Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 9:22:28 GMT 10
PS. A tradie just was at my house and commented on the Queen Mary who is in the process of having her roof resealed. And he tells me that his brand new caravan leaked from everywhere, destroying the interior of his van THE FIRST TIME IT RAINED. "Stick with the oldies" he said to me, "they knew what they were doing back then". After months of fighting and Consummer Affairs involvement, the van still goes back for repairs. The icing for him was getting a letter recalling the batch his was made in for a roof replacement due to leaks... the month after he finally got his repaired.
|
|
JBJ
In Training
Posts: 12
|
Post by JBJ on May 22, 2013 9:28:42 GMT 10
Hi,
I have heard horror stories about new vans, from owners & repairersw.
One of Boots' friends bought an $80K van, and had a bit of a bump in the rear end on a trip. the repairer has had several goes at fixing it, & it still leaks every time it rains. Obviously they arent impressed. But I wonder why you would need to tow well over 2 tonnes, including a washing machine, full kitchen, generator, electric blankets, etc, when I believe half the fun is roughing it ( a little, not totally as in a tent).
But if everyone wanted the older vans, there wouldnt be any left for us, & the price would be so high we couldnt afford them on our budget.
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by bobt on Jun 4, 2013 18:11:12 GMT 10
Hey folks Tis all a matter of supply and deeemand. New vans get old, people buy new vans sell old vans. guess where we fit. Even 'Don' caravans were new once.. Just imagine how our grand kids are gunna go restoring one of today modern white boxes?? I don't think it will happen bobt
|
|
|
Post by Sharky on May 30, 2014 21:08:09 GMT 10
Exactly, on our big trip last year just about everywhere we went the big banana got interest. Comments like "I used to own or stay in one of them", were most common. I even had geez you're a long way from home (from Vic and was in Cairns ) its a wonder that old banger made it here. My reply was I bet when yours is 35 years old it wont make it 8500km. 99% of people were intrigued by it and don't get me wrong I would love a new one but to me the 1970's and early 80's vans had character, new ones don't have this, they also were better laid out inside in my opinion. Looked weird mine in amongst the all newies. I would love to totally gut mine and re do the interior if I had the money to do it. Best part about an oldie, we don't have 10's of thousands of dollars tied up sitting in the driveway. Steve
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 8:27:09 GMT 10
When I started my restoration I must admit I didn't think it would cost me much for supplies. But now I realize that the cost is adding up and I still have a huge list of materials to buy which will blow my original thoughts of total cost out of the water. But I don't care because I'm absolutely loving the challenge and I have learnt so much throughout the process. I have a long way to go and I'm completing each step with a lot of research to make sure I'm doing it all right. My worst fear is completing the Reno and the van leaking with the first rain, but I'm hoping that the time I'm spending on each process will eliminate any chance of water getting in anywhere. I know that the money I'm spending I will never get it back if I ever sold the old girl, but like all of us we are not doing it to make money but to create memories. Each process I complete I stand back and pat my self on the back at a job well done
|
|
|
Post by Sharky on Jun 14, 2014 21:44:32 GMT 10
Hi Dede I know what what you mean with the costs. I thought mine would be all good how I wanted it for around 4 grand spent on it but quickly blew out to I think it was around 6- 7 grand and I'm still not done yet. I too also know I will never probably get it back but in the near future I don't intend on parting with it.
|
|
|
Post by supreme78 on Jun 21, 2014 22:56:49 GMT 10
My old viscount has cost me a small fortune and is still a fair way from being truly complete. Not sure it will ever be truly finished. There is always something that I find I would like to add to the old girl to make it better. It will always only be a 1978 viscount supreme but to me it will be my old van that I spent all my hard work and love to bring it to the way that suits me. I will never be able to afford a new van so I choose to build my old one to a usable reliable van that works for me. I have not added up the costs because it would scare me. One thing I know is that I enjoy working on my van and love it when I can overcome a challenge the project throws at me.
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Jun 22, 2014 10:49:24 GMT 10
People that look at old vans don't always realise just how much time, effort and $$$ it takes to renovate/restore them. Mine was 2.5 years approx and $25K .... but try and buy one in the condition or with the quality of fittings I used. You won't be able to do it.
So restoring a van is wise if you are going to keep it,,, but a waste of time and money (WOFTAM) if it is a big job and you are just going to onsell it.
