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Post by mynewstudio on May 22, 2017 15:38:39 GMT 10
Hi guys, Newcomer here. I have recently acquired an old van which apparently was used for Telstra (accomodation or site office?). I got it delivered by tilt truck. It's not going anywhere except via tilt truck again, as it is to be my new studio. It will be mounted on stack jacks and or blocks, with chocks, and basically be a permanent fixture. It's 6m long (7.4m including tow hitch) and about 2.4m wide. It also has a hinged aluminium awning that folds down for transport. Here's some details: Make: Unknown (although I do have a photo of a delapidated sticker on the back..someone may recognise?) Age: Unknown, but I would say pretty old. Condition: Weeeelllll.....Let's just say, the chassis needs a good brushing, rust converter and paint. Some, if not all of the floor needs replacing. Possibly a new roof or repairs around the edges (some L shape aluminium angle missing). All seasons hatches don't open and also need to be looked at due to leakage. Frame inside needs rust converter and probably paint. Inside needs to be fully gutted. Caravan legs are rusted and therefore useless. Brake lever is rusted. At the moment, I have tarps over the top to attempt to stop some leakage from the roof. Trying to dry the floor out so I can assess damage. I haven't been able to get on top of the van yet due to it not being stabilised. So, some questions (the first of many I imagine) 1. How long do the pieces of timber need to be, to sit the stack jacks on? The surface is packed gravel. I understand about weight distribution, just not sure on lengths. 2. I have some joist timber (many years old; used to be a frame for a sandpit). Will that be suitable for the jacks to sit on? 3. After stabilising and levelling, is it feasible and/or necessary to chock up under the axles (dual axle) in order to take some weight off the tyres? I can add some photos later once I work out how to make the files smaller. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or answers Awning folded down after transporting and before I've finished cleaning Awning up and van cleaned The mystery sticker Awning hinge (one of 3) Bench, oven, sink.
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Post by pisces51 on May 22, 2017 21:36:00 GMT 10
G'day mynewstudio, and welcome to the forum! All around Australia there are permanent caravans in parks, and these vans have been sitting there for many, many years, so I wouldn't be too concerned about how you go about putting your van "up on blocks". As long as the timber base is big enough for the stacka-jack to comfortably sit on, you'll be right. I use off-cuts of treated pine under my stacka-jacks when travelling, and they've been in use for about 7 years now, and show no signs of deterioration. The commercial vans probably weigh a bit more than the normal vans, but I wouldn't think your 6m van would weigh much more than about 1200kgs empty, so whatever supports you put under it would need to cope with that amount of weight. For a permanent setting as you describe, I'd be more inclined to build a number of brick piers (just dry bricks stacked up) similar to house foundations. Maybe one pier in each corner, plus one pier either end of the spring hangers each side, would provide a pretty solid base to sit the van on. I'd probably take the wheels off, and then cover the drums/hubs with something to stop the weather getting to them. When I rebuilt my 11ft vintage caravan, I made four piers out of 200x200x30mm pavers, and had one pier in each corner to ensure the chassis was level from front to back, and side to side. Then I rebuilt all the body and internals on top of that chassis. The piers never moved in the two years I jumped in and out of that van while I added all the bits and pieces to bring it back to life. When I was finished, I put the wheels back on and lowered the van back down to ground level. cheers, Al.
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Post by mynewstudio on May 23, 2017 13:01:20 GMT 10
Thanks heaps for your reply pisces51!
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Post by Mustang on May 23, 2017 17:56:49 GMT 10
Hi Mynewstudio, Welcome to the forum. Doubt we have had one of these for a reno, if you intend to keep posting I will move you to the "Hall of Fame", there you can post your story & post more images. Cheers Brent
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Post by mynewstudio on May 23, 2017 18:25:06 GMT 10
No worries Mustang. Thankyou I'm happy to keep posting photos of the (long winded) reno
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 21:58:48 GMT 10
Hi Newbie, Your van looks like a Traymark,they made commercial vans for many large companies. Going by the fixtures and fittings I would say it's about 1975 model. Hope this helps Cheers hughdeani
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Post by mynewstudio on May 24, 2017 6:15:52 GMT 10
Hi Newbie, Your van looks like a Traymark,they made commercial vans for many large companies. Going by the fixtures and fittings I would say it's about 1975 model. Hope this helps Cheers hughdeani Very helpful and interesting, thankyou!
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Post by mynewstudio on May 25, 2017 9:19:39 GMT 10
Question: Pros and cons of reusing the styrofoam insulation?
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Post by Mustang on May 25, 2017 18:42:32 GMT 10
Question: Pros and cons of reusing the styrofoam insulation? Can't see any problem, I did it, its safe enough, but there are more modern varieties out there. I guess as we are in Qld I was't prepared to spend a bomb on something I really didn't need.
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Post by Irena Deacon on May 26, 2017 4:56:31 GMT 10
Question: Pros and cons of reusing the styrofoam insulation? Can't see any problem, I did it, its safe enough, but there are more modern varieties out there. I guess as we are in Qld I was't prepared to spend a bomb on something I really didn't need. Cool. One problem solved....until I go to jigsaw it back into place 😀 I had been toying with the idea of removing the roof frame in order to tackle the roof repairs. As the roof frame and wall frames are separate, I considered this to be doable. Until I realised that the bolt heads had been somehow recessed in from the top of the frame, then every* single* bolt* had been bent, I guess in order to make it less susceptible to shear force?? I dunno. Anyhow, that leaves me with the option of trying to rip out any remaining bits of ceiling material from between the roof and wall frames, to achieve a nice finish when (eventually) I'm ready to line the interior. I'm also looking at the possibility of replacing the aluminium angle with a wider version, depending on cost. At least one side needs to be replaced as it's completely buggered. The other side is questionable, but in order to tackle that side, the awning needs to come off. I am learning prioritisation lol. Massive learning curve but hey, that's half the fun 😊 Yesterday I managed to get a good chunk of time in on the van, which was great. The draw bar has been prepped and treated ready for painting. I removed the taps, water pipe, outside light fitting, remainder of the wiring, and a stubborn cupboard, that despite being quite rotted at the bottom, did not want to budge. Cue the jigsaw and some gentle persuasion with my hammer, and voila! I am trying to do the smaller jobs that can be done inside like gutting, before I tackle the roof. Being short on helpers and working around 5 kids means this will be a loooong project, but oh-so worthwhile!
