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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2012 6:43:12 GMT 10
Hi All. Have been put under the pump big time with work  . Everything has to be finished before X-mas. As we know the world ends on the 24th  . The boss is starting to panic. So much to do & so little time!! The lifters for the pop top have been on back order for weeks. Just finished the last bits of cleaning the j mold & roof panels. As we go away on the 7 of Jan. The van will be finished But the roof will be painted next year some time Tic-Toc The bracket for the awning has come in. The boys at Silverglo do great work      Cheers Gav P.s A bloke came over to look at the van the other day & told me that the van was not a grand tourer ,but a explorer!! I told him to #@$% off !! it will be a grand tourer when i am finished with it ;D ;D |
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Post by kiwijim on Dec 19, 2012 13:14:43 GMT 10
Howdy Gav,
You're doing a great job on your van,
I'm afraid that you will really have to pull out the finger to get it finished in time as the World is supposed to end on the 21st not the 24Th.
Now if you believe that, go and get a massive loan out for your trip, all going well, you won't have to repay a cent. ;D ;D ;D
Have a good Xmas . kiwijim ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2012 16:10:18 GMT 10
Ha Ha Kiwijim. Do you know at what time it all ends, as i am holding off from doing the x-mas shopping.  As you can not get near a shopping centre Ho Ho Gav |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2012 16:05:28 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2012 18:49:14 GMT 10
Hi all . Had a good x-mas, way too much of everything Boxing day , back in to it ( tic toc) Sanded down the roof & under coated it. fitted rear bar & spare wheel holder. Fitted shelves to the cupboards The dog thought this was the best place for the day, as everybody go's to the esky      Cheers Gav |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2012 6:50:14 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2012 8:05:43 GMT 10
Hi Gav Great job . The old A-frame now looks solid as a rock ;D . Now you can climb any mountain and cross the wildest rivers without fear ! I have been dreaming of doing something the same to mine I just feel that after 40 years my A-frame just cant be as strong as it was or should be! I was thinking of a traditional style TRUSS ! but after looking at what you have done  . I think its the way to go easier cheaper and stronger ! I doubt you will get any flex whatsoever! Is it just a flat bar or angle ? did you consider angle ? I just don't know how you get so much work done in so little time  ! You must have a army of helpers ! Regards Henley |
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Post by jeff on Dec 29, 2012 12:44:19 GMT 10
Hi, That’s a very neat job on the drawbar strengthening Gav, I too wanted to add strength to the drawbar but welding is not really my game so I thought I’d clamp some 3mm. box steel under the drawbar and see how it goes and for when, especially come ‘blue slip’ time, if it passes ok ~ I can remove it if I have to though ~ if alls ok I could have it welded or maybe just leave as is. Also ground clearance may be comprimised but I think is should be ok. In these photos the van is parked slightly up-hill, when level it's not too bad.   There are two high tensile U bolts, one at each end plus the anti-sway bar coupling attached. Henley, I thought perhaps you could consider this option cheers |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2012 17:17:27 GMT 10
Great idea Jeff That gives me another option to think about, I would be tempted to do a few spot welds along the bar and still use the U-Bolts alswell ! I was all keen to weld like a madman on the drawbar but !! my Dad who seems to know a bit about everything and my Granddad who knows everything about welding as he worked for the railways as a welder for 50 years says! NO NO NO he says "dont weld nothin on the drawbar it will only weaken it" both my Dad and Granddad wont suport me and think im a fool for considering it ! They have been wrong in the past and I just think they underestimate my welding skills !! And ganging up on me ! I like what both you and Gav have done and I doubt that its done anything more than to strengthen it as intended Henley |
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Post by jeff on Dec 29, 2012 17:58:44 GMT 10
Yes Henley, I too have heard that welding can weaken a drawbar, but that could be untrue, perhaps someone on the forum could advise if thats probability or myth, I would like to have access to a competent engineer to give me some advise on a few matters, quess I'll have to pay one.......... My van has a long drawbar and the single axel sits back further than halfway from the front of the van, However that design is very common today with newer vans but mine is (35 years old). The big advantage is 1. Longer drawbar = better handling 2. More distant wheelbase = Van sits great on the road. Someone once said it's like throwing a dart, it must be weighted at the front. But towball weight should be 10% of van weight.... At this stage I think mine will be.... Not weighed yet, except for towball weight check at approx 100 ks, but I hav'nt finished furnishing inside yet, so at the moment it's a guessing game.
