Grabben what you ask?

Grabben Gullen, or Grabby if you are a local, is located roughly WNW of Goulburn NSW (about 61k’s by road) with access via either Gunning . . . → Read More: 20 – 22 January 2012 – Grabben Gullen NSW]]> Back in 1970 (or was it in 1971), “He” had the pleasure of finding a star sapphire in the remote NSW Township of Grabben Gullen.

Grabben what you ask?

Grabben Gullen, or Grabby if you are a local, is located roughly WNW of Goulburn NSW (about 61k’s by road) with access via either Gunning or Crookwell.  It has a population of about 432 people and a pub.

So why were we going there?  Last year we joined a CMCA Chapter called the Hilltops Rangers (based roughly around the NSW South West slopes area) and the venue for the January meeting was Grabben Gullen.

”He” organised to have a half day of annual leave and that allowed us to be heading south just after 1:00pm on an overcast Friday afternoon.  Rain was forecast for the weekend but we had our fingers crossed.  The departure time was perfect as we had an excellent run to Bankstown where we joined the M5 heading south.

We refuelled at Sutton Forest ($1.51 cpl) and took advantage of vouchers which reduced the cost by 10 cents per litre.

About 30k’s short of Goulburn we encountered a storm front with fairly heavy rain coupled together with thunder and lightning.  The storm front followed up to just short of Crookwell where we stopped to buy a bucket (CMCA rules ask for a full bucket of water to be placed adjacent to the front wheel of your motor home to assist in the case of a fire).

Our venue for the weekend was the area adjacent to the local community hall and although we did not have power, we had access to a flushing toilet and a shower operated by gold coin.

About 15 motor homes attended the gathering.

We experiences rain All Friday night from multiple storm fronts in the area and after happy hour in the community hall, we all did our own thing and following our evening meal, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity for an early night and we were in bed listening to the rain just after 9:00pm.

Saturday was a perfect summer day in the bush with wall to wall blue skies.  Some of our group decided to go fossicking but we chose to remain in the campsite.  We played disk bowls and various card games during the morning and afternoon and before heading to the local pub where a mobile caterer had been arranged for the evening meal.

The meals were not expensive and very generous in size.  Immediately following our meal we headed back to the community centre to play cards.  Much to our surprise, the temperature had dropped dramatically and we had to find some warm clothing, not the sort of thing you pack for a trip in the middle of summer.

We had a great sleep as a result of the low temperature.

Sunday was overcast and we heard warnings on the radio regards expected thunderstorm activity through most of NSW.

We had a community breakfast consisting of bacon, eggs, sausage and tomato.  Without doubt, breakfast rated as the best cooked breakfast we have experienced whilst travelling.  The chapter held a meeting after breakfast and due to the forecast storms, we elected to head back to home immediately following breakfast.

Much to our surprise, the trip home was dry but very windy.

All told, a great weekend.

Most motor home owners would ensure that regular services are . . . → Read More: Engine failure – Iveco Error Code 148]]> We have often wondered about safety when travelling in remote locations in Australia particularly if you have the misfortune of having mechanical problems.  Modern vehicles tend to be very reliable but as time passes, so does the age of the vehicle and the reliability. 

Most motor home owners would ensure that regular services are performed on their vehicle and that is exactly what we did before taking off on an 8000 kilometre trek that was planned to take us though North Eastern Australia and home via the Northern Territory and the route down the centre of Australia.

Our Recent Experience

Midway through a recent trip (see our blog) and whilst travelling in a remote area between Middleton and Boulia in North Western Queensland (not far from the Birdsville Track) , we experienced an engine issue with an audible alarm followed by the message. “Engine failure – error code 148”: appearing on the Iveco console.  This message was also accompanied by a red warning light.  Unfortunately Iveco does not document the error messages in documentation provided with the vehicle and you normally have to have the vehicle interfaced with a diagnostic computer to determine the actual cause of the error.  In most case, error conditions are documented as “stop the vehicle and call for service”.

We have seen errors in the past that we know are incorrect and these errors have been removed with a simple stop and restart of the engine to reset the computer.

Hoping we would clear the error, we stopped and restarted the engine and then continued the final 70 or so kilometres into Boulia where the same error appears as we slowed to enter the town.

The message appeared again on the following day several kilometres past Boulia and continue to appear as we headed north. This time we noted that the engine power reduced by 50% each time the problem happened.  We did managed to get the vehicle to Dajarra (about 160k’s short of Mount Isa) before we felt compelled to contact Iveco through their roadside assistance program. 

When advice given (a computer reset through the disconnection of the battery) failed to resolve the problem, we made a further call to Iveco when we arrived in Mount Isa which resulted in a recommendation by Iveco to bring the vehicle to an Iveco dealer.

The Iveco dealer we were dealing with was Macquarrie Trucks at Townsville.  Their Service Manager, Matthew, was the one on the other end of the phone and we owe Mathew a vote of thanks for the way he handled our problem both before we arrived at Townsville and during our stay there whilst they fixed the vehicle.

