1977 Coronet poptop H15666

[Deleted]

Would be best to tear it up as one and get a new floor. If you have gone to that much trouble it's worth giving the old girl a new floor.

[Deleted]

I guess that's an option too. It's just marine Ply?

It's amazing how many comments I'm getting from people when they see what I have done to the poor old caravan, they are in shock that I have done it all myself and that I'm a female.
But I figure that if I get stuck with anything there is always someone out there that can give me a hand to figure it out.
And joining this forum has been the best thing I have done for advise and ideas.

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2013 5:20:05 GMT 10 @dede said:

I guess that's an option too. It's just marine Ply?

It's amazing how many comments I'm getting from people when they see what I have done to the poor old caravan, they are in shock that I have done it all myself and that I'm a female.
But I figure that if I get stuck with anything there is always someone out there that can give me a hand to figure it out.
And joining this forum has been the best thing I have done for advise and ideas.

It is plywood, does not have to be marine ply( which is just the fancy stuff uses where a nice smooth finish is needed) you currently would have about 10/12 mm ply on the floor, so get into bunnings or the local timber place and get some good 12mm ( or thicker if you want) ply and you will be set ! Paint it both sides to protect it from water and chuck some new limo/ carpet or whatever and you will have a solid base to start the Reno.

Good to see ya getting stuck in.

[Rattles]

If you are going to use gas struts this link may help.

caravansplus.com.au/catalog/help-struts.php

Rattles

[Deleted]

Thanks Rattles, I wouldn't of put to much thought into types of gas struts unless you pointed it out.
I will take that into account when it come time to buy some and hopefully buy the right ones the first time

[Deleted]

Thanks Bricktop,
I will do some measurements to work out what I need. I'm yet to spend any money on the old girl, I guess it's inevitable now. Will have to pay for paint for my son to paint the chassis and ply for the floor. Guess I better get some wood glue and screws or nails? For the repair of the frame while I'm there.
Also going to get a few clamps to hold everything tight while the glue sets.
Then on to the new ply lining and moulding for the joins.

What would people suggest for where the wall sits on the floor? The van had a flexible moulding strip but I can't seem to find anything the same except the piping moulding used along the roof curves. Sorry I don't know the proper names for all these different types of moldings.

I have so many questions I'm sure I will be back again to get more advise.

[murray]

Dede,
The moulding around the edge is called "J" moulding or extrusion and is available at aluminum suppliers.
If that is the one you are sourcing ?
I am following your reno with interest
Cheers
Murray

[Deleted]

No I'm meaning the moulding for the internal lining when your joining ply to ply, also the flexible strips that go around the floor under the wall edges so I guess dirt can't get between the floor and wall.

These are like the moulding I took off the caravan that I will replace, just can't find what was used between the wall and floor

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[Deleted]

Could it be this which is called fenderwelt moulding?

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[Deleted]

Here's a picture of the old moulding. It's different to the fenderwelt stuff

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[Deleted]

I'm pretty excited right now that I'm just about at the stage of starting to put everything back together. A few more bits to remove from the chassis then it's having the chassis painted and replace the floor. This is the best bit. Its been an experience demolishing everything.
Hope I remember how everything goes back

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[ForumMod]

Mandi, what stops you using the old mouldings?? Are they broken, or not reusable??

It would save you a lot of hassle if you can just reuse what's already there.


In regards to plywood, don't get the CD grade that Bunnings stock. It's really only good for making packing crates out of. You don't need marine grade (unless you have oodles of money to spend on the project), but at least get plywood with not less than a BC grading that's rated for exterior use. You need a particular glue bond in the plywood (known as a 'Type A bond') which stops the plywood veneer layers from falling apart when exposed to moisture over time. Usually only marine ply and exterior grade ply have this Type A bond.

If there's nothing really wrong with your existing floor, just reuse it, but give the surface facing the road a couple of coats of paint before you put it back on the chassis.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

The old moulding was brittle and in places non existent where someone has previously do a dodgy repair of one of the bottom corners.
And thanks for the information about the ply floor as I didn't know what was the best to use. I was going for marine ply but did notice the price difference.
I won't reuse the old floor because some of the floor was rotted in the back corners from water damage that I didn't realize until trying to remove it and broke off in my hands when I was lifting the floor off the chassis. So I will replace the entire floor.

