could of had disasterous results and people could have been killed or maimed.
I must add that I did a full inspection of the van before I left and did pay attention to the area affected but saw no eveidence of cracking. That was, however, 5months and 12000 kms ago
-- Edited by Bent Axle Bob on Sunday 5th of January 2014 07:51:52 AM
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Take only your memories, leave only your footprints
I agree Bob, very lucky indeed. I hope all goes well from Monday for you.
I remember when I first got the Avan, I was driving along on my first trip with it minding my own business and BANG. Looked in the mirror and the Avan was on the ground dragging behind me.
The chains were connected but the tow ball had snapped at the thread. I was paranoid for the rest of the trip (1 week), my shakedown trip.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
True Doug, I know that I have been lucky. Presently staying at Kootingal in the Landview Motel. Great management, Katrina and Peter. Only too happy to assist in any way they can. Peter even drove me out to Beendemeer hotel, a few kms away, for an hour or so. Nothing seems to be a bother, even a 24hr reception. Highly recommended!
Hopefully ,repairs will be completed by wednesday and I can continue on my way, returning to WA
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Take only your memories, leave only your footprints
Very lucky there indeed BAB - I know the area round Bald Rock, and Thunderbolts Hideaway - terrific spot - did you climb the rock? we did and it had rained, so a bit slippery - and no view at the top due to clouds!!!!
Hope all is fixable and you can carry on your journey!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Helloo Jules, yes I did a little exploring, place was quite busy really. Mostly people travelling north. Was really quite warm so did not get carried away.
Van should be easily repairable, as apart from the A frame damage and a couple of outer wall claddings that have popped out of the lower finishing channels, everything else is good. Worst case scenariois van is insured for alot more than I paid for it. That having been said I have put a lot of hours into the van, including doing my own solar installation, new roof lining, wiring ,lights, bushes, spring hangers and U bolts, new tyres and bearings. So the A frame failure was a dissapointment. Buttttt, no one but myself was inconvenienced , and best of all, no one was hurt
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Take only your memories, leave only your footprints
Hi BAB and lucky. Same thing happened to us out of Charleville few yrs. ago, except both arms cracked and tried to push the gas bottle through the front of the van. We had Ultra cover with RACQ and they paid for accommodation in c'van park cabin till van was fixed. The van was our primary home.
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Cheers Peter and Sue
"If I agree with you we'll both be wrong"
No, I'm not busy, I did it right the first time.
Self-powered wheelie walker, soon a power chair (ex. Nomad)
Yep, I also have top cover, but because my primary address is in WA I'm not covered for accomodation in this instance, cest la vie! Was in Charlieville October last year to visit my grand niece.
Cheers, Bob
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Take only your memories, leave only your footprints
Kia ora Bob, wow this seems to be a common happening. Rob and I were at Mitchell a year our so ago camped on the weir. One of our friends noticed both arms of the AFrame had cracks in them. We talked to the local guy at RACQ who came out and had a look. We very gently towed the van into the workshop. A structural engineer came out and had a look and we ended up getting it all repaired and reinforced. We were very lucky it didn't snap in two. Good luck with yours. If you stop in Coonabarabran let us know, we live in Baradine and could come over for a chat
Kia Ora! ValnRob. From here I am heading to Premer for a few days and then on thru Coonabarabran
The A frames are subjected to torsional as well as vertical loads and take a real beating, On the Millard Micro, the A frames and chassis rails are relatively light gauge "C" channels. Coupled with the fact the van is 30 years old, I guess it feels about as old as I do!
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Take only your memories, leave only your footprints
Our van is 1979 Viscount but supposedly had a newA frame fitted but Mitchell mechanic told us the steel was pretty crappy. All good now but we do a thorough check before leaving our driveway these days.
True Doug, I know that I have been lucky. Presently staying at Kootingal in the Landview Motel. Great management, Katrina and Peter. Only too happy to assist in any way they can. Peter even drove me out to Beendemeer hotel, a few kms away, for an hour or so. Nothing seems to be a bother, even a 24hr reception. Highly recommended!
