We've been mulling over changing the motorhome for some time. Over the past few months we've variously got to within an inch of buying a panel van conversion and downsizing (but at the last minute I did my usual weight calculations and ended up with negative payload) and deciding we're keeping the current 'van and then putting (not cheap) new tyres on.
We then revisited our initial thoughts and had a view of a hard to locate replacement of a similar size, different layout, narrow/light coachbuilt of a different make. It was second-hand (and albeit quite new had not been well treated) but it re-awakened our interest. Though fairly rare beasts, I managed to locate a new one, automatic, with all the options we wanted and, just as importantly none that we didn't, but in the Newton Abbot branch of the same company the current 'van cam from. Not the most convenient of locations, but less than 10 miles from my daughter in Torquay.
So, we arranged to reserve it, view on Saturday, and if all was well purchase on Sunday (subject to the pre-agreed p/ex value being underwritten after their viewing. All went well (with a little "snagging" and a small number of additions to sort on the new one) so we pick up in a couple of weeks.
Whilst I was a bit wary, we managed to park up for the night with the current 'van on my daughter's drive (and were even allowed inside overnight ;-) ). There's plenty of room in front of the house, but a 200 yard narrow unmade road to reverse down (no chance of turning a 7m vehicle at the end). It was rather easier than anticipated.
Current 'van is getting on 7 years old, all in our ownership, but has worn its years well, and has been mechanically mollycoddled. It was invoiced new at £67k, and has been p/exed at £50k which, though the market has been quite buoyant for some time, isn't bad depreciation at around 25% over 7 years (c 2.5k a year in ownership).
I'd had a brake squeal on and off over the last year (common on Ducatos) and had managed to quieten it by stripping and cleaning the brakes, but it was eventually back. A couple of weeks ago I stripped one (the noisy) side again, and wasn't happy as the pads seemed to be delaminating slightly. It's another common Ducato problem (particularly those used as motorhomes) and it went onto the to-do list (possibly with new discs, though these were in-spec), in the next few weeks.
The imminent exchanging, combined with several associated long trips to and from the SW rather pricked my conscience and safety awareness, and I decided that, as a "hidden danger" I'd rather it was remedied. So, the day before it went to Newton Abbot I sourced a set of pads locally and fitted (both sides of course). Pad change isn't the most difficult of tasks (I have a piston compressor) but the Ducato's mechanics are pretty heavy duty. The worst part is getting the wheels back on. They're large and heavy and the hubs aren't studded, the wheels are bolted on and lining up with the vehicle jacked whilst trying to get at least one bolt in is back-breaking work.
Anyway, though I could have done without the task, £44 and 3 hours of my time later I was much happier and my conscience much clearer. Not least because the delamination on the original side was already somewhat worse, and there was a parallel crack in the friction material. The other side looked like one pad was just starting to delaminate. Plenty of wear left in all four pads otherwise.
And....the 'van stopped and went ok on the journey out and back despite me having played with it.
I just didn't feel I could pass the 'van on with a hidden fault of that nature.
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>The worst part is getting the wheels back on. They're large and heavy and the hubs
>aren't studded, the wheels are bolted on and lining up with the vehicle jacked
>whilst trying to get at least one bolt in is back-breaking work.
Easiest way that I've found to do that is to sit on floor with one leg each side of hub, roll the wheel between knees and then lift by bending knees.
Or get the wife to lift the wheel while you put the bolts in.
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So what is make/ model etc of the new van?
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Adria Compact Supreme DL.
The base vehicle has more electronic control options than a 747. (an extended warranty is therefore being seriously considered).
A bit like this one but without the leather.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgzbkjk2kBQ
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Adria? nicely built vans. Was tempted by an Adria Action van but opted for the Basecamp as the ergonomics in the Adria were a bit compromised
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We looked at an Adria when we bought the 304. I think it was called the Shannon but a then local outfit did then as dealer specials with, amongst other things an electric add on for the gas heater.
In the end though it wasn't quite as good ergonomically as the 304 which is an absolute Tardis and had a much better dinette layout.
Away in the 304 over the weekend at CAMC Wyatts Covert; first outing this year. Scrounged 8 hours leave at short notice to add today.
It's still a pretty good piece of kit. It was though a bit of a 'mare on Friday having been cold soaked for weeks so wringing with condensation added to which the fridge and water were both playing up. All good by Saturday eve.
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>> 92 grand!!! Holy moly
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It does look very nice though.
My first house cost less than a third of that! :-D
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>> My first house cost less than a third of that! :-D
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Mine was about a sixth.
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>> 92 grand!!! Holy moly
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What's good enough for SNP leaders...,..
(It's the cost to change that counts when you already own one. The current equivalent Hymer to mine is around £110k, which is really taking the p. So much so that the dealers have stopped ordering for stock)
There aren't no pockets in shrouds, and "Rachel from accounts" is hovering.
