Jack
In Training
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Post by Jack on May 14, 2017 21:46:07 GMT 10
 G'day All, I pick up the van last Friday, and I was extremely happy with the way it towed. It didn't flinch at all even when passing large trucks. Better still, the fuel consumption between Ballarat and Bendigo (crossed the ranges) averaged 12.7 litres per 100 ks. "Phew" I was expecting much more. This has open up some new horizons if it can be tow so economically. I thought I would share some photos. Hopefully some are interested. Two single beds in the rear. The cupboard, I have ripped out, as we will be putting in two full size singles running North/South.  Thankfully the fridge worked on electricity. After an anxious hour or two waiting for it to get cold!  Twin Gas bottle are a bonus.  I had a good look around the van yesterday without my rose colored glasses. I found a couple more small leaks and a few more little jobs to do. Well, I guess that's what it's all about. Thanks for reading. Cheers, Jack |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2017 22:44:20 GMT 10
Hi Jack,
Nice van,and it is one of the original Hunters with those kitchen cupboards and robe not connected to the ceiling.
Always give the fridge a good 24 hours to get cold,and put some tinnies in there for the cold to concentrate on.
Cheers
hughdeani
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on May 16, 2017 21:06:50 GMT 10
An interesting Advertisement from 1972.  |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on May 19, 2017 16:48:38 GMT 10
G'day All: Over the last couple of days I have spend several hours "bonding" with the Franklin. Brake lights not working.... found a short in the plug eventually. I certainly know the layout of the wiring now! Unfortunately, there know way to examine the wiring next to the fridge, that I can see, without removing the fridge. I also discovered the ID number on the draw-bar, which is 8741-2. So, I am guessing it a 1972 model.  I have also fitted a double bed. I will post some photos later. We had a few showers last night. Thanks to the last owner who fixed the leaks rather well. Thanks for reading, have a good weekend. Jack |
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Post by pisces51 on May 22, 2017 22:30:33 GMT 10
G'day Jack, Yes, your chassis number of 8741-2 means it's a 1972 model. It's always a guessing game when we try and work out how many caravans Franklin built each year, but by 1972 they were probably building up around 10,000 , so your number of 8741 would have been built towards the end of 1972. At least your info shows they had built 8,741 vans when yours was rolled off the production line!  cheers, Al. |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on May 23, 2017 20:13:00 GMT 10
Thanks Al,for your generous input of information.
Today I dropped off the van to have new brake pads fitted, new safety chains fitted and also to replace the one of the gas cylinder holders.
A backyard guy, highly recommended.
I didn't ask for a quote.
Hope he's not planning a world trip or something similar!
Cheers,
Jack
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Post by awbeattie381 on May 25, 2017 13:35:11 GMT 10
Nice van! "Australian Caravan Safari'  ?? Would like to know who built the strongest vans and would like to see them do it today. I always worry about the day I need to take my van along a dirt road (a short one planned in August), but realise that Australian roads were far worse in the 70s then they are today! |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 22:25:09 GMT 10
Hi awbeattie381,
I remember that safari,and all the vans and cars made it back with only Stone damage,except for a Suncamper and Galant(I think) that went into a ditch!
Just goes to show that we don't need 4 wd and massive white boxes to traverse the "roads" of today!
Cheers
hughdeani
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jun 2, 2017 7:23:20 GMT 10
G'day All: I thought I would share some recent happenings with the "Hunter". I hooked up the gas bottle and, after several minutes of standing on my head, managed to fire up the fridge one gas. The next morning the freezer was making ice, yippee! The sink tap pump needed a new rubber "plunger" washer. It's probably worth about 20 cents, but I finished up buying a whole tap which also came with a repair kit. $24 on Ebay from Award RV Superstore in Ferntree Gully, Victoria. Fortunately I was able to repair the original tap which is now pumping. I've had some new rated safety chain welded on:  At the risk of upsetting the purists out there, I fitted an aluminum air vent to the bottom of the door. As the door is comprised of two sheets of aluminum, I managed to slides some aluminum fly screen between the two, which is now on the inside of the vent. I sourced the vent on Ebay, about $30, made in Ballarat.  That's finished all the major jobs. Now, we can start on the inside. |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jun 2, 2017 11:57:15 GMT 10
Sorry Guys, the photos didn't work early on.... should be fine now.
Jack
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Post by tasmillard on Jun 23, 2017 6:52:15 GMT 10
Hi Jack - one good (great) thing about this forum is that we are not purists, yes we may try to keep to original where possible but ultimately we actually use our vans. I think the door vent is a logical decision as it improves safety, so regardless of what purists think, this is certainly one to do in your case.
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Post by Mustang on Jun 25, 2017 19:01:50 GMT 10
Hi Jack,
The door vent for the size is a bargain at $30, is it Stainless Steel?
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jun 25, 2017 20:48:34 GMT 10
Hi Mustang,
The vent is 2mm aluminium. Quite strong and light. Made in Ballarat by Ebay member "woollybutt_eng".
