Mistakes We Can All Learn From

[Micky]

Whilst a couple of these have already been raised in the Welcome thread for Jim & Tab, I thought it might be an idea to create a new topic (rather than continue to hijack Jims welcome!!) so that all of us new and experienced Expanda owners alike, can learn from others unfortunate mistakes, and hopefully not make the same errors…or at least know how to minimise the impact they might have!

The mistakes may be set up related (like mine) or for accessories you have purchased only to find they weren’t needed or were the wrong sort…anything you care to share! :gossip:

Some might even give us a good :laugh: ……..and we could all do with one of those!!

Have previously mentioned our little error in Jim’s thread…….once you have levelled your van left to right on your levelling ramp/s……..make sure you either chock the wheels or put on the vans handbrake (or both) first….before unhitching the van from you tow vehicle!! :doh:

Cheers Mick

 

[straydingo]

I had just posted on Jim and Tabs, then read this, so I deleted and will repost here

Lesson 1 - Check and then double check. After a long touring holiday, I took the Swan back to the holding yard and unhitched, but forgot to chock the wheels - one wheel rolled into a shallow hole and the van swung around, and the hitch went straight through the plastic bumper on the Pathy.
Lesson 2 - Never trust someone else. Hired a furniture trailer from Kennards, and they tried to be helpful and hitched it for me. The hitch wasn't locked and came off as soon as I hit the first bump - just after I entered the freeway in peak hour at about 80kph - at least the safety chains worked

 

[chartrock]

It must be time to revive this old thread.

Yesterday I had finished fitting a new reversing camera to the Navara and, as the sun was shining, I decided to test it out by pulling the Expanda out of its shed to start fitting my second camera to the rear of the van. I reversed to the truck, the camera allowed me to get the ball and the coupling lined up perfectly. Yea, happy as. Coupled up and proceeded to pull the van out of the shed. Half way out and a screech, thump and stop. My wife is up on the verandah yelling at me, I hop out and look up. I had left the pop top up.

The vent on top of the shower collected the purlin on the front of the shed and the plastic lid was taken off and the frame buckled.



A phone call to Michael at East Coast Refinishers to ask if the frame only can be purchased but told you can by the plastic lid separately otherwise the whole unit must be purchased. ECR do not retail spares but Michael said to bring in what I had and they would probably have one. It took a lot to cut through all the silastic holding the vent down but I got it off. A run down to Ashmore and sure enough, they had a replacement which they sold to me for trade as in their words " we don't sell retail, so we have no idea of the normal price." They even gave me enough new white top screws to fit the vent and an acrylic scraper to scrape the old silastic off the roof. They never fail to amaze me with their service and goodwill.

I even had a quick look at antman's van which was in for some work. I recognised it by the sticker on the side.

The new vent is now fitted with a lot less silastic under it but I am happy that it is fully sealed.

Another expensive lesson, hopefully well learned. :dejection:

 

[cruza driver]

Sounds like a lucky escape CR considering what maybe could have happened and that service you received is very impressive

 

[AndrewC]

East coast refinishers have done a lot of work for me on my previous van, $15k damage to a $20k in an accident where i was not at fault. They also handled the warrenty stuff on my new expanda. Those guys are the real deal. Professional people and professional workmanship. It does not surprise me that you were happy with them.