Mount Isa is a major mining city in Western Queensland and the size of our country becomes apparent when you have two options for an Iveco dealer when one is 1230k’s south west and the other 920k’s to the east.  That is exactly what we were presented with.  We found it very surprising that Mount Isa did not have an Iveco agent but our issue required the truck to be connected to an Iveco diagnostic computer.

It was not difficult to pick the shortest distance as the prospect of being stranded somewhere between Mount Isa and Alice Springs was not appealing in any way at all especially when we would be travelling by ourselves.  Besides, if we chose Alice, we would not arrive until late Friday and we were certain that the vehicle would not be looked at before the following Monday.

In hindsight, our decision was sound but we do know that the trip to Alice would have been less stressful as we were able to manage the problem through constant speed when travelling on flat ground.

The other surprising fact is that we were only a relatively short distance by road from Alice when we were in Boulia but that route was on a four wheel drive development road. 

It was a little disappointing that Iveco did not have an authorised agent in Mount Isa. However, when you consider the following points, you can understand the reasons why;

• We did get the vehicle to a dealer where it was repaired even though the dealer was a significant distance from our location.
• The Iveco Daily is normally a very reliable vehicle and we can testify to that fact having owned two of the vehicles and knowing a lot of people who use similar vehicles to ours.
• We are aware that there is a significant cost relating to the computer application that is used as the diagnostic tool.
• The Iveco Assist program is excellent.  After making our initial call to an operator, we were speaking with an Iveco mechanic within minutes and he took full ownership of our issue until it was resolved.  He also provided assurances to us with respect to continuing to drive the vehicle until it was repaired.  He was more than happy to continue to take direct during the time we were travelling to Townsville.
• Had the vehicle not been mobile it would have been collected and transported by low loader to the nearest dealer.
• We understand that Iveco has to be realistic with the location of dealers versus the number of vehicles on the roads in Australia.

What do other manufacturers have to offer regards service? 

With the exception of Ford (Ford Transit) and Isuzu, all other manufacturers who provide engines and chassis for our size motor home (Mercedes Sprinter, VX Crafter and Fiat Ducato) do not have dealerships in Mount Isa.

Ford does have a dealer in Mount Isa who is able to interface to a computer and reference to the Isuzu website indicates that their dealer does truck service.

(Note – the above information was obtained through Google and may exclude local agents for each of the above manufacturers.)

For us this was an experience which resulted in us leaving the safari we were part of a week before it finished and we were able to experience some of the North Queensland Coast that certainly was not part of our agenda.

What have we learned from the experience?

Australia is a very big place and there can be massive distances between major towns.

Not every large town has someone who is able to fix mechanical problems.

You cannot make an assumption that you will never experience problems in remote locations.

Some tips that we consider important when travelling in our great country

Make sure you have access to a roadside assistance program.  We had Iveco Help under the vehicle warranty but we also have Winnebago Assist that would have also given us access to the same help and towing etc if required.

If you are travelling away from the “black stuff”, make sure you have an alternative means of communication other than a mobile telephone.  A satellite telephone or possibly a HF radio would assist.  If you have a satellite telephone, make sure you have emergency numbers for any area you intent to travel in programmed into the phone as a speed dial number. 

Don’t rely on a mobile telephone even if you have antennas etc.  Telstra NextG is good in the bush but it only works near towns. Optus and the others, forget it, they won’t work!

Ignore the people who tell you that UHF radios are useless, they are not.  We used our UHF to alert other vehicles when we were slowing to restart the engine and it is useful to leave them on channel 40 where you hear warnings about wide vehicles approaching.  We travelled on a Development Radio where road trains radio their location (on UHF) as they reached numbered points on the road.  You knew exactly where they were and if they were coming towards you or approaching from behind. An example of one of these calls is “road train arriving at eleven heading north”.

It goes without saying, if you are travelling in the outback even on good roads, make sure you carry plenty of water.

Carry basic spare parts that you are able to replace yourself (hoses, fuses, filters etc).

If you breakdown DON”T leave your vehicle.

Have the vehicle serviced before going on a lengthy trip.

Check tyres daily for the correct pressure and wear.

Make sure you know how to change a tyre and also ensure that you are able to remove the spare wheel.

I’m posting it here to ensure that the issue is given exposure due to the nature of the problem.  Winnebago is suppose to be contact all impacted owners.

PRA number: 2011/12496 Date created: 15th April 2011

After having a quick look for a level area that . . . → Read More: Stranded – Don’t let this happen to you.]]> Whilst we were travelling to Mudgee to join the Winnebago Opal Safari, we pulled off the Great Western Highway at the Mt Boyce lookout (just past the Heavy Vehicle Weigh Station to the west of Blackheath in the NSW Blue Mountains) to have lunch.

After having a quick look for a level area that was large enough for the motor home to park, “He” decided that the area was unsuitable and elected to depart.  The motor home was reversed to a point where a 180 degree turn could be executed in a single motion.  However, what “He” had not noticed was that the area chosen to make the turn contained a “dip” that was a path for water runoff. 

During the process of making the turn through the dip, the rear facing exhaust touched the dirt and was blocked.  This caused the engine to stall and the motor home was “beached”.