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Post by atefooterz on May 27, 2017 0:54:46 GMT 10
Just do the paint by numbers and give each piece of styro a number.. remember to give the same number to where it came from.
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Post by mynewstudio on Jun 3, 2017 9:10:46 GMT 10
Well I have been sick as a dog and so have the kids, so very little time spent in the van. I've managed to take up some of the lino to suss out the plywood underneath. If I'm lucky I might be able to get away with only having to replace 2 sheets out of 5 of the flooring, but time will tell. This is a video that I took that shows the original condition of the van before I started on the cleanup. www.flickr.com/photos/155170323@N02/35020006376/in/datetaken/
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Post by 78466noM on Jun 3, 2017 10:53:11 GMT 10
If you are looking for Styrofoam most grocery and fruit shops throw the boxes into the bin so I am sure if you ask they will probably be only to happy to let you take what you need.Cut the boxes up into flat blocks for storage until needed.If it is a permanent fixture and you are able to put a roof over top after you seal it will also help insulate van. Get well and have fun doing your van looks like it should make an ideal studio.
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Post by atefooterz on Jun 4, 2017 5:04:20 GMT 10
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Post by mynewstudio on Jun 4, 2017 16:07:11 GMT 10
Thanks atefooterz, I uploaded that at stupid o'clock this morning and I was having several attempts due to a server issue. Never mind, at least you can see it! I have a couple more to upload so I will give that a go now. www.flickr.com/camerarollwww.flickr.com/cameraroll
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Post by planner on Jun 5, 2017 15:47:56 GMT 10
Strange the vid shows up in quote but not as a post? Ate that's how I have to look at your links (pics etc), I don't see your links until I quote your post.
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Post by atefooterz on Jun 5, 2017 21:15:55 GMT 10
Strange the vid shows up in quote but not as a post? Ate that's how I have to look at your links (pics etc), I don't see your links until I quote your post. Interesting, i will borrow another computer & see what i see... or do not see! OK so can anyone see an embeded vid or just the line link post? i have both above. If so what browser/device etc please. I can not imagine flikr having issues plus i am only set to medium on cookies etc.
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Post by mynewstudio on Jun 6, 2017 10:52:06 GMT 10
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Post by Mustang on Jun 7, 2017 7:53:06 GMT 10
Line link post, here Windows 10, but I can view the video through the link. I have used Vimeo.
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Post by atefooterz on Jun 8, 2017 9:20:08 GMT 10
Line link post, here Windows 10, but I can view the video through the link. I have used Vimeo. OK so same result (not seeing vid) on Win7 & win 10, using both firefox & ms edge browsers.
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Post by mynewstudio on Jun 23, 2017 11:41:12 GMT 10
Quick update on the goings on....I have managed to get the j rail and awning rail off from one side. I'm not sure if I'll reuse the aluminium angle that is the j rail, but am keeping it nonetheless. Will save us some money is buying more aluminium from Bunno's for our CNC milling projects :)Am considering replacing with a wider aluminium flashing.
As for the roof, wow, I'm a bit stumped by it. It has seen better days that's for sure. There are dips which look like weight has been on it, then there are bits that are raised that look like it's been pushed up from the inside. In saying that, it's not super wavy but enough to cause concern and be noticeable. The most worrying thing is the fact that the sheets are simply overlapped, with no fold joining the sheets together to make a seam. Of course the old sealant has all dried out so each sheet can be lifted and separated where they overlap. Hope that makes sense. The roof has been riveted on the edges of the framing along the sides and ends of the van, but nowhere else has it been attached to the frame. Perhaps this is why the roof sheeting looks as though it's been flapping around. I guess to me it looks as though even if I could repair the roof, I would always have the worry of leakage. Is it a replace job, or something that could be fixed? If it's a replace job, then I would like to consider using trimdek or corrugated, with the appropriate flashing and/or fill ins to suit the profile for weatherproofing and vermin proofing. Thoughts and/or experiences are most welcome!!!
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Post by pisces51 on Jun 25, 2017 22:31:39 GMT 10
G'day mynewstudio, There are heaps of permanent caravans in parks around Oz that have had what is known as a "tropical roof" fitted to them. This is a new roof fitted on top of the original roof, using metal framework to give a gap of about 6 inches between the old roof and the new. Mostly they use corrugated roofing for the new roof, but there's no reason why you couldn't use trimdeck, or klip-lock type roofing. Do a Google search for caravan tropical roof images and you'll see heaps of pictures of the various styles people have used. Then you don't have to worry about fixing up the existing roof. You can also add some guttering at the end of the roof and collect rainwater into your very own tank. No limit to what you can end up with! See the photo in this postshowing a Viscount that is towed on the road with a tropical roof attached. cheers, Al.
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Post by mynewstudio on Jul 21, 2017 4:52:24 GMT 10
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Post by mynewstudio on Jul 21, 2017 4:58:10 GMT 10
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Post by mynewstudio on Jul 21, 2017 4:58:58 GMT 10
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