Cheers,
Jack
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Post by Mustang on Jun 26, 2017 8:22:06 GMT 10
Hi Mustang, The vent is 2mm aluminium. Quite strong and light. Made in Ballarat by Ebay member "woollybutt_eng". Cheers, Jack Thank you, several sizes as well, great vents for a period van. Gas requirements are now for adequate size vents the style of the plastic Dometic. |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jun 26, 2017 11:08:57 GMT 10
I found this Caravan Cover at Aldi for $78. Now the "baby" is wrapped up for the winter!  I still need to do a fair bit inside with new curtains and some 12 volt reading lights and phone chargers. That will have to wait a while. We hope to start using it towards the end of spring. Cheers, Jack |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jan 25, 2018 18:44:39 GMT 10
G'day All, Thought I would share our efforts at some cosmetic improvements to the Franklin. I changed the single beds at the back to a double. It is actually two full size singles mattress running long ways. A queen bed wouldn't fit long ways and I am adverse to sleeping across the van where one person has to climb over the other to get out!  Bed by Yak Ngi, on Flickr My wife worked hard sewing some beautiful curtains and cushion covers.  Table by Yak Ngi, on Flickr I added some 12 volt USB phone chargers. (a bit rough but OK from the distance!)  USB plugs by Yak Ngi, on Flickr Some "home-made" Anderson plugs for connection to the auxiliary battery.  Anderson Plugs by Yak Ngi, on Flickr View through the front door.  Thru Door by Yak Ngi, on Flickr Thanks for reading. Tomorrow is the maiden voyage...... 26 kilometres to Lake Eppalock! |
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Post by snoops on Jan 25, 2018 18:51:53 GMT 10
Photos not working sorry - would love to see what you've done. 😊
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jan 25, 2018 19:00:40 GMT 10
Photos are working now.
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Post by snoops on Jan 25, 2018 19:07:32 GMT 10
Sweet! If you're 26KM from Eppalock, ou can't be too far from my place. 👍
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Post by Husky on Jan 25, 2018 22:20:16 GMT 10
Sweet! If you're 26KM from Eppalock, ou can't be too far from my place. 👍 or mine for that matter. Great work on the Franklin and don't stress about purists. Like Taz said we use our vans and some of the van mods i turn out in my business almost makes them unrecognizable. for instance one i'm working on now will end up with a chassis from a Capricorn Body Frame of a Viscount Skin of something else and some major custom body work as well. it was last registered as a Doug Thorley Viscount. wonder what i'll call it this time  Thanks for sharing look forward to more posts |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jan 29, 2018 13:46:04 GMT 10
We choose somewhere safe and close for the maiden voyage.... Lake Eppalock Holiday Park. Australia Day, at 6pm we were hit with a ferocious hail storm. A broken rear window and some other minor damage......  First Day Out by Yak Ngi, on Flickr More here if you're interested. youtu.be/bZXNtlHmyfECheers Jack |
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Post by Husky on Jan 30, 2018 6:16:20 GMT 10
Far out. Maiden voyage and you cop a storm. If your not stressed about keeping the windows standard glass I would highly recommend a product called Lexan Polycarbonate. It is tougher and lighter than glass and you can cut it to size yourself. I rummage through my suppliers off-cut bin and can normally get bits to do one or two of the Slim windows for about $10.
If you want to stick with the glass then I have plenty at my place you can have or Masons in Bendigo are pretty reasonably priced to supply and cut.
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jan 30, 2018 7:26:42 GMT 10
Thanks for the offer Husky. I'm going through insurance for this one.
Over the past weekend of extreme heat I discovered my two-way Electrolux RM 36 fridge is more or less useless in hot weather.
Yesterday, I removed it from the van for a post-mortem.
This morning it is running at 6 degrees on 240 volts in my shed.
I've had these fridges before but never in really hot weather. I guess they are good to cool about 30 degrees below ambient.
Anyway, there will be no reprieve for this 46 year old.
Still deciding what to replace it with.
Cheers Jack
PS: I added the you-tube link to my previous post.yug
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Post by snoops on Jan 30, 2018 18:10:52 GMT 10
Yeah, those old fridges struggle above about 30 degrees. If you change the venting arrangement and add a fan, you can help things a fair bit, but it's one of the reasons I'm going to a compressor 2 way in the Viscount. I've just ordered a STR100F Engel from Mygenerator - best price I've found for one. If you free camp, you will need to have a couple of decent batteries to run this though as it draws up to around 3 amps when running - a 100Ah would run this for a couple of days without charging it. They are on special for a few more days. www.mygenerator.com.au/engel-str100f-95-litre-2-way-compressor-fridge.html |
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Jack
In Training
Posts: 27
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Post by Jack on Jan 31, 2018 6:10:35 GMT 10
G'day Snoops, Looks like a very good fridge. A bit out of my budget unfortunately. As I already have a 75 litre Dometic Waeco in my ute, I am considering a Hisense 120 litre 240V. I will have to brutalize the Franklin a little to fit it in  , but we go to caravan parks quite often and it will be handy just to plug it in and it be cold in 30 minutes. They are on sale $225 and come with a 36 month warranty. I will sleep on it for another day before I buy a jig saw. Cheers. |
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?? Would like to know who built the strongest vans and would like to see them do it today. I always worry about the day I need to take my van along a dirt road (a short one planned in August), but realise that Australian roads were far worse in the 70s then they are today!
, but we go to caravan parks quite often and it will be handy just to plug it in and it be cold in 30 minutes.