Why did this happen?  Unlike a normal car where there is not normally a large distance from the back wheels to the rear of the vehicle. there is a sizeable “overhang” on our motor home (the “over hang” is within legal requirements.)  Therefore, as the front wheels of the motor home passed the bottom of the ditch and commenced the exit climb, the rear of the vehicle (exhaust pipe and spare wheel) touched the ground on the dirt near the start of the ditch. 

Whilst we were able to clear the dirt from the area around the exhaust, the stalling of the engine had resulted in the vehicle reversing slightly with the main rear wheels now sitting in the loose dirt at the bottom of the dip.  The loose dirt and the fact that our rear tyre (which is stored underneath the vehicle at the rear) was sitting on the ground prevented us from driving forward.

Fortunately we participate in the Winnebago RV Help Scheme.  A call was made to the scheme’s 1800 number and “He” was advised by the operator that although our current situation was not actually covered under the scheme, the operator would locate a suitable tow vehicle and arrange for the operator to contact us.

Shortly afterwards we did receive a call and agreed on a rate for the operator to attend our location.

While we were waiting for help to arrive, we used the two shovels that we carry to excavate the entire area around and forward of the exhaust pipe.  At the same time we remove any dirt that we anticipated would impact on our recovery.
 
Just over one hour later the tow truck operator with a 12 tonne winch on the rear of the trailer had connected a tow cable to the front axle of the motor home.  The operator (Steve) was questioned regards the connect point and assured us it was the right spot. 

The operator also placed some wooden blocks under the rear wheels to lift the vehicle clear of the dirt once it moved forward.

After taking up the strain with the winch, the motor home was started and ten seconds later the motor home was moving forward unassisted.

The tow truck operator who came to our aid was Steve from Penrith Towing Service (www.towie.com      0414-tow-ing).  We cannot speak highly enough of this service  and we are grateful to Steve for the way he extracted the motor home.

Whilst “He” checked the vehicle for damage (fortunately there was none), “She” filled the holes we had dug to ensure that we followed the “leave no traces” principal.
What did we learn and confirm?  Heaps! 

ALWAYS remember that you are driving a long vehicle and depending on the situation, the rear can be grounded. 

ALWAYS be conscious of your location and THINK about any manoeuvres that you perform and make sure they can be performed safely. 

ALWAYS carry a small shovel and something to lie on (we actually remained very clean from this event). 

ALWAYS carry a reflective vest (not used for this event but very handy). ALWAYS carry some cones that you can place on the roadway if the vehicle is at the roadside.  Bunnings sell collapsible cones for about $15.00.  We carry two of these.

ALWAYS carry a credit card.  In our case, we had to provide a credit card number before the tow truck operator would attend.  This was fair enough as the return trip was about 100 kilometres and he stated that he needed to offset his cost should someone be able to assist us in the meantime.  

CONSIDER participating in a roadside assistance program.  Whilst our problem was not covered under the program, they did assist with locating and contacting the right help that we needed.

CONSIDER carrying some form of recovery device to place under wheels to stop them spinning.  We have plastic ramps for this purpose stored in the garage at home.  They need to be stored in the motor home hopefully never to be used but just in case.

CONSIDER carrying a mobile telephone with Telstra NextG coverage to ensure that you maximise your ability to call for assistance.  We drove approximately 3000 kilometres in NSW and for the majority of that time, we had Telstra coverage.  Optus was next to useless.

MAKE SURE you fully understand the operation of your vehicle.  If your motor home has the capability to lock the differential, that function could have assisted in this situation.   Unfortunately we do not have a differential lock.

OUR motor home is stronger than we thought.  Thank you Iveco for the chassis and Winnebago for the home content!

DON’T ever believe that the above will not happen to you.

On 18 August, “She” had . . . → Read More: Grounded]]> For the past five weeks, Blue Snoopy has been sitting idle in our driveway fully refuelled, water tanks filled, grey tank empty and the bed made but we have been unable to take advantage of the beaut weather that Sydney has experienced as “She” has been recovering from surgery.

On 18 August, “She” had surgery for a ladies complaint and we were told that recovery would take 6 weeks.  Since coming home from hospital, “She” has been taking things slowly and full recovery within the expected time frame now looks to be a reality.

Yesterday “She” successfully climbed into the motor home and was able to negotiate getting up from our bed which was expected to be a challenge.  Our planned trip on the NSW October long weekend now looks like it can happen.

One thing that we have been able to do during this idle period was to convert our toilet away from using harsh chemicals to a more environmental friendly solution (Bio-Magic).   Good news is that the chemical smell that was always around when you entered the motor home is gone and even the storage area where the chemicals were kept is now free of smell.  Fingers crossed that the new solution works.

Edit 6/10/09
Our “planned trip” on the October long weekend did not happen.  Blue Snoopy had been prepared for departure (tyre pressure checked, shore power connected and the fridge operational) however family issues caused us to cancel at the last moment.  We will now have to wait a couple more weeks before we can get away.  Damm shame having Blue Snoopy sitting in the driveway idle!

Edit 20/10/09
Refer post for trip to Blue Mountains on 17 October 2009.  Blue Snoopy is now back on the road.