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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2014 12:50:05 GMT 10
Hi all, I am new to the forum (not really computer savy or inclined). I have an old 1976 Millard Pop Top that I am curious to know the value of as the kids are growing up fast and I'll probably need something a little bigger in the next couple of years. I know what she has cost me in modifications...but was looking for some feedback as to approximate value. She has undergone some significant changes as you will see from the photos (apologies she has just come back from fraser/inskip so she is pretty dirty). I expect the mods may devalue her from the purist sense, but she is now a thoroughly tough off-roader that still maintains most of her charms. A few mods: All new chassis custom built three years ago (heavy duty) frame bolted and welded to chassis New lenses New axle, 10" electric hubs, heavy duty springs (20 months ago) This gives it a lot of clearance and you could go even higher if you wanted by dropping the axle under the springs Internal fit-out completed three years ago all new wiring (12 + 240v) and gas connections (20 months ago) New floor completed last month Under caravan water tank mains and pump water gas oven/stove 2 x jerry can holders on rear 2 x gas cylinder holders on front Draw-bar brake control unit (contentious I know) Huge storage on front 2 x caravan access ports (very deep and wide access under the bunks) Bunks added (spring mattresses) with storage under bunk (accessed internally) and additional storage under the double bed (again accessed internally) External 12v and 240v ports dual battery set up (under the double bed) In the process of converting from portable solar to mounting a 200w fixed panel on roof (should be done this weekend) and adding gas struts. I also just ripped out the cupboard, keeping the bottom shelving (need to tidy that up) and adding a door (to be done) Has a fridge freezer in the front storage area (we keep it there during travel then set it up in the annex when we set up camp). Annex (3.5m x 2.5m) There is an additional piece of steel checker plate that can bolt on the back between spare wheel and van in need (was for an aircon unit but we didn't end up using it). And lots more I'm sure. She has done us no wrong in all the time we have had her and goes anywhere the 4wd can take her. She is a result of a compromise between my wife and I...she wanted the old school charm, I wanted a bomb proof off-roader... Always gets lots of looks and comments, hopefully that will lead to some interest when it comes time to sell. Happy to field and questions/comments and welcome any advice you might be able to give me about value. Thanks in advance. Kenty               |
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Post by viscount6116 on Oct 9, 2014 11:18:46 GMT 10
Gday Kenty Welcome to the forum Wow your van looks like she could go nearly anywhere ! As for resale pricing...Im not sure personally but in my experience most older vehicles are generally worth what a buyer will pay for them . Unfortunately their price may be higher or lower than what the mods cost you . Doing up an old van is really a labour of love in many cases and as is in my case ,seriously I know that the money that I have spent on my van will probably never be returned at sale but that doesn't really worry me too much as it will never come back onto the market anyway , I built it to my specs and to my lifestyle and wouldn't want to replace it in the future with a newer modern 2.5 ton white monster ! The one question I would like to ask is what does your van weigh when loaded up for a trip away after all the modifications undertaken Cheers Andy  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 13:35:01 GMT 10
Gday Kenty most older vehicles are generally worth what a buyer will pay for them. The one question I would like to ask is what does your van weigh when loaded up for a trip away after all the modifications undertaken Cheers Andy I completely expected this comment and totally agree, but I am hoping someone will go out on a limb based on their knowledge to give me a guide (not gospel). Come on, be brave! With regards to weight, as you can imagine the chassis adds a significant amount of weight, as does the front storage box etc. She is certainly not a Size 6 catalogue model any more, she's more the school cafeteria matron! No-nonsense and gets the job done. Fully loaded (incl batteries, water, everything) for a decent trip away she comes in at 1.38T. Which is about the same as a mates camper trailer. There are definitely places where I can trim some weight (for instance the internal fit out), but they are now hindsight reflections that I probably won't change while I have her. I was after a go anywhere caravan so the compromise had to be weight...I wasn't willing to risk a disaster in the very remote regions Australia has to throw at us. Thanks for the reply Andy, hopefully there are more to come! |
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Post by bobt on Oct 9, 2014 23:13:02 GMT 10
Gidday Kenty
Sure is an interesting collection of mods you have done to the millard. When you start doing things like that it really is putting your personal touch to it. We all understand the time effort and $$ that go into that. Great to hear you have been using it. Amazing the number of caravans that sit in back yards not going any where.
