1977 Millard poptop MM2867

[Deleted]

G'day Al,

Lost a lot of time on the weekend due to a power failure on our computer - anyway I did get a shot of the Jenneson and sorry to say:
"No Jones Dolly wheel!"



Looks as though it had one at some stage, as the draw bar is modified.

Here is the logo at the front


Progress on the Millard Duck

Managed to get one of your lifts installed without decapitating myself ;D


I had problems with the top front of the first lift I tried to install, as I could not make contact with the pop top roof short by around 8 cm.



So I switched to another of the lifts - it was short by around 3 cm at the opposing end, but I managed to force the roof down and get a self tapper in



Looks heaps better than the old one - thanks!

Free Wheeling Screws:
I tried the 38 mm 10 g but had the same problem - so I drilled two more holes closer to the join - and used the longer screws - Hey Presto! ;D ;D ;D



And look at the line up at the join!



Also repaired a pole carrier



So that was my weekend - apart from an unexpected trip to the big smoke to sort out a computer.

regards

Bobbie

[millard1399]

G'day bobbie,

Sounds like you've had some fun and games with the replacement lifters. I remember when I refitted them on my Millard, I had to make sure I put each lifter back into its original side, otherwise the holes wouldn't line up properly. Luckily, I'd marked each lifter to show where it came from, otherwise I would have ended up with the same dilemma that you've had. Seems they don't interchange all that easily between caravans either, so that's something for us to keep in mind for future forum members.

Fortunately, you've managed to get them sorted out.

Looks like you've also managed to sort out the screws in the edge moulding nicely, as well. Certainly an A-grade join you've ended up with. ;D

Also a neat job on the pole tube as well. It's a big boost to the satisfaction levels when you score a few wins like you've done. Give yourself a pat on the back! ;D

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

G'day Al,

If it's not raining next weekend, I'll have the roof done. Then I'll start on the wheels - another learning curve! ;D

regards

Bobbie

[Deleted]

bobbie great work & photos it looks like you are having fun!! . it looks like the fun i am having ,same problem different badge. ;D all the best. gav (78 viscount gt)

[Deleted]

Hi Gav,

Thanks - I got the tarp off on Monday and the gale has started today so I'm waiting for leaks,,, nothing yet!

regards
Bobbie

[gavo]

One of the best ways to fix those pole holders and stop the poles from breaking the endcap is to glue a piece of plywood in the endcap before putting the cap on.
Good to see you having fun with the lifts.

cheers
Gav

[Deleted]

Hi Gav,

Thanks for the tip - I have been thinking about that problem off and on and was thinking that high density foam glued to the end cap might be a solution - plywood sounds more durable - hate to have a tent pole fly out the tube whilst cornering. ;D

Regards

Bobbie

[millard1399]

I ended up going "upmarket" with the poles in my pole holder. With all the canvas work I did for my poptop skirt and various other awnings, I ended up with enough leftover bits to make a bag for the poles. And then I made another smaller bag for the pegs. Both those bags fit into the tube end-to-end, and then a club hammer is jammed in the tube just inside the cap. It all ends up being a neat fit, and we've never had a problem with loose items slopping around inside the tube.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

G'day Al,

I guess the more you have in these tubes the lower the risk of movement. Is there any way of locking the tube, apart from putting a screw through the lid and the tube

Regards

Bobbie

[Deleted]

Hi All,

It rained most of Saturday, so nothing achieved apart from discovering I had no leaks in the van

Sunday: After jacking the 'Leak-less Duck' up and playing 'look at this round thing which I know nothing about' I gently returned her to earth and decided that I knew more about re-spraying bull bars than I know about wheels - especially when other peoples lives are at risk.

Monday: Hooked her up to the VX Wagon for the 3 K trip to the mechanic. The prognosis - new wheel bearings all round, and you'll need new springs soon - $180 for the bearings - deal done! - plus I got some nice tire black and lots of peace of mind.
In the afternoon I fitted the Weight Distribution Hitch I purchased last year - almost ready for a run

regards

Bobbie

[millard1399]

G'day Bobbie,

Yeah, I'm with you on the subject of wheels and brakes. I let the professionals take care of that sort of stuff, and then I know I can depend on it working properly.

My pole tube has a screw cap with a rubber O-ring inside the cap. I've never had it work loose in all the travelling we've done, so I've never bothered with any locking system. I've seen some tubes where the cap is locked, but I don't know whether that's to prevent the cap coming off, or to prevent people pinching stuff out of the tube.

Sounds like you're just about ready for the shakedown trip. Should be a good'un.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al,


The above picture may give you a clue as to why I have not visited the board lately - after having a colonoscopy I was not feeling that flash.

Anyway - a month ago I decided to check out 'the Duck's' waterworks. So I pulled out the water tank.


