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Post by astro94 on Feb 8, 2011 1:16:02 GMT 10
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Post by millard1399 on Feb 8, 2011 8:41:10 GMT 10
G'day Dan, and welcome to the forum! ;D The mind boggles just thinking about a 33ft Chesney. That's the sort of van where the front arrives at the caravan park, but the back hasn't yet got out of your driveway at home!!   I often wonder how people manage to move these monsters around from A to B. Certainly not something for the faint-hearted to have on the back, I should think. Got any photos you can share?? cheers, Al. |
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Post by astro94 on Feb 8, 2011 14:31:09 GMT 10
Hi Al, I only have pics of the viscount so far, will get the before pics of the Chesney by next week. But remeber its a work in progress. :-) I am still trying to work out the hydraulic brakes and the connections Ill need. So many tyres.
cheers
Dan
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Post by ronaldjohn on Feb 8, 2011 19:04:14 GMT 10
Hi Dan, Does the "Big One" have a percussion type hydraulic brake? i.e. When you slow down, the draw bar on the caravan activates a hydraulic brake cylinder, that applies the brakes.? Either way, If it was mine, I'd be installing ALCO electric brakes. I did that on my vintage Arrow Royal. It's the only safe way to go when you have so much weight behind you. Electric brakes were not around when Chesney built that monster ;D These guys are one of the best around. etrailerparts.com.au/index1.html?aboutus.html&1I'd suggest that four of the six wheels have brakes. Cheers, Ron home.iprimus.com.au/rmcgrice/ |
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Post by bobt on Feb 8, 2011 21:22:00 GMT 10
Hi ya Astro94
Welcome aboard
Love to see the photos of your finished van and the monster in progress. Are you going to use the monster on site or on the road?
I have to agree with Ron. If you are going to use the monster on the road you would really be wise to invest in electic brakes. I have had the experience of a commodore with all four locked and 16 foot van pushing it down the highway like the brakes were not on. I was really luck I did not hit anything. A memory that will not disappear.
Look forward to you photos.
bobt
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Post by kiwijim on Feb 9, 2011 5:27:28 GMT 10
Howdy Astro 94, Welcome aboard, From memory, your 33ft van would have been equipped with a vacuum over hydraulic brake system, or in other words, Power assisted brakes, There should be a vacuum reserve cylinder on the A frame just behind the tow coupling, at the rear of this cylinder there should be a hydraulic Master cylinder. Any photos of the system will help identify which system you have. This system is now illegal in the West, all vans of your size and weight have to have an electric system with a Break-away connection fitted. the Hydraulic brakes would be connected to at least the front two axles and quiet possibly the third axle as well. Depending on what you intend to use the van for, may well save you a rather expensive refit, For example, if you only intend to move the van to a permanent site, I would get a transit permit to cover the move then forget the brakes. kiwijim  |
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Post by astro94 on Feb 11, 2011 12:54:00 GMT 10
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the great advice. Elec brakes it is. They are the vaccum over hydraulic with the master cylinder on the a frame. I am wanting to register the van at least once out of curiosity. Would love to know what they are like to tow and take on at least one holiday. So much space :-). I am struggling to upload the pics of the viscount as they are too big it seems, not sure how to resize them, any suggestions?
Dan
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Post by millard1399 on Feb 11, 2011 13:30:20 GMT 10
G'day Dan, Are you trying to upload the pics to a Photobucket album, or are you trying to upload direct to THIS forum? (a) If to Photobucket... After you've logged in to your Photobucket account, you click on the Green [Upload now] button at the top of the page. Wait for the page to reload, and you'll get a screen showing a green [Select photos and videos] button. Down underneath all the writing, you'll see a [Customise your upload options] link. Click on that link and wait for the pop-up box to appear. In that pop-up box, click in the circle next to the 640 x 480 size. Click [Save] in the bottom right corner. The pop-up box will disappear, and you'll be back at the [Select photos and videos] screen. Click on the [Select photos and videos] button to select the photos you want to upload. Photobucket will automatically resize them to 640 x 480 size during the upload. (b) If directly to this forum... You will only be able to attach one photo at a time in each post. If you want to post more photos, you have to create a new Reply box for each additional photo. It's a pain doing it this way, but so is Photobucket when you're first trying to get it to work. Let us know if you're still struggling, and we'll help you through it. We've all been there at some stage, so we all know how frustrating it can be. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2011 19:34:43 GMT 10
Hi Dan, Im foaming at the mouth waiting to see the gargantuan! I looked at one (I think it was Chesney, not sure)  just before we got our 26 ft Viscount and when you go inside it's like they go on forever. The guy wanted something like 30,000 for it and it needed quite a bit of work so we passed it up. They're kinda like the Tardis aren't they? ;D Cheers Nick |
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Post by astro94 on Mar 1, 2011 17:41:31 GMT 10
They sure are true blue. I have done the first coat of paint on the inside due to the wear in the old fake wood paneling. I have also ripped up the last of the shag pile carpet that wasn't salvagable. Very sad. Will be able to post the pics this sunday. :-) Can't wait to show you all.
