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Hi I have finally got a result Dometic are now going to replace it with an RPD218. It is a much better design as the cooling plate(evaporator) is almost the hole length of the back wall. They said that you have to be careful leaving anything against the plate as it could freeze. Also the condenser has been fitted in a different position. Hopefully all my fridge problems will be over.

Top Ender, fully loaded, 300 litres of H2O, full gas bottles, 325kg ball weight.

It is great to see you deciding to join the Kedron ‘family’. The product is second to none, with beautifully constructed vans, and the Gall family, who own the product, are great to deal with. They produce a product which represents their family, and their pride shows. As Tony says, consider becoming a financial member, especially once you have a van on order. There is additional information in a section of the forum available only to financial members. Chris

We are currently in Melbourne, and I would like to sing the praises of a company here that I have had indirect and direct contact with, BTA Towing Equipment @ Knoxfield. Approx 18 months ago I started doing research on the Air Safe Hitch to put on the back of my GMC/Chev. During my research I had communication with a Daryl at BTA and also another supplier of the same product in the Caboolture area, I supplied all the vehicle/van details along with informing them of my choice of coupling (McHitch Auto Glide) and both parties came up the the same conclusion as I had, that I should consider the Class 6 Air Hitch. Pricing was discussed and both companies offered similar pricing, due to geographical positioning I decided to purchase a Class 6 Hitch from the company at Caboolture. (I should state that this crowd are resellers of the Air Safe and BTA are the importers) I had no problem with supply from the Caboolture company, the hitch arrived on time and all was good, quoted price was the charged price and the tongue supplied was ‘suitable/adequate’ for for the job intended. Several weeks later, I used the hitch for the first time, a three hundred k blacktop trip from Maryborough to Cecil Plains (for the KOG, AGM) try and imagine my dismay when I got out of the vehicle at Cecil Plains to find the tongue and coupling bent at a rather peculiar angle. I was able to unhitch safely with no dramas, I tried to contact the supplier to inform them of my woes (of course it was a Friday afternoon just before 5pm) and they didn’t answer the phone. With the assistance of locals I managed to contact a metal worker/fabricator at Millmerran who would have a look at the ‘bent tongue’ the next morning. Arriving at Millmerran the next morning, the tongue was repaired and suitably strengthened and a lot stronger than the original supplied unit. The tongue was refitted to the hitch and we returned back home to Maryborough without incident. I contacted the crowd in Caboolture, supplied them with photos and a copy of the receipt for the repairs at Millmerran, after that I contacted Daryl at BTA to inform him of my ‘dramas’. From the moment I told him of what had transpired he ‘owned’ the problem, although BTA had not directly sold me the hitch and tongue, BTA had supplied it to the Caboolture company. Dartl, that afternoon dispatched a new ‘heavier/improved’ tongue to me at Maryborough which arrived in due course and I fitted it up. I have recently been in touch with BTA, re a query about the ‘new’ tongue, but to my dismay Daryl has left BTA, my communications at BTA are now with John who is just a pleasant and helpful as Daryl. Today, I called into BTA’s factory (unannounced) and introduced myself to John. He was just as keen and interested in my concerns as Daryl! John asked if I could bring my vehicle into the workshop and it was there that I was introduced to Anthony (Tony) Pendock the proprietor of BTA. Tony, listened to my comments and suggestions and then produced an even heavier version of the tongue that Daryl had supplied. I spoke to Tony & John about ‘possible’ improvements that could be done to the newer version, to which they agreed. Tony did suggest the problems they are having with the Auto Glide Mchitchs fitted to the BTA tongue are related to the load pivot point being ‘so far back’ from the mounting point onto the hitch. Tony, personally did the requested/suggested improvements to the new tongue, I was able to watch on, not that I was of much assistance....... but to be able to have direct contact with the manufacturer of this great product.....to me is fantastic & the service is second to none! Thank you BTA Towing Equipment for your outstanding service and seemingly endless customer support. I now have a hitch assembly that I feel (if needed) could tow the Spirit of Tasmania across the Bass Strait! In closing....it took two emails and about four weeks but I did get the requested refund from the Caboolture company. I have NO association with BTA Towing Equipment other than being an EXTREMELY SATISFIED CUSTOMER Tony H

Alex The ball weight on your car should be between 9% and 11 % of the total weight of the van when loaded, the factory reading means little. It is your responsibility to balance your van and car so it will tow correctly. In our case our topender weighs in at 3500kg loaded which meant we have around 350kg on the ball. We had to upgrade our car with a lovells GVM and Tow pack to be compliant. Our 200series is now plated with a GCM(gross combined mass) of 7800kg that is a GVM of 3800kg for the car and a tow capacity of 4000kg. The ball height is also important the car and van should be level when loaded ready to go. When you have it right you will feel it, the car drives well and the van does not wander over the road. Use a weigh bridge to weigh the car when connected to the van, then car and van when connected, then van when connected. Disconnect the car and weigh it seperatley you will now have all the info you need to get it right. It is worth taking the time to do this as you can then travel with confidence knowing you have it right. Regards Steve