Chris

Hi Mal and Kerry Spmething we added to our first Kedron (we are onto our second) was a diesel heater. On our second van it has been built in as part of the overall design. It is a wonerful feature, especially if you will be travelling in cold country. Chris

Webby, the 17th is getting closer by the minute :laugh: We have now arrived in Katherine where the outside temperature is 32 degrees...and our daughter says they had frosts at home last night! Oh my. (I hope she brought in that cyclamen plant as she was supposed to....) :clown: And guess what! There is another Top Ender here, with a travelling couple who have one on order. And (wait there's more!) they have a friend arriving tomorrow with another Kedron. We wills till be here for the day tomorrow and so will meet them all. I asked them the perennial question; why did you choose Kedron for your van? The answer from the men was "the strength of the product" and "its innovative qualities" and the women both said in chorus"the inside of the van is the most appealing of any van on the market". This is interesting as it exactly mirrors our reasons for choosing Kedron twice over. Anyway, back on topic; we move from here to Darwin on Thursday. I will keep you all informed....although I suppose you could all unsubscribe! Chris and Val

Oh wonderful!! I can't wait. If Flynny gets here first I will borrow his copy! Chris

I am so envious at you seeing that DVD! I can't wait to see it myself. Must ring Glen and get a copy sent up to us. Or maybe Webby can bring us one? :biggrin: Chris

We are in wet and soggy Alice Springs after a longer than usual day's drive northwards. Our first night from home we spent at a campground in Mt Remarkable NP, and lst night was just off the Stuart Highway north of Coober Pedy. We have done this trip so many times we could almost do it with eyes shut. Then as we got closer to Alice Springs the rain got heavier. About 100 kms south of Alice we only just got through a crossing which was half a metre deep – and coming up quickly. Cars and vans and trucks were all lined up either side of the road but we knew we could easily do it, and sailed through with the van (no pun intended). Okie2 didn’t even get his inside mat wet! The looks on the faces of all the folk who had stopped at the water’s edge waiting, while we just drove straight down and into it without a pause, was priceless. There was a bus load of tourists standing around who took photos of us. It truly wasn’t a concern. We have been through deeper and more quick flowing. Once we got to the other side, the van was overheard to say "Shiver my simplicity suspension! That was a nice cool dip!". I think the highway would now be closed though as the water was rising. Chris and Val

Oh for a minute there Rael and Sue I thought you were going to say you were going to be around Darwin as well! But not to be. We will certainly try to come see you guys at Nanago. I have always wanted to see the area. Chris

OK, it seems a few of us will be in Darwin in late May this year, and staying at the Howard Springs cp. It would be good to know if there will be others there at the same time. Anyone planning to be in or around Darwin in May or June? We actually head up north later this week, and will be staying in the Top End (with our Top Ender - appropriate, no?) until early June doing some work and catching up on contacts. It would be good to see other Kedrons.... Chris

I am impressed at anyone having left over Easter eggs Webby. Updated itinerary? Would you be so kind as to send me the updated version before you leave? Are you excited yet? Chris

Peter, that is the best news! We can catch up with you. I will bring you a bottle of Barossa red, or maybe a riesling (nearby Eden Valley is famous for its reislings). And one or two for Webby and Jacky Jacky...and one or two for me. Bugger, no room for anything else under the bed. Oh well.... Chris

Sure will Webby. It was at Howard Springs CP that Flynny was given the message from you to quit any socialising and get onto the trip reports, so I can do the same courtesy for you if you like? Wine will be chilled and waiting. :biggrin: Chris

As some of you may know, we were travelling for almost four years in our previous van (an 18 foot 6 inch ATV) but have settled down again in a house. And so the new Top Ender sits for longish periods in between trips these days. BUT we are planning a Big Trip to Darwin, NT, and then on to QLD, NSW, Vic andback home in Adelaide again. We leave in a week's time, driving up through the centre on the Stuart Highway, bush camping pretty much all the way. We are staying at Howard Springs Big 4 in Darwin for two months, to allow us both to do some work and catch up with friends and family. Then it will be off (probably via the Savannah Way) with the van, spending a week or so at Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns, then down the coast to Townsville (visiting those lovely national parks just off the highway to the West) and then who knows? But we do need to spend time in Brisbane visiting the factory to get a couple of modifications done, and visiting family again. After that we head south, somewhere or other....no firm plans. I am looking forward to the trip immensely - who wouldn't?- and am so very grateful to Kedron for making the sort of tough van which makes this possible. I can't imagine a van which could suit us better; this one is structurally as tough as it gets but looks wonderful too. Chris

