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Post by Caprinut on Jul 31, 2012 17:16:22 GMT 10
Mausie , Nice to hear you're all fired up and enthuisiastic. Sorry to hear about the knee problems- TG for modern medical science. The original tyres were 13 inch but I've fitted 14" LT ute tyres on sunrasia rims. The original spare was 35 years old and still full tread but as cracked as a camels heels so I gave it to my neighbour who seemed quite pleased with it! Rather him than me.   |
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Post by mausie on Jul 31, 2012 23:36:20 GMT 10
Hi Peter Thanks for the rim size. Ours has 14" and we found it hard to remove the wheel. I guess we could enlarge the wheel arch  By the way - what did you do with your old door; front / rear window protectors; 4 season hatch & inside cupboard / draw handles??  ;D ;D Mausie |
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Post by Caprinut on Aug 2, 2012 15:27:57 GMT 10
Mausie, I did not keep any of the old stuff as most was so grotty I thought there was no value in it. Only once I got involved with the Classic Caravan site did I realise that someone might value it for its authenticity. So the lamps and door knobs were tossed away together with the outside panels. The only item I salvaged was the old door frame and lock which I converted into the hatch cover as pics below.I retained the flyscreen portion and fitted a solid panel which now gives me a two-part hatch which serves as a small table when opened up.    At one stage I thought of fitting mesh and making that my dogs own room as per the pic below of my sook dog she would of howled the night away if left in that room outside.  |
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Post by Caprinut on Aug 12, 2012 20:14:27 GMT 10
Spent a frustrating day refitting the Coolabah awning that came with the van. It folds up with tensioned stainless cables and the side rails and legs all tuck up into a space that is really inadequate. So with the fact that awning is so high up it is a harrowing experience tucking it all away, with pieces gouging and scraping my new walls as it is folded away. Without a ladder it will be seldom used out bush as its just too difficult. With my temper I'll end up taking a axe to it . Live and learn!  |
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Post by millard1399 on Aug 12, 2012 21:17:16 GMT 10
G'day Caprinut, Yeah, it sure looks like a complex awning!  I reckon you'd need about 8 arms to try and hold all the bits while you pack it away.  I think I'd end up doing the same as what you're thinking...take a sledgehammer to it. With all the great work you've done on the van, scratching the paint is NOT ON!  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2012 21:18:49 GMT 10
Hi Peter,
isnt that awning a wind out ?I'm sure a friend of mine had one and he inserted a long handle in the rh end and started winding.
When it was out and hanging at a strange angle he put the 2 drop down legs down and did the rest manualy.
I have been known to be wrong though!!
Cheers
hughdeani
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Post by Caprinut on Aug 13, 2012 13:26:22 GMT 10
hughdeani,
The canvas section winds in with a long crank and unfolding it is easy as it just drops down when the clips are released, but to pack it all away involves winding up the canvas cover awning and then tucking the legs and folding side arms plus the canvas front pole all into a cavity, to protect it from the elements, that is way too tight. On a poptop which the maker uses as a demo it is easier as the roof is within arms reach, but on a full height van its impossible. Invented some new swear words yesterday!
Peter
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Post by Caprinut on Aug 13, 2012 13:51:02 GMT 10
Final pictures of the nosecone with spare wheel and sullage hose storage area. Decided to use tent poles to hold up rather than gas struts as they are adjustable and CHEAPER.  Also finalised rear carrier and bike rack using original towball carrier bolted to frame. Also retractable awning at back recessed into curved roof profile.  Went practise driving yesterday and noticed a lot of pitching backwards and forwards so will definately need to go to weighbridge to see what towball weight is, plus check on tired old shocks on ute. Will it settle down with a load in the back of the ute as a counterweight? What you reckon Al? |
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Post by millard1399 on Aug 13, 2012 16:03:11 GMT 10
G'day Peter, With all of the changes you've made to the van, I reckon you definitely need to take it over the weighbridge, to see what weights you are now dealing with. Once you get that information, you'll know your starting point, and you can then work out what other weight might be needed to give the proper balance. Pitching backwards and forwards suggest to me that either the rear suspension on the tow vehicle is not up to the task, or that there are weights up high on the van that are upsetting the centre of gravity. You might ultimately find that the location of the spare wheel up high on the front wall is not helping with the balance (I'm not saying it is likely to be, but it might be a contributing factor). The bottom line is: get the weights, and then you can apply science rather than guesswork.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Caprinut on Aug 30, 2012 17:25:29 GMT 10
Well I've put my baby eliphant on the bathroom scales and shes a biggie.!
The GVM behind my Courier Crewcab ute is 2900 kgs. Caravan alone weighs 1340 kgs, ball weight is 130 kgs. A bit more than I was hoping for so the Missus may have to go on diet to help compensate. Ouch!
Doc says the bruise will fade in a few days.
