Shake down trip

Esmeralda · Guru

Shake down trip

Happywanderer · The Master

Oh Esmerelda, I will be reading your diary with interest, I know you did follow mine.
Hope the rest of the trip goes more smoothly. What halfwits at the cp that wouldn't give you a hand or a lift to find a mechanic. At least I had two wonderful caravanners when I had my oil problem and didn't even have to ring RACQ. I would have had to if they hadn't been there to help.
Good luck with the rest of the trip.

Happywanderer · The Master

By the way, I lock up and take the key when I go to the toilet or anywhere else, never leave the van unlocked no matter how far or close you are going to be. Unless you are sitting right beside the door of course.

lyn-n-ken · Senior Member

hi esmeralda
what an exciting begining
but hey thats the joys of caravaning.
can i just ask why you didnt drive your car to find the mechanic?
or mabe borrow a phone book from the park or if you have a computer use that to look up phone numbers just a couple of ideas for future reference.
its ashame you found some unhelpful cp employees most are real nice.
it wont take you long to get into the swing of being a grey nomad on the road so stick with it, we love it and have a routine that we stick with to check every thing before we leave so might help if you write a list of all that needs checking before you hit the road and after awhile you will know it by heart.
happy adventures
lyn
p.s looking forward to you next forum.

jimricho · Guru

We've all been there Esmeralda! Shows the value of shakedown trips.

I always recommend the installation of a control relay in the fridge 12v circuit to shut off the 12v supply to the fridge when the engine is not running. It seems auto electricians rarely do this when wiring up trailer wiring for a caravan unless specifically asked to do so by the customer. many caravanners are happy to rely on their memory to avoid this trap, they must have a better memory than mine!

An alternative solution is a gadget known as "Fridge Switch" (click on the underlined link for details)

PS: I find it handy to attach the toilet key and van door key to a lanyard that I wear around my neck when I go to the amenities etc.

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 8th of May 2011 07:58:35 AM

Smokeydk · Guru

Had a solinoid put in my pajero ..when ignition is off....no power from only battery of paj goes to waeco in back or threw anderson plug to van..my Dad told me if his trip north

He stopped for fuel....got tank filled....paid and had lunch in petrol station restarant........went to leave....flat battery

jimricho · Guru

In another post recently a Prado owner said they leave their 3 way on 12v for up to 2 hours and haven't had any problem starting.... they forget to add the word "YET"

-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 8th of May 2011 09:10:41 AM

jack biggles · Senior Member

Ahhh the old SHAKE DOWN trip!

Esmeralda, you had me in fits of laughter as I read that.....I almost felt bad too. Have you considered running with Happywanderer, the two of you together would have a real hoot!

Seriously though, this is what those shake down trips are for. Would be interested to know what the deal with the wind down legs was, bloooody things.

You need to develop a system for your keys, those locksmiths are never cheap. You need a master location for key storage & a key to that location around a chain on your neck. Under normal circumstances most of us can usually find our own necks.

Cruising Granny · Guru

The big "L" - Learning everything about your vehicle, your van and yourself.
Then you're learning about caravan park operators and local facilities in the towns you visit.
The response you received from the park people disappointed me. Most parks have a pack of local business cards at their fingertips to which to refer you.
Put it all down to experience and move on.
Now those leg winders - aren't they the ones "advertised" on this very forum?
Mmmmm - were they worth the money? I hope they're under warranty and you can get some back up or refund.
Gadgets are all very well, when they work. Manual is still my best friend - Manual Labour.
The upside is everything should run smoothly from now on. There's not much else to go wrong.
I have 2 truck batteries in "Rosy" and I can't flatten both. My appliances only work on ignition. If I flatten one battery I have an override switch which I can use to start the car to recharge everything again.
The auto electrician in Broome who installed everything did that automatically, so if the van is plugged in and drawing power I still can't flatten both batteries. It's a great system, and less hassle than another deep cycle battery in the car for fridge etc.
Simple is best.