Cheers
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2012 19:06:41 GMT 10
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Post by jeff on Dec 29, 2012 19:41:45 GMT 10
Hi gav,
Thats good tech info on the drawbar job you have done, makes sense, thanks for sharing, Fantastic job you are doing there, excellent.
cheers
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2012 18:25:45 GMT 10
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Post by youngdazza on Dec 30, 2012 21:33:49 GMT 10
Looking great. You must be almost finished now?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2012 21:52:18 GMT 10
Freedom !
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2013 7:11:36 GMT 10
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Post by ForumMod on Jan 2, 2013 0:22:33 GMT 10
Ahhh, 'tis a sight to behold! What a great looking van!! ;D ;D I'm certainly impressed with the white paint on the underside of the van. Heck, it puts my silver paint effort under the Millard poptop to shame.   Hopefully the lady in the second-last photo with the glass of "champagne" was sharing some with the rest of the work group. You guys deserve to be toasted to the max! ;D cheers, Al. |
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Post by gavo on Jan 2, 2013 14:19:51 GMT 10
That van is looking awesome. Now welding on the drawbar, I am a vehicle builder by trade (I used to build interstate coaches)and have also built many trailers. I wouldn't have any problem welding on the drawbar as long as it is done right, so a few tips: - Avoid welding across the length of steel and weld along the length where possible.
- Where you have to weld across the tube, don't weld all the way around.
- Stagger your welds.
- Don't fully weld if say you are welding a length on, rather, weld in 1" - 2" stitches.
Cheers, Gavo. |
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Post by jeff on Jan 2, 2013 16:09:51 GMT 10
Thanks for that great advise Gavo, appreciated
cheers,
jeff
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2013 6:56:39 GMT 10
Hi All. Thanks for the feed back guys. We are nearly there A few little mods. The water tank moved back 80 mm. Some so call plumber x the water lines, shh don't tell any one  The gas line is done & tested. The boss is very happy ;D ;D The sink & tap work great, both mains & tank/pump (H for home - C for caravan ) A few mods left on the awning & pop top, the it is" Champagne Time" well for some as i hate the stuff Gavo - thanks for the input.I was told the same thing ( stitch weld is the way to go) Al - Thank a million for all your input & little tips through out this build. That is why you are The " MOD" To all that had input during the build, a big thank you  This site & the people on it is what pushes you through the dark time when you just hate the word caravan. Thanks ;D Now that it is so close to being finished, i can see the beginning not the end. I just might have to change the thread name to The Adventures Of Cheers Gav |
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Post by jeff on Jan 3, 2013 8:29:54 GMT 10
Hi gav,
congrats on a great rebuild, beautiful van, I can see a lot of van owners concerned re. flexing of drawbars incorporating your method of reinforcing same ~ unlike the normal truss which indicates problems when individual stays break their welds I would imagine that the linear bar under yours would show a sight twist perhaps only if the drawbar were stressed, but I think your method would be much stronger and probably never do that, much easier to attach and a much better method of adding strength all round I think, well done.
cheers,
jeff
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2013 7:14:18 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2013 19:47:50 GMT 10
Top job Gav
Cam
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2013 9:51:21 GMT 10
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Post by ForumMod on Jan 16, 2013 20:58:07 GMT 10
G'day gav, Sounds like you've been having lots of fun and games, and not only AFTER you arrived at the Jayco Convention. ;D ;D Glad to see the ol' "turn it upside down and burp it" trick worked for the fridge. Sometimes you can get lucky and it starts working again, other times she no go.  Also glad you got the weight distribution sorted. Nothing tests the ol' ticker more than a swaying caravan. The campground looks to be a popular spot! Do they have any Mud Wrestling Festivals there after it's rained a bit? Thanks for all the photos. Sure looks like a great place to unwind. ;D cheers, Al. |
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. Everything has to be finished before X-mas. As we know the world ends on the 24th 
.
. I think its the way to go 
! You must have a army of helpers !
;D
