I've done it again

[kiwijim]

Well it's not a Classic, so I hope there is no objection to me showing off another Caravan, Our 41st and final rebuild,

I've had this van for over twelve months now and it's finally ready for the road,

I bought this Coromal off Gumtree, after seeing it advertised  at an initial amount of $23,000,

You're right, that's not what I payed for it, not by a long shot, I followed the advert over a few weeks and as time went by, the price slowly dropped, from the asking price, down to $15,000, I gave it another couple of weeks then made an offer of $10,000,

I received a quick reply saying "NO" they wouldn't let it go at that price!!

Not to be beaten, I sent another Email saying that as we were Pensioners, the most we could afford was $11,000,

"Dang Me" if the owners didn't take sympathy on us and say " Yes" we could have it, they were Pensioners as well and knew how tight things were.

So as this Caravan was in a small Country town, about 200km South of Perth, we took off in the pouring rain and around 4 hours later, returned to Perth with this van in tow..................

     [/URL

It's a 1995 22' Coromal Capri 625

NOTE ;  repair and alteration photos to follow.

kiwijim     

[bobt]

Hey Kiwi fella. go for it..

41 vans!!! I cannot and will not believe for one moment that this is the last.



I shall sit back and dream of the 'Thompson'

[Mustang]

Hi KJ,
I think you have done extra well with the price, I have read you have been on the other side of selling ie, taking a loss.

The front hatches on this model were prone to cracking, but yours seems free of this & generally in clean nick, so possibly little use?
We loved our Coromal, eventually delivered it to Victoria to a cousin who bought it, he reckoned after I had it for 12 months it would be all sorted.

[bobt]

We looked at a Coromal Pop Top several years ago, wife crowned herself on the door exiting the van, came as a big surprise to her as she is short. They make a good van

[kiwijim]

Jun 5, 2016 9:10:57 GMT 10 Mustang said:

Hi KJ,
I think you have done extra well with the price, I have read you have been on the other side of selling ie, taking a loss.

The front hatches on this model were prone to cracking, but yours seems free of this & generally in clean nick, so possibly little use?
We loved our Coromal, eventually delivered it to Victoria to a cousin who bought it, he reckoned after I had it for 12 months it would be all sorted.

Howdy Mustang,   That's a nice looking Coromal you had there, 

It's very similar to one I sold recently, and the only reason I sold it , was because SWMBO wanted a van with a shower and separate toilet,

Here's our old van, a 92 Seka,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cheers K.J.

[kiwijim]

Jun 5, 2016 14:16:06 GMT 10 bobt said:

We looked at a Coromal Pop Top several years ago, wife crowned herself on the door exiting the van, came as a big surprise to her as she is short. They make a good van

It's not an un-common thing to do in most Pop-Tops Bobt,  Crowning One's head that is,

Wouldn't mind a $  for the number of times I've done the same thing, and I worked in Caravans full time as you know. !!!

The only other thing I didn't like about the Coromal Pop Top I sold, was the Easy lift arms that were attached to the inside of the roof at both ends,  these canter leaver arms stuck inwards when the roof was down, and very easy to hit ones head on, as I soon discovered when I went into the van while the roof was folded down.

Well, bowing to " The Boss's " demands we now have the right Caravan, and "YES" this is the last one, if I should change my mind, you can come and pinch my wheels . LOL

Cheers K.J. 

[kiwijim]

Here's a few pic's of the Coromal Rebuild,

I started by ripping out a wardrobe that was in the rear of the van, I then built a shower in its place...............

 

Next I relined the walls and fitted new LED lights through-out......

This is a converted 12v fluro light I filled with strip LED's ,

I'll post some more pictures, when that flaming Photobucket decides to behave it's self.

K.J.

[pisces51]

Hey kiwijim,

Good to see you back on the forum as a regular!

Have you already finished this van, and are just updating us with the story, or are you still working on it? Best you get cracking if you haven't finished - I was reading in the travel section of the newspaper the other day that the wildflower season is expected to be a beauty this year after all the rain you guys have had over there. Might give my little vintage van the trip of its life next year and tow it over the Nullabor for a look-see at the flowers. Parked beside yours, my van would look like a little outdoor dunny.

cheers,
Al. 

[bobt]

Yep know about this..

The only other thing I didn't like about the Coromal Pop Top I sold, was the Easy lift arms that were attached to the inside of the roof at both ends, these canter leaver arms stuck inwards when the roof was down, and very easy to hit ones head on, as I soon discovered when I went into the van while the roof was folded down.

The last pop top had them but I was lucky 'cause the bed was under one and a couch under the other. Still had to be careful. The wife did not hit her head on the door. Same story.. the pop top's gone, now I have a box on wheels.


