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Post by tasmillard on Jul 12, 2016 16:52:06 GMT 10
Perhaps I need some input from you wise members to assist with weighing up the options. As you know, our 16ft Millard is our first van has been rebuilt with love and care, all that is needed now is external paint and some final touches. However, now that swmbo and I have thought about adding a bathroom, the question is raised. Do we: 1) Fit a toilet into the Millard by removing the bunks? ( see thread), all in a smaller 16ft van 2) Sell Millard and buy an 18-20ft caravan so that the wardrobe can be converted into a toilet/shower without reducing space (would an 18ft even make much difference?) There is also the issue that we have heavily invested in the Millard (yes I know we all do that with our vans), but should we sell now as is and buy a larger van? Of course, buying a larger van will require me to do all the rot/sealing work again (would be 3rd time now so experienced enough) BUT allows me to rip and modify as required. I have already started eyeing out larger vans, nothing in Tassie of course I can find so may need to look at mainland (add another $1500 to the cost of bringing it home). There seems to be more options available in Vic, for example. However, as we know projects are risky so theres a danger of buying another old van with hidden expenses... Bugger, so hard to know which way to go, any ideas/advice would be helpful.
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Post by greedy53 on Jul 12, 2016 18:49:44 GMT 10
i have fitted a shower and toilet to my 1976 viscount it's a 17 footer,the van suited our needs and with a shower now fitted it's perfect,we do a lot of touring and now were self contained it was an interesting job and i learnt a lot finding what worked etc
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Post by bobt on Jul 12, 2016 21:28:36 GMT 10
Thats a tough question tasmillard, at the end of the day it is your call. It is normal for your needs to change as time goes by and you use you caravan more. The best way to get what you need all comes down to how much your prepared to spend and how much work you prepared to take on. Good luck making the decision.
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Post by Mustang on Jul 13, 2016 8:57:23 GMT 10
When you sell any reno the labour is usually free to the buyer, ugly but true. I have spent 1000 on Vincent, so buckleys of getting any of that back. Our Viscount is 17'6" & the Kennedy is 14', I would only contemplate a bathroom in 18' plus.
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Post by tasmillard on Jul 13, 2016 9:17:05 GMT 10
Thanks all... yes the issue of size is the key I think to the decision. Unfortunately, 18' dual axles are hard to come by in Tassie (seems to be loads for sale up in Qld) and so therefore are hard to look through and visualise the changes. Wouldnt mind getting a 18' Viscount with the rounded corner windows model.
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Post by pisces51 on Jul 13, 2016 18:20:25 GMT 10
G'day tasmillard, have a read of this thread from 2009 on the Vintage caravans forum. It involves fitting a shower/toilet into a 14ft Franklin Caravelle. There's not much detail about how he went about getting the space for the shower/toilet, but if you read through the posts and look at all his photos, you might get the gist of how it was done. cheers, Al.
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Post by tasmillard on Jul 13, 2016 19:34:43 GMT 10
Hi Al, I remember reading this thread and feel jealous of the workmanship and beautiful result. We are leaning towards another van, just for more room. We are looking to see if we pick up a viscount supreme 18ft dual axle... theres a 22ft one (2 doors) in tas but i think its going overboard.
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Post by atefooterz on Jul 14, 2016 2:08:02 GMT 10
To me an issue would be how would i (we) use a caravan. Demands of a family make fitout choices different to a couple. Even just a duo, what will be the touring use? If you are sight seeing then most of the time the caravan becomes a sleeping & if desired showering place to rest change then go out for more adventure. So a smaller compact unit is viable. Those that set up camp be it free or at a park, for a few weeks, then the larger space and virtual "mini house" old school awnings seem popular. Where i am atm is a facinating 14ft jayco (2000ish) with shower toilet,that the owner has parked for his NSW job and works hard, has a private hot shower then crashes ready for work again after a zzzz, or a trip back to the airport to go home again. His 14 footer would not be suitable for the average traveller but suits a great solution to his increasing work load and accomadation 1000klm from home. Back onto our classic site specific route i still believe that shagged interiors should be re born to be practical and as fresh as the owner wants. If enough of an original interior is intact then why not save it for those ten or more years down the track, when white bright & mono cromatic fashions change, as fashion always does.
