Sorry for the lack of technical know how guys but this last weekend Maz & I tried to use our van for the first time, going rogaining. Managed to get it out of our narrow gateway fine, but then things started going wrong. Only a hundred or so metres down the road it sounded as though something was dragging/bouncing on the ground. I stopped and looked but could see no loose cables etc.
Drove off and the noise was much worse, and definately linked to speed - reckon 1 'clunk' per wheel revolution. Basically did a block and parked on the verge at home before going on to the rogaine. I have no experience with vehicle maintenance but am pretty sure that the van should not be towed in it's current condition - we are quite a ways from any Caravan repair centre. The funny thing is though that when we collected the caravan in January there was no noise and everything was fine for both the tow home (some 20-30Km) and for our towing lessons. Since then the van has been parked in our driveway, unused.
My first guess would be bearings, although I admit to no real idea, but would these go funny just being parked? Second guess maybe the magnetic brakes - although the same question applies.
Can anyone recommend a good mobile caravan mechanic in Perth (central area)? or could someone giv some pointers as to what the problem could be. The only other factor I can think of that may have anyhting to do with the matter is that I had a chain through the wheel rims and around a tree as an anti-theft device on the side that seems to be making the noise.
I must admit Maz is half thinking at getting rid of the van, but as I pointed out we will have to fix the problem before we could sell it anyway so might as well fix and keep it. At least we have solved one problem - the gateway is not so narrow now as I knocked a brick gatepost over trying to get the 'van back in to our garden :)
Bit of a mystery Pete but doesn't sound like wheel bearings to me as if they are failing you would not normally get a clunk sound.
Check:
tyre pressures
get a hand on top of each tyre and push/pull - see if it has any movement
if noise stops when brakes on (assuming electric brakes)
What speed did you get up to?????
Possibility of brakes binding a bit and "grabbing" once per rev - sometimes this happens.
EDIT: forgot the other one make sure tread is NOT coming away from the tyre carcass especially if tyres are retreads. Need to get underneath and look also.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Tuesday 30th of June 2015 12:09:07 AM
__________________
Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
I agree with peter d check the tyres for blister looking lumps could be on the side or on the tread check the age of the tyres there is a 4 digit cobe moulded into the tyre wall on one side like 2305 which would means the tyre was made in the twenty third week of 2005
Another thing a long shot but I onece hooked on to a trailer with electric brakes that was wired wrong and whenever I put the left blinker on the electric breaks would go on off on off with the blinker the second corner I went around I twigged what was going on.
You could jack up the wheels one at a time and rotate checking for side movement and check the tyre is still round and breaks not fouling it when turning the wheel
Good luck
__________________
When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Sorry to hear that you have a problem. I could say that any mechanic should be able to give an opinion on what the problem is. Just the service station "round the corner" could have a look at it for you. You do not need a special caravan service person to look at the general mechanical parts, as they are similar to any car.
Good luck jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 30th of June 2015 09:53:04 AM
Jockey wheel was removed from the A frame and in the boot :) Max speed would have been around 60Km/h. At least these replies give me something to look at this weekend. Failing that I might see if my local car guy can have a look see - literally just around the corner.
I will keep you posted as for whats happening.
Pete
-- Edited by Cadpete on Tuesday 30th of June 2015 12:26:00 PM
Interesting you say that Granty, as we have very little play in the handle - 'on' is only the second ratchet tooth from the 'off'. Another area to investigate. As an extra question - are the stabiliser legs good enough to support the 'van if I'm crawling under it?, or should I find a couple of large chocks to support the chassis at either end (obviously will chock the wheels as well.
Interesting you say that Granty, as we have very little play in the handle - 'on' is only the second ratchet tooth from the 'off'. Another area to investigate. As an extra question - are the stabiliser legs good enough to support the 'van if I'm crawling under it?, or should I find a couple of large chocks to support the chassis at either end (obviously will chock the wheels as well.
Pete I would NEVER trust stabiliser legs with my life. IF you are going to take the wheels off, chock under the axle as close as possible to wheel BEFORE removing wheel ie bocks of wood. Use stabilisers if need be to keep van steady also, but not to decide if you were to live or die.
__________________
Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Pete I would NEVER trust stabiliser legs with my life. IF you are going to take the wheels off, chock under the axle as close as possible to wheel BEFORE removing wheel ie bocks of wood. Use stabilisers if need be to keep van steady also, but not to decide if you were to live or die.
Handbrake should be backed off enough so it locks into about the sixth notch, otherwise they keep locking on and off as the springs bounce, and use a piece of tubing over the lever to gain some purchase when pulling it on, or you may find she takes off when unhitched.
Definitely use chassis stands under the axle if taking a wheel off, and make sure they are on stable ground. Chock the other wheel so it doesn't roll if you are going to have the handbrake off.
Bevan
__________________
Bevan
Friendship is not a relationship with someone whom you've known for a long time, but with someone you trust, under any circumstances.
If you have hubcaps , remove and check wheel nuts. I also agree with others to check for bulging tyres. I live in Rockingham so I can recommend Abba caravans as a repairer if needed.
__________________
Greet everyone as a friend, its up to them to prove you wrong.
If you have hubcaps , remove and check wheel nuts. I also agree with others to check for bulging tyres. I live in Rockingham so I can recommend Abba caravans as a repairer if needed.
Ring, ring, why don't you give them a call....
__________________
Yes I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
He's either out in the middle broken down with vultures flying above or cruising Pacific Highway.. Lol
Actually I spent most of the weekend trying to get Telstra to get me back on line! Looks like it might be Friday before home is back in the world of the e-living - sending this from work!
It was also either raining or still wet so I will get around to this when dry. This is not a first priority for us as the next chance of using the 'van is at Sufil's in October.
-- Edited by Cadpete on Monday 6th of July 2015 06:32:27 PM
Some first observation comments - The handbrake is definately not set correctly - According to the Alco manual I have downloaded this should be on the 5th to 6th notch and not the second. However the handbrake should not be set until the electric brakes are set correctly. The manual points out that trying to drive with the brakes on may destroy the brake blocks so need to get the wheels off for this. I have found that the van itself has no jack and as I don't have room to work on the wheels were the van is parked I will need to move it before I can check them, although as I havn't done this sort of work on vehicles I am most tempted to get hold of a mobile mechanic and take a day off of work to get this sorted. I will also track down a suitable jack on line (thinking the vertial hydraulis ones are probably a go - 6-8 tonne for a 2.5T van?
So far have had plumbing issues and next needed a new freezer so the $$$ have been in short supply! Have finally booked in a mechanic for 19 August so will have to take some time off then. Talking with more knowledgeable folks I know with trailers the suspicion is definately leaning towards the brakes, will let you know when sorted.
- hence the question