Hi Robert and Jane. Yes, we plugged ours up in the same manner within days of picking up the new van a year ago but the side edges of the windows allowed bugs through (quite badly). At the time Dometic did not publicly recognise the problem, I don't think. Now of course, they have had to admit there is a problem and are addressing it with the "fix", which is largely caterpillar fur as far as I can see (which is from a distance, Val having done the actual work!! :biggrin: ) Anyway, I am guessing it will work. Val has loosened the tension and now the blinds are moving up and down freely. Chris

OK, windows are all well and truly dealt with now - it took Val about 5 hours to do them all - but that was because he dropped a screw in one of them and had to re-take it out.... But even so it takes a while. I notice the windows are significantly stiffer now to pull the blinds up and down. I wonder if this is normal? We plan to be travelling up to the NT in about 5 weeks time, spending a few months there and then coming back through QLD on our way home, so we can give the windows a good trial to see how effective they are at keeping bugs out. Chris

When we had the van built a yar ago we asked Kedron to put dual lights at the couch and at each side of the bed - a halogen as well as an LED. This means if we are on town power we can use the nice warm lights of the halogen; and out bush we can use the less power hungry (and cooler) LED's. I think Kedron may be now doing this for new vans as a matter of course - but it could only be the Top Enders... Anyway I am glad we did it this way, and top marks to Kedron for listening to what we wanted. Very versatile lights. Chris

Hi all. I am posting an attachment which Dometic have provided to assist with the actual installation of the kit. Dometic have kits for sale and I would suggest if you want their kit you would need to contact Dometic directly. (I have checked, and Dometic are happy for me to post these instructions). The instructions have beautifully clear photos and appear to be straightforward to implement... Chris Dometic_Window_upgrade_procedure.pdf

Hi all. Has anyone arranged to have the Dometic windows "fix" done? How hard is it? Do you have to take the windows out? Is it a tricky job? Any pitfalls to look out for? Chris

No CCC, we only ordered ours in the middle of last year (that is, about 6 or 7 months ago). Are you sure that was the price quoted for EACH anode? Chris

Back in July 2008 (my how time flies!) cvtripper posted this: If you're not desperate, order 6 from http://www.rvingoutpost.com/specs.php?prod...tle=Anode%20Rod for $11 each. The postage isn't calculated correctedly when ordering but Julie sends an email confirming total price on ordering. I ordered 6 for future use, but I don't think they'll arrive before we head off but the total cost came to AUS$80 ($12 shipping) as the AUS dollar is pretty good for buying from the USA at the moment. (Works out at about $13 each). We ordered ours from there and they arrived very promptly. We ordered 6 I think... Chris

Yes, Gordon and Chris, this looks like one of the best ever! I really look forward to seeing it. Incidentally, the material posted here is available to view on the Gall Boys official web site - see http://www.thegallboys.com/ Chris

The new DVD “Crossin’ the Canning” is well into editing and should be nearing completion to go into production soon. It promises to be a beauty. Some advance photos can be seen here. That van went to some amazing spots. They certainly make them solid, hey? I believe one of the major strengths of the Kedron brand is that they test their vans to the hilt and learn from what doesn't work out there on the track. Chris

Bryan, we had one installed in our previous van as a post-build arrangement (see here for some photos of the unit in our van). We have had another incorporated in the build of the current van - a Top Ender- and the positioning is slightly different, but substantially the same. In both cases we had an outlet in the bathroom to warm up the cubicle before a shower and to use as a drying cabinet in wet weather; and also we had the on/off switch put close to the bed. This means we can turn it on in the morning BEFORE getting out of bed. We think they are the best thing since sliced bread. Chris

Tom and Jacky, thanks for letting us know how you are finding it down there. Are you enjoying the trip? Now another question; where is the photo taken which features in your avatar/profile photo? GRAET spot. Chris

It doesn't look too impressive in the photo... my giddy aunt! Chris

We are also onto our second Kedron. Obviously the quality of the van was the biggest issue for us, but (as Webby says) the generous attitude by the Kedron team was an added bonus. We have always treated them with respect, and in return have been given incredible after sale support. Even after three years, when we had a problem with a hot water heater (the old Truma unit) Kedron repaired it by installing a new unit at the cost of the labour only. I think they badgered Truma into providing the unit. Other repair work they have simply done free of charge, stating "that shouldn't have happened, so we will fix it". Chris

Ummm, does this include me? I have paid membership recently by signing a form and sending it off. Do I need now to renew for this coming year? Or am I covered? I really hope this isn't a stupid question... Chris