Not a good afternoon - just 15 (?) kms south of Moree we managed to hit a hum-dinger of a pothole/truck push-up heading into Moree, where we were going to stay the night.
Oh, we are staying the night, spent around 2 1/2 hours sitting out on the side of the road in stinking hot weather, waiting for the NRMA (bless their socks) to come and put a chain thingy around the springs on the back axle - seems we shattered the spring when we went over this 'mess' - couldn't miss it, trucks coming the other way etc. To cut a long story short, looks like we will be spending at least tomorrow here in Moree, will know more in the morning when we go visit the NRMA guy. He told us that only last week another van did exactly the same thing (with brand new springs on) and it went through the back of the van - from the damage aspect, we appear to have been extremely lucky, obviously new spring/s, new tyre, the water hose to one of the underneath tanks has a leak - don't think the tank is damaged though, will know more tomorrow
So for those that do travel the Newell (I know a lot don't like travelling this way, but sometimes you do) just take care northbound.
goinsoon said
09:21 PM Jan 8, 2012
The Newell copped a mate of mine last year, same result plus a holed water tank
NeilandRaine said
09:35 PM Jan 8, 2012
Good thing I'm turning off to Tamworth, you can bet if there is a pot hole I will find it. Hope things arnt to bad for you.
Gerty Dancer said
10:04 PM Jan 8, 2012
OMG! Hope you can get all repaired and enjoy Moree while doing it June. Thanks for the warning!
animalcarer said
10:40 PM Jan 8, 2012
Sorry to hear about that, its not nice waiting in the heat, you both must be exhausted. Hope you have a rested sleep, and a nice breakfast. Take care.
Cruising Granny said
10:55 PM Jan 8, 2012
Another victim of NSW road conditions. I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune. I hope the damage is minimal, and your can continue your travels. Enjoy your stay in Moree, and wallow in those lovely springs. I drove NSW and Qld roads for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year. I think my back and arms are still aching from wrestling with the steering wheel and bouncing all over the place. There is no suspension yet invented to minimise the bounce. Those roads are appalling. I feel for the people who live in those states, who pay a lot of money to register their vehicles, and who live outside the metro areas. They are forced to use these bad roads daily. In Qld if you live beyond Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast you can go to hell. Similar condition in NSW if you live beyond the mountains, Newcastle and the 'Gong. It was a pleasant relief to get to SA and Vic roads, although some of these were a bit hard to handle as well. What do governments do with road funding? What are their priorities? How is the toll money spent? The roads which carry the heaviest traffic are in the worst condition, but the transport can't choose a better option because of restrictions. Flooding has inundated some roads and no one has even filled the potholes. I guess Moree is in that category right now.
Esmeralda said
12:02 AM Jan 9, 2012
Warrego is worse than the Newell
milo said
01:13 AM Jan 9, 2012
send the repair bill to the government, .. but our roads are terrible
Ma said
07:07 AM Jan 9, 2012
Esmeralda wrote:
Warrego is worse than the Newell
Ain't that the truth Es.
I have travelled better dirt roads than the Warrego.
kandagal said
03:10 PM Jan 9, 2012
Sorry to hear about your mishap pejay. Hope it turns out to be minor & not costly. In the meantime enjoy your sojourn in Moree. Maybe a good soak in the baths will soothe you. Cheers
Pejay said
08:29 PM Jan 9, 2012
Update folks!!
Not a good night either - around 26 deg c overnight, not real good for trying to sleep.
Took the van into the NRMA guy this morning, shattered spring, new tyre (it was a relatively new one anyway - wore off the tread right down the centre, and shredded the inside down to the steel). All up we are the poorer of around $700 odd.
The guy was saying about the other vannie I also mentioned, his spring had sheared right through the back of his van and there had been around $4,000 damage!!! Told us we were lucky!
The van was ready just after lunchtime, but I decided we would spend another night here in Moree before continuing on towards home. Had a 'Nanny nap' this afternoon before a lovely dip in the spa pools here at the caravan park. Once I get off here, pack the computer away, will be ready to go have another dip!! Yep, we all have to take the bad with the good!!!
We would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts, they are much appreciated.
-- Edited by Pejay on Monday 9th of January 2012 08:33:49 PM
Nicholstones said
08:37 PM Jan 9, 2012
Can you claim any of this on your van insurance?
Pejay said
03:30 PM Jan 10, 2012
Ha!! We are going to try, but because we would not/could not wait a week for the assessor to come and have a look, it loks doubtful, but we will try when we get back home.
HI Folks,
Not a good afternoon - just 15 (?) kms south of Moree we managed to hit a hum-dinger of a pothole/truck push-up heading into Moree, where we were going to stay the night.
Oh, we are staying the night, spent around 2 1/2 hours sitting out on the side of the road in stinking hot weather, waiting for the NRMA (bless their socks) to come and put a chain thingy around the springs on the back axle - seems we shattered the spring when we went over this 'mess' - couldn't miss it, trucks coming the other way etc. To cut a long story short, looks like we will be spending at least tomorrow here in Moree, will know more in the morning when we go visit the NRMA guy. He told us that only last week another van did exactly the same thing (with brand new springs on) and it went through the back of the van - from the damage aspect, we appear to have been extremely lucky, obviously new spring/s, new tyre, the water hose to one of the underneath tanks has a leak - don't think the tank is damaged though, will know more tomorrow
So for those that do travel the Newell (I know a lot don't like travelling this way, but sometimes you do) just take care northbound.
The Newell copped a mate of mine last year, same result plus a holed water tank
Hope things arnt to bad for you.
Thanks for the warning!
Sorry to hear about that, its not nice waiting in the heat, you both must be exhausted. Hope you have a rested sleep, and a nice breakfast. Take care.
I drove NSW and Qld roads for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year. I think my back and arms are still aching from wrestling with the steering wheel and bouncing all over the place. There is no suspension yet invented to minimise the bounce.
Those roads are appalling. I feel for the people who live in those states, who pay a lot of money to register their vehicles, and who live outside the metro areas. They are forced to use these bad roads daily.
In Qld if you live beyond Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast you can go to hell.
Similar condition in NSW if you live beyond the mountains, Newcastle and the 'Gong.
It was a pleasant relief to get to SA and Vic roads, although some of these were a bit hard to handle as well.
What do governments do with road funding? What are their priorities? How is the toll money spent?
The roads which carry the heaviest traffic are in the worst condition, but the transport can't choose a better option because of restrictions.
Flooding has inundated some roads and no one has even filled the potholes.
I guess Moree is in that category right now.
Warrego is worse than the Newell
Ain't that the truth Es.
I have travelled better dirt roads than the Warrego.
Update folks!!
Not a good night either - around 26 deg c overnight, not real good for trying to sleep.
Took the van into the NRMA guy this morning, shattered spring, new tyre (it was a relatively new one anyway - wore off the tread right down the centre, and shredded the inside down to the steel). All up we are the poorer of around $700 odd.
The guy was saying about the other vannie I also mentioned, his spring had sheared right through the back of his van and there had been around $4,000 damage!!! Told us we were lucky!
The van was ready just after lunchtime, but I decided we would spend another night here in Moree before continuing on towards home. Had a 'Nanny nap' this afternoon before a lovely dip in the spa pools here at the caravan park. Once I get off here, pack the computer away, will be ready to go have another dip!! Yep, we all have to take the bad with the good!!!
We would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts, they are much appreciated.
-- Edited by Pejay on Monday 9th of January 2012 08:33:49 PM