Chesney Kampa vans, Freedom Express, and Playtime

[millard1399]

Chesney Kampa vans general information:

[millard1399]

1970 Chesney Kampa vans:

In March 1970, Sydney agents were advertising a "New Release - Chesney Kampa Van."
In October 1970, an advertisement said, "Chesney Kampa Van, 7-berth, 3 double, 1 single, weighs only 10cwt, can be towed by the smallest car, even a Mini. Fibreglass and acrylic aluminium finish..."

The wording on this Chesney brochure suggests it relates to the introduction of the Kampa Van model...



Here is a Chesney Kampa Van that looks similar to the brochure...

[millard1399]

1971 Chesney Kampa vans:

[millard1399]

1972 Chesney Kampa vans:

In April 1972 there is an advertisement for a "Chesney Kampa Van, 7 berth, portagas fridge, stove, near new..."

[millard1399]

1973 Chesney Kampa vans:

In May 1973, there is an advertisement for a "Chesney Kampa 1973 model GT. Latest design, Sleeps 7, weighs 10cwt. Still at old prices..."

[millard1399]

1974 Chesney Kampa vans:

[millard1399]

1975 Chesney Kampa vans:

November: The Chesney MkIV Kampa van was being advertised as "the latest model, and newly designed".

Here is an example of the MKIV Kampa:

[millard1399]

1976 Chesney Kampa vans:

October: The Chesney Freedom Express is released. It was claimed to be the most advanced camping trailer ever built in Australia, and was the culmination of more than two years' research and development at the company's Brisbane headquarters. The Chesney engineers found that most prospective trailer buyers were looking for better roof-raising mechanisms, more space, more comfort, modern appliances and easy towing. The unit will sell for less than $4000.
The principal feature of the new design is its simple-to-operate, maintenance-free lifting mechanism. It is an American system, in which the mechanism is built into the body. The top can be erected while the trailer is still attached to the towing vehicle. When the van is in the lowered position, no other catches are needed to hold the roof to the body. Sharp edges are eliminated, and front and rear sections are in strong moulded fibreglass with aluminium cladding at the sides. The canvas walls are firmly secured to both the roof and the camper body.
When packed for towing, the trailer measures 4.2m by 2.15m (13ft x 7ft). It weighs only 750kg. The Freedom Express is light enough to be towed by most four cylinder cars. Better riding and towing characteristics have been sought by the use of a semi-elliptic slipper spring and new drop axle, which lowers the unit's overall height and improves roadholding.
Four stabiliser jacks are fitted. Mechanical override brakes are standard. Interior fittings include double bed bunks each end, which slide out on aluminium extruded rails. The two full width lounges can also be used as beds, one combining with the table to form a double bed. In all, the new trailer has sleeping accommodation for seven.
The galley area has a new three-burner stove with a metal safety shield, three cubic foot gas or electric refrigerator, and a stainless steel sink with a retracting spout.

Here are photos of the Freedom Express from 1976:





And here are photos taken recently of two examples:



In December 1976, fifty-two school students from a Sydney school packed into a Chesney Freedom Express, and broke a record set by 38 Melbourne students a couple of days before. This photo shows the Sydney record attempt:



Here is the link to the forum thread about this camper.

[millard1399]

1978 Chesney Kampa vans:

[Deleted]

[ryder2012]

Mar 2, 2009 16:25:05 GMT 10 millard1399 said:

1976 Chesney Kampa vans:

October: The Chesney Freedom Express is released. It was claimed to be the most advanced camping trailer ever built in Australia, and was the culmination of more than two years' research and development at the company's Brisbane headquarters. The Chesney engineers found that most prospective trailer buyers were looking for better roof-raising mechanisms, more space, more comfort, modern appliances and easy towing. The unit will sell for less than $4000.
The principal feature of the new design is its simple-to-operate, maintenance-free lifting mechanism. It is an American system, in which the mechanism is built into the body. The top can be erected while the trailer is still attached to the towing vehicle. When the van is in the lowered position, no other catches are needed to hold the roof to the body. Sharp edges are eliminated, and front and rear sections are in strong moulded fibreglass with aluminium cladding at the sides. The canvas walls are firmly secured to both the roof and the camper body.
When packed for towing, the trailer measures 4.2m by 2.15m (13ft x 7ft). It weighs only 750kg. The Freedom Express is light enough to be towed by most four cylinder cars. Better riding and towing characteristics have been sought by the use of a semi-elliptic slipper spring and new drop axle, which lowers the unit's overall height and improves roadholding.
Four stabiliser jacks are fitted. Mechanical override brakes are standard. Interior fittings include double bed bunks each end, which slide out on aluminium extruded rails. The two full width lounges can also be used as beds, one combining with the table to form a double bed. In all, the new trailer has sleeping accommodation for seven.
The galley area has a new three-burner stove with a metal safety shield, three cubic foot gas or electric refrigerator, and a stainless steel sink with a retracting spout.

