Chris
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Posts posted by Chris
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Thanks for the offer Rod & Mavis, but from both the answers we have received I think that we will be moving to LED's too and keeping the one remaining halogen as a spare. Thankfully we only have the two halogens in the van to replace.
I wonder if Kedron is now putting LED's in their caravans when they are building them.
Many thanks again for the offer
Julie
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
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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
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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
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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
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Back in July 2008 (my how time flies!) cvtripper posted this:
If you're not desperate, order 6 fromhttp://www.rvingoutpost.com/specs.php?prod...tle=Anode%20Rodfor $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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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It doesn't look too impressive in the photo... my giddy aunt!
Chris
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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
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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
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We also travel with the flush tank full. When we picked the vans (both times) up from the factory, the flush tanks were full, and it assumed Kedron knew the van was being moved! So I am guessing it is not seen as an issue.
Incidentally, I always slightly flush the toilet before using it for those larger jobs so that the slippery slide is more slippery (thanks for that metaphor Jacky Jacky!).
Chris
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I will miss you Darryl! I do know that new horizons are calling and new interests have arisen, and that's natural. Whoever buys the van will get a sound and well looked after rig. Good luck with the sale.
I hope you keep in touch with us and the forum.
Chris
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Oh joy!! I have just been "advanced" to financial membership. Well I guess that is why I can now get into the membership section. Thanks Ann and Webby!!!
Chris
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Thanks to those involved for all your hard work. I am sending off the financial membership form tomorrow.
I then look forward to having my membership "advanced" - that should be a novel feeling.
Chris
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Hi Steve and Jim.
I am so glad you have finally picked up your new baby and that you have had a successful shakedown trip in it (well, I HOPE it was successful).
Thanks for the information about the security improvements you have made. That is one of the great benefits of the forum...it allows us to share ideas.
Chris
Darwin in May
in Public Forum
Posted
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