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Post by bobt on Mar 2, 2011 19:56:55 GMT 10
oooooh shagg........ pile.................. everyones dream.... had it in my house once....... photos?  ? |
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Post by kiwijim on Mar 2, 2011 20:17:13 GMT 10
Hey Bobt, He's talking about CarpetNot a pile of Shagged Austin parts. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D kiwijim ;D |
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Post by astro94 on Mar 6, 2011 22:58:02 GMT 10
Well the wait is over. I have finally uploaded the pics. I have put them at the top to make it easier for everyone. That was the easy part, now to finish the van. ;-) Next is the new lino for the floor, then to replumb the shower and kitchen. Good times. Cheers, dan.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2011 16:45:49 GMT 10
Hey hey hey! What a ripper Looks like you've done quite a bit already and it's lookin great. I agree, there is a lot of work involved but it is so enjoyable. Don't know about you but it's sweet therapy for me. I'm really excited for you, so make sure you keep us up to date Dan ;D ;D ;D Cheers Nick PS I had to get my binoculars out to see to the end! ;D ;D |
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Post by astro94 on Mar 19, 2011 0:48:57 GMT 10
Thanks Nick. Totally agree! Its completely therapeutic. Have finished the re-plumb in the kitchen and now to get onto finishing the new flooring and the bathroom plumbing. Have some challenges ahead but its great to work them out. Have a whole day off tomorrow and going to escape from reality and step into the world of chesney, literally as big as the world, haha. Wish my friends understood my love of the old vans. Got alot of problems externally and mechanically so will have to seek some advice from all of you here. Cheers Dan.
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Post by Marc on Dec 2, 2012 11:51:26 GMT 10
Hi Dan you might like to hear my story. In 1970 my parents bought a new 33 chesney in Sydney, the intention was to tow it from Sydney up through Qld and onto Darwin. At the time I understood this was the best that chesney had to offer 33ft long with all the mod cons, shower toilet etc etc and with a full length annex. We had 2 adults and 4 children ages 1 to 12yrs. My dad bought and an International 'truck' to tow the caravan and a roof rack for the boat on top. For us kids we took time out of school and off we went. Oddly we choose some difficult roads like the Old putty rd (Sydney-Singleton) don't try it with 50ft + of vehicle when your wife and kids are in the car! We also choose to cross from new England hwy to pacific between Glen Inness and Grafton, it was a goat track then. I remember it as a fun time and quite an adventure. Sadly our travel did not get us to Darwin, we held up in Brisbane for a while andended up settling In Chermside not more than 2 Kim's from the original Chesney office. After buying a house in Brisbane my parents eventually sold the van. Don't know happened to it but good memories.
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Post by allan Mitchell on Feb 23, 2014 19:50:40 GMT 10
Hi Dan,
I also am restoring a Chesney Sheraton
Mines has the kitchen front and the rear main but no shower toilet
I started with the brakes and wheel bearing which just needed cleaned up and repacked
Thing I noticed was that they have electric brakes
Would you like to contact me direct on aei@hush.com so we can exchange photos etc
I used to be a Chesney dealer when the Sheraton came out
Allan
0400150051
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Post by lisa on Jul 10, 2016 8:21:55 GMT 10
Hi guys just bought a chesney sheraton.up here in qld.this is gonna be a major work.she is my new home.pick her up today,which has been a major issue to find transport to bring her,cant wait to start renovating
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Post by Mustang on Jul 13, 2016 9:02:51 GMT 10
Hi guys just bought a chesney sheraton.up here in qld.this is gonna be a major work.she is my new home.pick her up today,which has been a major issue to find transport to bring her,cant wait to start renovating Hi Lisa, Welcome, Please post your story in "Hall of Fame" there you can host photos & discuss your reno. Photobucket link |
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Post by 1973kwt on May 30, 2017 16:21:04 GMT 10
hey guys, my dad towed one of these behemoths the length of the east coast of Australia 2x. it was home to our family of 4 for 3yrs (81-84). dad towed it with a an XC FAIRMONT WAGON with the 302. thanks for the pics it really has been a trip down memory lane to see one of these again. i hope this caravan provides you with as many happy memories as ours did.
