Did you know you can follow us on our journey on YouTube!!
Welcome to todays diary entry! In preparation for our departure in a couple of weeks there has been an element of intense anxiety in my stomach about the motorhome, it is no secret that i am a nervous motorhome owner and to be fair i was the same with the Campervan and I don’t think it will ever go away. I spend most of time time thinking oh my god what if my motorhome has damp issues (i have never seen anything that would make me think that) or oh my god what if the suspension snaps (no sign of that happening) or what if x, y or z happens but from when we got here I had noticed that the steering felt like it was vibrating when the wheel was turned and i was going slowly and the power steering was making a funny notice.
So id told myself as soon as i get chance and i see the mechanic i am going to get him to look at it. My initial reaction was that it was the bearings perhaps or something to do with the tracking (although my knowledge of mechanics is literally zero) but he popped the bonnet and asked me to turn the ignition on looked at it for a bout 15 seconds asked to switch it off and checked the hydraulic oil and it was empty. He didn’t speak any English and for some reason he couldn’t understand the French google translate so we had to get someone else to translate for him. We needed some engine coolant, some hydraulic oil and he topped up my engine oil and then asked me to start the engine. What was fascinating was that when he top up hydraulic oil it was full he then turned the ignition on and turned the turning steering wheel backwards and forwards twice and then showed me the oil level again it was below empty so it must have really needed it, so he topped it up again. The noise difference in the motorhome was unbelievable.
Last update on 2024-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It literally sounded like a different vehicle it was absolutely mad hearing the difference. I was looking forward to today because it was a chance to test it out a bit as we were headed off to Croco park on a little English excursion! The motorhome drove absolutely brilliantly and has gone a long way to settling my nerves about moving off the site and things like that. The thing is and the most important thing is normally once you are here the moment you set off for home you are always edging closer and closer to home but we are heading 9+ hours east and at no point do we physically get any closer to Stoke on Trent.
But boy do we have a road trip planned for March and i am going to try and do whatever it takes to film it all as much as possible as i have this dream of writing a book called Desert Drives and Moutain Passes and this would certainly add to that book. I had done a few drafts but i really want to do this so i can add these parts into it as well. I really want to be parked in the desert looking out over sand dunes from my bonnet. To be able to open the motorhome door and walk about 10 metres and be in the desert. I just think that sounds amazing.
Check out these fab resources designed to make your motorhome adventures a breeze ⬇️
- Need a new Motorhome Awning? We’re brand Ambassadors for A&E Leisure. Before we went full time van life, Rich used to work there! He’s now an online Leisure Vehicle Specialist, so if there’s anything you need, he’ll be able to help! [sshh, he also can get you an A&E Leisure Discount code, let’s keep that between us ;)] Just drop us a message on Messenger or Email to get the conversation started.
- Check out our Pre-Departure Motorhome Checklist to make sure things are plain sailing from the off!
- You also have the Mega Motorhome Checklist for everything from the nuts and bolts, kitchen supplies and entertainment.
- Like to document and journal your travels? We have scoured the web for the best Road Trip Journals for Motorhome and Caravan Lovers.
