Welcome to our new members

[ForumMod]

G'day schked, and welcome to the forum!

We look forward to seeing what you 'drag home'. Don't forget to check for the chassis number on the drawbar, and post it with your photos. It'll be the letter 'Y' followed by some numbers.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

G'day all. Picked her up on Sunday. Towed really well. Got pulled over 2 k's from home. All paperwork was ready for Mr. Plod. The number on the draw bar is Y 6110. Cheers. Not sure how to get pics up from iPhone to this post but when I do I'll get them up on here.

[awbeattie381]

Hello all,

I have had to join both the vintage forum and the classic forum because my interest in vans relates to late 60s viscounts (start of aluminium frame and painted cladding) and early 70s viscounts. Size wise no bigger that 16ft but preferably smaller.

Its been pretty hard going finding anything in old sydney town, and when I finally sell the mini I have owned for 17 years Ill be able to determine my budget. Hoping for something very clean, unmolested and original.

I look forward to finding the right van. We are in no hurry. In the meantime, if anyone owns a van in sydney that matches my search criteria I would be very grateful if I could come and check it out to see what I should be looking out for when I purchase my own.

Andrew

[Deleted]

Hi new to this not sure how to post a new thread. I'm renovating a 1973 chesney Kampa at the moment and have found this place to be great for ideas and pictures

[ForumMod]

G'day awbeattie381 and kerryl, and welcome to the forum!

kerryl, to post a new thread, go to the General Board, and in the top right corner of the index, you'll see the words Create Thread. Click on that and it will open up a new screen for you to type in. Type away and click the Create Post button down the bottom right corner when you are ready.

By the way, you'd better turn your camper up the other way in your avatar photo, otherwise the roof will fall off.

cheers,
Al.

[HartK Adventurer Caravan]

Hi all, new to site. Interested in passing on info on Adventurer caravans.
I,m the grandson of Clifford Hart who was owner and partener with Ted Creer.
they manufactured Adventurer aravans on South Road Richmond, opposite side of Southrd to todays Vilis Bakery.

I'm interested to find the last Adventurer van built by my father Ray Hart.
I will try and attache photo.

If any one has information of the caravan and present owner I would be pleased to pass on all info about it's history.

[Deleted]

Hello, I've just joined this forum and will look forward to going through the previous posts and learning lots. I've just purchased a 1978 Viscount Supreme 16ft and I'm picking it up next Saturday, very excited! It needs quite a bit of cosmetic work which is exactly what I wanted. I'm into the cute pastel, polka dot and floral look and cannot wait to put my stamp on the van I've got one van reno under my belt already - a 1973 Oxford Deluxe 16ft (a NZ van).

cheers
Karen

[Kay]

Hi we have recently purchased (our first ever caravan) a 1973 Franklin Arrow in pretty good nick (no water damage , am getting electrics looked at next week and plan replacing tyres. Looking for a replacement cover for outside light (diameter 245mm) any tips on sourcing this or clever improvisations? FYI number on drawbar is W286.

[Deleted]

May 13, 2014 19:05:59 GMT 10 @robyn said:

Jul 24, 2008 14:50:42 GMT 10 jbj said:

Hi Atog,

Cant get the info on our SE Qld august gathering at Pottsville on the Tweeed Coast until Mark gets the vintage van site running again, hopefully tomorrow. I lost the adress of this site for several days also.

But its at Pottsville, on the river next to the beach, in one of the nicest caravan parks you will find up this part of the world. Its in late August from memory, & luckily for me its only 45 minutes away.

JBJ

I have recently purchased a 1948 bondwood Rowvan that I have named "Rowena". She is in very good condition and does not need much work except a paint job. She even has her original upholstery. The colours I have chosen inside are from the upholstery. Turquoise cupboard doors, red curtains, red and yellow cushions and red and yellow accessories.

I live in Grafton and am keen to go to any vintage caravan runs nearby. Can anyone give me details of the Pottsville gathering or any in SE Qld or Northern NSW?

[ForumMod]

G'day Rowena The Rowvan, and welcome to this forum!

You have quoted an event that was talked about on this forum six years ago, so that event has long gone. Your best bet is to join up with our sister forum for Vintage Caravans which covers caravans built before 1970. This forum here covers vans built in the 1970s (give or take a bit).

