WELCOME TO OUR BLOGSITE. IT'S MAINLY ABOUT OUR TRIPS. IN A TRUCK.

WHILST TRAVELLING OVERSEAS WE USE THE TRAVELOGUES SECTION OF THE SITE TO DOCUMENT OUR LOCATION, RELAY SOME EXPERIENCES AND, SOMETIMES, TO TAKE A WITHERING STAB AT TRYING TO MAKE SOME SENSE OF THE WORLD.

BY DEFAULT, POSTS APPEAR IN DATE ORDER WITH THE MOST RECENT FIRST BUT NAVIGATING TO OLDER POSTS / TRIPS IS EASILY ACHIEVED BY FOLLOWING THE RELEVANT LINKS.

AS WELL AS MEMORIALISING TRIPS, THE SITE ALSO OFFERS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO US, OUR TRUCK AND A FEW USEFUL RESOURCES.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT!

RESOURCES

Here are a few resources that you'll hopefully find useful.


Valuation Tool

A question posed time and again is how much self-built campers are worth. The simple answer is there is no simple objective answer; they’re such individual things that they’re worth exactly no more and no less than someone is prepared to pay. What may be exactly the right base vehicle / overall size combination for one person may be totally useless for the next. Of course, the same applies for every single aspect of every single build; from layout to equipment spec, to construction techniques, to materials used; the permutations are effectively endless. But… with the accepted understanding that objective valuation is - at best - an imprecise science, the spreadsheet that can be downloaded via the link below at least gives a rough idea of reasonable starting points for negotiations for both sellers and buyers. The sheet is based on empirical data but is still being developed to reflect the increasing and shifting market. If you try it and have any suggestions for modification, please let me know.

Download the Self-build Valuation Tool here - NB that to work correctly, the sheet needs to be downloaded (ie not used online) and used in conjunction with MS Excel.

Contact

If you’d like to ask any questions about anything to do with our truck, overlanding trucks in general, or our travels; then you’ll occasionally find me (and lots of like-minded others besides) on this pleasingly civilised and informative forum: overlandingtrucks.com - except, that is, whilst we’re off-grid or travelling!

Known T244 Faults

Though the T244 lends itself very well indeed to overlanding use, it’s not without known faults. An increasing number of owners report definite trends. Here are some of the more consistent issues:

Problem

Description

Solution

Cab-lock buzzer

A mysterious persistent warning buzzer in the cab accompanied with the dash-warning light (if the light is working) is usually the cab-lock switch (found behind the cab)

Fix or replace it - some also just by-pass it but, of course, it’s there for a good reason…

Cab-tilt rams

Seals in the hydraulic rams fail and make cab-jacking unreliable / impossible

Always use the correct hydraulic fluid (AeroShell 41 or equivalent)
The rams are not serviceable - but I know a man that can…

Clutches

The hydraulic side is prone to fail. Slave cylinders get gunged up and seals fail

To help ward off any problems, flush the system and renew clutch fluid

Dashboard air leaks

Hissing from behind dash or slow-to-fill air tanks

Behind the ‘glove box’ are numerous air valves. They sometimes leak but can usually be fixed by pushing back their collets, pulling out the pipe and neatly trimming a tiny bit off the end. If this doesn’t work, the 6mm ‘O’ ring within the valve will probably need replacing.

Digital odo / speedo

The LCD odometer failing to display, or scrambling gobbledegook, is common - as is intermittent operation of the speedometer

Replace the speedo/odo with a new unit Part number is WWG: 437 055 005X from VDO
Some use a gps-based replacement instead

Exhausts

Mounts shake loose, brackets break, bell housing bolts shear, heat-shields self destruct and the flexible section splits

An OEM 'upgrade' using a solid section and new brackets is available, but a lighter silencer is probably a better solution (and the one we've adopted)

Front crank seals

Oil sprayed all over the front of the engine - and beyond - is a sure sign your front crank seal has gone

The seal can be replaced without taking the timing cover off but more success is likely if you replace the seal from the inside. Whilst in there - you might as well sort the ‘Killer Dowel Pin’

Front shock absorbers

Prone to fail, symptoms include weeping oil and reduced ride quality

Exact replacements are very difficult to find, similar items are potentially the only viable option

Fuel delivery

The standard plastic fuel lines utlise a series of 4 push-fit connections, these are unfit for purpose and can lead to introduction of air into the fuel lines, which will almost certainly - at some point - lead to a breakdown

Replace all of the push-fit fittings and plastic pipework immediately
Use proper compression fittings and good quality pipe from any hydraulic hose specialist

Gun-hatch leaks

If water leaks in from the hatch area it’s likely to be getting past the rivnuts that are set into the hatch-mounting aperture. They are visible if you look under the rim from outside

Seal them with Sikaflex and all will be well

Killer dowel pin

A very rare but potentially fatal problem usually associated with tuned engines

Add a bracket or similar to hold it in place, an internet search will quickly show you how

Mudwing rot

A poor (twin plate) design around the rear mounting bracket area means water / salt / mud is collected; whereupon it rots the wings at will

New wings are hard to find and expensive
If repairing them, grind off the outermost part of the rear bracket and double-skinned plate, it’s not required for support and removing it eliminates the worst of the dirt / water traps

Propshaft UJs

Prone to failure, probably due to acute angles of operation

Keep them greased and keep an eye on them

Stalling

In a ‘perfect storm’ of the alternator and power steering pump dragging down engine revs, coupled with a closed throttle and the air compressor in full chat, the engine can stall

Simply raise tickover a bit using the appropriate bolt on the fuel pump (different on the Lucas and Bosch pump).

Throttle springs

They break

Rather than just replace them, include a link so that the spring isn’t so extended, this reduces fatigue

Tracta joint seals

They weep and changes in ambient temperature influence / exacerbate the issue

Unless they are really bad it’s not worth replacing them, simply keep the hub topped up with EP90 or SAE80W/90

Transfer-box lock

After engaging the lock it frequently sticks in and won't release, even after 'shuffling' back-and-forth

Usually, you can manually tap / push the actuator back up
Regular engagement / disengagement will help ward off sticking

Wheel wobble

Wheels wobbling whilst driving

New good quality tyres help, as does paying close attention to careful and well-lubricated tube and liner mounting, ensuring that tyre beads are properly seated on the rims. Switching wheels to different corners may help. If all else fails, try dismounting tyres, moving them through 90 degrees and remounting

Windscreen seals

They leak and can lead to rusted out cab floors

New rubbers are hard to source but Arbomast sealer provides a reasonable work around. You may need to dig old sealer out and re-apply it from time to time