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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2015 19:19:39 GMT 10
Tasmillard and I just arrived home towing my new caravan, a 1977 Franklin Arrow.
I am very pleased with it, is in an original condition and does not appear to be any structural or water damage on it.
The layout in uncommon with 4 bunks at the back and the dinette at the front.
I will post some photos tomorrow but Tasmillard will upload some videos soon.
Following progress will be post in this thread.
Cheers
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2015 20:34:08 GMT 10
A couple of photos from today during a trip home.   |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2015 20:43:02 GMT 10
A video of the Franklin Arrow filmed today by my son, Tasmillard
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Post by snoops on Oct 25, 2015 21:07:38 GMT 10
Great original condition! Yes, that's a layout I haven't seen in one of these. Shouldn't take too much to whip it back into first rate shape.  Enjoy! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2015 21:14:02 GMT 10
Great original condition! Yes, that's a layout I haven't seen in one of these. Shouldn't take too much to whip it back into first rate shape. Enjoy! Thanks mate, I will convert it to a two single beds at the back but save the bunks in the shed just in case. I have to source internal lights (one in each end) and do not have an idea how look the originals. Even the original clock works Ok and it is not made in China  |
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Post by tasmillard on Oct 26, 2015 6:48:10 GMT 10
Was steady to tow at 90kph, no issues at all. Lots of TLC needed but overall in good shape, better than my Millard. Looking forward to a trip, be good to see both vans out on the road |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 7:03:31 GMT 10
Is the cover for the front windows missing, or did this van never have one?
I wish mine was this nice when I got it, I hope it's this nice one day!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 7:09:30 GMT 10
Is the cover for the front windows missing, or did this van never have one? I wish mine was this nice when I got it, I hope it's this nice one day! The original cover it is missing but the caravan come with one that will be easy to adapt. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 7:28:13 GMT 10
The idea of removing mine once I fit acrylic windows has occurred to me.
At least if something goes wrong with Acrylic I wont have broken glass in the van.
A place down the road does a charcoal tinted acrylic for not much more than clear, and they'll cut all my windows to size for $9 each if I buy the materials from them.
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Post by tasmillard on Oct 28, 2015 10:28:59 GMT 10
Great idea Sean, and damn cheap too!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 19:25:55 GMT 10
I started doing some work on the van, today I finished painting the draw bar which is in a very good condition but needed fresh paint. Also I fitted a new brake master cylinder. In the afternoon I removed the old silicone from one side of the roof, cleaned the surface until the aluminium was exposed and applied a nice coat of Sika marine. Tomorrow will be the other side plus getting new tyres. The plan is making the van safe and sealed so we will going to remove all the windows and reseal them with Sika marine. Then we will do small jobs on it to allow us to use the van during summer. The paint it is so old and faded that by only wipe the surface with a thinners in a rug it is enough to expose the aluminium. When the time its come to do something about the exterior of the van I will see if it would be possible to remove all the paint and leave the aluminium exposed and polished.   |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 9:01:28 GMT 10
Went to the tyres shop to replace the old ones.
OLD it is an understatement, the sales man and a rep are sure that the tyres were 30 years old or more!!!
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Post by doublechevron on Oct 29, 2015 9:38:13 GMT 10
I started doing some work on the van, today I finished painting the draw bar which is in a very good condition but needed fresh paint. Also I fitted a new brake master cylinder. In the afternoon I removed the old silicone from one side of the roof, cleaned the surface until the aluminium was exposed and applied a nice coat of Sika marine. Tomorrow will be the other side plus getting new tyres. The plan is making the van safe and sealed so we will going to remove all the windows and reseal them with Sika marine. Then we will do small jobs on it to allow us to use the van during summer. The paint it is so old and faded that by only wipe the surface with a thinners in a rug it is enough to expose the aluminium. When the time its come to do something about the exterior of the van I will see if it would be possible to remove all the paint and leave the aluminium exposed and polished. Did you re-do the roof seems with sikaflex ? I'll be interested to see how that works out. Will it stick over a surface that has had silicon on it in the past ? If your talking about the J moulds, you really need to remove them and clean off all the old mastic rather than wipe a bit of sealer down the edges of them seeya, Shane L. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2015 11:45:12 GMT 10
One side have the old silicone which was removed and surface cleaned until the aluminium was exposed and clean. It is important to clean the surfaces with thinners.