The Vintage Caravans forum have a number of events listed in the Vintage Caravan Runs and Events section of their forum.

Another group of people, some of whom are members of the Vintage forum, have another forum covering South East Queensland and nearby areas. You could join up with them as well, and see what events they are organising: SEQ Vintage Caravans mob. You will need to register on that forum to be able to see anything.

cheers,
Al.

[millardm42]

Hello All. My name is Bruno and i just joined the forum. I recently purchased a 1977/78 Millard 16ft Caravan off a mate of mine and my wife Katrina and i look forward to adding our special touches to it. We look forward to scouring any info we need through this forum and maybe picking the brains of a few members if we need any help . The Millard is white with a brown stripe, alloy frame, 4 seasons hatch, original oven and fridge, pair of bunks and a double bed plus the couch and table make another double, pretty much all original and tows well! It came with a full annex too! We are looking forward to going away with it one day with our 3 children . 

[ForumMod]

G'day Bruno, and welcome to the forum!

For some reason it's not showing you as a member, only a "Guest". Has your membership application actually been processed?

Hope to see some photos of your van when you get a chance to post them.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hi Al. I thought i joined this forum but joined what appeared to be the old forum? i followed a link here now and joined again, i'm a little confused. Anyway i will get some photo's of the old girl soon and put them up. Cheers Bruno

[Deleted]

Hi Al. I know what i did, i joined Vintage Caravans and followed the link here, it appears the vintage site is mainly for pre-1970 caravans. I'm in the right place now. Cheers Bruno

[Deleted]

Hello all. Great to find this site and a bunch of enthusiasts. Recently purchased a 1978 Franklin Arrow. Its in mint original condition, was always stored indoors, I'll post pictures soon. My wife and I have been looking for a caravan for many years now and have been up and down the price range of availability and options. Our van is at the lower end of the market but seems to provide a very good compromise in terms of space and functionality. A good step into getting us into caravaning with two young children. My initial plan was to strip it out and replace but I have quickly come to realise what a travesty that would be with such a proper original example. Its super clean, no external damage, no rust or rot and a shiny exterior. So my plans will include very little such as the addition of some battery boxes & hooking up 12v wiring so we can go camping. Upgrade wise, what do you guys suggest in terms of braking? She tows well as is but many people suggest upgrading to electronic brakes. I don't know if it is worthwhile? I feel honored to own such a rare example and wont harm her, I only want to positively leave my mark in terms of modern upgrades while not compromising originality. Tow vehicle is a T30 Manual Nissan X-Trail. Thanks for hosting such a great forum.

[ForumMod]

G'day kayfam, and welcome to the forum!

Start a new thread in our Hall Of Fame section, and tell us about your van in that thread, including any photos you can show us. Don't forget to tell us the chassis number welded on the drawbar, and the length of the van. Sounds like you've found one of those rare vans that looks like it's just come off the production line! Lucky you!!

Start a new thread, and we can talk about your braking system in that thread.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

G'day all.
New member here.
As of tonight I'm the new owner of a 1972 12ft Franklin Regent. Chassis No8888-2.
I'll post some pics and start a thread soon.
Cheers
Steiny.

[Deleted]

Hello all trust you are well. My lovely wife gave this camper to me as a present as near as I can tell its a 79 sunwagon and whilst the chassis and body work is pretty good nick the interior and canvas are pretty sad so I will be giving it a restoration.  Does anyone know who would be good to talk to abut re-canvassing the old girl? Or where I could get more info about these vans in particular.  The green paint will have to go its a tad green for my liking.  Anyway thanks in advance for your help all and have a great day.

[Deleted]

Hi,
I've been posting on here for about a week now, and somehow, missed this welcome thread. Sorry about that.
We, my wife Sandy and I, are brand new to caravaning and have just bought a little 1977 10/5 Cabana. Its in pretty good shape but does have a few problems that need sorting out before we start using it regularly.
Here's some pics that I took this morning.
Cheers, 
Rob

[Deleted]

Jul 21, 2008 6:38:28 GMT 10 atouchofglass said:

Greetings All

Thought it might be nice to shout out a warm and hearty

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

The membership has been steadily growing over the past months

So to all those that have recently joined

Please feel free to comment on or start new threads
Your input is very much appreciated and a different point of view is always worth hearing

Get those fingers tapping and we will hear from you soon

Atog

[tasmillard]

Hi all,

Joined a little while back and already posted a thread in Hall of Fame and just saw this thread...ooops

Anyway, got my first caravan last week - a Millard 16ft M14866 (told by member here its under a 1970). I needs some TLC, such as new draw bar, interior clean up and paint an some fixed to windows/seals and so on.