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Post by tasmillard on Jul 14, 2016 7:07:42 GMT 10
Hi atefooterz - you are spot on with your analysis. Given this is our first van, it suits the majority of our needs (hence a hard decision to make) however, like mentioned above, we are now working out what we want for both short stays (under 1 week) and longer stays. We want to eventually do long trips (6 weeks +) and of course do most of it free camping. This then brings us to the dilema in having a larger van to have bathroom facilities. I believe an 18-20ft van would be spot on for our needs, even tho its not as agile as a smaller van. We are not in a rush by any stretch and we prefer to wait until the right van comes along, even if i have to go interstate. One thing is certain, it will be a classic van
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Post by doublechevron on Jul 14, 2016 11:19:08 GMT 10
Can I make a suggestion ? Find out what you wife wants and go with it... Your going to save yourself changing 'vans about 5 different times that way. My brother started buying and selling caravans about 12months ago. Old Golfs are the only ones I've seen that seem even remotely nicely built. They seemed to take pride in the building of them. He has a old (so cheap) VERY well used Golf at the moment. Here it is: www.ebay.com.au/itm/1997-Golf-Challenger-Semi-Off-Road-Caravan-with-Toilet-and-Shower-Like-Jayco-/142047035759?hash=item2112a9c16f:g:7i8AAOSwjXRXb93hWait for something like this to come up at the auctions. It had a tiny dent in the front right corner down at the bottom edge ( you might be able to see it in the piccies). The insurance companies doen't seem to repair any caravan. One little dent the size of your palm .. and they write it off . If you grab something lightly damaged like this they are VERY EASY to repair (as you know if you have removed any cladding of your old caravan to repair rott). It's still a risk, but it'll get you into something your wife will like ( I'd keep the oldie too, but that's just me ). Oh, like everything it's a risk. He found the caravan above had a small dent in the drawbar both sides once it arrived. That is why it has a brand new drawbar fitted. eg: www.manheim.com.au/recreation/4819693/concept-ascot-20ft-caravan-caravan?referringPage=SearchResultsI'd go an have a look at this one if I was in tassie .. Looks like it's been in flood waters... Crawl under it ... bang on all the floor .. if it's not soft, all you'd need to do is replace the carpet and refinish the wood work inside. I can't see how water would effect anything "underneath" a caravan, certainly it wouldn't hurt an aluminium frame! seeya, shane L.
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Post by bobt on Jul 14, 2016 14:18:32 GMT 10
Good advice doublechevron
Its cost me a fortune trying to appease the wife, shackled my ability to spend on some of the things I wanted. Changing vans every 5 to 6 years can be very expensive.
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Post by tasmillard on Jul 14, 2016 15:23:26 GMT 10
Thanks guys, but I know what she is after and wants an older van (classic) but just with shower and toilet. If our Millard was an 18'er there would be no issues at all and would prefer given the work invested also. So I think I got it covered re swmbo'ed requirements So if you know of a Viscount Supreme 18-20ft for sale, let me know.
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Post by Mustang on Jul 14, 2016 17:01:31 GMT 10
Thanks guys, but I know what she is after and wants an older van (classic) but just with shower and toilet. If our Millard was an 18'er there would be no issues at all and would prefer given the work invested also. So I think I got it covered re swmbo'ed requirements So if you know of a Viscount Supreme 18-20ft for sale, let me know. You need Vincent !!
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Post by tasmillard on Jul 14, 2016 18:45:44 GMT 10
haha - well i got 3 options, Supreme, Ambassador or Duralvan 18ft with corner windows On the topic, I am willing to travel to Vic to pick one up if anyone knows one selling. Cheers,
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Post by doublechevron on Jul 15, 2016 12:04:28 GMT 10
see if you can get one of those tiny combination shitters/showers from a pommy 'van that's been wiped out .... keep an eye on the auctions and pickup a rollover or similar. That way you get *everythign* you need. HWS, shower/shitter, tanks, pumps, gas/power setup ... hell you could even grabbed the ducted gas/power heater from it and retro-fit The pommy 'vans have really nifty (tiny lightweight) ensuite setups. seeya, Shane L.
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Post by atefooterz on Jul 15, 2016 22:25:13 GMT 10
I think everyone should check out a Euro van, at least once! I will never forget my 1998 UK trip and a mate had a 17footer we had to move to get his racing dinghy out behind. He had a Fiat Punto that happlily towed it! #mindblown
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Post by doublechevron on Jul 20, 2016 10:24:15 GMT 10
I think everyone should check out a Euro van, at least once! I will never forget my 1998 UK trip and a mate had a 17footer we had to move to get his racing dinghy out behind. He had a Fiat Punto that happlily towed it! #mindblown Yes, if you have $$$ especially the australia built bailey: They actually tested them like car manufactures : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyvj8CTlgIEMy Parents have an Aussie spec ( ie: heavy duty spec ) UK made bailey. If you have seen how fragile a locally made caravan is ... you'll be amazed by these The baileys are bolted together sandwich panel... www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBrXICtUq0gIncredibly strong. Oh, no-one will talk about it on the european caravan lists (they must all fear being sued), but avoid at all costs the later Eldis caravans they are glued together. The glue failed within weeks/months on a couple of 'vans on the European group. The local agent is refusing to warranty them, and the factory is happy to pretend it's not happening... they are litterally falling apart and cannot be moved from there current location (the walls are falling off). I reckon it's going to be a lawcase in the near future as the people that have paid $60,000+ for a caravan group together to sue the manufacturer. seeya, shane L.
