We've got the personnel, but workshop space/equipment is limited. Body repairs and hail damage is choking up most caravan service centres. (Lack of available parts).
Caravan experience is lacking in most automotive workshops, although truck alignment specialists can normally service vans, (brakes, axles, bearings, etc).
__________________
Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
We've got the personnel, but workshop space/equipment is limited. Body repairs and hail damage is choking up most caravan service centres. (Lack of available parts).
Caravan experience is lacking in most automotive workshops, although truck alignment specialists can normally service vans, (brakes, axles, bearings, etc).
Good infe, Possum. I never thought of using a brake mob to do the van.
I'm presently in conversation with a northern G Coast van service that wants to do a full service $800+ on the 4 wheeler
when the brakes were rebuilt by them completely 5000K ago and one wheel was dragging a bit!!! and I wanted
an inspection to see if pads were worn much. !!!!!
I believe Possum was referring to truck workshops, particularly those relating to wheel alignment. Many car related workshops do not have the room for a van, or want the hassle of moving it.
I have used Big Wheels twice for suspension work and then wheel alignment. Their work was good and reasonably priced although the wheel alignment itself is not cheap. But the overall bill (with discounted wheel alignment) was well under the estimate from a caravan workshop. A nice benefit was "Which day would you like?" rather than "In x months".
Whilst not in relation to Caravan repairs, my recent experience had me wondering.
My beloved 1996, GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol finally let me down after 290,000 km.
The current diagnosis is that the ECU has a couple of faulty capacitors (condensers when it was built) and is pulsing the fuel pump on & off. Undriveable.
It took me two weeks to get a mobile Auto Electrician here & diagnose the problem.
Then he was pleased to advise that he had a contact who would fix it but there is a 4 to 6 weeks repair delay. Any one's guess what it will cost but he charges only &135/hour.
Of course, he can't guarantee that it is the ECU that is causing the problem, but he thinks that he can get an adaptor that will let his laptop or whatever talk to the Patrol to diagnose the issue.
In the meantime we are off overseas (Vietnam & Cambodia) & I can ponder whether I really want to keep caravanning, & if so do I need ... Cruiser/Patrol .. both too expensive .. next choice Ford Everest ... but will probably settle for a Paj. Sport that SWMBO can use as a daily driver too.
OH! the problems of old age.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:49:20 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:50:48 PM
Whilst not in relation to Caravan repairs, my recent experience had me wondering.
My beloved 1996, GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol finally let me down after 290,000 km.
The current diagnosis is that the ECU has a couple of faulty capacitors (condensers when it was built) and is pulsing the fuel pump on & off. Undriveable.
It took me two weeks to get a mobile Auto Electrician here & diagnose the problem.
Then he was pleased to advise that he had a contact who would fix it but there is a 4 to 6 weeks repair delay. Any one's guess what it will cost but he charges only &135/hour.
Of course, he can't guarantee that it is the ECU that is causing the problem, but he thinks that he can get an adaptor that will let his laptop or whatever talk to the Patrol to diagnose the issue.
In the meantime we are off overseas (Vietnam & Cambodia) & I can ponder whether I really want to keep caravanning, & if so do I need ... Cruiser/Patrol .. both too expensive .. next choice Ford Everest ... but will probably settle for a Paj. Sport that SWMBO can use as a daily driver too.
OH! the problems of old age.
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:49:20 PM
-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 4th of September 2024 05:50:48 PM
Oh dear Cupie!
Have you been in touch with the Nissan Patrol Forum? Someone there may be able to assist! While yours isn't the famous 4.2L diesel, I would have been looking at something higher than 290,000km before something clapped out.
When I bought our D-Max, I said goodbye to the NP Forum people - they said I didn't really have to go as most of their members bought either the D-Max or MUX next time around.
I am happy I changed brands (so far) but I wasn't that happy with the price I got for the GU. We too only have one car so "rationing" the use is quite regular.
Brodie,
Your service seems a bit stiff too - is this bloke the only one in the area who can do a service? There are mechanics who are going mobile now as they can operate single handed without staff issues. Are there any in your area? Do they have references?
__________________
Warren
----------------
If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
