1969 FRANKLIN REGENT 12ft 1829-9

[Deleted]

Hi,

On the weekend purchased my Franklin Regent 12ft with serial number 1829-9. Not sure yet what is the year of manufacturing. Some indication that is 1972. Any help would be appreciated. It was saved form Shepparton area farm by "deeva"  but she did not had enough time to do the restoration. On the weekend done some cleaning and assessment on future works. At this stage only wardrobe and overhead cupboards are usable but remains to be seen yet. 240V is in working order but 12V installation needs total reconstruction. Here some photos for now.

P.S.  Need one window! Anybody?

Frankie on the way to Melbourne!

Outside!

Inside!

Any suggestions are welcome !!!

More research through the forum, the conclusion is that my Frankie celebrates 45th birthday. The serial number indicates 1969 as a built year of the caravan.  

[Deleted]

Started some work today. Frankie was washed first time in 20 years. Under the poor paint job by somebody, I can see original white paint.

No mistake - it is Franklin!

I can see the original colour!

Tomorrow removing the interior and the windows.

[Deleted]

she already looks better!

[Deleted]

Work in progress.

Removing old fittings and linoleum tiles.

Old day/night bed to be replaced with double bed mattress!

Rear.

Front with very poor floor repair.

 

More work scheduled for tomorrow.

[ForumMod]

G'day zack14, and a belated welcome to the forum!

Your van is a 1969 model. The last 9 after the dot/hyphen is the year of manufacture. The numbers before the dot are the consecutive number of chassis built, so you have the 1829th chassis built in 1969, which would be around March/April that year.

Click on this search result and you'll see the other Franklin Regents that have been posted on this forum in the past.

All the best with the project. Looks like you've got stuck into it and are making good progress already.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

zack, you are inspiring... and its so good to see you go at it!

[Deleted]

Thanks Julia and Al!!!
Cross fingers and this all goes well! This forum is enormous help!

[Deleted]

Beautiful weather! Perfect to continue works on Frankie! All cleaned out from the inside. All windows and frames are out. Next stage is to remove roof cladding and dismantle the side walls to be able to do good work on the chassis and replace the floor. But it is Monday tomorrow and have to go back to the other work, just as I started enjoying myself!

   

Inside of the wardrobe there was handwritten serial number of the unit. I guess that interior elements were fabricated in some sort of carpentry workshop and then installed at assembly line. 

Good night!

[tedalley]

Sept 4, 2014 21:35:49 GMT 10 @zack14 said:

Hi Ted,
The current plan is to dismantle the whole caravan as you did, so I can fix up rotted areas and also renew internal plywood linings.
I would really appreciate any advice on the works! Is there any tricky spots or something that I should be aware of?

Many thanks!
Zack

Zack Hi.

You are doing a great job. Sorry I'm late getting back to you

You wrote in my Thread on the 4th (the above quote) but I was up on the Gold Coast from the 5th till 7th.

1) mark everything as you take it out of the van as trying to remember where things came in 4 to 6 months time is daunting.

2) Don't throw anything out till the van is finished as the bits make a good template for making the new bits.

3) Try to take the outside roof skin off on one piece - try not to separate at the joints as I found it difficult to re-join them. 

4) The biggest problem I had when putting the walls back was lining them up exactly even.

    I had one wall 15mm further in front of the other wall.

    This dosn't seem much --- but the outside front, back and roof panelling then didn't line up evenly on both sides so I had to take the     roof ply off, again, then re-set the walls onto the chassis.

I've Bookmarked your site so if you have any other questions I can see and answer them

Regards

Ted

[Deleted]

Hi Ted,

Hope you had good time on the Gold Coast! Sooo much appreciated!!! 

[Deleted]

More work done this weekend. Lesson learned from Ted Alley restoration of his Franklin Regent. I am dismantling the whole caravan and then start from ground up rather than trying to patch up problems and constantly discovering new ones. I believe that this way restoration should go faster as I am able to see all issues. The roof skin is off and also front and rear aluminium cladding. Next weekend the side walls!!! Had a good look at the chassis and axle and I am very happy with the condition so far. Just surface rust.  

Original still usable annex!

       

Who said that caravans can get rotten?

Always good to have a friend around!!!

Roof skin off, rear and front cladding off. Rotten plywood and window frames as expected!

[tedalley]

Zack Hi.

Be careful with the aluminium corner strips and all metal angles - with the use of an anvil you can beat them into shape for re-use (I use a 12" length of railway line).