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Post by viscount6116 on Aug 31, 2012 11:18:42 GMT 10
Gday Peter Wow 1340 kg empty,that is very heavy for a single axle van.Before you head to Regency Park to upgrade your GTM on your van consider this...I cant find in your thread any where that you have upgraded the suspension. I went through this in May this year and spent a lot of cash getting my van legal... 1. New 50mm overlay axles with Ford Slimline bearings (max capacity=1450 kg per axle) 2.Steel Sunraysia rims (max capacity=950 kg per rim) 3. 13" LT tyres (max capacity=800 kg per tyre) yours are 14" so capacity is more 4. Spring upgrade@5 leaf per spring(max capacity =650 kg per spring) 5. All fish plates,axle seats , u bolts and hubs are Heavy Duty As you can see just taking the axle loading and spring capacity into account with a suspension upgrade the same as mine your payload (ie personal items,water,gas etc) is effectively only about 240 kg and every parameter is on the limit.... ie 1340kg(tare)-130 kg(ball weight)=1210 kg(empty weight of van on axle)...then 1450 kg (max axle load)-1210 kg(empty weight of van on axle) =240 kg The registration authority will assess the lowest loading value on components as the upgraded GTM value (which in my case was the chassis (which is rated at 2000 kg) therefore even though all other components are rated at 2600-3200 kg my van is still only legal to 2000 kg GTM (however Im no longer travelling right on the limit as I was previously)....by the way my van is a tandom axle not a single axle ! Hopefully your figure of 1340 kg is the ATM (a fully loaded van) and not the Tare (weight of van only with no payload) Cheers Andy  |
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Post by Caprinut on Aug 31, 2012 16:56:14 GMT 10
Andy, don't make my wife more nervous than she already is! I hear what you say and take it on board, but weight is a done thing, so will have to load carefully. The axle is new 45mm square and all shackles and pins were new, only springs were retained as they are 9 leaf springs which I suspect have a better capacity than the usual.  I wont be going near the Regency testing station as they give me the heeby geebys, but I am confident that van will tow ok as storage areas are all ahead of axle, including water tanks, which I have plumbed so I can select to fill one or both. Otherwise specs same as yours, new Sunrasias and 14" tyres, only dubious aspect is bike rack on rear which when loaded with two bikes will add 60kg to rear end. As van is 1975 and when registered had no ATM or Tare listings, as long as I stick to max single axle mass I'm legal. I don't think the max weight is on the limit stress wise as chassis and such is of a better build than most early vans I've compared to. Unfortunately old vans don't have any design specifications that one can refer to, so common sense will have to prevail. |
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Post by viscount6116 on Aug 31, 2012 19:05:22 GMT 10
Gday Peter Sorry mate I didnt mean to upset Mrs Caprinut ,I was just bringing it to your attention.As shown in your pic above the springs and axle would be legal and being aware of the capacity left in the axle and spring loadings is a big plus. The option is weigh everything going into the van up to 200kg and then put everything else in the tow tug to keep things legal.(no biggie really...thats what I had to do previously) Your lucky that your rego papers dont show the tare and GTM (mine does and its a 1979 Viscount registered in SA) and seriously I understand not wanting to visit Regency Park...many vehicles never return ;D ;D As I have said previously you have done a great job on your van and it should now last you for many years Might see you on the road somewhere..it wont be hard to miss your van for sure !! Cheers Andy |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2012 12:34:50 GMT 10
hi caprinut where did u buy the checkerplate sheets in adelaide i want to do the same to my 1977 millard im renovating and im in adelaide feel free to pm cheers
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Post by Caprinut on Nov 27, 2012 22:03:02 GMT 10
Duddles, There are two places I'ved bought from Metal Corp in Grand Junction Road who are bulk stockists, And the second lot I got from A J Stock in Holden Hill, who can cut and fold at very reasonable prices. I got them to bend a 40 mm lip along the edge which I used to drill and fix into the frame underneath so it is well secured and doesn't leave a nasty sharp edge for shins and kids. The top edge I tucked over the wall sheets and siliconed a j- mould trim piece with a small lip over to finish it off with concealed srews under the pvc insert piece ( if that makes any sense) It actually worked out cheaper than the aluminium wall strips, cut a sheet of 2400 x 1200 in half and you get a lot of coverage and protection where it counts. Attachments:
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Post by Caprinut on Dec 4, 2012 13:58:39 GMT 10
Hi guys, an update as I realised I did not share my upholstery final pics. Cushions coverd with fabric bought on special at Spotlight real cheap   Also made some drawers for the back of my new /old Frontera tug to store all the extras one needs  |
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Post by Caprinut on Dec 4, 2012 14:17:40 GMT 10
Now for some lessons learnt to share. I decided to drain the new unused hot water heater tank as van was standing for some time ( 3 months with water in tank) I discovered that when you drain by releasing pressure overflow valve it does not drain all the water as valveis at top anode is at bottom so tank remains virtually full.  When I removed the anode with a spanner there was a huge amount of lime sediment caught by the lip which I had to remove slowly with a thin brush and hose. Note the state of the anode.  Nearly eroded away yet never been used. I know from other posts that the standard anode that comes with Suburban heaters is inadequate and prone to quick eroding, but this is rediculous. CaravansPlus offer a replacement for $18 that is more robust. Have not bought one yet but will in due course. Just thought I would share my experience. Pete |
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Post by Caprinut on Apr 23, 2013 22:30:23 GMT 10
On the road again from Adelaide via Echuca to Newcastle, then back via Swan Hill. Great stuff Attachments:
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Post by Caprinut on Apr 26, 2013 20:48:43 GMT 10
Free camping at Bowna rest area only to discover it has been demolished some time ago due to highway bypassing 1km away. So only van within miles and no-one to steal our beautiful sunset. Did our nudie shower without shower tent as total privacy. Not even noisy trucks all night. Bliss. Attachments:
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I reckon you'd need about 8 arms to try and hold all the bits while you pack it away. 