Half filled it with water and a cup of chlorine and left it for an hour, only to discover a crack in the front and a few other bodgie repairs. to the top. So I think I'll have a crack at fixing it properly before the first trip away in September. Any suggestions on safe glues or patches?

Regards
Bobbie

[Rattles]

New tanks probably the way to go as I have tried to repair that black plastic material with no real neat and tidy method : see below

for $91
caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1346
or a Cheaper one
for $69
caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1358

Rattles

[Deleted]

Hi Rattles,

Thanks for the info - makes sense!

Regards

Bobbie

[millard1399]

G'day Bobbie,

Been wonderin' where you got to.

The ol' colonoscopy, eh? Been there, done that. Every two years for me, and next year will be the sixth time. Still can't hack that pico prep stuff they make me take beforehand. Yuk!!!

Good to see you back on board with the van. What happened about the tap we were talking about before you "disappeared"? I checked my stash of spares, and I've got the old Trojan water pump if you need parts, or I've got a new Trojan pump if you want a new one. I've also got a new one of those water inlet filler thingies you've got the cork in. I bought these spares when a caravan repairer shut down in our local region last year due to ill health. Let me know if you want to do a deal on what I've got.

The water tank? Yep, plenty of people have commented on other caravan forums about the ease or difficulty of repairing them. Your nearest BCF store at Campbelltown should be able to supply a new one if you want to go that option (see here and here ). Sometimes these pop up on special, but that mightn't happen before you go away.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

G'day Al,

Thanks for your kind offer - sent you a personal message.

Regards

Bobbie

[Deleted]

Hi All,
Well my attempt to get away on our first trip has hit a brick wall.
Reason = WORK and lots of it! - 65 and still showing them how!
I had plans to visit an old mate in Grenfell NSW but that has fallen by the wayside until mid to late November.
Also, I haven't bought the water tank yet - but have bought the Aldi Portable Toilet today 'cause I just know it's going to be on the agenda!
I have not opened the pack yet and don't expect to do so for quite some time!

Regards

Bobbie

[millard1399]

G'day Bobbie,

Funny how work gets in the way of having a good time.

Never mind, it gives you more time to think about the stuff you want to do on the Millard.

cheers,
Al.

[bobt]

gidday bobbie

don't you let the work thing stop ya from going away

we are here for a good time not a long time and we work to live not live to work. ask all the retirees


says he who put off a big trip this year cause of work..

bobt

[Deleted]

Hi bobt,

Thanks for the encouragement!

I'm planning on staying around Earth for a while - took off the pretend spare tire from the front of the 'Duck' yesterday and intend to get some advise from the local tire bloke about what to put on - It has 2 Yokohama Van tires that look OK - the spare was an Aussie made Goodyear with little tread on the inside - just there for rego I guess.

Also started treating the upper part of the vans paint work with Penatrol. I did the lower wood grain area last year and it still retains a gloss finish and beads the water off like a new finish - recommend that product to anyone who has a chalky paint finish. I'll send a picture soon as I still have to do the second coat - Then I'll paint it with Weather shield to clean up the chips and missing paint on the front.

Still no leaks from the roof repairs I did earlier.

Regards

Bobbie

[Deleted]

Re The Jennison Pathfinder. I think I may have been a previous owner of this caravan. We recovered seats in our Jennison with burn orange material.
Gwen

[Deleted]

Hi Gwezza,

Amazing! - can you give me more details?

Regards

Bobbie

[Deleted]

G'Day Al,

A while between posts - I'm still busy with other distractions like work!

I had a chance to look at the Duck on the weekend - Sprung a leak
I think it emanates from the front pop-top lift.
The front top bunk is damaged as well as the centre front ceiling.



Thanks to you I have a few spares and the second one was almost a perfect fit. So off with the rusty lift and cleaned up the stains and silicon - took a while!.



It was covered in silicon and wet. The cladding was very pitted but no holes were apparent, so I can only guess that water was seeping through the screw holes.



The screws were 10 g 18 mm gal - I had 4 stainless steel left over from the last lift replacement which saved me another trip to Bunnings

Then cut two patches of adhesive backed bitumen foil.
Drilled two additional holes and compressed the lift - (tricky job)









All back together now ;D and a new set of muscles in my forearms.
So, I'll wait for rain and see if that fixed it!
Thanks again for the lifts Al!

Regards

Bobbie

[ForumMod]

G'day Bobbie,

Good to hear from you again! ;D

I'm pleased the old lifters are being put to good use. The one you took off looks like it's been paddling in water for a good while.

I'd say you're on the money with thinking the water was leaking through the screw hole. Doesn't take much to get a leak, does it?

Fingers crossed you've got it sorted.

cheers,
Al.

[Denise love]

Hi everybody. Love reading your post. We have purchased an in great condition this model aluminium van. The last owners took out the back windows for dust seal reasons. We would like to put them back in. Any clues where we can find replacements.