chaswb100

Hi to all

Now back home after collecting our Kountrylite 26RK from Calder Leisure - Interesting Experience!!!

Stopped in the Lake District for 3 nights on the way back.After pitching outfit at each stop using 4WD Low as recommended by Paul at Calder Leisure for low speed maneuvering a smell of burning from the clutch got progressively worse at each stop.Buy the time we arrived home the smell was very strong all the time.
We phoned the dealer we bought the Navara from who were totally casual about the whole tale.It would seem Nissan have posted a bulletin recommending a software upgrade to stop this happening.After commenting "that's a bit late to help us", we were told not a problem. Bring your vehicle in and if a new clutch is required we will replace it under warranty,and update your software.
We cannot recommened our Nissan Dealer enough as we now have a new updated clutch assembly,flywheel & updated software at no cost to us whatsoever.
The only downside is Nissan stress very strongly "use vehicle normally for a minimum of 500 miles to allow new clutch to fully bed in before towing again" so its off to visit some campsites to see if they are "Kountrylite Suitable".

So if you have a manual Navara phone your dealer to see if your model year is covered for the software upgrade.Ours is an '08 Advantura.

Now to catch up on other information which may be of help, use or just interest :-

Average mpg towing 17-18 on 400 mile trip with overnight stops.Unit Towed most comfortably keeping between 50-55 mph in fifth gear.Tried using 6th on flat & downhill but unit just did not seem comfortable.

While on Linwater campsite at Calder Leisure we had the dubious pleasure of having the first RCD Consumer Unit to start smoking when the reset button stuck in.Reading other postings stuck buttons have happened before but no smoke!!

Our Insurance from Campton Insurance Brokers does include cover for "commuting to & from a permanent place of employment"

Arrival Breakdown scheme with the RAC only available through the Caravan & Camping Club.My understanding is, with no limit on size, if you break down and cannot be repaired at roadside the whole outfit is put on a low-loader which would normally be used for commercial recovery.This service cost us £156.68 including C&CC member discount for 1 years cover.

Thank you for the tip about the strap to hold the steps in place when towing.

If you are trying to work out safe Towing/Load weights the weight of our Navara Advantura manual with a full tank of fuel, 5th Wheel Hitch, normal towbar & soft load cover is 2252k.The listed kerb weight is 2134k so hitch ect weighs 118k.When we tow again I'll put the whole outfit on the weighbridge to find the unladen weight of the Kountrylite as supplied by Calder Leisure as they have added to the posted unladen weight from the factory with 240V electrics,110V converter ect which must be subtracted from the load allowance of the unit.

Forgot to say earlier we are really pleased with our Kountrylite and the service from Calder Leisure.Paul & Alan were really helpful sorting out our minor problems & we cannot praise their attitude to the customer highly enough.

We are now looking forward to actually using it!!!

chaswb100
Chas & Cathy Baker

zaskar

Congrats on a superb unit and glad your home safe.
Clutch issues on the manual was one reason why we went with an auto, the down side for us being 15mpg.

Could you please confirm your statement re insurance cover for comuting in the Nav as ours specifically states no comuting on the paperwork which Camptons sent us.

Ta.

robrobc

Delighted to know that all went well with the collection, sorry to hear about the Navarra and the clutch problem...............I think that the dealer is to be commended, I think I would also be asking what will happen should this item fail out of warranty.........if only to settle my mind.

Regarding the arrivals cover.....Is this UK only?
I seem to remember that there was an idea on one of the forums about getting a network of fifth wheel enabled trucks to call on for assistance in an emergency, and I guess a breakdown is an emergency

I hope that sometime we may meet and exchange notes whilst out on the road, till then....I wish you many happy travels.

Rob

chaswb100

I mentioned this deliberately because of your posting.I originally wanted business use because that's what I had on the Navara's original ins.Camptons said the underwriter did not do business cover but would do commuting so I had to accept this if I wanted their Insurance.

Regards - Chas

zaskar

..........and can I ask if you specifically asked for "comuting" to be added and if so did you have to pay extra?

Cheers

chaswb100

Had no idea about European cover so I've just phoned and asked.
For an additional premium of £84.15 I'm covered in Western Europe for unlimited trips of not more than 90 days each trip in the membership year.This is full arrival cover by commercial recovery with the same unlimited size & weight as UK.Hope this helps.

Navara is under warrenty untill May 2011 with the option to extend if required so no worrys yet.However the dealer did say that with this latest clutch assembly all previous known faults should now be covered.

Like the idea of all meeting up.Someone should suggest suitable site in midlands? as possible mid point for those interested.Once we have an agreeable site we could work on date?

Regards - Chas

vava1

The Kountrylite 26RK is listed at 2795kg, dry weight - so I imagine the Navara is very close to it's maximum capacity - that's before you put anything in the 5th wheel, I presume you take clothes, food, bikes, water?!

I had a demountable on my Navara, less than the quoted 1-tonne payload, but again, uncomfortably close to maximum capacity; not a pleasant drive! Eventually driving it resulting in a cracked chassis, sold it soon after!

Great things on site though - pity you have to drive them!

david price

If only fiat would take a leaf out of nissans book the world would be a much happier place
(for me anyway).
dave