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Post by ForumMod on Jun 13, 2013 19:40:17 GMT 10
I can't recall anybody talking about new springs for the ACT campers on the forum. If the old springs are still there but have just lost their "springyness", you could get them reconditioned by a trailer company that makes springs.
cheers, Al.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2013 8:02:06 GMT 10
Hi all
I have just picked up a ACT camper that requires a reasonable rebuild and have a questions I am hoping the forum members could help with. Sorry lots of newbie questions.
Thanks in advance.
1. 'Pop up' mechanism - when setting up, apart from a locking pin the the upright, what stops movement of the uprights? I have seen a picture of a horizontal link between uprights - is that an addition? I have also seen some models that have a resting bracket that seems to lock the upright into position - is that an addition?
2. Wheel PCD? Is it old Holden - 5 x 120.x?
3. The only serial / chassis number I can find is near the hitch - is that correct?
Will post pictures soon.
Cheers Chris
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Post by bambang on Jul 30, 2013 21:35:09 GMT 10
Gday Chris, as far as the pop-up arms go....I replaced the locking pins with long bolts,big washers & wingnuts (done up nice & tight after setup). The pic you saw of the horizontal brace may have been mine in my earlier post...this is just one of those adjustable tent strainer poles with a hole at each end (secure by the bolts on the pop-up arms then extend outwards until pushing the uprights out tightly home into their brackets, then tighten the strainer pole to hold the whole thing together). Note that you HAVE to use bolts & washers on the pop-up arms for this to work, as the standard pins won't hold the strainer pole securely in position. You can only use this method on the kitchen side of the trailer as it would interfere with the door access on the other side...but even done on one side alone I found it stiffened up the whole setup, and handled buffeting by big winds with no problems. Hope this is a help.....Steve.
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Post by bambang on Jul 30, 2013 21:58:22 GMT 10
Chris, forgot to mention....yeah the wheels (on mine at least) are old Holden 13" ( HK/HT/HG or LJ/LC Torana) - I don't think that's 5x120 (which is Commodore stud pattern), more like 5x108 I think. Also, on my ACT Camper the vin number is stamped on a small steel plate welded onto the draw-bar near the tow-hitch...not sure if this is standard across the range ! Like everyone else I find that the lifting exercise needs quite a bit of effort ( especially as the springs/cables on my pop-up arms are busted !! ) and even without an inside lining the fibreglass roof itself is pretty heavy....but between me and my teenage son we manage. It also helps a lot with stability whilst setting up if you fasten as many of the lower canvas wall retaining lugs to the body quickly as you go - this stops all the rocking to'n'fro of the pop-up arms. Again, hope this may be helpful to you. Cheers - Steve.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2013 22:00:20 GMT 10
Hi Steve
Thanks
Chris
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 21:42:39 GMT 10
Hi All, I think I may have bought an early ACT camper trailer but I am not sure and cannot find any identifying logos or names on the faded exterior of the camper. I will attach a couple of photos and if anyone could confirm whether it is an ACT trailer and perhaps the model I would be very appreciative. Thanks in anticipation of any help given. Cheers Bruce.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 21:50:08 GMT 10
Hi Bruce, That is not a ACT camper,it's a bullett camper. They were made for a short time in Melbourne in the late 70s or early 80s. Had a different shape to ACT,and a 4 seasons roof hatch. I'll see if I can find any more info in my files,but don't hold your breath! Cheers Hughdeani
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 22:09:24 GMT 10
Oh ok - a Bullett? According to its rego papers it was built in 1979 so that fits.... googling Bullett madly at the moment but cant find any images or information anywhere Thanks for your help Hughdeani - if anyone else has any info on Bullett campers it would much appreciated. Cheers Bruce.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2013 22:24:04 GMT 10
Hi Bruce, Found some more info on "Bullet" campers.Made in Moorabbin in Melbourne in 1979 by a company called "Bullet camper conversions". Models were 2,4,and 6 berth custom built and could be colour matched to your car! Unfortunately can't find any more than 2 adds for 1979,so maybe not that many built. Hope that is some help to you. Cheers Hughdeani
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2013 11:07:01 GMT 10
Thanks for your help Hughdeani - at least we now have some provenance on our little camper. A Bullet hey? We will continue to keep our eyes open for another one in good condition to try and find out what sort of stickers / pin striping they had and get some similar made. Cheers Bruce.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2013 15:30:53 GMT 10
Hi Folks, was doing some gooogling as I have an ACT camper and come across this thread. Great to see some interest.
