Motorhome Camber Issues - Part 4

 So you are up to speed

Timeline so far

6th November 2022 - noted the passenger LHS tire is badly worn on the outer edge suggesting a wheel alignment issue. Investigation on the Iveco Motorhome groups finds this is a very common issue requiring the fitment of a "Camber Kit" fitted under warranty by Iveco Australia. We have already booked an annual service/40,000km Service - only driven 5,500km.

13th December 2022 - Bought to the attention of Iveco Newcastle. Informed by the Service Advisor that  Iveco Newcastle unable to perform a wheel alignment and request we take our Motorhome to one of their suggested businesses. Unable to find anyone available until February, but a family member recommended Spencer's Truck & Bus Wheel Alignment & Spring Service who could fit us in January.

11th January 2023 - Spencer's note the requirement of a OEM "Camber Kit" to be fitted to the motorhome as the are unable to perform the alignment. They supply us a report for Iveco Newcastle.

11th January 2023 - After leaving Spencer's we dropped the report with Iveco Newcastle whose Service Advisor tell us that it will be lodged with Iveco Australia for warrantee approval.

30th January 2023 - A phone call to Iveco Newcastle Service Advisor found that the report from Spencer's Truck and Bus, we provided Iveco Newcastle, on the 11/2/23  has been "misplaced". So the warranty claim to Iveco Australia was not lodged, delaying resolution a further 19 days. We immediately emailed the report to the Iveco Newcastle Service Advisor and now we wait.....

11th February 2023 - Phoned Iveco Newcastle Service Advisor at 10:30am yesterday and neither of the two gentlemen who are managing our claim were available to take my enquiry and was told I'd be called back.......  

UPDATE

Still Waiting.

16th February 2023 - 10:40AM Phoned Iveco Newcastle Service Advisor where I found out that the Service Manager had not responded to his request and they would call me back.

16th February 2023 - 12:48PM The Service Advisor calls and requests some photographs, so I send the ones I took back in October.

Something is not right

16th February 2023 - 3:17PM Receive an email request form the Service Advisor for side views of the tyre wear. I take more photos along with one using a engineers rule measuring tread depth.

Drivers side tread is almost 5mm deep - Passengers side tread is barely 1mm

Drivers Front tyre looks fine

Blind Freddy can see the difference

17th February 2023 - 10:25AM - An email form the Service Advisor asking for the brand, model and size of the Tyres.

17th February 2023 - 3:27PM Great News! Heather receives a phone call followed by an email. The Warranty install of a Camber Kit has been approved by Iveco Australia and we are booked for fitting on the 8th of March.

Not so great! What has been a common issue for the last 5+ years has taken 85 days (12 Weeks and 1 Day) for resolution! 

Motorhome Camber Issues - Part 3

We have joined the well worn path of many other new Sunliner Iveco owners who have a tyre wear issue, a result of a "Camber Issue". There is insufficient adjustment and the vehicle is in need of a "Camber Kit', fitted under warranty by Iveco to fix the problem. This is a well known common problem that nobody wishes to own up to.

In our case, this has resulted in a worn out tire, the cancellation of our trips to the Blue Mountains and Melbourne and quite a bit of waisted time.

Let's hope this is over by April as we are invited to Antennapalooza and a milestone birthday party.

Timeline so far

6th November 2022 - noted the passenger LHS tire is badly worn on the outer edge suggesting a wheel alignment issue. Investigation on the Iveco Motorhome groups finds this is a very common issue requiring the fitment of a "Camber Kit" fitted under warranty by Iveco Australia. We have already booked an annual service/40,000km Service - only driven 5,000km.

13th December 2022 - Bought to the attention of Iveco Newcastle (IN). IN unable to perform a wheel alignment and request we take our Motorhome to one of their suggested businesses. Unable to find anyone available until mid January, but a family member recommended Spencer's Truck & Bus Wheel Alignment & Spring Service who could fit us in January.

11th January 2023 - Spencer's note the requirement of a OEM "Camber Kit" to be fitted to the motorhome as the are unable to perform the alignment. The supply us a report for Iveco Newcastle.

11th January 2023 - After leaving Spencer's we dropped the report with Iveco Newcastle who tell us that it will be lodged with Iveco Australia for warrantee approval.

30th January 2023 - A phone call to Iveco Newcastle found that the report we logged with Iveco Newcastle on the 11/2/23 from Spencer's Truck and Bus has been "misplaced", so the warranty claim to Iveco Australia was not lodged, delaying resolution a further 19 days. We immediately emailed the report and now we wait.....

