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Just got home from a disaster of a trip.

traveling up m1 leic 2 leeds on saturday for work (yet another steam rally) I experianced my first blow out... I knew something wasnt right and had actually stopped on hard shoulder around j25 checked brakes were off etc quick look at tyres (didnt pay them much attention as there both less than 6 months old) everything seemed to appear ok so continued.20 mins from destination just i felt an enoumous pull a lack off power only problem was i was just passing the exit and had no where safe to pull in but managed to drag caravan a little further and get on the hard shoulder.. spotting bits of trye shredding as i did..

ah a blow out i said to myself no problem a quick change and i'll soon be on my way.so grabbed tools i needed from van then opened up caravan to get winding handle ( i was worrying about the rocking caused by passing trucks so wanted to put legs down) SHOCK HORROR as i opened the door..somhing wasnt right and there was bits of tyre inside the caravan !!!

as the trye had shredded bits that had flew off had smashed through the floor of the caravan.destroying the inner wheel arch and took about a 6inch peice of wood away from the floor.in doing this gas pipes from the fridge,the hob and grill had been twisted and mangled.not only the gas pipes but the hot n cold feed to sink tap had been ripped out.along with the waste pipe.along with an electric wire (that i still carnt trace) the damage is that bad i now have to look at removing the whole kitchen just to start the repair proses.something I'm not actually looking forward to doing as i havent got a clue where to start.. the gas fittings etc arnt a worry to me im quiet able and have the correct tools to replace but the actual fitting of the cubards puzzles me.firstly i will be removing are personal belongings and cushions etc so i have plenty of room then i will start the task ahead.. i will be adding taking pics as i go.

As all other members always suggest... check trye pressures (and a quick feel to make sure theres no damage to tyre) load correctly. stick to speed limits. and all will be fine.

on examination of what was left of tyre were guessing (and it is purly a guess) but we think the side wall collapsed on trye.this would also explain the problems ive had when towing for the past 6 mnths..

Will do, have become more aware of a lot of things, not least safety, that I wasn't aware of before joining UKCS.  Had new tyres fitted Saturday but will definately double and triple check everything!  Hope you're repair job goes well for you!

yes i will be looking into wizards fix it page as ive no idea where to start.. n yes i suppose the good veiw is no one was hurt.

i was totaly amazed on how easy a peice of high speed rubber can penetrate through a caravan

Just wondering why you are doing the repairs, won't your insurance cover this?

                        Jim

Quote: Originally posted by jaysere03 on 30/8/2011

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this would also explain the problems ive had when towing for the past 6 mnths..

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Quote: Originally posted by jaysere03 on 30/8/2011

... the damage is that bad i now have to look at removing the whole kitchen just to start the repair proses.something I'm not actually looking forward to doing as i havent got a clue where to start.. the gas fittings etc arnt a worry to me im quiet able and have the correct tools to replace but the actual fitting of the cubards puzzles me.firstly i will be removing are personal belongings and cushions etc so i have plenty of room then i will start the task ahead.. i will be adding taking pics as i go.

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Ok on further investigation (yes ive braved it and took a closer look)

I may be jumping the gun but I dont think the whole kithen needs to come out.. just the appliances to gain acsess to gas pipes.The water pipes just need putting back on (maybe replace the taps but it does look like theyve just pulled off)

from what i can tell is the tyre had forced the black plastic internal part of wheel arch up and folded it in grabbing anything in its way so repairs that i can see need doing is a small amount of woodwork behind wheel arch (flooring) remove and replace gas pipe for fridge same for hob/grill and same for cooker.water pipes as above and waste pipe althouh has just pulled off from bottom of sink mayaswell be replaced as its folded in half. the hole and wheel arch can be got to when the cookers out and from under sink..

ive still yet to find what the electric cable has come from it goes into fuse spur that powers fridge but fridge is still working on 240 mains and the cable has on other end the brass clips (and are live when powers on) im sure that this must power something around the cooker side but what is anyones guess.

As for insurance thats second option but im hoping I can do the repairs myself cheaper than the cost of excess. and i need it complted by 10th of september,ready for my next job.

i have spoken to the place I bought tyres from and there interested in looking at not only the tyre that went shredded but the also the other one.that was fitted at same time.there going to replace both tyres just incase.and although theyve not agreed to do this free of charge it did sound like they may but i guess this depends on any findings

ok guys things arnt so bad  new gas pipes and a patch on floor should fix it..but where do I start.. i dont need to remove the furniture just the appliances but how do they come out?? my heads a little bit to big to get inside the cubard to see how to release the hob ( ive undone the gas feed)

Oh i forgot to mention that inside the cubard in the sink is the gas manifold so only short bits of pipe to replace.

as soon as i can get the hob out im hoping i can get behing the cooker to work on that and detect where the live wire should be