Five days in and the wheel comes off their Big Lap!

Published: February 21, 2018

A Brisbane couple just five days into their Big Lap dream have had a narrow escape from disaster.

The couple, who didn’t want to be named, told the Camden Haven Courier newspaper that a wheel came off their new caravan as they navigated a roundabout in North Haven south of Port Macquarie in New South Wales.

The pair had bought their caravan just two months earlier, and said it was lucky the wheel hadn’t come off on the highway.

They expressed their disappointment that their big adventure had faced such a mishap so early on.

Their caravan has been transported to Port Macquarie to be repaired.

When everything has been thoroughly checked out, the couple plans to continue their journey south.

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I know the feeling, in February 2017 with our then, 12-Month-old Jayco Silverline, cruising at 100kmh down a hill, there was a slight shudder. When I looked in the wing mirror I could see a wheel coming down the road and realised it must be from our van. When I stopped and got out I was surprised to see that both wheels on the drivers’ side were missing. I have no idea when the first wheel came off, but it must have been several kilometres earlier. The Van had been serviced 350 km before the wheels came off. It has certainly been a great conversation starter and something to laugh about, the day the wheels fell off.
Ralph, “Notmad Nomads”

Hi
I’m looking in upgrading from a Jayco conquest to a optimum
Can I have some feed back and what is the best price to pay or is there a better motorhome that you will recommend
Thanks
Stav

A test on love
Enjoy your journey

Just a reminder to all to CHECK YOUR WHEEL NUTS! Wheel nuts should be checked regularly, (especially if you have Alloy Wheels, and using a tension wrench), and certainly checked if the van is new or has been serviced. You will often find wheel nuts too tight if mechanics have used an Impact Tool (Rattle Gun) to refit wheels and that could lead to wheel stud failure.

Hope everything goes to plan for the rest of your trip. Lucky it has been attended to!

Is it only a single axle ? – looks big & heavy

We had our centr e wheel come off our 28’ triaxle about 5 years into our journey, it was a big eye opener but were in the country area of south Australia and the farmers out there were great and came to our aid and even loan Steve his ute to get parts from town

back in 1981 we were approaching the motel with the windmill near Coffs Harbour when the Nissan Patrol leaped forward and the caravan was heading towards the windmill stopping at its base ,The caravan was 3 days old and they had fitted a lovells spring loaded hitch and all the bolts had sheared off taking all the safety chains as that is where they attached lucky not much damage

all wheel nuts should be checked within the 1st 50 to 100 klm after a service or pick up of a new vann i do alot of services and pre deliveries on vans i also use a torque wrench to tighten nuts but every customer is told to recheck after 50 to 100 klm it all comes down to human error and the wheels will settle in properly after a few klms in fact alot of manufacturers will make you sign a form stating that

Funny how no car manufacturer asks you to re tighten the wheel nuts after 50 to 100 km. Could it be they know how to design wheels and their attachments…

Wheel nuts If you get tyres replaced on car or van at a reputable tyre place you will find a sticker telling you to check and re tension wheel nuts after 100kl That’s my experience over years of van towing too. My tool box has always had a tension wrench,

Ive had a customed built van still sitting in driveway as the interior was shockly finished So I had an inspection done on it the van is not road worthy How was a blue slip passed ? I was told wheels just hanging on a matter of time before they fall off ! Break cable passing through suspension and welding not completed on chassis How the hell do they think they can get away from endangering someones life by there negligence

All caravanners, especially off roaders should take the time to regularly check all around and under their vans. Do this at the end of a days triip before your “refreshments” or happy hour.
You will have peace of mind before you start off next morning.

I have had tirers blow on our duel axle van and not knowing it had blown until a farmer stopped us .The first thing we did was to purchase tire preasure monitors .They will tell you that you have a tyre going down best thing I have ever bought fothe van good caravanig see you on the road regards Rex

Sorry but this is why we opted for a tandem

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