Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2014 16:37:07 GMT 10
Hello,
recently re joined (couldn't remember my old user name and password so registered again) Last time I was here I had a Franklin 12 footer. Moved on to a camper trailer after that. I may have the opportunity to get hold of a Millard pop top mini. See photos.
The chassis number is MM3913. It's approximately 15 feet including the draw bar. The cladding is riveted to the frame so I am assuming the frame is metal (ali or mildsteel?)
Any information would be greatly appreciated. It will become a ongoing reno if I decide to take it on.
Cheers Wayne |
|
|
|
Post by ForumMod on Jun 8, 2014 8:57:28 GMT 10
Welcome back, Wayne!!  Long time no hear from!  You used to be 'tassietiger' with the 1974 Franklin Hunter There were a few changes made to the Millard poptops over the couple of years after they started building them in 1976. Your van has got the fibreglass roof on the poptop, and the larger wind-out windows on the side at the rear. I'd be thinking the chassis number is from 1978. The van should have a RVMAA badge on the door side but that might be missing after the van was joined to that shed on that side. Parts are harder to get for these Millards now. The window winders are the critical bit for these vans, so check that they are all there and working (or at least can be made to work). All the other Millard parts that are still available can be seen here: CaravansPlus - Millard parts. , as well as the pop top partsIf the cladding is rivetted to the frame, then the frame will be aluminium. Good luck with the project if you take it on. Sounds like a pretty good price to get it for!  cheers, Al. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 8:20:26 GMT 10
G'day Al. Thanks for the information. I am hoping the rego sticker will still be on it. Do you know what the weight of the van would be?
Ran the tape measure over it. Measurements are:
Length - 16'6"(thats the body without the draw bar)
Width - 6'6"
Height - 7' from ground to top of pop top when down. I am guessing the internal height with the top up would be around 6'6"
Major concerns in getting it home, 2 hour drive, would be the wheel bearings and tyres. Do you know if they are holden or ford bearings?
|
|
|
|
Post by ForumMod on Jun 9, 2014 11:12:14 GMT 10
Wayne, the tare should be up around 900kgs. My old Millard was 14ft and it had a tare weight of 820kgs, which included the spare wheel, full gas bottle, but no water in the tank.
The wheels on my Millard were 13" Holden, with Holden bearings. Your van might have 14" wheels on it, seeing as it's a bit longer than mine. They'll probably still be Holden though.
cheers,
Al.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 11:38:05 GMT 10
Thanks Al. Will keep you up to date on progress.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2015 15:17:52 GMT 10
Hello Al,
Well the van is now mine (he says with a rather large gulp of trepidation). Will be coming back to pick it up next weekend. Have checked the wheels and tyres and all looks ok for towing. Plenty of grease in the bearings.
Lots of silicone between it and the building so a sharp saw/ knife and plenty of elbow grease will be required to achieve an effective seperation!
Stay tuned.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2015 18:26:22 GMT 10
Milly the Millard is free!!!!!!! She sits patiently waiting for me to tow her home next weekend. Some new grease in the wheel bearings and she's good to tow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Apr 27, 2015 18:33:22 GMT 10
WOW you must be a patient person, congrats on the extraction.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Apr 27, 2015 20:55:54 GMT 10
WOW. Should look great after a good go with a gerni
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2015 7:29:22 GMT 10
Thanks guys. I think there may be some degree of truth in the old saying "All good things come to those who wait" although I am not sure about the "good" bit at this stage  
Will get her home where I can do a thorough inspection of the chassis and running gear. Any major problems and she will be a different project. Otherwise the next 12 months will be either a renovation or restoration. Looking forward to getting lots of good advice from the forum. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2015 20:02:48 GMT 10
Got her home with no problems. She tows beautifully. The pics show her behind the tug, her resting place for the next twelve months and the interior. The skirts on the pop top are quite new so a saving there.
Next step is to get underneath and have a good look at the chassis and running gear. Does anyone have any suggestions for detecting fractures/cracks in welds and steel?
Cheers Wayne
|
|
|
|
Post by pisces51 on May 4, 2015 21:01:16 GMT 10
G'day Wayne, great to see you got the van home without any problems. As far as welds go, there were a few welds around the chassis of my old Millard poptop that had broken, including welds holding the steps framework in position. The only way to do a thorough inspection is to crawl under and systematically check the welds one by one. The welds under mine were pretty obvious if they were broken. If your van has been an on-site van for a good many years, you might not find that many welds (if any) that are broken. My old van had done a fair few miles over dirt roads in its lifetime, if the amount of red dust found in the wall cavities was any indication. No wonder I found a few broken welds. cheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on May 7, 2015 8:14:11 GMT 10
Re the welds, not sure of your budget, but I had ours glass blasted & coated, for piece of mind.
I figured if there were any problems we would have lifted the body off the chassis.
|
|
Long time no hear from! 