11th February 2023 - Called Iveco Newcastle 10:30am yesterday and neither of the two gentlemen who are managing our claim were available to take my enquiry and was told I'd be called back....... Still Waiting. 

13th February 2023 - I will call again.....

Motorhome Camber Issues - Part 2

 You may recollect the problem we identified in November - See A Dog Fence and a Camber Problem

At our service, Iveco were unable to perform a Camber alignment and referred us to several workshops who could do the alignment.

Spencer's Truck & Bus Wheel Alignment & Spring Service were recommended to us by a family member and they were able to book us in quickly, rather than wait 6 to 8 weeks!

Spencer's Technician was able to quickly identify the issue and took the time to explain the problem with us. There is insufficient adjustment and the vehicle is in need of a "Camber Kit', fitted under warranty by Iveco to fix the problem.

We dropped in to Iveco Newcastle with the report from Spencer's and a claim has been forwarded to Iveco Australia's head office........

Thanks Spencer's for you great service. We will definitely be back in the future!

Why this is not picked up by Sunliner and fixed before delivery?

A Dog Fence and a Camber Problem

 We are not traveling due to family commitments, but it doesn't stop us preparing and planning the next trip.

A Solution

We have a solution to keeping our dogs safe and secure and are looking forward to trialling this, the Inflatafence. Much lighter and quick to set up, made out of similar material that Military Inflatable boats (RIB) are made from.

Not our photo or Motorhome, but you get the idea - from 

https://inflatablepontoons.com/pages/inflatafence 

We will show our experience with the Inflatafene with our four footed family members here once we get the time. 

A Problem

As you most likely noticed, the bottom tyre is showing excessive wear on the outer edge. This is most likely due to a Camber problem that is often discussed in the IVECO motorhome discussion groups.

Sunliner are responsible for their content and leave IVECO to look after theirs. The Camber issue will be reported to the Newcastle IVECO Service Centre, who according to others experience will refer us to a truck suspension specialist and will pick up the tab if a Camber Kit is required to fix it.

Why this is not picked up and fixed before delivery?

Lucky we are not going anywhere.......

A Day Outing in the Motorhome

 

We decided to take the motorhome for a day trip to Stockton. We would have normally gone though Hinton, but there are major roadworks and road closures happening.

We took the four dogs with us and had a leisurely drive via Raymond Terrace to Stockton. Not far from the ferry wharf and overlooking the Hunter River at Newcastle we fond a nice park. 

The dogs enjoyed their walk, but the weather was  nice except for the strong winds.

I took the Amateur Radio callbacks

VK2RNC 2M call backs of the VK2WI ARNSW morning news were taken by Paul VK2APA/P set up at Stockton Park overlooking Newcastle. Thank you to those who called in.

... and due to the wind we dined indoors.

 

The Anatomy of a Motorhome

I believe it is most important to understand your Motorhome.

A Motorhome is a complex, interactive, collective of systems that allow you to travel, eat, sleep and live comfortably with a few limitations, both positive and negative.

Part of the Motorhome/Campervan/Caravan lifestyle is to leave behind the bad stuff and to open your eyes to the good.

Both Heather and I used to travel for work, locally and overseas. Accommodation that we stayed in claimed to be four or five stars, but was pretty average and impersonal once you peeled away all the glitz.

A motorhome is your own personal space to have exactly the way you want.You can trust the bedding.🕷 The fridge is loaded with the things you actually like at shop prices 💰 and if you don't like the location or the views you just move on.🚍 A motorhome is a lifestyle. 😃 A ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating!

A Motorhome is really a mini house fitted to a light truck chassis or large van base. By knowing the position and purpose of the various sockets, switches, breakers, fuses and valves, makes things easier if something isn't working. Odds are it is something simple.

I also recommend you search and download the manuals for each item fitted to your motorhome and store it on your Laptop or Tablet. Also keep a copy on a memory stick in a safe place in your motorhome.