Cheers,

[atouchofglass]

Hey Tasmillard
Mate everyone is welcome here, so even if your van is pre 70's, we don't care.
You don't even have to own a van... just be interested in one.

Hey .... they even let me be a Mod some time ago.... and my van is a 1968.

Cheers
Atog

[Deleted]

Well Arnold Schwarzenegger once said " I'll be back" and Lockyer is, and plus after 3 floods and a few years going by, we finally put some money down on our first Classic van, it is a Millard Micro 11ft pop top 1978 ?? (owner states) serial No is MM3746. Amazingly she is in good condition and I'm looking forward to starting a make over on her. No photo's at present as it is still with the current owners till I get some time in approx 10 days to go and pick it up. She is registered and has original fridge and stove and both are working. It took a couple of months looking at a number of vans, and it was amazing how many people believe that old run down vans are worth big $$$$. I still think about the little Hi - Lite van we spotted on the side of the road going into Lowood back in 2011, I wonder where it is today.

The Hi - lite we looked at

Cheers Lawrence

   

[atefooterz]

Welcome back Lockyer,( lol me newbie) i spent over a yearlooking before i got my van & the result was almost a grand more than when i first started hunting! This grey nomad & vintage craze certainly seems to be pushing up costs, in the 2 years approx, i have followed/getting started.
I envy those who have the patience or networks to grab those "garage/ shed finds we see posted around the CC site here.

[Deleted]

Hello, this seems like some right of passage, posting here. How will we be rated? A little yellow star for us and a newbie rating? We're already wondering if there's a secret handshake - something akin, most likely, to a hitching of wagon to a towball, except with your fingers. We're practicing it now, my wife and I, as we lay awake waiting for a second van to arrive in the morning. It will be my birthday, so there's extra excitement around it. A '74 Franklin Arrow, love at first moment, practically immaculate. And - the real clincher - an interior design that works. I mean, with so many designs possible inside a rectangle, kind of like rubic's cube, you'd have to get it right eventually. Good on ya, Franklin. My wife is saying that we should sound sensible, and wants to mention that weight distribution is also an important factor in design. Good point, and in the morning I shall duly jump up and down in various spots inside the Franklin and see it it tips over. But she makes an important point (I need to repeat that occasionally). Another, she says, is towing. You want the thing to follow you. (No matter what name it has, it won't just come if you call it. And no, I'm not going to try that one in the morning.)

In caravanning news, my mum points out that her dad created and built the Wanderlust vans. "Van looked like eggs in those days, so he decided to flatten off the end. He also made bigger picture windows, and put a hatch in the top." She has memories of when she was about 8, watching him smoke and bend the plywood in the backyard. Those were the plywood days, which have never truly left us. The least of which reason is that it's difficult, in your backyard, to create and bend aluminium. Mum also tells me that he was Member No. 11 of the Caravaning Club of Australia, and she can clearly remember the pink triangular pennant. All the caravan builders new each other the, she says, and would drop over to each others place for visits. If anyone has any Wanderlust info that would be pretty cool.

The Franklin will join our mysterious Gypsy 12'. Which may be a '64 Gypsy. But may also not be a Gyspy. She looks suspiciously like a Valiant. Except that the water fill hatch is at the front, and there is no outside light. The Gyspy logo may have been a fond add-on. We've posted pictures of her on another Classic Caravans thread. We do wonder, though, when Gypsy stopped making vans. She needs work inside, some old rot and stuff. But she's an exciting project, and my wife is hoping that my grandfather's genes kick in. I'm hoping that her Greek pirate ancestry kicks in, and we can force someone to do it, or at least find some treasure buried somewhere. Then we can buy another van. Because no one told us that van were addictive and exciting, and that vans were alive in their own way.

The 12' and the 16' foot are great sizes, we reckon. Easy to tow and entice you to get outside and explore. That's the plan. So this is hello, and we hope to meet some of you at some stage. And chat. And say stuff like oo wow.

The Tinkers