Don't forget to brace the sides so that they don't fall while taking the roof off and so that one dosnt fall while working with the other.

Ted

[Deleted]

G'day Ted,

Thanks mate!!!  

So far all is going according to the plan. Damage report: one broken glass and alloy strips unusable anymore.

Cheers

[tedalley]

Sept 15, 2014 23:05:27 GMT 10 @zack14 said:

 alloy strips unusable anymore.

Zack Hi.

You can panel beat the alloy strips. This will not only save you money but you can put back original parts.

Ted

[Deleted]

G'day Ted,

Tried all, but the amount of silicone and other adhesives used over the years made it impossible.  Lucky for me, it is only 12ft caravan!   Did you had any luck finding that split window? If yes, what happened to your original one?

Would you consider selling it if available? Think it is the same size as my missing one. (cut-out 920mm x 535 mm)    

[tedalley]

Sept 16, 2014 23:09:20 GMT 10 @zack14 said:

G'day Ted,

Did you had any luck finding that split window? If yes, what happened to your original one?

Would you consider selling it if available? Think it is the same size as my missing one. (cut-out 920mm x 535 mm)    

Zack Hi.
No I havnt found a split window ... YET ... but the one I want to replace has a cracked window and the previous owner took the "open adjusters" out and riveted the window shut.
That's why it cracked as the rivits are touching the glass.

If I get hold of a split window I'll get in touch with you.

Ted

[Deleted]

Hi Ted,

Just managed to buy myself a window!!! Wooohoooo   Gumtree! He had 4 large and 4 small windows! Sorry mate no split windows for you, checked! He has some other parts if you are interested. Location is Keysborough, Melbourne. His e-mail is [e-mail] and his name is Steve. He wrecked 1970 Franklin Arrow!

[tedalley]

Sept 17, 2014 14:36:32 GMT 10 @zack14 said:

Hi Ted,

Just managed to buy myself a window!!! Wooohoooo   Gumtree! He had 4 large and 4 small windows! Sorry mate no split windows for you, checked! He has some other parts if you are interested. Location is Keysborough, Melbourne. His e-mail is [e-mail] and his name is Steve. He wrecked 1970 Franklin Arrow!

Thanks Zack.
Melbourne is a bit far for me at present - I want to get my van finished soon.

I found using a wire brush on a drill is best for getting rid of old silicon.

Its risky and I STRESS don't apply pressure - it takes longer but quicker than a scraper or hand brush.
Only use the weight of the drill and only force applied is to steer it where needed.

I ended up using 3 wire brushes and am half way through 2 others.

The aluminium panelling, angle strips and windows have not suffered and look like new compared to the outsides of the windows not brushed.

After a full days brushing off silicon you end up vibrating in your sleep.

Ted

[Deleted]

Now the real restoration starts! Dismantling process without any problems!   

Small chassis in excellent condition!!!

[tedalley]

Great job mate!!!!
It dosn't take long to pull it apart.
What are you going to do with the chassis?
Ted

[Deleted]

Thanks Ted!

The big question now is can I put this all back together!!!

The chassis is in excellent condition. Only surface rust. The plan is now to clean the rust, rustproof it, work on the breaks, bearings and electrical installation. All cables were cut by previous owner. The breaking lines need replacing.

Still did not had a chance to have a good look at the drums. The master cylinder is broken and need replacing. The tow hitch needs good clean. As the walls, chassis, roof and claddings are in the garage it is much easier to do the work.

No rain and lights galore to work 24 hours if I go mad!

[snoops]

Looks like you've done heaps. Pity I didn't find this thread earlier - I have a stack of those windows in my back yard from and old Franklin that was rotted away in my backyard. The rest went to the tip (there was no interior) but I pulled the glass out just in case. I think there are 5 large ones and a small one - the kitchen window, that has obscure glass in it. Other bits I have is the roof hatch, a couple of light fittings and the sink. Yours if you want them Zack - I'll swap them for a peak at your project. . I can deliver them too if needed depending on where you are in Melbourne. PM me your details if you want to chat about it, or get some picks.

Cheers - Snoops.

[tedalley]

Snoops Hi.
Where are you located?
I need a Franklin window 945mm wide x 650mm high--- but I don't care what brand as long as it's the right size.

Ted

[snoops]

Hi Ted, I'm in Melbourne mate - Northern Suburbs. Happy to put one aside for you if you want while you work out how to get it. I could probably get is afar as Wodonga if that helps?

[tedalley]

Zack Hi.
Havnt heard from you for a while...... How is the progress going?

Ted