Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2012 10:32:15 GMT 10
Hi Everyone, I am currently doing up an old viscount aero lite 1985 pop top. I have done a lot of vork including strengthening the chasis, lifting the van higher, new floors, checker plate, flat aluminium plate, windows, all new fixtures and fitings and so on. I am chasing some cupboard catches that seem to be very hard to get a hold of. If someone knows of any floating around please let me know as most of them are broken and in need of replacement. Or is you have any suggestions please feel free to advise me on it.
Freebs
|
|
|
|
Post by viscount6116 on Jun 4, 2012 11:02:42 GMT 10
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2012 11:13:49 GMT 10
Cheers Andy, I have just niticed that this site is for classics in the 70 or earlier, mine is an 85 model so i hope i will not offend anyone buy joining the forums. Will put on some more photos once i work out how to make the size smaller and add multiple photos. Thanks again
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2012 18:08:34 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by bobt on Jun 4, 2012 21:43:04 GMT 10
Gidday Freeb
No one discriminates over this side of the fence. We are into restoring/renovating/fixingup/ and using 'classic' caravans..
Some of us have a little lack in the classic area bit.
Those cupboard door catches were most popular in the 80's and broke rather a lot. Sorry I have no spares but the last time I was at "Hardings Caravans" in Bayswater Vic they had a collection of them on the shelf.
Love the checker plate..
Bobt.
|
|
|
|
Post by youngdazza on Aug 16, 2012 23:09:51 GMT 10
Hi
Sorry for the late reply - I only just (re)joined this forum.
I also have an aerolite of similar vintage. Youve done some great work to the interior there.
Have you found those clips your after? Ive checked in a couple of caravan parts stores and havent found any yet - but others have been luckier. If you find them buy a few extras, as they do break quite easily. And replacing them with the Millard ones as suggested by caravansplus.com.au would be a last resort.
BTW I'm curious how you strengthened the chassis and lifted the van?
The chassis is the holey alko type famous for fracturing in the middle and sending viscount bust. How did you strengthen the chassis? Could you possibly add some photos?
And correct me if Im wrong but these vans also used unique alko suspension. Did you somehow adjust this or replace it altogether?
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by mausie on Aug 20, 2012 22:38:03 GMT 10
Hi youngdazza We had an Aerolite a few years ago. Ours was a 6 birth. We converted it to an island bed ( kids grew up no need for bunks) Viscount had a modification to stiffen the chassis. The problem came about when tyres scrubbed against a curb or gutter, forcing the chassis to flex and eventually crack. However if you stay on the tar and off rough roads you will get many happy troublefree miles ( oops! Km's) out of the van. The ALKO axle is first class - no need to replace it :-) We also had the genuine Aerolite loadleveller and anti sway thingy on the drawbar. Somewhere I have an Aerolite manual someone scanned and sent me if you are interested We went to Tassie in 2007 and came across a caravan place near Hobart, I think it was called King Caravans - they had a bin full of Viscount cupboard door catches. We bought about 12 at the time and it didn't put a dent in the stock. May be worth checking out.  Cheers Mausie & Joe |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2012 8:07:54 GMT 10
I'm with Mausie,
Alko axle bulletproof,I wouldnt be replacing it,
also Aerolite were a great van as long as you stayed on the bitumen and looked after it.
Sometimes towball weight was an issue,so dont put too much under the bed!
Cheers
hughdeani
|
|
|
|
Post by youngdazza on Aug 21, 2012 14:03:04 GMT 10
Thanks for the replies.
Luckily my aerolite doesnt show any signs of cracking in the chassis. There is a metal insert in the frame around the axle which I assume is the official viscount "fix" for the problem. It would be good to hear from any other aerolite owners who can verify this.
What you say mausie about hitting the curb causing the chassis to crack is concerning - I thought that the issue was caused by overloading the rear of the van, causing the axle to crack from the weight. But by the sound of it a few sideways hits can cause the chassis to bend sideways weakening the chassis and eventually causing it to break.
I was planning on taking the fan a few km off road occasionally (towing it very slowly). I would like to find out if anything can be done to further strengthen the chassis so that I dont need to worry so much. Has anyone done this successfully? How?
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by mausie on Aug 21, 2012 20:49:58 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by youngdazza on Aug 22, 2012 9:22:39 GMT 10
Great thanks mausie, that will certainly come in handy!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2012 13:45:28 GMT 10
Mausie, that's funny. When I worked at Al-Ko, my supervisor and then Vic State manager was Gerry L'Huillier... ;D
Dazza, the Al-Ko axle is a good thing. And Al-Ko can still dismantle those suspensions, and freshen the rubber cords so the axle's like brand new. They can also make new trailing arms and fit Electric Brake mounts.
The biggest issue with those Aerolites are their "spaceframe" chassis, and in particular the cracking around the bolt holes that mount the suspension. Problem was, Viscount gave Al-Ko Germany the original floor plan layout, Al-Ko engineered the chassis and axles, then Viscount went into production but changed the floor plans, making the vans a little bigger and heavier without any chassis changes. So not only did they have the chassis issues, but over time the suspensions sagged as well, because they weren't rated as high as the changed layout. Usually, it's the 16-17' vans on single axle, but some of the smaller vans that have done alot of K's suffer similar. Because of their size, the cutout which allows the axle to slot in, creates a weaker section, which was heightened by the increased size of the Vans. Also, the Germans didn't really have much of an idea what our Australian roads are like.
