THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP ON THIS FORUM FOR PRE-LOVED VANS...

[Bushtracker]

Quite simple really, once you have bought a second hand Bushtracker,

REGISTER AS AN OWNER!!!!

Besides Welcome, there are some really important Safety Tips in the Maintenance Section you should IMMEDIATELY GO TO upon buying your pre-loved van... Have I got your attention??

Good, because there are important Maintenance Tips in this Category and in the OWNERS SECTION, you need to check out, on the brakes, emergency brakes, wheel bearings, hitch, and things like this, that may not be readily apparent to you.. OK?

In this Category, many Topics are here to cover things you need to look at like the Suspension, and hitch, and pivot blocks, and I am adding to this the importance of wheel bearings as some of you are going a long way to pick up your secondhand Bushtracker. The next post in this thread shows you the consequences of not checking things out.

I am trying to take care of you, really. That is my goal, and some of the things are serious safety issues on the road, so as soon as you get your van, you should Register and then go over some of these issues so you don't get caught out past Woop Woop with something broken..

Kind Regards, and a big WELCOME to you in advance..
lone Ranger....

[Bushtracker]

Look,

Particularly you "Newbies", that might be going 1000 or 2000 kms to buy a second hand Bushtracker: My advice is here for free, and in "Your Best Interests" and you should sit up and take notice. It might just save your life...

When you first pick up a van, in addition to all the obvious, springs, emergency brakes, the hitch, brakes themselves, you need to be aware of the things you cannot see and wheel bearings would also be near the top of the list. What if someone has overtightened the wheel bears and have caused too much heat? What if someone has too little grease in the wheel bearings?

Do not trust your life, on the unknown... This is a wheel bearing that has overheated due to lack of grease or being overtightened, and would not have gone another 1000 kms



What are you looking at? The hard facing on the rollers is GONE and the roughness would eat away the race and this is seriously ON ITS WAY OUT.. Now, what happens if it actually does go? The bearing will go red hot, melt down, and can weld itself to the axle stub.. If it does not weld itself to the axle stub, it will simply disintegrate and over ride the adjustment nut. Then this can happen at high speed:



Before you know it, the wheel and hub, and brake drum, all up about 50 kg sails past you at 100 kph and could KILL SOMEONE. Then your brake backing plate is grinding off and digging in and could turn the whole van over or jack knife and again KILL SOMEONE...



Now what is the point of this? Pay attention to the items above in the Topic about Service, not necessarily even from us as I am still too far Booked ahead and this is not here as a plug to make you get Service from us.. I am here to tell you that the unknown van you are picking up is UNKNOWN in condition TO YOU. I would do a tear down and inspection before going any great distance, OK? Brakes, shoes, and wheel bearings. There is a list of what you should look at yourself, or have a Professional look at, in this Category in the Topic: PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTIONS/ REPORT AND EXTENDING WARRANTY?

Yes, inspect the hitch and spring packs and poly block pivot points, but sometimes what cannot see could be the most important. It could save you, doing this Service before going 1000 or 2000 kms home... OK with this? If it is near by, at least go talk to the Business that did the last Service to be comfortable that they are competent enough to put your life and property on the line with.

Looking out for you, 24/7, from da road Ranger

[Bushtracker]

Further on this Topic:

In the Owners Section, in TIPS ON MAINTENANCE, read the Topic on the Pivot Blocks.... SUSPENSION PIVOT BLOCK WEAR
If you buy one that needs them replaced, it can also mean erroding the seat on the chassis that the pivot block sits into..

Also, there is a whole new style of Pivot Block that is coming on line. You do not want to go pick up a van and come to grief or cause unnecessary damage you could have avoided... Better to learn before causing the damage, it is much cheaper and easier.

You do not want to drive all the way home from a long way away, with pivot blocks that look this bad:




Kind regards, Steven Gibbs, Admin.

[nelsonthomas]

very nice tips info i like it

[John and Di]

Brand new just looking and thought perhaps 2 nd hand 1 st the when we know a bit more go new - all thoughts opinions very welcome

[D&T]

If it was within my budget (and timing) I would learn as much as possible first and go new. You then get what you want. I understand that's not for everyone but it is the way we went.

Plenty of info here and the coaching along the way is excellent. There is only a couple of things I would change if we were to have another built but nothing that can't be retrofitted.

Either way, enjoy the ride.

PS. I notice you are in Geelong. We are currently in Freshwater Creek, so if you want to come and have a look at our van and have a chinwag you are more than welcome. Another good point, get into as many vans as possible. We asked to look at dozens before deciding to build.

Richard

[kalmwaters]

Another perspective. We are on our 2nd used van and very happy with both. Only upgraded in size as we live full time in our van.
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Big savings on new and with the plethora on the market you will have no trouble getting what you want. You can then get it checked and serviced by BT and if it needs work you are still well below new price.
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Decide what size you want (or more importantly what size you can tow with your vehicle) and start looking now. Avoid anything that has obviously had a hard life.
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Costs nothing to look and as you have already been advised, check out as many vans as you can and talk to the owners about the issues they have had and repairs/maintenance required. Along with this site, this will alert you what to look for and make the whole ownership journey a lot easier and more pleasant.
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If they say they have never had to repair or replace anything, walk away as they are not the people you need to talk to.
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Only the owners of other makes of caravan never have to do anything on their vans! Or that is what they would have you think.

