Xmas pre maintenance check

[Mick]

Finally got out last week end for a pre test of the new tug (Ranger mk2) with the expanda to a free sight
Toorongo falls Ranger whent well towing the camp site was awesome camp fire pits only draw back if you don't have a dunnie on board they have drop loos so yes you need to be equipped for free camping.
The walks to the falls are a bit steep if you take the long way around 1.5 hr its an easy walk.

So back to pre xmas maintenance as I like to tinker with my van and fix the little things rather than pay at service
List of things i had to fix
Door lock came out when locking door re inserted lock
Side locker door lock jamed (WD40) will help here
Under van check found hose clamps broken replaced

Along with usal checks tyer pressure wheel berings
Park brake and brake away battery check deep cycle battery
Lights in and out and even the hitch gets checked
Gas tank full and hoses and fittings checked
Most inportant smoke alarm battery and fire extinguisher charged.
If you aren't comfortable doing these checks get your local dealer to check these
As they should do this in a saftey check
If not they should
Im sure others have more equipment they have to check but this is my basic check list i like to check before a long trip and at silly season im dont want to risk my families safety on something that takes a look to see if its ok.

 

[Drover]

Grease spring shackles if fitted.
Dob of grease in tow ball cup.
I always give all locks a squirt of silicon every so often as well as the roof ram shafts.
Fill wine rack.

 

[dagree]

Another trick I've learnt since changing over to 7 pin flat plugs... Every now and then use a small blade screwdriver and push in the split to open the gap. Over time they close up and can lose contact with the tow vehicle plug!

 

[Delano]

Another trick I've learnt since changing over to 7 pin flat plugs... Every now and then use a small blade screwdriver and push in the split to open the gap. Over time they close up and can lose contact with the tow vehicle plug!

I noticed last trip my left indicator not working,
If I gave the plug a tap it would work.
I used a small screwdriver to open the pins slightly.
No probs any more works like new.

 

[Mick]

These are great helpful tips.

 

[Drover]

If your van has been parked up for many months, once you hook up to the tug, work the hand brake on the van a few times just to give the shoes a bit of exercise, so they don't stick later on. and don't forget to flip the lever over so it doesn't catch the latch and put the brake on a little bit.
You can be pedantic and check that the lever on the drum is moving..................

 

[Middo]

Fire Extinguisher Check. Take it out and check the pressure is ok. Tip it upside down and make sure you can hear/feel the powder moving around. When you leave them in the same position for awhile, the powder will stick in that spot position and maybe useless. Not much good if you need it in a hurry. Found this out in another life(work) when I had a bit to do with fire systems.

 

[Dobbie]

And do a mud wasp check of all orifaces ....of the van.

Our visitors have a nasty habit of nesting in water outlet pipes and around gas bayonet.

Found out the hard way.

 

[Drover]

@Dobbie they are the bain of my life those damn things, I have fitted an old tap fitting on the end of my hose coupling when not in use, have fitted fly screens to all vents , the buggers had a nest built in the few hours I had the vents off while working on the fridge once.........chain saw, genny, brush cutter are prime targets especially the little holes in the exhaust.
I have a cap fitted to my drain outlet as they will build just inside which can block or slow down the flow.

Diesel heater exhaust pipe would be a great target during the summer months, fun for winter.

 

[Dobbie]

Ooohhhh.

If I had a diesel heater I'd plug it.

 

[Mick]

Fire Extinguisher Check. Take it out and check the pressure is ok. Tip it upside down and make sure you can hear/feel the powder moving around. When you leave them in the same position for awhile, the powder will stick in that spot position and maybe useless. Not much good if you need it in a hurry. Found this out in another life(work) when I had a bit to do with fire systems.

At a van park one time every one was watching this poor elderly couples new van go up in flames while they were cooking and the fire extinguisher was useless as it a dud and just fizzed out buy the time the fire truck arrived there wasn't much left of the new van.

 

[Dobbie]

Will now check the fire extinguisher tomorrow.

Thanks for the heads up.