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The kevin way is the best for us aged ole geets
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Are the brake pad issues as a result of rust and sticking to the discs then driving due to long periods of being parked up?
I trashed a set of Picanto rear pads like that.
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>> Are the brake pad issues as a result of rust and sticking to the discs
>> then driving due to long periods of being parked up?
I don't think so. The front brakes shouldn't really be in contact when parked up, and on the Ducato (at least until recently) neither should the rears. The handbrake is "drum in hat", with disk for the service brake, and a central (small) drum within the disk with small shoes for the handbrake. That Ducato handbrake is notoriously carp, and a source of a good few MOT failures.
New van has EPB on rear disks, no "drum in hat", so hopefully better.
Whilst the 'van gets parked up for longer periods than a normal car, it is used regularly and all year round. I suspect it's a result of both age (the 'van, not mine!) and it running at or near max load all the time.
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>Or a wheel dolly
I thought I mentioned that?
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>> >The worst part is getting the wheels back on. They're large and heavy and the
>> hubs
>> >aren't studded, the wheels are bolted on and lining up with the vehicle jacked
>> >whilst trying to get at least one bolt in is back-breaking work.
Every sympathy with that. Getting ordinary alloys back onto the Berlingo is a pain.
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Mercedes used to provide a rod that screwed into a wheel bolt thread and you hung a wheel on it to aid changing wheels. I've seen them advertised for most vehicles.
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A few times, since retirement, I’ve considered a small motorhome, but never for long. I have 4 friends who own them, ranging from small VW types to great big things. They all use them, a lot, both for single overnights 3x a week, and two month continental trips.
I just prefer the simplicity and ease of getting in my car and heading off with tent, ferry to Dieppe or Santander/Bilbao, camping on a site if the weather is suitable, or staying B & B, hotel, Casa Rural wherever I find myself.
Never booking more than a few hours in advance, prefer to simply wing it.
Car hire can be really cheap…€81 for 15 days next week from ALC, so two cars, four of us in a luxury villa costing €850 pw, so about £25 each per night.
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We usually get somewhere North of 80 nights a year away in the 'van, using it all year round. (If you think that the current 'van depreciated by around £2.5k a year, that doesn't seem bad!)
Due to the different circumstances, we generally book in the UK. In more than 30 years I've only booked on the Continent a handful of times. Helsinki because we knew when we were going to arrive, and there was one obvious site to use and since we subsequently found it was the first day of their main school holidays (in May!) we were glad we had; Dublin, again, time known and rumours were it would be busy (it wasn't); and Delft to avoid having to search for somewhere after a late-ish arrival at The Hook.
I've also recently booked an Aire in the centre of Tournai (12 spaces, just off the centre) for our first night out.
Otherwise, we just follow our noses using aires/Stellplätze, generally finding the quieter places and exploring.
It ain't for everyone, but it suits us, and we've certainly visited interesting places between North of the Arctic Circle and mid-Italy we wouldn't have done using different methods.
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>> ... a rod that screwed into a wheel bolt thread and you hung a wheel on it to aid changing wheels.
I've seen them advertised for most vehicles.
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see Wheel fitting removal alignment tool on the usual site
Available from about £8
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I've just caught up with myself again and, as I was binning the pads I'd taken off I stuck a little screwdriver lightly between the backing plate and the friction material on the one I was concerned about.......and half the friction material simply separated and broke off :-O
The one from the other side that looked like it was just starting was still firmly attached.
I'm now rather relieved (and avoiding looking at the rears).
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Due to a rear brake issue on my Sportage I had to replace discs, pads and handbrake shoes. I sourced the parts from GSF, a reputable source. The pads were Drivetec, a budget brand that they seem to seem to sell a lot of.
They were rubbish. Even with a metal file I could not get them to fit properly (they were the correct ones). Even the friction material looked tatty.
Exchanged and paid more for Delphi. They fitted and the whole pad looked better quality.
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>>They were rubbish...
This seems to be happening a lot now. The customer is quality control.
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I think there's a fine line between counterfeit and budget parts.
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>> I think there's a fine line between counterfeit and budget parts.
the packaging mostly..... I am always annoyed the factors never sell a kit, pads yes, but no guides or wear sensors,
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My pads came with wear sensors on 2 of the 4 (one too many as only only one side is wired), shims and replacement slider bolts.
The shims didn't fit though - not enough clearance on the disc. That wasn't much of a surprise as the same pads fit three thicknesses of disc, and mine was the middle size (various sites I use warn that additional shims might be required, and I know of people who've had the same issue). I re-used the existing shims after cleaning and ceramic greasing.
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FIAT Ducato Sevel X250 - Conscience and brakes - Kevin
