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Post by wibby38 on Apr 17, 2015 18:19:48 GMT 10
Hi All
I'm about to embark on my second caravan restoration the previous one being a vintage van. I've inspected a one owner 1975ish 12ft Hunter with little water damage to right front and rear corners as well as some damage to area around 4 seasons hatch. I've some reservations about this van as the construction method includes what I think is termed a "Foam core wall " or Moulded thermal panels.
My question to the forum is therefore : what are these vans like to repair difficult or relatively easy, my experience with the previous project where the outside cladding was removed the framed repaired with new timbers and the cladding then replaced quite straight forward, however I have been told that is not quite the case with this type of construction.
Could someone please help.
Wibby 38
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Post by Mustang on Apr 17, 2015 18:33:12 GMT 10
Hi Wibby,
Based on your previous experience I dare say this will not phase you. I think the construction could not be that different in 1975 to other vans, to de-clad would seem to be the way to go, at least if you start with a small section it will reveal the secrets this van has to offer.
Post often & we love photos!!!!
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Post by wibby38 on Apr 17, 2015 19:11:10 GMT 10
Hi Mustang
Many thanks for reply, my concern is that I've been told that in the case of the Franklin Hunter the foam core panels consist of aluminium glued to the exterior and 3 ply sheeting to the interior with a styrene core, to make repairs would one have to tear away the ply to make repairs???
and is a timber frame present in this type of construction ??
Cheers
Wibby
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2015 21:53:58 GMT 10
You will find there is a timber frame around the 4 seasons hatch, the sides and roof have the foam core and the van ends have none. I have a 75 Hunter 15 ft.
I found the foam is very well attached to the exterior cladding, not sure how easy it is to remove the internal ply.
Scotty
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Post by pisces51 on Apr 17, 2015 23:19:05 GMT 10
G'day Wibby, The cladding, foam, and internal ply are all bonded together with 3M adhesive. Whether they part company easily or not will depend on how well the glue has aged over the last 40 years. Certain vans located in certain areas might be easier to pull apart than vans located in other areas (eg. high rainfall versus dry regions). Have a read of tedalley's thread about his 1974 Regent van, and you'll pick up on some of the challenges he had when restoring that van: 1974 Franklin Regent - V2541 The construction methods were the same for all the Franklin models from this time period. cheers, Al. |
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Post by atefooterz on Apr 17, 2015 23:24:32 GMT 10
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Post by Mustang on Apr 18, 2015 16:43:58 GMT 10
Hmmm not sure I would be going there, reno's are tough enough without everything glued together??
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Post by wibby38 on Apr 18, 2015 17:54:24 GMT 10
Hi all
Many thanks for reply's have just read Tedalley's report on his Franklin Regent restoration project, sounds ominous.
Will do a final inspection of the Hunter on Mon.then make up my mind weather to proceed or walk, will report back next week.
Cheers
Wibby 38
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Post by grandad on Apr 19, 2015 9:47:57 GMT 10
You might like to check out my thread on the vintage forum. I'm rebuilding a Franklin Mini which also has the Thermo Panel construction and have rebuilt my walls by going right back to the styrene. Ominous? Not really. Rebuilding does require body off the chassis but all do-able with basic hand tools. vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/11758/life-times-1969-franklin-miniCheers Jim |
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Post by Mustang on Apr 19, 2015 16:36:28 GMT 10
You might like to check out my thread on the vintage forum. I'm rebuilding a Franklin Mini which also has the Thermo Panel construction and have rebuilt my walls by going right back to the styrene. Ominous? Not really. Rebuilding does require body off the chassis but all do-able with basic hand tools. vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/11758/life-times-1969-franklin-miniCheers Jim My God, what a journey!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for posting & good luck for the future. |
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Post by tasmillard on Apr 19, 2015 18:03:03 GMT 10
You might like to check out my thread on the vintage forum. I'm rebuilding a Franklin Mini which also has the Thermo Panel construction and have rebuilt my walls by going right back to the styrene. Ominous? Not really. Rebuilding does require body off the chassis but all do-able with basic hand tools. vintagecaravans.proboards.com/thread/11758/life-times-1969-franklin-miniCheers Jim My God, what a journey!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for posting & good luck for the future. Yeah... I second that statement mustang! |
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Post by wibby38 on Apr 23, 2015 20:03:06 GMT 10
Well the situation is now as follows, the owner decided not to proceed at this stage with the sale, I suspect some family members may have convinced him that i'ts worth a lot more than his original asking price, so it'll go on the back burner for the time being, meanwhile time to learn more about thermo panel construction.
Again many thanks for above contributions.
Cheers
Wibby 38.
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Post by pisces51 on Apr 23, 2015 20:27:05 GMT 10
G'day wibby38, Good on you for making a sensible decision to let this one go, and increase your knowledge in the meantime. There would be many of us on this forum who will admit privately that we ended up paying more for our vans than we subsequently discovered they were worth. Usually around the time we pull the first piece of cladding off, to be true.  --------------------------------------------- Just a follow-up to atefooterz's post above about the 3M adhesives... I notice on their website in that link that they say, "3M™ Scotch-Weld™ Structural Adhesives offer an extensive range of bonding alternatives from economical, maintenance and repair 'adhesives' to highly engineered formulations for 'hard-to-bond' surfaces including low surface energy plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene and oily metals." We've had discussions on this forum in the past about the difficulty of repairing cracked/split polyethylene water tanks or moulded mudguards, so it's good to know someone has developed an adhesive that will actually bond this material. cheers, Al. |
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Post by atefooterz on Apr 23, 2015 23:58:09 GMT 10
Previously the only way to repair thermo set plastics was by plastic welding, using heat and same material heat fused on he job, anyone who had a car bumper bar repair would have seen this. Now at last a glue = ahhh progress!  |
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Post by wibby38 on Jul 29, 2015 19:12:51 GMT 10
Hi Everybody, well I finally got the OK to buy the Franklin Hunter so here is one for Al, the caravan is as follows : 12 Ft. Chassis No: X 4073 any idea of year of manufacture???
The van is in reasonable condition, has a few water marks around 4 seasons vent and along bottom corners otherwise fine, it came with 8 months rego so as they say in the adds drive away no more to pay, should make a good project, but time will tell, vans tend to hide nasty surprises.
When I get started I'll post pics of progress, meanwhile I hope someone can show a light on what year it is.
Cheers
Wibby.
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Post by atefooterz on Jul 29, 2015 22:50:10 GMT 10
G`Day Wibby, i have a W that is 1975 so X should be 1976. I am sure our expert Al will confirm or deny with his awesome knowledge of caravan histories. |
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