While we’re on the road it turns out that we have a leakage in the gas circuit and another one in the water heater. As we’re close to Milan without knowing any specialized repair shop, we think that it will be a good idea to go to the ‘renowned’ Camping Sports Magenta to solve the problems. What a big mistake!
We were not so concerned for the gas leakage – the cold was not that bad yet to need the heating system and we could spend a few days without the fridge. But when we discovered the loss of water, we called immediately the Camping Sports Magenta, explaining that we were on the road and asking if they could solve the problem urgently. They responded very gently that we could pass by the next morning and that they would do everything possible to repair our camper van. That said, we decided to get in the parking (with camping services) next to their store before dark and to sleep there [45.47847,8.88788], so that we could go in the morning as soon as they open the doors of the garage.
We arrived at 9:00 punctual at the reception of the repair shop. Things started bad with the ‘good morning’… There were no appointment! I explained (again) the situation to the unfriendly employee, who with an attitude of doing me a favor, agreed to at least try one diagnosis to understand the extent of damage, even if it was very unlikely that it would be resolved in one day!
He registered our data on the computer and when he asked me what was the problem we said naively that perhaps it would be better if we were talking directly with the technician who will take care to explain a couple of peculiarities of our gas system just to make things easier … He looked at us like if we were Martians and he answered that this was absolutely out of question. The only thing that we can do is to leave the keys and he’d call me when there will be news.
However we had no choice so we took a few things from our camper van and we went for a ride. Fortunately the adjacent store has a lot of useful items for motorhomes. Practically it t is impossible to leave without buying something;)
We continued our tour to the corridors of the super market, that by now we knew by heart. After half an hour we went out to get some fresh air and we saw our motorhome parked outside the reception. Wouldn’t they have to call us? Anyway, we went to the employee who tells us that the camper is ready! The gas leak was due to some loose clamps. They had lubricated the valves of the fridge and of the kitchen which had hardened. For the loss of the water there is nothing to do. Excuse me?. Unfortunately, the problem was not on the tube that carries cold water, as it might seem, but it is the pot boiler that it is punctured. The only solution is to change everything… There is also a possibility to repair it but they don’t do it.
I asked them if they have a new water heater and they answered that of course they do, only it costs around 500 EUR! Evidently they thought it unnecessary to ask if by chance I had wanted to replace it… What a nice attitude!