Happywanderer · The Master

I think Esmerelda has put my little escapades to shame. Makes me feel quite good about moving on now knowing there are other newbies out there trying to beat me at disasters.
Can only get better from here on in. Will follow this thread with interest hoping we are not trying to outdo each other.

jack biggles · Senior Member

Cruising Granny hit the nail on the head. The old KISS Theory, thats Keep it simple stupid. Basically, if you get too fancy then you can only expect those fancy things will eventually let you down. Looking at my future set up I can see all sorts of headaches coming my way.......what have I got myself in for.

Hopefully I will live long enuf to go on my own SHAKE DOWN trip & post on what went wrong for the rest of you to have a chuckle at. Should of stuck to my horse and swag, me thinks

Firefly · Guru

Nice to see you still smiling Esmeralda. smile

We just bought a new rig, had a small shake down and found the things that fell off we need to fix as well. wink

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Thank you Esmerelda, feel better about some of our earlier mishaps now. You're experienced already, but learning never stops!

Romy5152 · Guru

Hi Esmerelda!

Loved your post!

Hey, these are the first time experiences that we look back on fondly at a later date - a much later date! At the time, they are major hassles, but it seems your wonderful sense of humour has brought you through it all. I like the idea of wearing a lanyard with keys attached. When in staying in van parks, my hubby often goes for an early morning walk (marathon I call it), so we have 2 sets of keys anyway, but like HW, I always lock the van up and take keys with me when I'm going to the amenities and he's not around. Experience - a great teacher!

Nicholstones · Guru

On out first 'shake down' trip with the van, it rained almost all the way, and when we got to our site for the night we found that the vents above the bed had leaked and the doona was wet. Luckily by then the rain had stopped asnd it was breezy so we put the doona on the line for a while until it fell off (no pegs in the van at that stage, another essential to add to the list) so we finished it off in the dryer and it was lovely and warm when we went to bed that night. When we got home we took the van back to the manufacturers and had them attach a strip on the roof in front of the vent so any rain would be directed to the side.

Father Ted · Senior Member

Oh Dear Helen,you poor thing.All I can say is Chinamen 40 Helen Nil.What have you done to them?Lol.Good on you Helen,keep on going,don't give up will you.Cheers Ted.

Esmeralda · Guru

Hi Lyn, in both instances the CP offices were unattended. Also my computer's internet connection didn't work at Holbrook or Goulburn - new provider to be found when I get home. At Holbrook it was a 5 minute walk to the mechanic, so no need to disconnect; and at Goulburn the car wouldn't come free - probably something to do with the legs being down or ....

Cruising Granny · Guru

I found the same problem as the Nicholstones when travelling across Qld and down NT last year. I then put a poly tarp with an old towel over the bed and it didn't get wet again.
The vent doesn't leak when it's parked.
The only real hassle I've had is the leg winders. They had an odd set up with the winder and it was really hard, slow work. So I had nuts welded on the winders to match a new handle and all worked fine until one of the nuts twisted off. It's happened twice overall and they've had to be rewelded.
It's a little nuisance welding job but it has to be done. So far it's cost me nothing for some poor unsuspecting bugger to do the job.
So now it's wind carefully and no pressure.

Esmeralda · Guru

Ted (and others) -- I have absolutely no thoughts of giving up. However, am thinking of what I can do to make life a bit more comfortable. I bought a fan heater yesterday and being petite Esmeralda only needs about 15 minutes to become rather warm and toasty; and then I can turn it off for the night. smile

Esmeralda · Guru

No leaks so far - then again it hasn't rained on this trip; but when parked at the folks it has rained quite heavily and no leaks.

The new leg winder is fabulous, especially because the new legs I had put on the van provide support so it isn't flopping around; and the length of it makes it easy to reach the nuts - the guy who served me at Jayco in Queanbeyan told me it was for an outback Expanda or something like that.

