Travelling north from Bourke to Cunnamulla we were passed by several dual trailer road trains travelling south. We would get some wind turbulence but nothing dramatic. On a left hand bend we were approached by a large 3 trailer road train. This time we copped a lot of wind turbulence. The StarCraft did a wriggle and I heard a bang. At the same time my wife said slow down the front hatch has blown open.
We pulled over and found that the hatch had opened tearing its self off the gas struts. The mating metal ball joint brackets bolted to the hatch were bent. A couple of rivets at each end of hatch where it joins the hinge had torn out and the hatch had pulled out of the hinge at that location. The hinge was still attached to the body of the van. The retaining catches were still in the closed position so its not a case that I forgot to do them up. Also I subsequently found that some of the hinge retaining screws were a little loose.
I have straightened the ball joint brackets and reattached the gas struts. I have relocated the hatch flange into the hinge and locked the hatch down with the retaining clips. I have also duct taped the top of the hinge and taped the entire right hand side of the hatch to the van body. We have now travelled further north to Charleville and expect it to be ok until we get home to Melb in mid August. (Longreach and Lightning Ridge).
I don't know how I will go trying to claim warranty on this one? If I have to fix it my self has anyone had a similar experience?
Does anyone know what material the hinge screws go into? Obviously the fibre glass outer skin but what is behind it?
Any advise appreciated.
Regards,
Peter.
We pulled over and found that the hatch had opened tearing its self off the gas struts. The mating metal ball joint brackets bolted to the hatch were bent. A couple of rivets at each end of hatch where it joins the hinge had torn out and the hatch had pulled out of the hinge at that location. The hinge was still attached to the body of the van. The retaining catches were still in the closed position so its not a case that I forgot to do them up. Also I subsequently found that some of the hinge retaining screws were a little loose.
I have straightened the ball joint brackets and reattached the gas struts. I have relocated the hatch flange into the hinge and locked the hatch down with the retaining clips. I have also duct taped the top of the hinge and taped the entire right hand side of the hatch to the van body. We have now travelled further north to Charleville and expect it to be ok until we get home to Melb in mid August. (Longreach and Lightning Ridge).
I don't know how I will go trying to claim warranty on this one? If I have to fix it my self has anyone had a similar experience?
Does anyone know what material the hinge screws go into? Obviously the fibre glass outer skin but what is behind it?
Any advise appreciated.
Regards,
Peter.
