The Palace

The 5th wheel was imported into Australia and converted to local gas and electrics by the local dealer. All incandescent lights. We discovered much later while travelling that the weight was grossly understated from actual. Dual axle springs, wheels (rims & tyres) inadequate for the weight. Who's to blame? We were naïve.

2014-Forest River-Wildwood Heritage Glen Lite 28RL-10m (24')

Exterior: Rear vision camera just above rear bumper (acts as rear view mirror).
Mounting for a simple removable T-bar TV antenna (with signal amplifier) for locations (most) where the inbuilt u-beaut, does-it-all supplied bit of rubbish fails.

New 200 litre stainless steel fresh water tank (with baffles) to replace the burst plastic/poly non-baffled tank.

Interior: 42" TV, subwoofer (with amp), rollout pantry (inexpensive 3 level plastic bottle/bits holders clamped together that fits neatly between cupboards and lounge).

Various hooks for keys, torches, towels, cleaning products.

Brilliant CafItaly capsule coffee machine.

Inner spring mattress to replace the concrete-like slab of foam supplied on the king-size bed.

Customizations: Replaced interior incandescent lamps with LED's.

12v cigar plug socket set on rear wall (with USB charging sockets) to power removable rear-facing dashcam, needed to catch tailgaters and other stupid road behaviour.

Spring-loaded bolt to keep steps locked in place while on the road.

12v isolation terminal on house battery.
180w portable solar panel.
Weather cover for when stored.

Renovations and Repairs: Fresh water tank exploded, split along top edge from end-to-end. Supporting bracket split at welds, dropped the tank which then rubbed along steel rails weakening the poly tank walls at the edge. Dealer refused warranty repair.

Radio speaker No.3 select failed, twice. Radio replaced once, so far.

A tyre exploded on a remote section of a 'A' road in outback Oz, ripping out exposed slide-out and other underbelly wiring (including brakes). Tyres were 225/75R15, load rating 1120kg each. Actual load was 4.7 tonne.

Replaced all 15" rims and tyres (inc. spare) with 16" rims & LT 225/75R16 light truck tyres, rated at 1220kg (giving a total capacity of 4880kg (barely enough but thought van was only 4500kg loaded) & max pressure 80psi.

Springs all started to flatten badly after just 10 weeks of travel. Van weighed in at 4740kg, with just bare essentials of bedding, clothes, food and tools. New 5500kg spring set fitted.

One smashed after coming loose from the mounting so needed a temp pendant lamp shade, now a paper coffee cup.

Hole in the side wall (van titled into a roof gutter while negotiating a tight turn around a park office.

Hole in nose (near the top) after butting a low section of service station roof while moving in to the diesel pump.

Connecting cable that powers the awning parted causing us to think that either the motor had failed or a fuse blown. Took 5 weeks to discover the problem which was after I needed to remove the motor housing to retrieve a nut socket that had fallen inside (while manually operating the awning with an electric drill).

Tow Vehicle: 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LS (used when purchased).

Favorite Camping Destinations: Inverloch (Victoria Australia) Foreshore Camping Reserve.

Darlington Beach Carindi QLD.