So 1 month into 12 month US road trip and what have we learnt.
Preparation is key, plan for the worst hope for the best.
You can track our misadventures @ https://www.polarsteps.com/JezAng/7186963-gap-year
so this is strictly a geek prep document.
Night One: Bathroom tap started to leak and our Kon-Tiki 599 Sport has a pressurised system so if not noticed, pump going on and off when not in use, it would have pumped the entire 90 litres onto the floor. Swift either employ very sadistic or stupid designers. Swift clearly designed the unit to be fully assembled and then installed into the bathroom with absolutely no thought or consideration for future repair as the fixing screw is at the back less than 1 cm from the wall/mirror.
Email to dealer and they suggested either a failed mixer tap cartridge or seals.
Worryingly the dealer was not able to identify the make or model installed in our Kon-Tiki 599 Sport without seeing an image and measurements of the installed cartridge.
So their suggested cartridge was just a random guess and wrong.
A quick google and I identified it as a Reich Vector E5 as pictured.
I highly recommend you check any taps you have in your motorhome for accessibility to repair. Especially if you have Reich Vector E5 because with the fixing screw less than 1 cm from the wall or mirror it is impossible to undo with any standard T6 bit or key. Fortunately our host had a workshop and we were able to grind down a T6 bit and weld a short bar to it to make a key. Once the screw is removed it would be impossible to reinstall, at the back, as the screw went into a loose piece of plastic that you could not controlled when refitting. We relocated the screw to the front where there is plenty of solid plastic to put it into.
Week 3 Habitation door external handle “stops working”: Email to dealer and after many, we can’t be held responsible yad, yad, yad and google searches I get some guidance to removing internal panel and having a look.
I suspected it was another failed spring but upon inspection all looked ok. Pocked a few things and “clung”, the door is working. Seems to be another example of Swift habitation door locking itself but neither the remote nor key would unlock it. Hopefully the pocking has “fixed” it. The habitation door handle seems very fragile, using a proven robust handle like the Ducato door handle or similar would be a much better idea, in my opinion.
Now to the planning and some random thoughts:
US 3/4 thread quick release hose connectors
Clear2O® inline water filter & Dirtguard
I think that covers the basics for now.
Preparation is key, plan for the worst hope for the best.
You can track our misadventures @ https://www.polarsteps.com/JezAng/7186963-gap-year
so this is strictly a geek prep document.
Night One: Bathroom tap started to leak and our Kon-Tiki 599 Sport has a pressurised system so if not noticed, pump going on and off when not in use, it would have pumped the entire 90 litres onto the floor. Swift either employ very sadistic or stupid designers. Swift clearly designed the unit to be fully assembled and then installed into the bathroom with absolutely no thought or consideration for future repair as the fixing screw is at the back less than 1 cm from the wall/mirror.
Email to dealer and they suggested either a failed mixer tap cartridge or seals.
Worryingly the dealer was not able to identify the make or model installed in our Kon-Tiki 599 Sport without seeing an image and measurements of the installed cartridge.
So their suggested cartridge was just a random guess and wrong.
A quick google and I identified it as a Reich Vector E5 as pictured.
I highly recommend you check any taps you have in your motorhome for accessibility to repair. Especially if you have Reich Vector E5 because with the fixing screw less than 1 cm from the wall or mirror it is impossible to undo with any standard T6 bit or key. Fortunately our host had a workshop and we were able to grind down a T6 bit and weld a short bar to it to make a key. Once the screw is removed it would be impossible to reinstall, at the back, as the screw went into a loose piece of plastic that you could not controlled when refitting. We relocated the screw to the front where there is plenty of solid plastic to put it into.
Week 3 Habitation door external handle “stops working”: Email to dealer and after many, we can’t be held responsible yad, yad, yad and google searches I get some guidance to removing internal panel and having a look.
I suspected it was another failed spring but upon inspection all looked ok. Pocked a few things and “clung”, the door is working. Seems to be another example of Swift habitation door locking itself but neither the remote nor key would unlock it. Hopefully the pocking has “fixed” it. The habitation door handle seems very fragile, using a proven robust handle like the Ducato door handle or similar would be a much better idea, in my opinion.
Now to the planning and some random thoughts:
- Book your B2 visa appointment as soon as you decide you're going to ship van to USA, we waited 6 months, wait will vary and lasts 10 years.
- Shipping with Seabridge you can only be booked a max 3 months in advance. https://www.seabridge-tours.de/en/home/
- We had 2 coats stolen from within the van but others we know of have lost more, so be mindful of what you pack inside.
- Step up transformer: very much worth having [T-B-WTI-5000] Bronson WTI 5000 from Amazon. Along with 30 amp surge protector, Camco cables and adaptor dog bones ordered on Amazon.com
- Generator: Hyundai P1 Petrol Inverter Generator, 3.8kW 53db. Only used for an hour or so so far but sure when we get out west we’ll use t more
- Induction hob proving useful when we have electrical hook-up, even before we got out here: Induction Hob
- Thetford cassettes are installed in some US made PVC’s so investigate if a match for yours.
- We have a Gaslow system, the majority of filling stations in the US fill bottles so do not have “long hose”. If you have loose bottle(s) best to buy in US, you’ll need an adaptor for US thread to UK van connection. If fixed, don't let the gas run too low as it may take a little searching to find filling station, need a German, large threaded adapter.
- Diesel readily available but not all stations. Currently average 0.90p a litre. As is Adblue aka DEF (Diesel Engine Fluid). Keep a few empty bottle as it is sold from pump at some stations and is much cheaper.
- Ducato van not sold in US, Dodge RAM sell a petrol rebranded version. However the Ducato diesel engine is SOFIM so IVECO/Fiat and is installed in other US vehicles so parts may be available. Hoping we don’t need to find out. Bought brake pads, oil filters, fuel pump and air filter with use. Spare internal water pump as well.
- Water Hose US connections & Clear2O® Water filters
US 3/4 thread quick release hose connectors
Clear2O® inline water filter & Dirtguard
- 10l Water bags, great space saving vs rigid water roll
- Google Fi ($60 per month). US mobile contracts are expensive and generally have very limited hotspot usage.
- Check availability of tyre/tires 225x70x16 available for our Kon-Tiki 599 sport check your specifically. We estimate we’ll be driving 35,000 miles so will probably need to replace, ignoring possible damage/puncture.
I think that covers the basics for now.
