If you've been following my post on my problems with the motorhome and it's associated costs. Well today we were on the A1 on our way to London when I felt a rumble through the wheels. Initially I thought it was the road surface, then wondered if the wheel problem had returned? Both those scenarios were quickly dispelled when there was one hell of a loud bang. The rear end was squirming all over the place and that was just me.
The rear nearside tyre had exploded. I struggled with the steering while putting the hazards on. I managed to bring it to a walking pace and spotted a layby and although it was coned off for imminent road works I managed to get in. I was amazed though how despite the fact that I had the hazards on and I was as far to the left that I could get we were nearly rear ended by a transit van.
Once parked up relatively safely I inspected the damage thinking I might just get away with a new tyre. No such luck. The whole of the wheel arch liner was gone, locker panels were displaced, the boiler locker inside was covered with wet road detritus, the central service locker panel was hanging off, wires for the boiler had been ripped out along with some damage to the water system which was spewing water all over the floor.
Rang the AA who got a young lady out to us within 45 minutes. This was his second day in the job so I guided him through it. First he couldn't get the jack under the chassis now that the wheel was on its rim so I got the Millenco Quads out and reversed far enough up to enable him to get it under. Then I had to talk him through dropping the spare wheel carrier. Don't get me wrong, he was a smashing lad and i was pleased to be able to guide him on his first motorhome breakdown. Anyway we limped home and will be heading for London in one of the cars tomorrow and should still get to see the two West End shows that we have booked. The main thing is that we are both OK, things could have been a lot worse.
The rear nearside tyre had exploded. I struggled with the steering while putting the hazards on. I managed to bring it to a walking pace and spotted a layby and although it was coned off for imminent road works I managed to get in. I was amazed though how despite the fact that I had the hazards on and I was as far to the left that I could get we were nearly rear ended by a transit van.Once parked up relatively safely I inspected the damage thinking I might just get away with a new tyre. No such luck. The whole of the wheel arch liner was gone, locker panels were displaced, the boiler locker inside was covered with wet road detritus, the central service locker panel was hanging off, wires for the boiler had been ripped out along with some damage to the water system which was spewing water all over the floor.
Rang the AA who got a young lady out to us within 45 minutes. This was his second day in the job so I guided him through it. First he couldn't get the jack under the chassis now that the wheel was on its rim so I got the Millenco Quads out and reversed far enough up to enable him to get it under. Then I had to talk him through dropping the spare wheel carrier. Don't get me wrong, he was a smashing lad and i was pleased to be able to guide him on his first motorhome breakdown. Anyway we limped home and will be heading for London in one of the cars tomorrow and should still get to see the two West End shows that we have booked. The main thing is that we are both OK, things could have been a lot worse.