As far as the 'strengthening', I don't recall anything "official" from Viscount, and when I was at Al-Ko, we had some n.o.s. chassis rails, but they'll be long gone now. Harding's Caravans in Bayswater, Victoria developed a "kit" they used to retrofit which consisted of SHS rails that bolted to the existing chassis under the axle, which was supposed to lessen the chassis flexing over the length of the van. ADP Caravans went another route and jigged up a new RHS chassis with Electric Brakes they put under the affected vans.
I see it still has the Mechanical Over-ride brakes. LOL. They're not a bad system, and if the gas strut still works, it has its own built in Breakaway.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Sept 19, 2013 14:08:45 GMT 10
Hi,
I have a Millard Aero lite. How can I strengthen the chasis Iam finding it hard find information on this. I have read about keeping to the tared roads. However I can not garantee that this will happen when start travelling. Any help would be appreciated .
Regards
Pat
|
|
|
|
Post by youngdazza on Sept 19, 2013 15:15:13 GMT 10
Hi Pat, Does the Millard AeroLite also have the ALKO frame with the large holes in the chassis rails? I thought it was AeorLite by name only? Anyway, I posted a thread on another forum ( www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33386) which might be worth a read. The official Viscount 'fix' was to stregthen them by adding a metal plate around where the axle meets the chassis, and they also installed some bars that span the gap between the two chassis rails behind the wheels. Others who were less satisfied with this solution would remove and replace the entire chassis and A-frame! Cheers young_dazza |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2013 9:47:58 GMT 10
Hi Freeb, love what you have done with the external cladding (checkerplate and flat alum plate. Keeping an eye out for progress pics of spray job and internals.
Regards
Tony
|
|
|
|
Post by Evelyn on Nov 5, 2013 18:45:10 GMT 10
Dear Mausie,
I just got an old Aerolite, but without a manual. You have scanned yours to this forum, but I can't read it well. Would you be so kind as to send it to my e-mail? I know it is a lot of work, if it is too much for you would you at least know where I could download it? I have searched the internet, but couldn't find it.....
Best Regards
Ev
|
|
|
|
Post by John Maher on Nov 28, 2013 11:09:32 GMT 10
Dear Mausie, I just got an old Aerolite, but without a manual. You have scanned yours to this forum, but I can't read it well. Would you be so kind as to send it to my e-mail? I know it is a lot of work, if it is too much for you would you at least know where I could download it? I have searched the internet, but couldn't find it..... Best Regards Ev dear Mausie, Ev, I have also tried to read the manual, but alas to little avail. Is it possible to send anything to me as well? Thanks John M |
|
|
|
Post by Rattles on Nov 28, 2013 14:37:44 GMT 10
This may be of some use also: Rattles |
|
|
|
Post by Ian on Jan 14, 2014 20:04:08 GMT 10
Hi Freeb,
We have the same van as yours. Did it originally have independent suspension on it? If so how did you lift it as I've been wanting to lift ours. Also do you know where I can get some wheel arch covers for mine?
Also we purchased some cupboard handle/catches from Barnes Caravan Parts at Landsvale NSW. The closest match you can get, we modified them a little.
Cheers,
Ian
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyk on Mar 4, 2015 19:22:06 GMT 10
caravans plus queenbean canberra sell wheel arch covers for aerolite caravans
|
|
|
|
Post by Mal Hay on Jan 14, 2016 13:42:41 GMT 10
Hi Everyone, I am currently doing up an old viscount aero lite 1985 pop top. I have done a lot of vork including strengthening the chasis, lifting the van higher, new floors, checker plate, flat aluminium plate, windows, all new fixtures and fitings and so on. I am chasing some cupboard catches that seem to be very hard to get a hold of. If someone knows of any floating around please let me know as most of them are broken and in need of replacement. Or is you have any suggestions please feel free to advise me on it. Freebs Hi I too have a 1985 Viscount Aero Lite van. I am thinking of pulling out the dining seating and put in 2 swivel comfy chairs. Wondering if maybe you have done something similar. Would appreciate any feedback re this. Thanks Mal 0415524112 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 16:18:53 GMT 10
Dear Mausie, I just got an old Aerolite, but without a manual. You have scanned yours to this forum, but I can't read it well. Would you be so kind as to send it to my e-mail? I know it is a lot of work, if it is too much for you would you at least know where I could download it? I have searched the internet, but couldn't find it..... Best Regards Ev dear Mausie, Ev, We just bought a 1986 viscount aero lite can i also have a one messaged to me 😊 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 16:27:43 GMT 10
Hi everyone, we are new to this site. Just wondering if anyone had any issues with their viscount aero lite door frame come apart top left corner? We are thinking of putting a piece of metal to strengthen thought see what everyone else has done. Also does anyone know where we could purchase a new skirt for the pop top please, sth east suburb melbourne.
This is our second viscount we had a late 70's ammbassador and now this 1986 aerolite pop top.
Looking forward for all the info on this forum.
|
|
|
|
Post by twocutekelpies on Jan 29, 2017 18:06:15 GMT 10
If you're ok with taking the skirt off and putting a new one on, Bags n swags at KooWeeRup come highly recommended by other Viscount owners, they charge $400 for a skirt plus about $17 for postage.
|
|
|
|
Post by nathamy on Jan 13, 2018 19:45:35 GMT 10
Hi all, did anyone get the manual that was uploaded? I would love to get my hands on a copy too please
|
|
]
