Rick Johnson

Trish and I stayed there on the night of 12th June, having read the rave (?) reviews od HVS. How disappointing it was, no powered sites available, but not a problem but the unpowered camping was all over the place like a dogs breakfast. We were told the riverside camping was not available, no explanation. We didn't both to eat in the restaurant as Trish is a much better cook. We left the next day and would not go back! El Questro on the other hand was excellent, even though with the van we were unable to access the private camping sites. They know how to do it. Bypass HVS, it's not worth it. Rick

Sorry for this late reply but we have just travelled the GGR leaving Broome on 3rd July and reaching Kununurra on 18th. Overall the road was in excellent condition ( for the Gibb that is ). All good up to Drysdale, and was mostly just graded up to King Edward River. The camp host there told us the Mitchell Falls road was the best it had been in 4 years and yes it was reasonable. Don't take the van up tho as it is just too narrow in places and there are a couple of steep creek approaches and exits. The road from Ellenbrae deteriorated and was quite corrugated to the Pentecost River. Not much flow there, not much more than tyre deep. The road from there to the El Questro turnoff was the worst part of the road by far. Make sure you call into Mornington Wilderness Camp, it's worth the side trip. Enjoy the Gibb which was just as good as it was in 2004 when we last travelled it, despite the increased traffic.

I am planning to spend a week on KI in mid March and wonder if any Koggers have any recommendations re places to stay, things to see and do? Cheers Rick

Does anyone have some suggestions for lightweight ladders that can be easily stored/carried to provide roof access. The sort that if you don't have you will need! Thanks Rick

Hi Tony, Thanks for that info. I had a look at Alan Jones' Exomount and it seems perfect so have ordered one. Cheers Rick

Hi Glen, Where have you mounted it? Is the surface very shiny or rough? Do you have a photo of it mounted? Thanks Rick

Hi Alan, Thanks for the offer and I will wait until you have yours. Give me a call on 0402 281 590 when it arrives. Cheers Rick

Hi Russ Thanks for the warning but it is not an issue as I have no Sim in the iPad and it is a WiFi model. Cheers Rick

Hi Everyone, I have an iPad and the Mud Maps app to use for navigation in my LC200. I would like some advice on mounting the iPad,I would preferably not want it attached to the windscreen but wonder if anyone has experience mounting elsewhere eg dash facia or centre console or floor? All ideas/thoughts/photos welcome. Thanks Rick Johnson

Russ, Can you please give me a call in the next few days on 0402281590. Regards Rick

Hi Russ My Honda 2.0i won't run my aircon so am looking to buy & Yamaha, which model are you selling? Regards Rick Johnson

Thanks for everyone's help. As there is no LED supplier near me that I know of, I ordered one via post from Image Envirolife at Morriset for $18 + del. It arrived this morning and looks the same as the one Glen & Debbie described. Unfortunately its too wet outside to install it, hopefully the rain in Sydney will stop soon! Cheers Rick

Hi Tony Thanks for posting that, very stirring stuff. Pity it probably won't be seen by the general public. Cheers Rick

Hi Mal & Kerry Thanks for the reply. I thought it might be a bit harder than that because it was a bayonet fitting, so I'll try some LED places. Many thanks Rick

Does anyone know if the Bargman door light can be converted to LED? It's the only non LED left on my van and I would like to get rid of it. Cheers Rick

Does anyone know of someone in Sydney who can do wheel alignments for this type of suspension? Rick

Hi Lyn & John, I know this is not close by, but I can definitely recommend Alternate Gas Refrigeration at Arndell Park ( listed in Camec's service guide ). They spent over half an hour replacing a resistor somewhere near the compressor and would not accept payment, Fixed the fridge! They also fixed a friends Waeco and likewise did not charge. Good luck Rick

The number of flashes in each cycle indicate the probable fault. It is a diagnostic tool only. The light is outside the van secured to the bottom air grate for the fridge.

Info for Sydney residents. The 230l fridge packed up the day we arrived home after six weeks in the Channel Country ( very lucky eh! ). Lisa at Kedron gave me the Vitrifgo agents number who recommended 2 companies in Sydney. Ocean Air at Balgowlah wanted $125 call out inc 1 hour labour, then $85 ph thereafter. I took van to Alternate Gas Refrigeration at Arndell Park who promptly diagnosed the problem, fixed it, then rigged up a warning light to diagnose any problems in the future. The total charge was $20 ( for the warning light ). Bob Parkinson runs the business & couldn't be more helpful. If you need help with any of your 12v fridges ( Engel, Waeco etc ), give him a call on 02 9672 1664. The address is Unit 20, 14 Holbeche Road, Arndell Park. Cheers Rick

Hi Ian I think it goes like this- if you leave it on 12v, everything runs off the batteries that would normally run off the batteries. If you put in on 240v, everything runs off the 240v dropped down to 12v via the transformer except for the fridge which is wired direct to the batteries only. I seem to remember that was the answer I got from Ashleigh when I asked the same question. I normally leave it on 12v as the transformer is too noisy as its right under my bed head. Hope this helps Cheers Rick :biggrin:

Hi All I purchased through Kedron for the same cost & fixed all the windows.(Dometic wouldn't deal with me either) It was time consuming but not hard. You should have seen the dead beatles that fell out when I removed the windows- 1000's of them! I haven't as yet put them to the 'tropical' test but it should be a great improvement. Rick

Hi Bruce I have bought 2 lengths of gal chain & threaded them through a couple of lengths of push bike rubber inner tube to stop the rattle. I have then secured each piece with a good quality padlock & placed some cloth gaffer tape over the keyholes. Dust was not a problem when I had to change a flat on the Kennedy Developmental road between Mt Surprise & Hughendon. Works for me anyway. Cheers Rick

Thanks boys, hopefully I can find some earthworms. I've bought a few different lures to try as well. Will let you know the results in August. Many thanks.

Trish & I are Leaving on 30th June for Bourke, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Welford NP, Lark Quarry, Diamantina NP then up to Mt Isa, Lawn Hill then across to Karumba. We hope to do some fishing and are looking for some where to & how to information. We have purchased a couple of nets for yabbies & have heard that dog biscuits work ok. Can anyone help?