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Post by kipper2020 on Apr 14, 2020 12:19:15 GMT 10
Hi All, I am new to this!
I am about to embark on the biggest project of my life the resto of an old van. I am trying to establish brand and year as I received no information from the previous owner apart from its a Newlands 11ft van from the 70's. The only info I can find on the van as it is completely gutted is an annexe bag with Trailer Homes written on it and the numbers N 4624. This corresponds with the welded numbers on the drawbar and the trailer homes sign on the top at the back of the van. Any help greatly appreciated.
Please refer to picture
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Post by hughdeany on Apr 14, 2020 16:59:27 GMT 10
Hi and welcomeKipper, As you say your van is a Newlands,built in Melbourne ( nothing to do with the current Newlands vans built by Concept) Most had wooden frames,but some had aluminium.Your van looks to be about 1974,going by the door and windows and aluminium profile.Trailer homes was a Melbourne dealer that bought vans of manufacturers and put their own logo on them. Hope this helps Cheers hughdeany
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Post by kipper2020 on Apr 15, 2020 7:55:01 GMT 10
Thank you very much hughdeany. Is the Newlands van popular and are parts available?. During transportation the roof hatch decided tp stay on the Ipswich motorway so this is my first task to locate a replacement. Yes it is a wooden frame and currently quite fragile since being stripped out but some rotten timber to remove. I hope I can call upon the experience and expertise of people like yourself through this project. Cheers.
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Post by hughdeany on Apr 15, 2020 10:31:53 GMT 10
Hi Kipper, Yes they were a popular well built van that were built in a small factory that didn’t turn out thousands so they could spend a bit of time on them,they also did lots of custom building. If your hatch was plastic don’t bother looking for a new one,go to a metal fabricator and have one made up for you,not that expensive. If the hatch was windup was any of the mechanism salvageable? If it was metal windup the mechanism is a Viscount one that you can find parts for on fb sites.If it was white plastic you will never find parts so will have to go with an alternative,whatever you do don’t fill it in,as caravans are unbearably hot in summer without one which seems to be a trend for people doing “ makeovers” on vans to on sell. Cheers hughdeany
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Post by kipper2020 on Apr 18, 2020 16:31:24 GMT 10
Hi Hughdeany, thanks for the info. I wasn't able to salvage any mechanism but sorting through today of all the parts in boxes I did find a flysreen with skylight labelled on it. I also found working an Vulcan cooker in VGC and the sink. On another thread there is discussion about sinks assisting with year of manufacture?. It is a Mirra sink with the numbers 50958/9 does this mean anything, Also it is it getting the original fridge checked out it is a Electrolux Gas /Electric seems to be working on electric?.
Cheers sorry for all the questions Kipper
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Post by kipper2020 on Apr 19, 2020 18:20:56 GMT 10
Hi all Decided after working on frame today that it would be easier to do a chassis up rebuild. lots of rotten timber so decided lets get rid of it all. Is there a procedure for dismantling a timber frame caravan ie walls then roof etc? any advice appreciated
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Post by snoops on Apr 20, 2020 7:53:40 GMT 10
Generally the roof comes off first, then the walls can be removed - depending on how much damage, they can usually be removed in one piece - it's a good idea to brace the walls somehow before removing the roof or you'll end up with it on you. Maybe have a look through some other build threads to see how others have done. Be aware that a ground up rebuild is a huge job and I've seen many give up once the van is stripped to the chassis - you can find all sorts of issues that will need rectifying, like the chassis, etc - have a look at twocutekelpies new build - she has just stripped a similar sized van to the chassis. Good luck and be sure to start a thread in the Hall of Fame so we can see your progress and we can assist you as you go - easy to lose motivation on a project, we can help keep you on track. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by kipper2020 on Apr 20, 2020 15:11:28 GMT 10
Thanks so much for advice. This is something I have ever done before so approaching with much trepidation. Looking at it today can you remove the side walls without removing roof and front and back. Most of the rotten timber is at the base of the walls where it bolts to the chassis. I could then lay walls flat and rebuild frame I guess? ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) ?? Had another look tonight and looked through several threads I think I'm going to give a full rebuild a go. Going to needs lots of advice so be ready everyone. If you can help much appreciated
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Post by snoops on May 5, 2020 7:49:31 GMT 10
If the walls need removing for repairs, it's much easier to strip the entire van down, but a wad load of work. Without seeing it, it's hard to know if you could repair the rotten timber in situ - which could be doable depending on where it is.
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