I doubt anyone on here will give you a guesstimate to the value of your van, others have asked previously, we generally do not any $$ guidance. There are many factors you have to take into account. If your really desperate for some indication, take it to your local caravan dealer they may give you an idea only other way is to put it on ebay.
good luck
bobt
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2014 15:21:24 GMT 10
Hi Bobt,
Thanks for your comments. Not desperate, just curious. I find ebay leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to vehicles of any sort, but I get what you're saying. When it comes time to sell I will probably just slap a sign on her and take her on a few trips away inviting interested parties to express their interest. But that being said, I'll still hope for the brave person to step forward here, I figure someone in this circle sees a few transactions and might be able to provide a reference point.
Thanks again
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Post by youngdazza on Oct 10, 2014 20:01:48 GMT 10
It's really hard to know. Start high (maybe 10k?) and decrease the price until it sells. Make sure you take lots of nice high quality photos.
The fact is that renovating caravans (and cars) is not something you can profit from easily. In most cases you don't get back what you put in.
People renovate vans because they really enjoy their vans and want to personalise them and make them better than original. That is priceless.
Your van looks stunning and I hope you have many great memories in your van.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2014 22:31:58 GMT 10
Thanks Young Dazza, I appreciate you throwing a price at me. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I appreciate the guidance. And I appreciate the compliments. I certainly wasn't in this to make a profit and like you said it has been a labour of love and a great project to involve the kids on (pic attached of my youngest boy (8yo) taking up the old floor). He was so keen to do it that he spent the good part of the day in his pjs chipping away at it before I could convince him to come in for lunch and to get changed! This plus the obvious holiday memories really do make it priceless. But practicality will soon see the need for a bigger van...or maybe a completely different setup. But no doubt with that will come a whole new adventure.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2014 12:26:39 GMT 10
Not sure if this is the place on here to share, but I mentioned I was fixing solar to the roof this weekend in my earlier post, which I have now done (photo attached). Since the photo was taken I have added the side mounts (like corners but straight). I did the corners first to make sure I placed the sides in the right place using the panel as a guide, this way I didn't have any slide as the corners were set. It's 195w suntech panel. Next I'll add the gas struts, which I haven't had a chance to pick up yet. Still needs a good clean!  |
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Post by viscount6116 on Oct 14, 2014 10:50:20 GMT 10
Gday Kenty Nice work with the solar panel ...I've got 2 x 140 watt Suntech panels on my van as well - they are very good quality panels that maintain their output over time ,also have a BP solar panel up there on the roof as well making a total of 360 watts of panels ( I spend a bit of time here living remotely on my mining claim and there is no power connected) If you ever get up to the Sapphire fields in Central Queensland I would love to have a look at your van ... I have always preferred the older style caravans The other good thing about the Gemfields is that its a virtual spare parts warehouse for most of the old caravan brands from the seventies and deals are still done for a carton of beer  Cheers Andy |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2014 11:26:08 GMT 10
Hi Andy, how many batteries / total amp hours are you running?
I am running 210 ah ( 2 x 105 ah )
When touring I find I don't really need the solar as the car charges the batteries nicely between destinations, but it definitely comes in handy for long stays (which is what I like doing). We Are quite energy efficient and rather than constantly moving the portable panels which we were using, upgrading to a 195 w fixed panel will capture (according to suntech) more than the portable even though it's pointing straight up. Plus I won't have to move it around all day and its one less (expensive) trip hazard laying around camp. I have toyed with the idea of fabricating some risers to enable the panel to be set at an angle for long stays, but I am going to test it out over a few weeks and see how it goes as is first.
We have a few southern destinations coming up in the warmer months, but I'll definitely look to add the saphire fields to our next trip north or central. Always looking for new adventures! And deals over a carton are sadly becoming lost in society, I was significantly disappointed a few years back when the carton I received from a neighbour for removing some trees for him turned out to be a carton of coronas.... His intentions were good, but surely in QLD, any deal over a carton should be for a carton of xxxx bitter!