For us it was a great adventure and learning curve. We don't use it a lot for traveling, but my son now lives in it. So really we have a better use for it.
Like any of these follies we do, it all comes down to how you feel about it.
I wouldn't change having done my Olympic up. I would change some of the things I did, only because I can now see how to add other improvements.
Cheers and happy restoring. Atog
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 23:22:03 GMT 10
Beautiful comments in this thread about our older vans! I get so many comments about my 72 Olympic whenever out and about. Maybe because of the tow combo of Olympic and '65 Mercedes S Class.
I recently became employed with one of Perth's major dealers, shoving 50+ vans out the gate each week on average! I know that a large percentage leak, because that is how they come from the factory and we have no time to properly deliver them, but that is only a small detail. The more upmarket vans with the sat TV, solar, washing machines and dishwashers seem to be the worst for leaks, and there would be no way I could be convinced to purchase one. My employers even offered me a new van at "staff pricing", HA! No way, said I.
Yes, the cost of parts to restore a van is astronomical! Thankfully that "staff pricing" may just work in my favour, as there are so many things I want to do to "the white elephant" (as she is called), but even in unrestored original condition she is the van that people seem to flock to amongst the generic white boxes.
Lack of workmanship, cheap materials and no pride seem to be the norm nowadays, where something can be made to look ok, only to have it fail once out the gate (not my problem anymore!) really disgusts me, but, as I need the job!!! (And parts).
Anyway, if people want to buy that sort of van, then good luck to them! They may need it.
Happy restoring to all. Cricket.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 7:56:55 GMT 10
I like the old vans myself. But I reckon in 40 years time when the 70s and 80s era vans are really scarce, the old curmudgeons will be doing up our modern vans of today and saying "what do you reckon, classic 2010s or new?"
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Aug 31, 2014 19:28:15 GMT 10
I like the old vans myself. But I reckon in 40 years time when the 70s and 80s era vans are really scarce, the old curmudgeons will be doing up our modern vans of today and saying "what do you reckon, classic 2010s or new?" Looking around the threads & from what i remember folks saying back in the day about the "flimsy Franklins", many that are still hanging around 40 years later, it will be interesting to see if the white boxes become landfill or resto challenges for the 2050 tinkerers. I know from the small boat scene it is a ton cheaper to replica rather than replace what is mostly a useless & costly time consuming and heartbreaking decision about 1970s onwards stuff to throw a heapload of good money without the end reward that the classic & vintage vans DO offer now.
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Feb 20, 2015 13:27:31 GMT 10
If you have been following my thread, you will know my van is currently in a mates workshop having a new drawbar grafted into it. When I first bought it in, he had a good look over it, looked at what I wanted to do with the chassis and said "Why don't you just buy a new one???" I looked at him with my "You must be shitting me" face and he replied "That's right, you're into old nuts aren't you"... All in with new axle, drawbar and a fixed up interor, I'll have change from $3K. Pretty good value IMO.
|
|
suem
In Training
Posts: 46
|
Post by suem on Jun 17, 2015 15:31:24 GMT 10
In my personal experience, the new vans are just new vans.
The old vans are home.
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jun 19, 2015 10:54:00 GMT 10
Hey folks Tis all a matter of supply and deeemand. New vans get old, people buy new vans sell old vans. guess where we fit. Even 'Don' caravans were new once.. Just imagine how our grand kids are gunna go restoring one of today modern white boxes?? I don't think it will happen bobt A very old post but a good one and worth a comment! I fondly remember my T series and earlier MG car club honchos, in the heady 70s saying the same thing about the B series and unless it was at least a Healey or Spridget, possibly a waste of time! The MGB proved them wrong... or was it the then youngsters, now fondly re living their fancies?
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jun 19, 2015 11:00:29 GMT 10
In my personal experience, the new vans are just new vans. The old vans are home. A year into the caravan scene i feel that some of the newer beasties will go on to be collectables, noteably the Ultimate Nautilus pop top and Elldis Ambassador to name a couple. Both very well engineered, the Elldis while built to a price has some great features that will see it through the years. Mostly however so many white boxes are just that and of poor construction/ design, that would never have got off the drawing board, in the classic years.
