My new (old) '75 Franklin.

[Mustang]

Camping, even in caravans, is around campfires.
I believe if a caravan park able (with permits) to provide fire places, not at the end of the park, but convenient to a vans space, would certainly see an increase in patrons.

[fnqfranklin]

We take a weber kettle for fires with cut down legs for a better height, can also be used for cooking if questioned. No one has stopped us yet.

[fnqfranklin]

Just bought a Franklin Truline 15 ft. Just got to get it shipped up from Bendigo, can't wait to check it out properly.

[ozdamo]

May 1, 2016 15:39:04 GMT 10 snoops said:

The bed base - the front rail that's just floating at the moment will be joined up in the next few days - I'll post more pics when it's done.

Do you have any pictures of what you built behind that ply rear wall. I need to replace the same piece in my franklin poptop.

cheers
Damo

[Deleted]

Damo.I have to do the same job in my Franklin Arrow.
I have not built any extra frames behind the plywood. The 3mm plywood rest on the original timber frame and the curvature of the ply is enough to give it strength.
Have a look this video to see if give you some ideas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX9eX_kPeJM

[snoops]

Yep, as Gitano's said, it's only supported on the curved timbers that are on each wall - I had to remake one of these. It's also supported along the top - just under the window - originally, it is screwed into the back of the window frame before the exterior cladding is installed, but without taking the cladding off you can't reinstall it the same way, so I screwed it to a bit of 42 x 19mm pine - you can see it just below the window, then this in turn was screwed upwards back into the window frame. It's also screwed along the bottom edge where it meets the floor into the existing timber there. With it all glued and screwed - I use polyurethane as the glue - it is rock solid and provides an amazing amount of support - I could easily walk on the curve in the middle without worrying it, there is no need for any frame work - just fresh air.

The loads from the bed base, mattress and me when lying on it is spread over the 5 ribs - each with around 600mm of contact along the edge to spread the load. The ply used is 4mm F27 sheeting but you can just use 3 ply, I had run out and this is all I could get locally that day.

The photo below shows part of the old bit removed - the curved bit has been removed here, if you look closely you can see where this screws to the wall.  The 2 bits of framing you can see running through there support the exterior cladding more than the internal flooring - I think the new timber touches these but not by much and they aren't designed to take any lateral force, although I guess everything helps.

[atefooterz]

Something for folks to ponder, before deciding on a structure, is to play around with a quick model, just in normal packaging cardboard like cereal box etc, as once you create a monocoque shape see how strong it is. Twist it a bit to see what happens, as sometimes extra supports can weaken a structure with point load creasing. Or just add weight for weights sake. When making an eggbox structure like Damo shows above the main benifit is that the flat matress support can be much thinner/ lighter, as load is evenly supported with chunky cross members as well as the frames.

[snoops]

Some good ideas there.  Yep, the top of the bed base that supports the mattress is 6mm. The whole structure is far stronger than I anticipated and could probably have been made lighter. It came in at around 15Kg all in not including the mattress.

[ozdamo]

Jun 9, 2016 20:52:30 GMT 10 @gitano said:

Damo.I have to do the same job in my Franklin Arrow.
I have not built any extra frames behind the plywood. The 3mm plywood rest on the original timber frame and the curvature of the ply is enough to give it strength.
Have a look this video to see if give you some ideas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX9eX_kPeJM

Gitano, thanks for the video. That was very helpful.

I've now ripped into my van and passed the point of no return. Worse than hoped for but better than expected.

[ozdamo]

Snoops, you had me confused with that photo, as you had removed the side pieces, and not yet replaced them. Thanks for clearing that up.

I'll be copying your bed base very closely. My plan is to have a fold out top so it can be a lounge chair through the day, and then convert easily to a bed at night.

QUESTION
Did you srcrew that rear cross piece to the ply with a backing strip. The sheet I pulled out had a backer on it. That will be fun to get right.

cheers
Damo

[snoops]

Do you mean the bit at the top of the ply? That was screwed to the ply then screwed to the window sill. No backing strip, but I'm not really sure what you mean sorry.

we use the bed as a day bed during the day by propping some cusions up along the back wall, but with the 3 seater couch I built and there only being 2 of use the van, there is heaps of room.

[Mustang]

Jun 12, 2016 14:01:21 GMT 10 ozdamo said:

Snoops, you had me confused with that photo, as you had removed the side pieces, and not yet replaced them. Thanks for clearing that up.

I'll be copying your bed base very closely. My plan is to have a fold out top so it can be a lounge chair through the day, and then convert easily to a bed at night.

