Our first Motorhome

Around Easter 2014 Fred got motorhome envy and worked hard into talking me into taking the leap.  It wasn’t that I didn’t want a motorhome, it was just that it was on our 10 year radar.  But I couldn’t say no, and secretly I was as excited as all hell. So once I gave him the nod, with 1 day’s notice we caught the red eye over to Perth and drove “Merlin” home.  Fred had already been researching and decided on a Hino Rainbow.  These buses have a flat floor, rear mount engine and are a sort after bus for motorhomes.  Three days, 3000 kms – no worries mate!  We experienced heating problems in the first 150km but got a new radiator cap and some modifications to the pipe work and all was good to go. We made it home fine, nothing like crossing the Nullabor in an unknown vehicle!  As it was registered in WA we knew that we would have to get a roadworthy to transfer the rego but didn’t realise that we would have to have an engineering certificate as well.  We assumed that being already registered in WA as a motorhome, as long as it was roadworthy, it would be transferred here.  Nah, not so easy.

Our great motorhome, unbeknown to us, had a few shortcomings……..

· overheating

· house batteries flat

· no solar

· Plenty of rust

· toilet not connected

· no water tanks

· no grey watertank and the biggie

· no engineering certification

Now when purchasing, we did ask on several occasions about the engineering certificate and each time were told not to stress as it was definitely all fine.  Note to self and all never buy a motorhome from WA without thoroughly checking all particulars as they have very different rules and requirements to Victoria.  This was very disappointing   for us but we could not to worry too much and got on with making him roadworthy ready to register.   In order to achieve this we needed the engineering certificate, some brake work, diff seals and lights replaced.  Most of Merlin was in reasonable condition.  Once finally registered Fred replaced the radiator hose’s, engine fan belts and  then we started the transformation into a real motorhome adding the following:

· water tanks

· grey water tank

· solar panels

· new house batteries

· new fridge

· new mattress

· all new 12v wiring

· new switches

· Added inverters

· hot water system

· roof racks

· blue tooth stereo

We were now ready to go on holidays.