Then I applied sikaflex 291. Looks good.
The other side, the one that I working now have a very hard putty on it, simmilar to the one that is used by the panel beaters. I am removing it for both surfaces and then clean with thinners.
I cannot remove the J moulds now because time and weather but I loosing them to create a clean gap about 8 mm thick, t5hen apply the Silka and tight the screws and wipe the excess forming a nice barrier.
I believe that in this manner plus the paint membrane to be apply after will give a reasonable sealer for few years to come.
If does not work, then I will need to rent a shed to put the van inside and do the work there.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2015 16:58:10 GMT 10
Today we inspected the brakes and it appears that they never being maintained and perhaps did not worked for many years.
The local shop only sell the Alko brand and quoted me about $500 + for the parts to replacing the 9" Holden hydraulic drum kit or about $1300 for a complete electric system.
No wonder people just shop on line!!!
If we keep the hydraulic system a replacement on line is under $200.00
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2015 17:17:30 GMT 10
Today with Carlos, we resealed with Sikafklex 291 the back window. I am pleased with the job, we only need now to replace one of the glass and few parts to make it like new.
Next weekend will be the front window and during the week, if weather permit, I will do some of the small ones.
Also I hope to have the brake parts this week.
With the channel draw bar I have found difficult to secure the weight distribution parts that appears to me that are made for RHS made bars. Looks like thatwe have to weld a plate on that part of the bar.
If someone have done something different I would appreciate their inputs.
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Post by doublechevron on Nov 2, 2015 10:03:40 GMT 10
Why do you need weight distribution bars? I thought that would be a very light weight caravan See what your car sits like with the 'van attached and go from there. You may find it's quite ok. seeya, Shane L. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 13:54:13 GMT 10
Why do you need weight distribution bars? I thought that would be a very light weight caravan See what your car sits like with the 'van attached and go from there. You may find it's quite ok. seeya, Shane L. Just concerned that the van will be about 1300 kg which it is 200 kg bellow the maximum towing capacity of the car which also it is front wheel drive only. Perhaps I am just paranoid........ |
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Post by tasmillard on Nov 3, 2015 6:39:24 GMT 10
So we are slowly working on the Franklin, got the new clearance lights ($3.09 ea) and will continue to reseal all windows in much the same fashion as my Millard (yes not wanting to start that debate of Sika vs Mastic). Overall good shape it is, but we can really notice the difference between a white interior compared to the original dark brown...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 7:20:11 GMT 10
We replaced the broken glass and repaired the top broken corner in one of the windows. Now the rer window it is finished and water will be not able to get in.   |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 10:51:45 GMT 10
Today the weather it is not good to remove another window so I started to sand down the strips on the side of the van. I am using the Festool Rotax sanding machine with 150 grit discs for doing the first stage. Before  and after  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 13:55:56 GMT 10
I run out of 150mm discs for the sander so I went to the local Mitre 10.
Not good idea for the back pocket, they have the Bosch GOP professional 250CE power tool reduced from $340.00 to $215.00
The delta sander attachment it is ideal for the job that I am doing now so I returned home with one.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2015 19:29:52 GMT 10
Today I finished sanding the strips in both sides and now started removing the old faded paint by just using a rag with thinners. If weather help and the cladding is not to hot I will finish before the weekend.  a view of the old faded paint and a section with it removed.  |
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Post by tasmillard on Nov 4, 2015 18:13:09 GMT 10
it is looking a lot better with the old paint off. going to be nice once painted. may do an update vid on the weekend,too |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 19:46:13 GMT 10
Now the original paint is removed and it is ready for the first coat.............eventually  |
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