The Sunliner S441 features - 2021

Vehicle Cabin

• IVECO Daily 45C Chassis
• 3L turbo diesel
• 8 Speed Auto transmission. Ecoswitch
• 100L Diesel tank capacity
• Anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, engine braking.
• Airbags
• Cab climate control
• Central locking
• Power steering
• Power windows
• Reversing camera
• Entertainment and navigation
• Lots of storage and car like comfort features 
• Swivel driver & passenger ergonomic seats
• Additional Map Lights (part of the accommodation)

Tools and Items

• Small Toolkit and Jack under Drivers seat
• Manual Crank handle to lower/rase bed
• Pull down Rod for Awning

Added to the Vehicle Cabin

• Added a Dashcam
• Added 3 x Triangle Reflective Warning Sign
• Added 2 x High Visibility/Reflective Safety Vest
• Added antenna mount and power for Amateur Radio or UHF CB Radio
• Undergoing a HF Amateur Radio Fit

Accommodation

• Rollout awning
• Entry assist grab handle
• Electric entry step
• External shower
• Home air conditioning
• Security door with screen
• Kitchen (Storage, Sink, Prep space)
• Two door three way fridge (12VDC, 240VAC & Gas)
• Gas stove with Grill/Oven and Rangehood
• Microwave (most likely to be removed)
• Sink
• Water pump
• Hot water system
• 100L Fresh Water
• External Shore Water connection
• 55L Grey Water
• Grey Water Drain Tap and Shore drain connection
• Dining Area and collapsible/adjustable table
• Shower and Toilet
• Shower and Toilet Bi-directional Fan with Insect Screen
• Wardrobe and plenty of storage
• Above Cab Storage
• Motorised Drop down almost King Size bed
• Windows x 4 with Blinds and insect screens
• Main Roof Vent with Blind and insect screen
• 2x 4kg LPG gas bottles
• External Gas Socket
• Diesel Heater
• Smoke/CO2/LPG Detectors
• Fire Extinguisher
• 1x 160w solar panel (May be updated with additional panel)
• Stereo system with AM/FM Radio - Bluetooth compatible (MP3 music) with Internal and External speakers
• LED Lighting internal/external and in some storage bins
• 3 x dual 240VAC sockets/ 3x Dual USB Charge Points/12V Socket
• Shore Power Plug Connection 240VAC 15Amp
• External Single GPO
• 240VAC Mains Safety Switch for shore power
• 1000W Inverter (Remote switch added later) with own dual 240VAC socket
• Projeta Power Management System
• 2 x 170AH LiFePO4 House Batteries (Upgrade from 100AH AGM)
• Fan Sirocco (Added later)
• 24’ TV (Which stays at home)
• TV Antenna
• Added our own First Aid kit

Tools and Items

• Small Toolkit and Jack under Drivers seat
• Manual Crank handle to lower/rase bed
• Pull down Rod for Awning
• Triangle Reflective Warning Sign

Added Equipment

• Fresh Water Hose and Fittings
• Grey Water Hose and fittings
• 2x Mesh bags for Hoses
• Fresh water filter
• 10M 240VAC 15Amp Extension cable
• Ampfibian RV-Plus 240VAC 15Amp to 10Amp adapter
• Leveling Ramps
• 15L Additional Fresh Water container
• Sealed rubbish bin
• Compact Vacuum Cleaner
• Broom
• Bush and crumb tray
• Step for improved bed access
• Inflatafence for dogs
• 2 x Fold up reclining chairs
• 1 x Medium Table
• 1 x Small Table
• 1 X Outdoor BBQ with Safety Cutoff

Our Trip West - Day Five - Willow Tree to Home

  Map of our Travels

Day Five 9/4/22

Morning at our camp at Willow Tree

The pack is worn out from too much excitement and walks!

Buffy is keen to get going once she awakes.

Our neighbour is quiet.

Ready to move on.

Murrurundi NSW 2338

Murrurundi NSW 2338

Murrurundi NSW 2338

Paradise Park - Murrurundi 

Paradise Park - Murrurundi

Paradise Park - Murrurundi

Paradise Park - Murrurundi. Some nice walking trails, but we need to be back home on time to pick up Chappie from his holidays at Kip Pet Resort.

Golf course with a view! next to Paradise Park - Murrurundi

Murrurundi NSW 2338

Burning Mountain Rest Area

Burning Mountain Rest Area

Burning Mountain Rest Area

Now the last leg to home via the New England Highway 

through Muswellbrook and Singleton

Bayswater Power Station on the New England Highway.

Not far now to home!
______________________________________________________________

We were way too ambitious to do this trip in five days and needed a couple of weeks at least to do our trip justice. 

Next Time we now know where to go.