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Post by murray on Aug 15, 2013 18:33:13 GMT 10
::)Com'on crackers,get some photos up for us all to see
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Post by bambang on Aug 15, 2013 23:21:17 GMT 10
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Post by bambang on Aug 15, 2013 23:25:54 GMT 10
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Post by bambang on Aug 15, 2013 23:33:23 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2013 11:33:37 GMT 10
Thanks for the photos Steve.... just a few questions if that's OK..
Did you restore your camper to this condition? What is in the box next to your spare wheel on the back? How much is a camper in this condition worth if you were to sell it - mine needs a lot of work to get it up to this condition and I would like to do the job, but don't want to spend too much on it if it doesn't increase the value that much. Is that a battery box on the front of the van? If so do you not use gas at all as I cant see a bottle or bottle holder anywhere. Do you consider using gas in your camper a safety issue or does it just suit you better to cook outside? The lifter arms - are they spring loaded and if so, do the springs actually help you lift the lid? Mine has the springs in the arms but they must be shot as they don't help at all. Do you know if the springs inside the lifter arms can be sourced, or if replacement lifter arms are available? Thanks for any answers you post, or from anyone else who wants to add their input.
Cheers Bruce.
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Post by bambang on Aug 16, 2013 16:34:52 GMT 10
G'day Bruce, the camper was in pretty good shape when I bought it, so didn't need too much cosmetically (there were already several repair patches on the upper canvas of the bed-ends, rest of the canvas was very good...so I've left all canvas as is -- and I always use a huge tarp over the whole camper & annex setup...extra shelter from sun/rain/leaves/birdpoo ! I used Wattyl Solagard Tropical semi-gloss with a roller to freshen up the exterior, and Killrust gloss enamel for all the steel bits and also on the inside of the main fibreglass roof. In the second photo you can see the extra steel bracing added to the roof-corners & ends....makes everything stronger and more rigid. Under both bed-ends I've fabricated extra (collapsible) steel supports to stop sagging of the bed-bases. The gas stove & bottle had been removed at some time before I got it but I prefer to cook outside anyway ( with butane cartridge stove ). The front box is just a toolbox ( 240volt power input mounted here too ). The rear box was designed to carry a jerrycan, but I use it to store the folded annex. The lifter arms have some cables inside (and no springs attached anywhere) but nothing that actually helps the lifting process, so it can be a bit heavy to lift...but my son and I manage it OK, so never bothered looking into new springs or cables. Originally the tare weight was around 550kg....but suppose it's more like 600kg+ now ! Tows nice behind my Nissan Pathfinder, but when I sell the Pathfinder the ACT will probably also have to be sold ( it's a bit too heavy to comfortably tow behind my little 1600cc Corolla wagon ). I,ve also got a smaller 250kg Cub camper that's a good match for the Corolla....less room and comfort than the ACT but quicker to set up, so ideal for weekends etc. When I do sell the ACT I'd probably be looking at $3,000 I reckon. Yours doesn't look like it'd need too much work so why not give it a go ( bit of paint and dress-up wouldn't be too expensive, lifting arms you could just try to live with as is if the roof isn't massively heavy ). Anyways...enjoy it and get out there. Cheers - Steve.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 10:44:14 GMT 10
Great photo's bambang, I will have to work out how to upload some of mine. I did a full resto on it, suspension, cabinets, canvas & upholstery, came up great, the big issue with mine as some of you may know is the manual lifting of the roof, mine is a larger van than your looks as the body measures 12 foot in length and is heavy, not only that but when you drop it down it can come down real quick if your not ready and if the roof is wet, well your getting we to. I had ADP Caravans in Kilsyth do some of the work on it and they mentioned that the springs on the arms can be replaced with gas struts, they have done it before and it does work, something to keep in mind.
I also touched up the paintwork but used Norglass paints as it is designed for fibreglass. Awesome stuff but pricey.
Great reading. Talk soon.