Now my next question is about the water tank which I will remove to clean up and try to repair while the chassis is being repainted. Their is a leak in the tank somewhere which I will have to find, hopefully is just from the hose fitting and an easy fix. But if their is a hole in the tank itself how would I best go about fixing it?
It's only a slow leak and just drips.
Also is their some type of cleaner I can use to clean the tank out?

Another question is about the stabilizer legs which the previous owner cut off because the wind down part was seized,
Would I be best to replace them with new ones or just stick to the portable type of stabilizer jacks?

Thanks in advance.

Mandi

[ForumMod]

Hopefully the water tank is just a loose fitting, otherwise it's really not worth trying to fix. There are various methods listed on other caravan forums that people have tried, some with a bit of success, and others that were a dead loss. For the sake of around $80, I'd be tempted to just get a new one if the present one seems to be "dead".

For the rear jacks, again you'd be better off getting some new ones and having them fitted. There will be other members on this forum who have fitted the newer styles, and who can advise you better than I can about the "best" one to buy. The CaravansPlus website lists them as Corner steadies.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Hello Mandi, any updates on the van?

[Deleted]

I just though I better come on to share what I have been up to. After a long break from doing anything much to the caravan because a lot to do with waiting for a builder who said he would give me a hand but a no show for weeks and weeks, and also the fact that I have been working quiet a few hours and just could be stuffed.
I am now back to it and have installed the new floor and gave the underside a really good 4 coats of bitumen paint and the top side also sealed. So hopefully no water will find it's way through the floor. I also brought and installed a new water tank.
Today I pulled all the frame out to do a measure up of materials I will need like the ply and plastic moulding.
After taking another good look at the roof frame I decided that the timber rot was so bad that I was better of just making an entire new roof frame. So using the old one as a template I started today and am 3/4 the way to having that finished. In very happy with the progress so far. Oh I used treated pine screws and glue to join it all together.

I tried to upload some photos but for some reason I can't. Will try to work out why and upload some soon.

[ForumMod]

dede, if you are trying to upload photos via the "attachment" method, you can't do it any more because that function has been switched off. You have to post photos via one of the other methods. See this post for more information.

Great to hear from you again. I also have been wondering what you've been up to with your van. I was hoping you hadn't given up on it because it looked like a pretty good van that was worthwhile working on. Good to hear you're back into it again.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

Ok I uploaded one photo using photo bucket. Just have to wait for my photos to back up so I can ad a couple more updated photos.
The above photo is part of the roof frame I have re built.

[ForumMod]

Well, you're certainly off to a good start!

Who needs a builder if you're capable of doing that sort of carperntry yourself. Heck, I'd sack him even before he's turned up for the job, and do it all yourself!

[Deleted]

Here's the painted Chassis with the new floor. I didn't replace the mud guards which don't look very good at this stage but will be covered up before I do the furniture rebuild.

[Deleted]

Thanks ForumMod. So far I have done everything myself. I feel quiet confident that I can tackle most of the work myself with the odd help with heavy lifting.
I do my research before I do each step to make sure I'm doing it right the first time. I don't want a dodgy caravan. I want it spot on.
I'm heading to a place in Devonport called Sup-Ply soon to get all the ply and plastic moulding I need for the walls and roof so I can finish repairing the frames and hopefully put the back on the chassis ready for furniture re building.

[supreme78]

Great work on the old van. It's a credit to you what you have achieved so far. It's amazing how many wooden frame vans go pear shaped like yours. Manufacturers should have used alloy like the old viscounts. It also amazes me that manufacturers still use wooden frames in vans in 2014. Easier to build just don't like water very much.
There is a workshop in spreyton that makes vans and motorhomes if you need parts I am sure he would get bits you needed.
Good luck with the rebuild.

[Deleted]

Thanks for that information Supreme78. At times I thought it may be easier to have a big bonfire than rebuild this caravan. But thank goodness for the internet because I have done so much research and found out so much information to help me on the way.
I'm now starting to get satisfaction at each step I complete which is keeping me going.

[supreme78]

Yes I get what your saying. As I said I have restored 2 viscounts and live in one full time. I am itching to tackle another as it's very satisfying to see progress every day once you start to move forward. You can do things cheaply if you be carefull with the materials you use.

I have also seen where people seal the woodwork to stop further rot if water does happen to get in. I will be doing this on my next van restoration pictured below.