Our Trip West - Day Four - Baan Baa to Willow Tree

 Map of our Travels

Day Four 8/4/22

The morning view at Baan Baa

Where are off to today?

Emptying the Bog at Boggabri

Motorhome life is excellent, but like all things has an unpleasant side to it. The toilet cassette is showing it is almost full which means a trip to a dump point. Fortunately there are plentiful and the CMCA also helps to fund them.

Boggabri's Jubilee Oval looks a lot more country than is Sydney cousin.

Gee, the grass looks so green!

Back on the road to find a spot for Brunch. 

We arrive at Gunnedah and find it a little overwhelming at first, after the little towns and bush camps. We found a quiet spot to set up for a BBQ brunch - Woolshed Reserve.

Cody is chilling out!

After Brunch we need to explore the town. The Tourist Information Centre is loaded with ideas and it hits us that we are touring wa too fast to see what the places we have visited, truely have to offer. We spot the CMCA RV Park  a self contained camp which we will consider using when we return to the region.

The former Meggitt Ltd Silo site at Gunnedah is one of many Silo Murals around Australia.

There is even a Silo Art Trail, see https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com

Core of My Heart. [a.k.a My Country] By Dorothea Mackellar 

The love of field and coppice,

Of green and shaded lanes,

Of ordered woods and gardens,

Is running in your veins —

Strong love of grey-blue distance,

Brown streams and soft, dim skies …

I know but cannot share it,

My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel sea,

Her beauty and her terror —

The wide brown land for me!

The stark white ring-barked forests

All tragic ’neath the moon,

The sapphire-misted mountains,

The hot gold hush of noon —

Green tangle of the brushes

Where lithe lianas coil,

And orchids deck the treetops,

And ferns the crimson soil.

Core of my heart, my country —

Her pitiless blue sky,

When sick at heart, around us

We see the cattle die …

And then the grey clouds gather,

And we can bless again

The drumming of an army,

The steady, soaking rain.

Core of my heart, my country,

Land of the rainbow gold —

For flood and fire and famine

She pays us back three-fold …

Over the thirsty paddocks

Watch, after many days,

The filmy veil of greenness

That thickens as you gaze …

An opal-hearted country,

A wilful, lavish land —

All you who have not loved her,

You will not understand …

Though Earth holds many splendours,

Wherever I may die,

I know to what brown country

My homing thoughts will fly.

Dorothea wrote this poem whilst homesick in England. 

Dorothea lived in a time where many thought colonial Australia was inferior to "Mother England". Core of My Heart [a.k.a My Country] quickly became Australia's best known poem where schoolchildren once were taught remember and recite the second stanza.

She also lived in the Gunnedah area.

[first published in The Spectator (London, UK) on 5 September 1908; it was originally entitled “Core of My Heart”, although it was later re-titled as “My Country”. The poem was published in some newspapers in 1908-1909 as “Core of My Heart — My Country”, and in 1910 as “My Country”. It was included in Dorothea Mackellar’s first book of poetry, The Closed Door and Other Verses (1911), under the title of “My Country”..]

We also visited Pensioner's Hill Lookout and appreciated the view of Gunnedah along with the artworks depicting the history of the area.
Pensioners Hill gets its name from being a shanty town during the Great Depression.

Pensioner's Hill Lookout

Pensioner's Hill Lookout - depicting Red Chief, a famous local Aboriginal leader.

Pensioner's Hill Lookout - Coal Mining 

Pensioner's Hill Lookout - The Rainbow Serpent a part of the Aboriginal Dreamtime

Pensioner's Hill Lookout - The city of Gunnedah 

Curlewis Grain Storage

The Mooki River, on the Kamilaroi Highway at Breeza NSW

Further on the Kamilaroi Highway at Breeza

"Who'd A Thought It" Lookout at Curlewis

"Who'd A Thought It" Lookout at Curlewis

"Who'd A Thought It" Lookout at Curlewis

"Who'd A Thought It" Lookout at Curlewis

"Who'd A Thought It" Lookout at Curlewis

Our camp for the night Willow Tree Freedom Camping Ground. The camp has toilets, showers, drinking water and some powered sites. Payment is by donation.

The community has a bowling club that is the hub of the community and is supported by volunteers. The club was rebuilt after being totally destroyed by fire and reopened three years later in December 2019 after a huge community effort.

We had a great meal and chatted with other travellers and locals.

Next - Day Five - Willow Tree to Home