Spare tyre & other items

[BradJ]

Been lurking for a while so I thought I'd better post my discoveries.

I took the 19' caravan over to Kangeroo Island last month. She did well at 14.5L/100km. The old PA would have been 17L. On the way back to Melbourne drove over a lump of steel near Dimboola and popped a tyre.

After 10 seconds of swearing I thought, no worries, I'll have it changed in 10 minutes and be away. Not so. Couldn't lower the spare. It turns out the loose loop of chain had worked its way through a stud hole and jammed.

So do I bash & cut the chain? No. Don't want to risk that fight with MMAL again. So I called Diamond Roadside Assist and their man (aka RACV Dimboola) had me back on the road in 40 minutes with only minor chain damage. Good work DRA/RACV!

Last week the dealer could not give a rat's. So put corks in your stud holes or route the chain loop out through the spokes.

Other items were-
Intercooler/compressor pipe sliding off the compressor - new hose clamp
Crap AM/FM radio - all MMAL cars are like that - lots of complaints
Left mirror falling off - tighten bolts
Rear door catches & won't open still - 2nd fix has worked
1st gear auto downhill changes up by itself at 3000rpm - "yes, it does that to avoid over revving the engine". WTF?? It does it to dump me over a cliff. What is the 4500 red line for?

And a HR tow bar issue still to be resolved. I'll post that one in a few days.

[PBding]

At least the Diamond assist package worked, will have a look at the chain thing in daylight.
I've had that pipe trying to free itself from the compressor after an oil and filter change, two clamps look like a good idea to me.
Will be interested to read about your HR towbar problem, is your rear door(tailgatw?) problem related to the HR fitment and the lack of a large enough hole cut into the plastic bumper?

[Ballfyboy]

I've had the chain issue as well. I used a hammer and screwdriver.

I like your idea, i'm off to the cupboard to get start drinking!

[wasarangie]

The chain problem is always going to be there. Many years ago I had an FJ60 Cruiser and it always gave me problems trying to lower the spare. It was tangled chain or stones or even just mud/dirt build up. When I bought the PB it was one of my main concerns, so far no issues yet.

[BradJ]

Will be interested to read about your HR towbar problem, is your rear door(tailgatw?) problem related to the HR fitment and the lack of a large enough hole cut into the plastic bumper?

Sort of but I don't think they are related. You seem to be a bit psychic.