1974 18ft New Home L714

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Hi there, Im new to the forum and dont seem to be able to add an attachment... apparently the file is too large? if anyone can tell me what to do there please?

I am the proud owner of a 1974 "New Home" Custom built 18 ft Van.  It is 6 berth with a unique layout.... The front has a club lounge with the table dropping down to make one double bed, the main  bed is also double but innerspring and folds down (when its up you have another L shaped couch = seating for 10+ adults comfortably.  There are two additional bunks in the rear of the van, in their own room with corsatina door.. I've yet to see another the same & would love to hear from anyone who knows anything about it.  The Chassis Number is also unusual #L714.

We purchased it last year, its our first van to own or drive and we took it all the way from Tasmania to Cook Town, and back, on its maiden journey with us. Its now on its second trip up north and im faced with a problem... the van is coming off the chassis (which is bent and cracked) Everyone think i should sell it or write it off but its my NEW HOME and currently my only home as i try to find another (its parked in a vanpark... i wouldnt travel with it now except to limp it to its resting place or repairer)

I think the total length of van on one single axle is the cause... two much weight in the back.

The layout and interior is what makes this van sooo special... I doubt i will part with it because of that. It also has a fantastic awning and annexe that is set up now... its like new!

I've been unable to find another New Home? or caravan with this layout? Whats the story vintage-van-nuts?  

Thankyou in advance, Kate

I LOVE MY VAN <3

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Here's a couple of photos just after we purchased it.
Have been unable to find any info or any other vans quiet like it....
The second photo shows the main double bed in its folded-up position, and thru to the separate two-bunk bedroom. The front U shaped club lounge also converts to another double bed with the help of the dining table and an extra mattress.
Interior is LOVELY... It was in mint condition when we got it.... its lived in now! Came with Full Annex and seperate Awning. Has 2way fridge and chef oven + 2 burners.

The Chassis # is L714. I am unable to find any other similar chassis numbers to that which adds to the confusion.

I might take some current photos of it tomorrow, but hope somebody knows something about my baby.

ALSO.... has anyone had any experience with CRACKED AND BENT CHASSIS'?  I think we nearly killed her doing 15,000kms in 4 months last year

Look forward to hearing from you (: Kate

[ForumMod]

G'day dragonflyk8, and welcome to the forum!

I've combined your posts into the one thread, and shifted the thread over to the Hall Of Fame section. If you want to add any more info about your van, just keep adding to this thread and it will keep your whole story together.

I didn't answer your first post because I was hoping forum member hughdeani would come on the forum and be able to help you with some info about the New Home brand. It's not a brand I've seen before, so it's a mystery to me.

The only time I can remember a chassis number series starting with "L" was the Golf brand, and if you click on this link it will take you to the thread with a Golf poptop that has chassis number L653. I'm not suggesting your van is from the Golf brand (yours looks a lot different to a typical Golf shape), but your chassis might have been built by the same company that supplied all the chassis to Golf. We've seen examples where caravan dealers put their own badges on vans built by the leading manufacturers, so anything is possible when it comes to these old vans.

Hopefully hughdeani will be able to shed some light on the New Home brand for you.

cheers,
Al.

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Hi Kate,
nice van you have there!
Unfortunatley it is not custom built,but is a standard layout that most manufacturers had as a family van.
Layouts ranged from 15ft to 19.6 tandems with 2 or 3 rear bunks,and a wall bed that folded from the central or side wall.
They are a great layout but extremely hard to find now,as most are on site with aluminium annexes,or have met with some other unfortunate fate!
As to the chassis cracks,that is quite common on vans that size with a single axle,rectification usually involves finding a good caravan repairer that can plate the chassis.
Its also often caused by adding a lot of weight to the rear bumper bar,which flexes alarmingly at speed (next time you see a van travelling down the road with bikes on the back,check out the amount of bounce they create!)
Your chaasis number sounds right,I just cant remember what the "L"stands for!
hope this has been a bit of help for you,and good luck in getting her repaired.
Cheers
hughdeani