Paul's 16.49 mods, trips and dribble

[Dobbie]

Go for it soon or you will regret it.

The first time is a bit daunting but it gets easier...soon you'll be an old pro and trundle the cassette without a problem.

Can suggest when you do the first evacuation and rinse it out then put a bit of water back not the cassette and, when reinserted, add the chemical straight away. Then you won't have to worry till next time.

 

[Paul]

Its empty now, I think. ...I hope!
Might drink up some courage on the weekend.

 

[Dobbie]

Are nose pegs the fashion in your area?

It really does get better!

 

[NoWorries]

Just toughen up and do it, its just like a big fart

 

[NoWorries]

But worse smelling and sloppy

 

[Paul]

Guys
I forgot to mention. When towing it today I tried it with no wdh seeing as there is next to no ball weight but it seemed worse. I out it on and did seem slightly better. Does this sound right? Van place also mentioned because I have a duel can ute that could contribute to my problem unless I went air bags or an extra Spring. This seems weird as there is no ball weight. When he seen the tool boxes and battery At the back he thinks removing the boxes and shifting the battery will solve my problem.
I guess I would just like to keep the boxes of possible that's all.
Definetly will move the battery.

 

[dagree]

I would definitely be trying to lose some weight from the @r$e end and getting more toward the front by the sounds of it @Paul . Would also consider contacting the manufacturer and checking with them if they got the weight correct on the compliance plate? 110kg does sound way too low for a 2.6T van to me!

 

[dagree]

@Paul Click HERE for the specs for the 21' 6" Family Getaway..... 240kg ball weight at 2.8T Tare weight!
Do the comparison against your van!!

 

[17triton]

I would be moving the toolbox and pole carrier to the front. I had a van with low towball weight and it is so much worse than a heavy towball weight in atleast with the heavy ball it is a known quantity where the lightweight flicked the back of the ute around making it very unsteady. My problem was a poorly designed van where the axels were kept forward to allow access around the rear island bed resulting in the wheels being in the middle of the van rather than slightly to the rear. I moved the rear spare into the front boot and leapfrogged the water tanks further forward and got it towable but was never happy with it and got rid of it. I won't say the name of the van but it started with Supreme. At least you found out early in the piece, I took ages and wasted money on airbags and sway controllers. Get that weight forward and I think you will have a totally different van to tow. Good luck mate.

 

[Paul]

Thanks guys. Yeah I definitely need more weigh forward. I rang the manufacturer today but may as well spoke to a tree as the receptionist wasn't that blessed between the ears I think. Hopefully they will return my call Monday.
I was thinking of moving the spare to under the floor up near the front and using one of them chain things of a ute to wind it up. I never thought of moving the rear water tank forward that's a good idea. I am hoping that moving the wheel along with two 120amp batteries up the front might solve the problem. Then I can just leave one box on the back for the baby q. If its still no good then I will have to remove it and move that rear bar forward and move the rear tank forward. Pole carrier is empty at the moment and can also go if needed. The van looks like it needs the axles further back that's for sure. All my wake boats had them further back and were of the same weight. Looking at the wheel arches it would be impossible to even gain an inch so I am stuck with it the way it is. Hopefully the changes will work as apart from the towing problems we are more than happy with the van itself. Cant wait to get it out!.
Boss wanted to go to the broadwater today but I have cars to work on.....I might just stay at work a little longer today lol

 

[davemc]

How easy is it to take the box off the back?
What about chucking a few slabs in the tunnel or some bags of sand to get the weight up see if that makes a difference before moving things
you could take the box off if easy and batteries out. See what that does to towball as well.
Might be some trail or error?

 

[Dobbie]

Re Broadwater. Southport?

If so its schoolies weeks...about to start so the place will be infested with drunken adolescents.

You may have dodged a bullet.

 

[Paul]

Re Broadwater. Southport?

If so its schoolies weeks...about to start so the place will be infested with drunken adolescents.

You may have dodged a bullet.

Maybe I fit in hahahahaha

 

[Paul]

So. After a few drinks for encouragement I removed the dreaded cassette. It was empty thank god. Hosed it out. Put some nappysan stuff in and let it soak for an hour or two. Flushed and repeated. Could still see some stains in there so gave it a light hit with the gerny and now all good. It's currently soaking again with nappysan because it still has that horrible work site portaloo smell. Not bad but I can tell its there. Will empty it tomorrow and see how it goes.
Do you guys leave them empty when not in use or put the water and chemical in?
Same with the flush tank.

And another question for you gurus.
The tow ball weight scale. When you lower the van on it is that the reading you take. Reason I ask is once lowered I had the young fella jump on it and get off and it picked up another 20kg?

I've only moved the battery and added another so far. Wright went to 110 then when he got on it then off stayed at 130.
I still haven't mounded the spare or second gas bottle yet. Once that's done I think the box and Webber can live on the back the way this is going so happy days.

Just about finished cleaning her up and it looks a treat. Can't wait to take it out.

And some pics from last nights cruise for the car lovers.

 

[dagree]

Before you pack the cassette away @Paul put a liter of water and a few drops of eucalyptus oil in it. Same with the flush tank but fill it up. After a while check the flush tank water and if it starts getting black bits of algae mix up some nappisan and flush it through.

If you ball weight scales are anything like mine I get 20 - 30 kgs difference when ever using them....

Still drooling over the "Big Black Beast!!!!!!!"

 

[Where to next]

I don't have a seperate flush tank so don't have to worry about that one. With the cassette I leave some water in when in storage, no chemical. If you put the chemical in while in storage I would think over time the chemical smell would hang around. My van is nearly a year old and no unpleasant smells have developed.ainkiller:

 

[Dobbie]

We leave cassette with about a litre of water plus napisan and just the flush tank with a bit of eucalyptus oil in it.

Can honestly say we've never had any smell at all.

Re tow all weight. I reckon the towball scales vary a bit as well. Up to 5kgs in our case but it often depends on what we've packed in the tunnel boot. Sometimes the contributions are a bit heavier!

But, having the towball scales, it's easier to adjust where necessary.

Now you've braved the dreaded loo delivery, life must be looking up.

 

[Paul]

Yeah

Only one heave when I looked inside.

 

[Paul]

Towed the van today to get the extra windows fitted. All good now and managed to keep the bar and boxes on the back. Just by having two batteries under the bed and moving the spare to the front its now got around 180kg ball weight with empty gas bottles.
Happy days

 

[Paul]

So van windows didn't get fitted due to supplier sending the incorrect ones. Week later and all done. Happy days. Picked it up this morning. Much more air flow for when free camping now. Could only fit a 500x500 on the side and one 1200 x 300 on the middle bunk. To get one on the top bunk would mean the bottom of the window would be below the top of the matress due to the curve in the roof which is a shame as I would like more at the back. But any way will do for now.

Just a mad rush to get it packed and spend our first week in it free camping. Should be interesting.

On a more interesting note (to me anyway lol) The hatch went 10.50 at 130mph down the quarter the other night. Few more things to sort and then she should really get moving