|
|
|
Post by awbeattie381 on Jun 23, 2015 14:07:46 GMT 10
I don't quite understand what it is about caravan sealants that makes them "fail" after a relatively short period of time. Is it the fact that caravan shells flex a lot during travel, and the sealant adhesion gives way, or is it something else? My inquisitive brain asks the question: How come windscreen sealants in cars can last forever? Why is it that windscreens in old cars are still waterproof, even after 20 years or so, but caravan bodies are not? Do pantech truck bodies leak after a period of time? Do buses? Do aircraft? What's the difference between all these other vehicles and caravans?? cheers, Al. I have a theory.Guess, opinion movement, temperature and possibly the timber frames absorbing moisture from within and weakening the bond, as timber swells and shrinks it could cause the bonding issues. Also once timber is wet it will absorb, so the smallest external entry point can create rot, therefore weakening the entire structure. Then you have the BIG LEAK LOL, and an entire frame can rot like in my van . I was actually shocked that the new vans are timber frame, i would have expected an alloy.I would not purchase a new van if it was a timber frame. What happens with alloy frames?, surely it takes alot more damage to the seals to start letting water in, as it would not absorb it like a timber sponge?? join the club. I only discovered this recently when I was getting work on my van done at a caravan repairer. I saw a lot of timber framing lying around and asked about it. He said pretty much all new vans have a timber frame. Alloy frame vans are usually a write off if they are involved in an accident (as the frames buckle) whereas timber absorbs the impact a little better and vans can be repaired. The frame I did see lying around certainly had some water staining on it too!!!!! ???Made me really appreciate my little viscount surrounded by big white boxes
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Jun 26, 2015 19:39:38 GMT 10
Hhhmmm it would take a lot of convincing for me to part with a $100K for a timber frame. To date I,ve only found one loose rivet in the Vincent aluminium wall frame. Who would want a repaired van after a major any way, better to get a cheque
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 19:39:48 GMT 10
Hhhmmm it would take a lot of convincing for me to part with a $100K for a timber frame. To date I,ve only found one loose rivet in the Vincent aluminium wall frame. Who would want a repaired van after a major any way, better to get a cheque I am in total agreement having had a timber framed van in a former life the day it left my life I swore to never again have one hence our Viscount with an aluminium frame and Sunliner motorhome with a composite body the other big no no for me is chipboard and Mdf inside vans many still use it and if they leak it is all over
|
|
|
Post by tasmillard on Aug 2, 2016 8:05:37 GMT 10
Interesting read. For me there are two motivators to keep/restore an old van. First, there no way I would lash out the money for a new van, its just not my style. Secondly, I have ZERO interest in the new stuff, in fact I consider these shoe boxes very ugly and souless. The exception to this is an Airstream It needs to feel like home away from home, that someone previously has loved and enjoyed it using it. Its not a throw away item like so many items now days (cars for example). Even if I where to go nuts on a resto job, I still will be well under half the cost of new. Having said all this, we do like pre-loved items. My wife loves op-shopping and I love old cars, so an old van suits us just fine
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2016 8:28:00 GMT 10
I have to admit that our viscount looks out of place behind her indoors Honda CRV but just right at home behind the MK2 zephyr Strangely enough it tows better behind the Z as well
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Aug 3, 2016 6:32:06 GMT 10
Hiya what is the story about the "indoors" on Her Indoors CRV?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2016 9:46:44 GMT 10
Hiya what is the story about the "indoors" on Her Indoors CRV? Just an old joke really a remember "Arfur Daley" in Minder years ago he was a likeable villan in a comedy series and always referred to his wife as "her indoors" the Honda is the wife's car simple as that sometimes I will refer to her as "herself" and she does similar and refers to me as "himself" and no we are not poms Heather is from NZ and I am 7gen Aust
|
|
|
Post by planner on Aug 4, 2016 9:57:59 GMT 10
Just an old joke really a remember "Arfur Daley" in Minder years ago he was a likeable villan in a comedy series and always referred to his wife as "her indoors" It was usually "er indoors"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 13:28:17 GMT 10
Just an old joke really a remember "Arfur Daley" in Minder years ago he was a likeable villan in a comedy series and always referred to his wife as "her indoors" It was usually "er indoors" There ya go see I am an Aussie don't speak fluent "Pom" did I get Arfur right or should be Arthur ??
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Aug 4, 2016 19:39:00 GMT 10
It was usually "er indoors" There ya go see I am an Aussie don't speak fluent "Pom" did I get Arfur right or should be Arthur ?? Thanks, loved Minder, Arfur is correct, only OCD spelling types would not find it faithfull to the character over spelling!
|
|