Did you ever think of just buying a shell and fitting it out?

[kiwijim]

Jun 6, 2016 19:27:05 GMT 10 pisces51 said:

Hey kiwijim,

Good to see you back on the forum as a regular!

Have you already finished this van, and are just updating us with the story, or are you still working on it? Best you get cracking if you haven't finished - I was reading in the travel section of the newspaper the other day that the wildflower season is expected to be a beauty this year after all the rain you guys have had over there. Might give my little vintage van the trip of its life next year and tow it over the Nullabor for a look-see at the flowers. Parked beside yours, my van would look like a little outdoor dunny.

cheers,
Al. 

G'day Al, great to hear from a Bloke I have known for something like 6-7 years and have never met a yet,

Don't wait for next years Wild Flowers Al, this year will be the best for a long time,

The rain we are getting at the moment will bring out a really great display, they will start to appear in about a months time, so hook up your van, then catch Bobt on the way through Victoria and use his Big White Box for a Wind Shield on the Nullarbor crossing  LOL

The pictures I am posting at present, are the result of the last twelve months work on our van, It's now finished and ready for the road,

Only one problem, at present I am un-able to tow it any where because the eyes have almost given out,  I've developed Cataracts in both eyes and I'm told they are effecting 50% of my vision, Damn *^($@#  The Quack reckons I shouldn't even be driving,

I'm hoping something can be done real soon, we've missed the Flowers for the last 4-5 years now.

Cheers  Jim

[kiwijim]

Jun 6, 2016 23:30:08 GMT 10 bobt said:

Yep know about this..

The only other thing I didn't like about the Coromal Pop Top I sold, was the Easy lift arms that were attached to the inside of the roof at both ends, these canter leaver arms stuck inwards when the roof was down, and very easy to hit ones head on, as I soon discovered when I went into the van while the roof was folded down.

The last pop top had them but I was lucky 'cause the bed was under one and a couch under the other. Still had to be careful. The wife did not hit her head on the door. Same story.. the pop top's gone, now I have a box on wheels.


Did you ever think of just buying a shell and fitting it out?

G'day there Young Fella,  This van was almost a shell before I started to rebuild it, something like the last Coromal,

I've done practically the same thing his time, Relined the complete van and added all the goodies that I had left over in the shed,

A short list is as follows, I've added a new H.W.S. a new Microwave, new internal battery with charger, ripped out the freezer and replaced it with a Auto Washing Machine, replaced all water piping and added two holding tanks for grey water, added a toilet, and also stuck in a new 14' colour TV with C.D./ D.V.D. player  and a Radio / C.D player as well.

As I've shown, I have pulled out the rear cupboard and built in a shower measuring  900mm x 900mm, Plus on the outside I've added all new L.E.D clearance lights, "OH" one other thing, I've fitted a new gas regulator in the front boot for the two gas bottles, and also built a box on the rear to house our 4,4 KVA generator. apart from that I don't know where the last twelve months have gone,  "GOTTA RETIRE" soon !!!

Cheers,  Jim

[kiwijim]

G'day All, here are a few shots of the changes I have done to the Coromal,

After fitting the Shower Cubical, I fitted a new Roof Hatch which also holds two 12v Computer Fans, these fans ( from Japan )  have Green L.E.D's in them, quiet effective at night.............'

 

Here are some of the new L.E.D. outside lights ...............

K.J.

[bobt]

Hey there Kiwijim

I like this.. well not really but you made me have a little chuckle.

I've developed Cataracts in both eyes and I'm told they are effecting 50% of my vision, Damn *^($@# The Quack reckons I shouldn't even be driving

I need to be careful as it would be easy to identify the individual. A character I know, quite a bit older than you. Had his cataracts done, thought it was great he could see the runway properly now when he was coming into land. I kid you not.

Best you go hurry them up so you don't miss the wild flowers again.

After they are fixed, Don't look to close when your inside the van, you might find more things to do..

Glad to hear you have been keeping yourself busy..

[bobt]

You still got stock in that shed?? I thought you sold it all off

[kiwijim]

Jun 7, 2016 18:05:24 GMT 10 bobt said:

You still got stock in that shed?? I thought you sold it all off

"Yep"  still got two sheds full of caravan bits and pieces Bobt,

The only things I got rid of were the old Millard window winders to Al, and a few bits at the Sunday Markets.

 I cut the back lawn the other day and found three window shades from early Viscounts and Millards, amazing what else there is lying in the long grass, or on racks behind the shed,  Tent & Annexe poles, there must be hundreds of them !!!

 

I was looking for something the other day and came across about 4 sets of towing mirrors, then had a whack on the head from a complete inside section off a commander air con, On another shelf I found all the controls for a Dometic 3 way fridge.