QUESTION
Did you srcrew that rear cross piece to the ply with a backing strip. The sheet I pulled out had a backer on it. That will be fun to get right.

cheers
Damo

I used a frame that is floor supported ,but made the frame so it filled the void in the back ply (the round part)
link

[atefooterz]

The thing to remember is most of the load is downwards, (compression) the real killer is sideways flex, when getting in or out or "restless action"! Rear & side supported beds,as shown above, are no issue but an north south centre island bed would require more thought. To benifit max storage it would be interesting to compare an alloy frame for weight & cost over the timber. Pops & epoxy make for nearly as good joins as welds for this sort of application, if no access/ skills for welding.

[Deleted]

Hi guys! Im new here. Love your work Snoop. Bought myself an arrow almost a year ago -- gutted. Just installed new flooring using marine ply.I wish I have a before and after photos to show. Still a long way to go. I have a couple of questions if anyone can help me out. I am looking for a franklin badge & classic windows. Location Brisbane-- willing to travel up to gympie region and down northern nsw (coffs harbour).

[atefooterz]

Welcome Anna, maybe best to start a new thread here, so as not to flood snoops adventure, as you may have many questions and answers plus pictures ( hopefully). The windows are by size so second hand of any make will fit. What is wrong with your existing ones? replacing glass and broken parts may be cheaper than travel.

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2016 14:54:36 GMT 10 atefooterz said:

Welcome Anna, maybe best to start a new thread here, so as not to flood snoops adventure, as you may have many questions and answers plus pictures ( hopefully). The windows are by size so second hand of any make will fit. What is wrong with your existing ones? replacing glass and broken parts may be cheaper than travel.

Ok, will do.
My windows were crack, loose and missing windows.

[snoops]

Just thought I'd post an update since its been ages - there isn't anything really to report as there are still half the windows need resealing, the J moulds need doing and it needs a coat of paint, so it still looks like crap.

BUT, we do use it all the time, which is the main thing I think. If we aren't out camping in it, then it's being used as a spare room for guests - who all seem to love it too.

It is currently down at the Inlaws place ready for Christmas - they have 40 acres and there's a nice little corner of the property I've turned into a really cool little camping area. It's secure and private and about 200 metres from the main house so I don't have to wake up listening to the Farther in Law playing his Ukulele and singing in the morning...

I've been dow there a few times in the last 2 months, and I'll be spending a week there over Christmas, so I haven't bothered dragging it backwards and forwards - I'll bring it home in the new year and try and finish off those last few jobs so it's complete.

Until then.

[Deleted]

It is nice to hearing from you    you are doing the right thing, enjoying the van.
Now you have to think which classic vehicle are you going to use to tow the Franklin. The problems of be filthy rich 
Having a private camping site is very handy specially during the Xmas holidays where all is pack.
You should start a "boutique camping ground" by invitation only so can make few dollars on the side. ( I bet that the pen pushers AKA do-
gooders of the local council will not approve the idea)


Cheers mate and if we do not catch up before the end of the year have a wonderful times during Xmas and great 2017

 

[snoops]

Thanks mate.

The camping area is invite only - we've had some friends in there with use but no one else, and that's the way it will stay I think.

Hope you have a great Christmas too - don't get sucked in to doing all the work on your Sons van either.

Have a good one.

[Deleted]

From the 26 to the 31 we plan to go to the east coast and then we wait couple of weeks for going out again when the camping spots are not busy.

[myarrow1]

Hey Snoops, I haven't been near my Franklin since Easter, but finally 'slapped' 2 coats of Solaguard on the roof today as it was bare aluminium. Gave it a good wash too and all ready for Xmas trip down the coast. Hopefully the solagard may help keep the heat down on the roof abit

[snoops]

A couple of pics of where the Franklin is hiding at the moment.

These were taken a couple of weeks ago, but I was down there again this weekend and where the grass has been mowed a few times now the cooch is coming up through where the onion weed was and this previously unused part of the property is shaping up really nicely into our own private campsite.



And one when the sun came out the next day.

[tasmillard]

Looking like a piece of paradise there snoops

[snoops]

Thanks, It's everything I like in a camping spot - very quiet - a loooong way from the main road - the property is on a dirt track used by only a dozen cars a day, private - no one can see the van or the camping area from the road or house (which is a couple of hundred metres away) and secure so I can leave my stuff outside without having to worry about some low life walking off with it.

[Deleted]

That is a nice spot, far from the rat race.

It is near a privilege  to have you own private camping site with sooo much room. 

I hope that the council will not come with the idea to start using a drone