[John and Di]

Hi Richard would love to come and see your van and have a chat what is the best way to organise

[RobandFlip]

Hi John and Di, We live in Rutherglen with our 4 month old 21ft Bushtracker. So if you have the time to divert 19ks west off the Hume at Springhurst on your way north, you are most welcome to come and have a look.
Cheers, Robyn

[John and Di]

Hi John and Di, We live in Rutherglen with our 4 month old 21ft Bushtracker. So if you have the time to divert 19ks west off the Hume at Springhurst on your way north, you are most welcome to come and have a look.
Cheers, Robyn

Thanks Robyn, will certainly keep these details for when next heading to the north east

[D&T]

John and Di, you can email me by using the email tab at the bottom of the post and we can arrange a catch up time that will suit us both.

I will keep an eye out for it.

[Bushtracker]

Quite simple really,

REGISTER AS AN OWNER AS SOON AS YOU BUY ONE, I MEAN EVEN BEFORE YOU TAKE IT HOME TO CHECK ON THINGS.!!!!

Besides Welcome, there are some really important Safety Tips in the Maintenance Section you should IMMEDIATELY GO TO upon buying your pre-loved van... Have I got your attention??

Good, because there are important Maintenance Tips in this Category and in the OWNERS SECTION, you need to check out, on the brakes, emergency brakes, wheel bearings, hitch, and things like this, that may not be readily apparent to you.. OK?

In this Category, many Topics are here to cover things you need to look at like the Suspension, and hitch, and pivot blocks, and I am adding to this the importance of wheel bearings as some of you are going a long way to pick up your secondhand Bushtracker. The next post in this thread shows you the consequences of not checking things out.

I am trying to take care of you, really. That is my goal, and some of the things are serious safety issues on the road, so as soon as you get your van, you should Register and then go over some of these issues so you don't get caught out past Woop Woop with something broken..

Kind Regards, and a big WELCOME to you in advance..
lone Ranger....

[KeznGaz08]

Hello there.
This is my first post on the BT forum, so forgive me if its in the wrong place.
As a prospective buyer/owner of the BT van, ive spent and will continue spending time researching pros and cons.
Ive read a post about insurance work being reccomended as been sent back to Qld, to the factory for the correct repairs. This all sounds great..
My question is, to all WA owners and of course a recomendation from Steve and the team, are there and recomended service agents in and around Perth?
Also, is there any reason why Bushtracker do not display at either caravan or 4wd shows here in Perth?
Thank you all in advance.
Regards Gareth.

[Bushtracker]

Two questions there....

First of all on Service, simple things you talk to locals or on the Forum and get recommendations... Serious jobs or Insurance work and we can get involved for Quality Assurance reasons, and they may need parts..

On really serious jobs, marginal saving of a Bushtracker, we have had several Companies truck them back to us for larger repairs. They have learned the hard way that no one builds to our quality level...

Now, why are we not in Perth? Because "In My Opinion" IMO your Government is doing the wrong thing by the People, and they make it too hard to display for anyone out of the State. We would need to fly over all Sales Staff going to the Show for Perth classes and Licensing, also the Directors of the Company, they just make it too hard to try and protect your local Caravan Builders in W.A. Unfortunately, there are no Builders in W.A. that build to our level of quality. They also demand we have a Dealership over there. Really, they are protectionist, and think they are supporting their small local builders, when in reality they are hurting their own Public again (IMO.)..

Anyway, people fly over from W.A. about fortnightly. People either come over to pick up their Bushtracker so they get the day of coaching on how to manage it, and a few have them trucked across for $4000-$5000. Some have put them on rail as well... We do business in W.A. despite their restrictions, the Owners just have to fly over to pick colours and equipment, and layouts to design their vans.. Usually for an overnighter...

One more thing: WELCOME TO THE FORUM! Post Number One.. !!


Kind Regards, Steven Gibbs, Director...

[KeznGaz08]

Hi there, firstly, thanks for the detailed reply.
Ill look forward to other WA owners posting about their experiences on here. Thanks once again.
Regards. Gareth.

[muddy]

Hi Gareth,
I’m on on my second Bushtracker and over the past 12 years
I’ve used Terry from a Small Caravan Company for my servicing,
He is a mobile service and will carry out the service at your place.
Always a good experience dealing with him.
As to body repairs if required always return the van to Bushtracker
for any major repairs.if at all possible
I’ve only had bad experiences trying to get these done in Perth..
Cheers Brian

[Bushtracker]

This Post is being hijacked to another Topic...

If you want to continue on, start a new Topic in the General Discussion area, something like "Good Caravan Service Agents in W.A." or something....

It is always good to stay current, but we cannot do quality assurance as the Companies are too far away to maintain quality control, Ownership, Staff, good ones sometimes go bad..

It is always better to get current recommendations WHEN YOU need it, so it is CURRENT... OK?