Tell ya what, If I cark it, the scrap man will thing he is in Heaven,  Lol

K.J.   

[kiwijim]

Here's a few more Pictures of the Bit's and Pieces added to my Coromal..........

Heaps more to come as yet.     K.J. 

[bobt]

Nice to see your putting your skills to use.

Like the trim around the benchs.

Could be fighting in the streets.. over the bits n bobs in your sheds..

[kiwijim]

Jun 8, 2016 21:41:04 GMT 10 bobt said:

Nice to see your putting your skills to use.

Like the trim around the benchs.

Could be fighting in the streets.. over the bits n bobs in your sheds..

Howdy Bobt,  All the edge trim is original, and most is still in pretty good nick,

"Yes" well if anyone wants anything out of the sheds, ( at next to nothing price's, )

all they have to do is give me a call, Who knows how lucky you could be !!!

Here's a couple of Pic's of the generator and box I fitted to the rear of the Van.........

And this is the Power House a 4.4 KVA Pure Sine generator...............

 

Cheers K.J.

[Mustang]

Nice work, a 4.4 KVA should run everything in the van?

[kiwijim]

Jun 9, 2016 8:26:41 GMT 10 Mustang said:

Nice work, a 4.4 KVA should run everything in the van?

"Yep" And a heap more as well Mustang,  I there are any people camping around us, I always let them know if I'm going to fire up the Genny and also offer them free power.

 I have had everything in the Caravan running off this Generator at the same time incl, Air Con, Micro Wave, Toaster, Kettle, T.V. and all lights,  Never missed a beat, although with all going, it did raise the revs a bit.  

I haven't had anyone take me up on the offer so far, but I also haven't had any complaints about noise,

The generator only has a noise level of 56 DB  when running, and a lot less than that when in the closed box,

The Box is vented at the rear and there is a S/steel exhaust tube fitted to the L/hand side as shown here..........

I can hook up two power cables through the small door connecting to twin 15amp outlets, then close the door, if it's going to rain

For the Ebay Price of under $600.00 I think no-one can beat that for value.

Hoo Roo K.J.

[bobt]

I like the generator box. Like to hear it helps keep the noise down. Must admit never encountered a camp site where someone has run a generator and it being annoying.

When ever we wanted to run the aircon we have been parked in a caravan park. Do keep sharing, we all like to see what each other has done to get the best out of their caravan. I just appreciate seing what some of the seenior crew do..

[kiwijim]

Our Idea in modifying this caravan, was to Bush Camp as much as possible Bobt,
Hopefully right beside the ocean where the fish are, !!!
I think we have gone as far as possible, with the Genny for power, plus an on board battery charger plus a 130 a/h Deep cycle Battery.
We also have a double folding Solar Panel for Back-up,
The van can carry over 100l of drinking water and with two holding tanks for grey water, we can stop in any designated over night stop.
You won't catch us in any of those over-priced Caravan Parks, unless it's to do our washing in our own Machine,

I'm now going to try a new picture storage site, so stand by for another Stuff-up "yep" knew it wouldn't work,  try again Boy'o

Well that was a failure," Ho hum,"  back to that dreaded Photobucket............. 

Another find at the Sunday Markets, grabbed this charger for $40.00 brand new in box,

 it has a  floating charge rate, so it can be left on all the time and keeps the battery at a steady 13.9.v

This tube holds two sink full of waste water, pipe at far end goes through the floor to a drain tap

I've had this Solar Panel for a while now, grabbed it from Kmart when they got out of a lot of camping gear a few years back,

Below is a Multi Metre attached to the solar panel it's not very high powered but does the job.

[kiwijim]

Here is the biggest change I've done in our Coromal,
When we bought this Van there was a deep freezer fitted as standard in the front kitchen,



I thought we would never use it ,so ripped it out and fitted a Top Loader Washing machine in its place,
I attached a couple of heavy duty sliders to its base then bolted it in the position of the Freezer



The tap on the front of the cabinet is for the washer inlet and in turn is connected to an outside mains connection,



Once in position, the Washer easily slides in and out on it's rollers,



the fun continues, K.J.

[bobt]

woohoo.. clean clothes...

[kiwijim]

"Yep" gotta have them clean Dacks Bobt,

Here's a few more additions on the Van, I bought a new Gas HWS and fitted it, the darn seats in the Coromal had to be raised by 60mm so the System would fit ..........

Looking towards the rear of the van, you can see we are well prepared  with the addition of a Fire Blanket and Extinguisher attached to the walls above the single beds..........

Looks like Photobucket has gone on strike again,  a few more pictures to come Hopefully

K.J.