We recently took a trip we would heartily recommend others avoid at all costs.
Travelling in a well-maintained 1991 Damon Challenger motorhome with a 454 engine and towing a Hyundai Accent, we left from West Kelowna for Squamish via Hwy 97C, otherwise known as “The Connector”, upon which we were forced to stop several times to let the engine cool down and watched helplessly as a new Volvo carrying bicycles cut back in front of us much too soon and sent a large rock flying into our windscreen.
That is still an unknown as to the need for a new windscreen.
After Merritt, we had the questionable pleasure of embarking on Hwy 8 to Spences Bridge, a short spell on Hwy 1 to Lytton and then Hwy 12 to Lillooet. These roads would be an embarrassment to our current Government if they were capable of such an emotion. When we got to Lillooet, we were actually fondly remembering Hwy 3 from Christina Lake to Osoyoos,
The real fun starts in Lillooet as we take on Hwy 99 to Pemberton by way of BC’s Duffy Lake.
I do not possess the literary skills to adequately describe the switchbacks and percent degree of the descents. Suffice to say that the Mexican roads we drove in the past were starting to look pretty good.
Upon arriving in Squamish on the newly finished Olympic boondoggle Hwy 99 which unfortunately is overrated in places and already needs attention, we discovered our relatively new front brakes were burnt out completely and our rear seals were shot as well, making the perfectly good rear brakes completely ineffective.
Now we come to a better place in time and the reason for this letter, in addition to warning other RVs away from the previously described roads.
Our niece and her family live in Squamish and when I called them for advice on repairs, they recommended Hunters Automotive at 39002 Discovery Way. I phoned and talked to Ken Adams, who told me they were booked for the day, but to come by. They had our RV on a lift in short order and Ken showed me the results of our follies in trying those roads. The front brakes needed replacing from the hubs out and new seals on the rears. That’s a tall order with all those parts having to be found and delivered. These guys found everything and despite one supplier sending a wrong part and having to wait for it to be replaced, we were leaving Squamish for Vancouver at 4:30 PM.
Although fully booked, Hunters Automotive put two men on our job almost all day and did a wonderful job for a reasonable price. We truly appreciate their efforts and apologize to anyone who may have had to wait a bit for their vehicle because of us. If you have a problem anywhere near Squamish, take my advice and call Hunters Automotive, toll-free at 1-866-609-4683. My extra suggestion: avoid travelling on Hwy 99 below Lillooet.
For those who think I’m a wimp and an alarmist, I refer you to my friend and fellow RVer, who upon hearing this story, told me about burning out his brakes there as well.
He, however, was driving a small Mazda pickup, containing only him and his cat and not towing anything. I rest my case. ~ H. (Greg) Gregoire, Kelowna, BC
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