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Post by 1973kwt on May 30, 2017 16:23:02 GMT 10
hey guys, my dad towed one of these behemoths the length of the east coast of Australia 2x. it was home to our family of 4 for 3yrs (81-84). dad towed it with a an XC FAIRMONT WAGON with the 302. thanks for the pics it really has been a trip down memory lane to see one of these again. i hope this caravan provides you with as many happy memories as ours did. *family of 5 |
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Post by bobt on May 30, 2017 20:21:17 GMT 10
Hi kwt1973
The owner of those pics posted them in 2011 and has not been heard of since.
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Post by astro94 on Nov 13, 2017 22:01:28 GMT 10
Hi kwt1973 The owner of those pics posted them in 2011 and has not been heard of since. |
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Post by astro94 on Nov 13, 2017 22:02:37 GMT 10
A very big hello to all, My name is Dan and I must say this is an absolutely fantastic forum! I have been in love with vans since I was a young lad. So hopefully Ill fit right in here. I have just finished a refurb on my 1978 viscount tourer pop top (pics to come) and just need the exterior paint job to finish. Unsure of who to approach for this. Im assuming that automotive spraypainters booths are not big enough. I am now working on the interior of my 33 ft Tri axle Chesney Sheraton. As far as I can find out there are not many of them out there, unless they are all now retired to onsite vans. Its Huge. Has a front walk in kitchen with full size fridge, sink and stove with brass splash back and built in gas hot water system. White padded breakfast bar and diner, middle lounge with large shower/toilet room and end double bedroom. The original green/yellow shagpile has been removed by the previous owner, but the floor of all the cuboards still has it in new condition. Original glass light fittings and retro orange plastic inserts on the kitchen cuboard doors. I have a v8 4x4 to tow with but I know nothing about the hydraulic braking system. Would love to know more about this and any other info/manuals or catalouges that people may have. So much to find out. Happy caravaning! ;D         The pictures are finally here!!!!!!!!! I have it stored under cover while I fix the windows and ensure its water tight. First coat of paint. Soooooo much work to do, but loving it. Hope you like it guys. Can't wait to tow it. :-0 |
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Post by astro94 on Nov 13, 2017 22:03:26 GMT 10
A very big hello to all, My name is Dan and I must say this is an absolutely fantastic forum! I have been in love with vans since I was a young lad. So hopefully Ill fit right in here. I have just finished a refurb on my 1978 viscount tourer pop top (pics to come) and just need the exterior paint job to finish. Unsure of who to approach for this. Im assuming that automotive spraypainters booths are not big enough. I am now working on the interior of my 33 ft Tri axle Chesney Sheraton. As far as I can find out there are not many of them out there, unless they are all now retired to onsite vans. Its Huge. Has a front walk in kitchen with full size fridge, sink and stove with brass splash back and built in gas hot water system. White padded breakfast bar and diner, middle lounge with large shower/toilet room and end double bedroom. The original green/yellow shagpile has been removed by the previous owner, but the floor of all the cuboards still has it in new condition. Original glass light fittings and retro orange plastic inserts on the kitchen cuboard doors. I have a v8 4x4 to tow with but I know nothing about the hydraulic braking system. Would love to know more about this and any other info/manuals or catalouges that people may have. So much to find out. Happy caravaning! ;D The pictures are finally here!!!!!!!!! I have it stored under cover while I fix the windows and ensure its water tight. First coat of paint. Soooooo much work to do, but loving it. Hope you like it guys. Can't wait to tow it. :-0 |
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just before we got our 26 ft Viscount and when you go inside it's like they go on forever. The guy wanted something like 30,000 for it and it needed quite a bit of work so we passed it up. 
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