Esmeralda · Guru

Hi Romy - have a second set of keys with me but they were locked in the car and the keys for the car were locked in the van - but I always make sure I have all the keys on me when I leave the van now.

-- Edited by Esmeralda on Sunday 8th of May 2011 07:34:14 PM

Esmeralda · Guru

So far my stay in Canberra has been good. Bought a heater and fold up dryer yesterday. Esmeralda warms up very quickly and I turn off the heater when warm and toasty. The dryer is another story - I came back this afternoon and found all my towels on the ground and the dryer in a state of collapse on top - maybe some wire or cable ties might keep it together. Also will use pegs to keep the towels on in future, have them but didn't think I would need them.
I put my TV aerial up today so I could watch a bit of TV tonight - wanted to see the show on 9/Win on past wars. Guess what is the only station I don't get!!! Also need to get a longer aerial cable (internal) as the one I have limits where I can put the TV - also need to look at wall mounting but due to size restrictions might have to think outside the square.

Happywanderer · The Master

Same with my TV Esmerelda. I have brought my little bedroom digital along and can only watch it with the pop top up as it has to sit on the shelf above the cupboards. Might have to invest in a smaller on and get it permanently attached to the side wal of cupboard, sometime down the track.
Too many other things to get first.
Keys, get a spare and put it outside hidden on either vehicle. I found a spare set on Myrtle by accident while looking for something else. Great hiding spot.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Monday 9th of May 2011 09:43:39 AM

landy · Guru

Way to go Esmeralda get all your bad luck out of the way in one hit, and after that run of bad luck you should be safe for about five years now.

Travel Bug · Guru

G'day Esmeralda.

You really have had your share of problems but I guess that's what shake down trips are for. Lucky thing that your sense of humour hasn't deserted you. smile

I will keep watching your adventures/escapades with interest. Hope that it all gets easier from now on.

Cheers. Pam.

HeadnHome · Senior Member

Wow its all been happening but sounds like you have it all sorted and under control .. fingers crossed all goes smoothly from now on.

-- Edited by HeadnHome on Monday 9th of May 2011 08:16:52 PM

Sheba · Guru

You know what they say about bad Dress Rehearsals. From now on it should be plain sailing. Enjoy yourself,

Cheers,

Sheba.

jack biggles · Senior Member

Happywanderer wrote:
Same with my TV Esmerelda. I have brought my little bedroom digital along and can only watch it with the pop top up as it has to sit on the shelf above the cupboards. Might have to invest in a smaller on and get it permanently attached to the side wal of cupboard, sometime down the track.
Too many other things to get first.
Keys, get a spare and put it outside hidden on either vehicle. I found a spare set on Myrtle by accident while looking for something else. Great hiding spot.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Monday 9th of May 2011 09:43:39 AM

I'm not a big one on hiding spots on cars HW. Had a couple of friends that lost their vehicles, even after declaring it was a great hiding spot. Rotten mongrel theives know hiding spots too.

I stuck my spare key on a rope around my neck. Wear it like a lucky charm. The day I forget where that is, I will give the game away. confuse

-- Edited by jack biggles on Tuesday 10th of May 2011 11:05:14 AM

Esmeralda · Guru

Hi guys, guess what - Esmeralda has a new toilet!!! There is absolutely nowhere to put it of course - no cupboards big enough, cannot fit under the table either. It will just have to sit in the middle of nowhere - maybe a cloth, doyley and a bunch of flowers - make it a feature rather than try to hide it biggrin . I am highly sick of dashing to the loo in the middle of the night on these rather freezing cold nights and I also like a cuppa or other beverage during the evening and that makes you want to go even more.

-- Edited by Esmeralda on Tuesday 10th of May 2011 06:23:49 PM

Beth54 · Guru

We ladies need to have a loo close by in the night. I have mine on the floor in Gypsy. I have an en suite tent, but don't want to go out, especially if it's cold. I'll just keep the en suite tent for showering when I'm free camping.