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?

Preparation for Travel - Houdini Proofing

Before we can go away there are some tasks needed to be completed 

One is to fully dog proof the property to allow for the possibly for a house sitter to manage our older two dogs, Mac and Cody who are not good travellers. 

Mac has always been uncomfortable traveling, unhappy with vehicle motion. 

Cody is now partially blind and becoming quite deaf. 

Our last trip Cody was under the opinion that the Motorhome was in its parking spot at home and would become disoriented at night when he found out otherwise.

Buffy and Bambi love to travel!

There is a gap under the downhill side fence to the adjoining property

Some treated pine logs 150mm x 2.4M works well.
Gap be gone!

The missing panel in our front gates and fence was small dog sized.

The concept drawing.

Some progress shots of the reality. The paint is still wet here and the colour is not a match. Should be Colorbond Pale Eucalyptus. A trip to Bunnings in the future will fix that.

A tad noticeable. At least it wasn't this colour! 

This is a real colour!

Then the last bit

A heavy rubber flap added to the gap on the gate.
It was a battle between the green ants, wind and the odd brief shower but we won in the end. 

Now we can get rid of the ugly rusty portable dog fencing!

Now to have a major sort inside

More to come.....

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.......

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

The fitting of a Nudge Bar

 

What was meant to be a straight forward job, wasn't.

The fitting of the nudge bar was achieved with much colourful language. The bar was wider than the mounts and had to be persuaded to fit. The bar is designed not to bend and there was quite a gap

We won in the end.

Modifying and Equipping Our Motorhome 2 Continued...

 The 2m/70cm/CB antenna mount was fitted and the Transceiver plugged into a cigarette Lighter to power it. Looks really messy!

The IVECO is quite a complex vehicle and difficult to add additional systems to. The VHF/UHF Amateur radio only draws a maximum of 5 Amps and there is a sub fuse panel behind the dashboard. The use of a Fuse Tap is not the preferable way of adding a circuit, but a better solution than intruding into the back of the fuse panel.

The Co-Ax cable made it though the grommet. 

Things are quite tight in here! 

There was a convenient earth point.

The end result is a lot more pleasing to the eye.

The planned install of a HF Transceiver draws up to 20 Amps and will need a direct connection to the battery and will also need the services of someone younger than I who is familiar with the Iveco electrics.

Automotive Electrics is a young persons game.

Installation of the Sirocco II Fan

After our last overnight trip it was decided that the motorhome would benefit from having a fan to move the air, especially on a warm windless night.

Some investigation on-line found the Sirocco II as the fan of choice with its durability, 3 Speeds, Timer mode, low power consumption @ 340mA giving an output of 408 cubic M/Hour on the highest setting. The fan was bought from eBay nearly $100 less than the retail price!

Made in Canada!


In the box - very well made with a good finish and except for 2 mounting screws, comes with all the hardware to install. The fan is on a gimbal mount with a folding mount fitted with a locking mechanism. 


Fitting went well. Once the ideal place was identified a short length of semi-circular duct fitted to hide the wiring was fitted.

Wiring for the fan is piggy backed onto the 12V supply for the TV antenna using a short lead soldered to the back of the 12 Connector and a standard "T" connector plug and socket to allow for any disassembly. The functionality of the TV antenna power is not compromised.

We are not big TV watchers and unlikely to be using the one supplied with the motorhome. The TV is still in its box.



End result looks very tidy - Works very well!!

The final proof will be when we next go away.

All text and photographs are Copyright ©2021 Paul Anslow. All rights reserved. www.anslow.net