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Post by bambang on Aug 17, 2013 12:10:37 GMT 10
Hi Crackers, yeh lets see some photos mate ! with this new format forum you can just upload pics straight from the files on your computer (not necessary to go thru a third-party photo hosting site like before) - simply hit the "add attachment" tab at top right of the box you're posting/typing,then hit the "add files" tab - then it lets you choose where on your computer to pull files from (one at a time,max 3 files per post, and each file must be under 1Mb) . Wait for the file to upload, then hit the "insert"....this then shows the file inserted as a text line ( don't worry as the actual photo will insert in this place once you hit the "preview" button and submit the post ) - as I'm doing it here now ! just a matter of fiddling around working out exactly where the pics sit with regards to your text. hope I have explained it right. regards .....Steve.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2013 22:55:18 GMT 10
Thanks for your reply Steve, its very helpful for noobs like me to find out the finer details of how others have completed their mods/restorations. The annex you use to go over the whole camper - do you happen to have a photo of how that is done? Does the annex sit clear of the roof or lay across the roof of the camper? Lifting the roof is doable with my wife there but might be a struggle if I go out into the National Park myself. I am sure there is a way though with props or whatever. I am definitely going to give the Camper some TLC - the canvas is Ok (ish) and we should be able to live with it for a while. The cosmetic stuff, a good clean up and repaint is definitely something I ant to get done before summer. Thanks again for your advice. Cheers Bruce.
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Post by bambang on Aug 18, 2013 23:55:14 GMT 10
Bruce, yeh I reckon it's easy to live with less'than'perfect canvas for a while (as long as it keeps the bugs out in summer I'm happy) especially given the price of re-doing the canvas. Having the tarp covering the entire setup thus serves many purposes. I set it up directly over the roof...but as you can see in the photos it does require a few extra poles & ropes ! By the way - where do you normally camp ? some of our favourite spots out of Sydney are Nelsons Bay, Batemans Bay, Huskisson, Lake Lyell near Lithgow, and Mudgee/Hill End. As far as setting up solo....well I think if I was going on my own I'd probably just take my tent !! us blokes can rough it if need be, but the camper is definitely a family thing....that's why I've never been too bothered about needing 2 people to raise the camper-top. Anyway, get cracking on that renovation - summer's fast approaching mate ! Enjoy ! ......Steve.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2013 13:52:44 GMT 10
Hi, as promised, here are some pictures.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2013 15:34:32 GMT 10
Couple more.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2013 20:29:59 GMT 10
I got one of these campers the other week..Not sure what year,but looks similar the Crackers one above.(odly enough it was even closer than the Viscount(our guest house now) I bought,being only a few streets away.. It looked nice set up(canvas needed reataching oneside and a new zip, other bed side looked fine), but unfortunately a storm was coming and I tried to put down myself(big mistake I know). breaking one (already damaged suport,and cracking some fibreglass ontop(where the screws holding the arm go in,). Has anyone had to repair similar? and is it ok to just use fibreglass resin, then redrill holes? Also was thinking about maybe replacing all the steel arms, as they are a bit rusty,one seems unsafe..etc. Hope I did ok in my buy and can repair/get on road ok..trailer towed well and seems in pretty good order. It has a little used annex(posts missing) and kitchen/stove/fridge all seemed good. Had to act quick for $500(hope it was a good buy). Will try put some pics up of what I can(can't currently set up due to damage). Also can I wind the stabilizers down without the metal bar?(ie with a shifter or similar) or am I best just to buy those stabiliser stands from supercheap or something? Sorry about the long post, Mark
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Post by bambang on Aug 28, 2013 16:40:44 GMT 10
Mark, sorry don't know much about fibreglassing but would assume you'd need to use fibre matting with the resin if you need any strength at all. May need to find an expert to do the job. Also look at my interior pics of roof to see how I strengthened the corners up (as I could see the inherent weakness in that area)- using massive angle iron (actually cut sections of builders galvanised lintel) and bolting right through to the arm brackets, then connecting together each corner brace inside with cross-bars of 25x25mm angle iron. The whole setup then seems loads more rigid. With the wind-down stabilisers I'd keep them, surely could use a small socket on your ratchet wrench to fit the end. Hope some of this is useful. Cheers - Steve.
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