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Post by atefooterz on Jul 21, 2016 22:40:29 GMT 10
Thanks for the heads up. Shame they messed up with the glue specs. A trap with making modular rather than monocoque structures. I see a similar situation that Volvo discovered way back in the day. Heat, U.V and temperature causing paint to fail. *Hopefully folks do not go the way of only bolts are any good, as longer term without proper bushing etc our rough roads will just eat out those soft polymer areas that look awesome with chunks of metal keeping it together,at the moment. Many modern factory component glues melt at 55c-60c so while happy in the snow do not like hot days Aussie style! * How many post 1970s unpainted Volvos have we seen around, as paint is no good in Aussie heat? However i see many late 1990s Japanese cars with failing clear... mostly due to the fact that they do not design them to last more than ten years in service.
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Post by bobt on Jul 22, 2016 17:54:16 GMT 10
There are some good strong well built aussie vans coming out of the factories in Australia, like all things some have their problems, no different to a Monday Wednesday or Friday built motor car.
I understand that there were a bunch of Eldis caravans imported into Australia, that had been submersed in flood waters. These vans were cleaned up and sold to unsuspecting Aussie purchasers that had all sorts of problems after. I am certain we have a member on here that maybe able to confirm what I heard and perhaps add to it.
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Post by Mustang on Jul 22, 2016 18:48:20 GMT 10
There are some good strong well built aussie vans coming out of the factories in Australia, like all things some have their problems, no different to a Monday Wednesday or Friday built motor car. I understand that there were a bunch of Eldis caravans imported into Australia, that had been submersed in flood waters. These vans were cleaned up and sold to unsuspecting Aussie purchasers that had all sorts of problems after. I am certain we have a member on here that maybe able to confirm what I heard and perhaps add to it. I can't add to your post but I'm appalled at this behavior.
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Post by atefooterz on Jul 22, 2016 23:49:20 GMT 10
My main gripe with the local stuff is they seem to increase in weight, with each new popular tug release upgrade spec. :)In for example Vincents day the average v8 would pull her no worries however that size and increased spec for SWIMBO approval, in a modern, is almost double. A reason the 18` Elldis ( without water damage etc) looked the goods for features and towability (KG). . This winter i am rather angry at my self as i have the cash to do my new build but not finance a winter friendly place to do it, remembering some eat,live, spend cash required for after. I am keeping my eye out still for pop up industrial inbetween tenant situation or house minding sites, where i could do a sneaky build. The story of old mate & his 5 acres and multiple full sheds is a common theme. Another fell through (FNQ) when a perfect place (rented) went by the by as he decided to do a yacht delivery from Darwin to Greece. Still a chance post Xmas but QLD summer un aircon = urrgh for laminating. So the good or for me bad news is another round of NSW rego and hanging onto the Arrow for a longer time. Bad as i will need to bite the bullet & fix the timber corner & most likely replace all the lower timber, to ensure a faster better sale down the track. The breed that lives for non dark timber look interiors, also rightly hate timber frames, so an upgrade in order.
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Post by bobt on Jul 23, 2016 18:57:04 GMT 10
Hey atefooterz go sus out the Grey Nomads site, often there is someone looking for a casual employee, house siter with accommodation. I recon you could find one that would meet your need.
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Post by atefooterz on Jul 24, 2016 23:31:39 GMT 10
Hey atefooterz go sus out the Grey Nomads site, often there is someone looking for a casual employee, house siter with accommodation. I recon you could find one that would meet your need. This link one ? Cheers
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Post by bobt on Jul 25, 2016 11:21:43 GMT 10
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Post by tim on Jul 25, 2016 14:02:03 GMT 10
My main gripe with the local stuff is they seem to increase in weight, with each new popular tug release upgrade spec. :)In for example Vincents day the average v8 would pull her no worries however that size and increased spec for SWIMBO approval, in a modern, is almost double. A reason the 18` Elldis ( without water damage etc) looked the goods for features and towability (KG). Indeed. At risk of drawing things too far from Classic Caravans, our modern is a 2007 UK Bailey. Its almost 19', but single axle and around 1200 kg. I pull it with a Rav4. Tim
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