Johnno's spare parts

[TentOnWheels]

Our experience...

Several years ago, after six months of research and filtering through 70+ brands of CT to find a few that met our requirements, we literally only had one option. That left me a little uneasy as I dislike learning I have no 'second option'.
Fortunately, the decision seems to have been a good one as we've had almost no issues in the time since.

About a year ago, we looked a getting a replacement extendable annex pole (nope, non-standard length, according to the usual camping retailers).
So I turned to a local Johnno's agent near us, only to be advised he longer deals in Johnno's because they "...had shut up shop. Australians just aren't prepared to pay for quality..." and with the competition from sub-$10k Chinese-made CTs, Johnno's weren't selling enough to continue manufacturing. Bummer.

For this post, I encountered this article, https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/ ... ers-59021/ which suggests Cub Campers https://cubcampers.com.au/ acquired the Johnno's brand and sells it under Cub's "Coolibah" range. However, there is nothing on Cub's site mentioning this range.
Plus, Cub seem to only make hard-floor CTs, so that would seem to be an odd match. Sorry if that sounds like an editorial; some members may not be aware of this history.

And so to parts.
Is anyone aware of stockists of parts made specially for Johnno's or did they only ever use 'generic' parts of the kind available through someone like Supex https://supex.com.au/ ?
Anyone know of a better range than what Supex offer?

Even though most of the CT seems to be very well made, it can be prudent to keep a couple of spare parts 'on hand'.
For instance, our kitchen sink hand-pump recently decided to go dicky on us: it became difficult to push-pull the piston. I pulled it apart (from the top side of the sink) and could find no obvious reason why this was so.
I'm waiting on the delivery of a replacement to see if its top assembly is compatible, as I really don't fancy working in the tight confines of the under-sink area having to replace the whole kit!

I'd also like to liaise with other Johnno's owners on this forum to get their experiences and solutions.

Cheers...

[robcaz]

Hi Malcolm & Jenny,

Most camper trailer parts in general can be found at camping accessory outlets or caravan parts suppliers like Camec https://www.camec.com.au etc

Any tent poles, spreaders etc you cannot buy at your local camping supplier, you will find SupaPeg https://supapeg.com.au have a fantastic range & will also accommodate custom lengths if asked.

I remember our handpump did not work once & I pulled the top off & wet the rubber washer & all was well. We only have the one external handpump & carry a spare just in case. In 25 years I have only had to replace it once after the spout broke off on a bushtrack. The spout is turned backwards so it is out of the way.

I added a drain at the bottom of the watertank which could also be used to for water if all else fails http://www.campertrailers.org/watertank_drain.htm


photo showing handpump position

You will no doubt receive much more information from others in a specific Johnno's owners facebook group which seems to be more popular form of communication these days.

Hope this helps.

[TentOnWheels]

Thanks for the additional supplier information. I had forgotten about Camec. I'll check out Superpeg.

Re: tank drain; ours already has one and yes, it is drained after every trip and flushed prior to a fresh fill.

I see from your photos you have 5-stud wheels on the Jeep and 6-stud trailer wheels.
Same potential issue as our Xtrail.
(I think our trailer could go more places than the Xtrail, just saying...)

Facebook: Yes, acknowledged. Bit of a dilemma there: I might have to 'get over' my thoughts about the Facebook monolith, if it means I gain access to a relevant 'community'.

Thanks for the tips...

[robcaz]

Hi Malcolm & Jenny,

We use a BEST Water Filter to fill our camper trailer watertank http://www.campertrailers.org/best_water_filters.htm & leave the tank full between trips. I have also set up a 12volt pump to transfer water from the jerrys to the tank via the filter http://www.campertrailers.org/robs_water_transfer.htm

There is a spare for the trailer under it forward of the axle. We love to explore remoter tracks so we have a tyre plug kit as well as a tyre patch repair kit with bead breaker http://www.robcaz.net/tyre_repair_kit.htm It takes me an hour to break the bead & place a patch & put the wheel back on. In all the years of towing we have never had a puncture on the trailer.

re:facebook groups, just read the information you want.