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Post by Viscount 6116 on Oct 16, 2014 11:14:07 GMT 10
Hi Andy, how many batteries / total amp hours are you running? I am running 210 ah ( 2 x 105 ah ) When touring I find I don't really need the solar as the car charges the batteries nicely between destinations, but it definitely comes in handy for long stays (which is what I like doing). We Are quite energy efficient and rather than constantly moving the portable panels which we were using, upgrading to a 195 w fixed panel will capture (according to suntech) more than the portable even though it's pointing straight up. Plus I won't have to move it around all day and its one less (expensive) trip hazard laying around camp. I have toyed with the idea of fabricating some risers to enable the panel to be set at an angle for long stays, but I am going to test it out over a few weeks and see how it goes as is first. We have a few southern destinations coming up in the warmer months, but I'll definitely look to add the saphire fields to our next trip north or central. Always looking for new adventures! And deals over a carton are sadly becoming lost in society, I was significantly disappointed a few years back when the carton I received from a neighbour for removing some trees for him turned out to be a carton of coronas.... His intentions were good, but surely in QLD, any deal over a carton should be for a carton of xxxx bitter! Hi Kenty
I run 400 ah (2 x 200 ah Ritar AGM batteries) in the caravan with a 30 amp BP PWM regulator and 1 x 100ah Century Wet cell deep cycle battery in the Landcruiser
When travelling I don't run a cable from the tug to the caravan house batteries as in the past the batteries are usually at float by lunchtime anyway (my caravan batteries are also flat mounted on the caravan roof).
I also have a portable 160 watt folding panel with a 20 amp Landstar waterproof regulator that maintains the second battery in the Landcruiser
I'd agree with you about the Corona carton (I've always been suss on beer that you have to add lemon to in order to drink it  ) however living in the southern states for a lot of my life I think that Carlton mid beers would be higher on the beer agenda than xxxx in my case ....however beer is beer after working out here on a hot day !! 
Sorry I forgot to login before I wrote this post
Cheers Andy
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Post by tedalley on Oct 16, 2014 23:35:30 GMT 10
....however beer is beer after working out here on a hot day !! A beer is not a beer ...... there is nothing like a black beer to quench a thirst!!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2014 12:02:50 GMT 10
Hi Andy, nice set up. I've hidden all of mine under the double bed, I have floor ventilation, but find it doesn't get hot. The downside is if I want to take readings I have to lift the bed...toyed with the idea of running some additional gauges in view but have never got around to it... It's somewhere on the to do list...
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Post by viscount6116 on Oct 17, 2014 12:23:39 GMT 10
....however beer is beer after working out here on a hot day !! A beer is not a beer ...... there is nothing like a black beer to quench a thirst!!!! |
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Post by viscount6116 on Oct 17, 2014 12:48:50 GMT 10
Hi Andy, nice set up. I've hidden all of mine under the double bed, I have floor ventilation, but find it doesn't get hot. The downside is if I want to take readings I have to lift the bed...toyed with the idea of running some additional gauges in view but have never got around to it... It's somewhere on the to do list... Gday Kenty My batteries also ended up under the double bed , mainly due to the fact that I was trying to keep the weight of them (120 kg ) over the tandem axles for stability ,the same went for most of the solar gear and panels etc. Like you I also had to upgrade (rebuild) the brakes , suspension ,wheels and tyre types to carry the extra payload in the van. With regard to taking voltage and Amps readings in and out of the batteries or SOC readings of the batteries I do this through a digital readout on the solar controller . Mine is a BP GCR 3000M that has this function however the Steca units or the Chinese steca take offs available on ebay will do the same at a fraction of the price that I paid 5 or 6 years ago ....maybe something to look at in the future to save lifting the bed for readings Cheers Andy www.ebay.com.au/itm/SOLAR-CHARGE-CONTROLLER-REGULATOR-30AMP-SOLAR-CHARGER-CONVERTER-TO-STECA-/271411015627?www.solarpanelsaustralia.com.au/downloads/steca_pr_manual.pdf |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2014 18:50:39 GMT 10
Hi Andy, yeah lack of foresight saw me mount the solar controller under the bed  . Live and learn. Because it's not a big van I was trying to hide as much as possible. Given my plans to sell in the next 12 or so months I might persevere as is. I've actually decided to start the hunt for a new van now, I figure that way if I find one needing a lot of work I can start sooner rather than later but still be able to get out and about, but also if a beauty comes along I won't miss it! Unfortunately given my desire to travel to every hidden corner of this great land, I envisage whatever I get, I'll still be having to upgrade the chassis, brakes etc. Either way, I'm going to stick with the classic/vintage vans. I'm quite fond of the Millard mini, will be hard to see her go!! |
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) however living in the southern states for a lot of my life I think that Carlton mid beers would be higher on the beer agenda than xxxx in my case ....however beer is beer after working out here on a hot day !! 
. Live and learn.