| HITCHING UP WITH MAX TAYLOR
PROFESSIONAL TOUCH
Some repairs I’ll have a go
at myself. Others, though, I
know to leave to the experts.
Like the time my gas hot water
started spitting boiling water
from a pin-sized hole that had
corroded through the top of
the tank. I’ve no doubt that
some handy folks would
have had a go at replacing
the heater. Not me – when
it comes to gas and 240V
electricity, I know to leave it
alone. And then there was that
time I parked a caravan too
close to the kerb. The front
of the awning caught a solid
overhanging branch and as I
nudged my tow vehicle forward,
the awning screws tore straight
out of the wall studs and took
decent chunks of aluminium
cladding with them.
Now that was a repair job
for an expert. “The awning
is always the first to go,” the
repairer told me. I imagine
that’s because they protrude
about 120mm from the side
of the van – it’s easy to
forget about the awning when
manoeuvring the van about.
MANAGING EDITOR
Max Taylor
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NATIONAL SALES MANAGER
Ashley Manson - 0438 051 354
VIDEOGRAPHER/EDITOR
James Manson
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Adriana Manson
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
IN THIS ISSUE
RV MAIL 4
KOKODA FORCE II 6
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X-Trail GT tested
DIY DISASTERS 10
REGAL CONDAMINE 14
YOUR RV 18
What to do. And what not to do
Five things to know about this van
Inside a Traveller Obsession
Robbie Mangoni + Ruby MacKinnon PATRIOT GAMES Patriot Campers hits the small screen 20
WEB DESIGNER Darcy McDonald THE WALLABY TRACK A new column, with Lionel Mussell 22
PRODUCED BY TOURING MARY RIVER, NT 24
RAMBLING ON 28
THE FRONT BOOT 30
RV CATALOGUE 34
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Cameron Damon Media
www.camerondamon.com.au Four reasons to explore
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES News and gear for the RV lifestyle
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2
This issue, we look at the
dos and don’ts of van repair.
I’m all for people having a go
at small jobs but I urge caution
on larger repairs.
I have no experience replacing
aluminium cladding. Sure, I could
probably work it out, more or
less. But would I be confident
my re-applied J-mould wouldn’t
leak? Hmmm. Like I said, some
jobs are best left to the experts.
gorv.com.au
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