Here are photos of the Freedom Express from 1976:





And here are photos taken recently of two examples:



In December 1976, fifty-two school students from a Sydney school packed into a Chesney Freedom Express, and broke a record set by 38 Melbourne students a couple of days before. This photo shows the Sydney record attempt:



Here is the link to the forum thread about this camper.

[rohanmartin89]

Mar 2, 2009 16:21:36 GMT 10 millard1399 said:

1975 Chesney Kampa vans:

November: The Chesney MkIV Kampa van was being advertised as "the latest model, and newly designed".

Here is an example of the MKIV Kampa:




Just got given one of these MKIV Kampas (haven't picked it up yet still at my fathers property)

had a quick look inside it the otherday.
the winding system for lifting the top is abit stiff and requires a fair amount of ommmfa to crank it open.
has anyone fitted an electric boat style winch to the front of this to make life a lot more effortless.

the van will have a little makeover inside once we get it home. remove old 3 way bar fridge replace it with a modern 12v/24v car fridge, remove all gas from the van (wouldnt cook inside it), flip the axel and put some new hubs to suit 6 stud sunrisers rims with a aggressive AT Tyre, remove old style tarp awning and replace with 4wd style 2.5m x 2.5m awning with awning side walls,
replace all lighting with led and install a full 12volt setup with 2 x 105ah agm batteries dc to dc charger and solar,

lots to get done but should be able to get it all done fairly quicky. as the kampa mkIV is in top shape and has had new flooring paint trim etc done recently.

looking forward to dragging it up the beach for a camp once iv got it finished'

[78466noM]

Check that all rollers for cable are in good order and not ceased I put a boat winch on front was good for lifting but not so good for lowering a good cheep forward and reverse winch would work much better. the bed ends have rollers as well some lithium grease will help them spray along runners as well.
These work well but the wire rope has to have equal pressure front and back as if it lifts one end first the bed slide at other end will catch and if you keep going rip the fiberglass roof end. they are a great little van but even with the axle flipped you may have trouble getting wheels bigger than 13inch to fit with-out rubbing inner guards as the original wheels were 12inch.
hope all goes well have fun.

[alicewonders]

Hey I have one

[alicewonders]



Mar 3, 2023 18:47:48 GMT 10 alicewonders said:

Hey I have one



[alicewonders]

linksharing.samsungcloud.com/aAgFkwKJXBLA

[chris62]

I just got 1976 Chesney kampa 5 it's a buety

[jellybean]

Hi guys I just bought myself a 1972 Kampa pop up. Fibre glass top steel/aluminum bottom. I was just wondering if anyone knew the official specifications of it?

[jellybean]

I should add a bit about why I bought it and what I'm going to do with it.
firstly It was cheap. $1500......No rust. Winder works fine apparently. Man will demonstrate when he drops it off at my house. There's a knack to it. I remember this from another pop up I owned so that's all good.
All the repairs are generally cosmetic and nothing that's bothers me at this point. There will be a slight strip out to put a shower and toilet in. The cupboards will be replaced with lighter weighing timber cupboards. the canvas is beyond belief for it's age I was quite impressed. It's been looked after by a previous owner obviously. Couple of corner repairs with stitching and a few slight wearing and pin hole bothers. Not a problem. The awning I didn't see out but was assured it's not the Taj Mahal but still able to sit under it and it's the same canvas as the van. I'll have to do a bit of adjusting with that. instead of roll up and tie I'll put rods through it for sturdier assemblage. There are two awnings that cover the bed areas and they are in very good nick. OH and he's throwing in those really thick clarke rubber solid foam mattresses (you know the foam that nobody can afford anymore? )
So......at the moment I'm sourcing hot water heaters, composting toilets. Taps, silicone, putty, solar panels, heavy duty velcro etc etc etc.
Why am I doing this to myself? here we come to the "secondly" part. I'm technically unhousing myself, You know the old ' jump before you're pushed?' I recently had to go on the dole and after multiple resumes and rejections. Job offers were there but on the other side of the state. I receive $838 a fortnight on the dole. $640 (and it's about to go up) on rent. $41 car insurance. $87 car loan. Doesn't leave much for Utilities, Petrol, food, which of course as you know has all gone up as well. So with my tax check I'm jumping, so when I do get a job the money goes to storage (cheap) and me and not someone elses multiple mortgages.
So that's it in a nutshell .