frank
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by frank on Jan 20, 2013 14:24:56 GMT 10
Purchased a Crusader caravan, looking to restore it to as original as possible.
A few things we really need info on.
The van as a convertable couch/double bed at front and two singles/seating at the back.
Inner spring upholstery has torn through outer coverings (which can be zippered off) in places, otherwise in reasonably good nick. What is the best method to cover the inner springs so it doesn't happen again? The original had hessian over the springs then some sort of compound foam/felting over that, then the covers. Can we use mattress quilted fabric as the inner cover? Or should we wrap the edge springs in something as well - since that is where most of the damage was done?
Is it better to try repairing the original fabric or simply replace or recover? There are 3 single bed mattresses/seating and one backing cushion the same length, so its a big job.
If recovering is better, where do we source the white vinyl piping, and vintage upholstery fabrics/vinyls? The original is a bobbled/textured sort of green/blue with tan/brown flecks on the top and sides and grey vinyl underneith.
Would a modern conventional/domestic sewing machine handle the job? Reasonably handy with the sewing machine.
Roof had leaked (doesn't now) where aluminimum sheets butt together and where the fibreglass meets the roofing sheets damaging the masonite? roof, causing it to warp/droop and flake in certain parts. Currently the roof has silicon sealant over all joints. What is the best option there?
Should we try to replace just the damaged internal panels (about 1/3 to 1/2 of the roof) or re-do the whole internal roof? Or can it be fixed in place? Does anyone know how is it fastened as there are no nails/screws visible on the inside?
There is also a white textured vinyl/plastic? covering over the roof (nd internal walls). Would painting be easier or should we look for some wallpaper that is similar?
One of the under bed/seating lids (full bed length) as some sort of chip board/compound board, and one side of the seating has gotten wet swelling the board and causing it to flake apart. Is it better to use chipboard to fix/replace, or would ply be a better/lighter option? And then should we do both side seating at the same time?
Had the electrical wiring checked (lights and power-points) and that came back OK.
Thanks so much for any information - Frank and Barb.
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Post by hilldweller on Jan 20, 2013 15:52:42 GMT 10
Yay you bought the Kiwi van  Great decision For the cushions, dacron wrapping perhaps? Go and talk to a friendly upholsterer about that and the piping. You probably won't be able to get the same fabric now so the options are repair or find something else in a vintage or modern fabric. Look on ebay if you want vintage. Chipboard is horrible stuff. I'd replace with ply. Good luck |
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frank
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by frank on Jan 29, 2013 21:08:10 GMT 10
well we purchased the van and have started the renos, ripped the ceiling out and to our surprise the timber between it and the roof has no rot at all. That pleases us as we thought there would have been some there due to previous roof leaks. However as we are looking at resealing and insulating before the new ceiling comes along we discovered that the roof has a sag in it around the hatch. after a lot of thought we are not quite sure how to tackle this one. . has any one else come across this problem and how could this be fixed.   This is our first reno and the first week of it at that. so be very greatfull for any suggestions or advice Frank and Barb |
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Post by Franklin1 on Jan 29, 2013 22:47:23 GMT 10
G'day Frank,
I think you'll find the hatch is sagging because there is only one supporting timber at either end of the hatch frame. You can increase the support by putting an additional timber in each end, and glueing/screwing the second timber to the present one. Looking at the intricate shape of your ceiling timbers, you would have to try and duplicate that shape, including the curved edges where it's resting on the walls, and all the scallops along the length. If you can find some timber that's already got a slight banana shape along its length when you stand it on its edge, you could put that in position so the timber wants to curve upwards. That would help to counteract the weight of the hatch. Use timber props in the four corners of the hatch to force it back up to the appropriate position, before fixing the new timbers in place.
Check all the present timbers around the hatch area to make sure there are no cracks already present. Cracks won't help the situation at all.
cheers,
Al.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jan 30, 2013 6:12:39 GMT 10
Hi Frank I think this may be the first time many of us have seen the roof framing on a Crusader. Why Oh Why did they not mortice the long timbers into the cross timbers?  ? By cutting an open V shape, in my opinion they have reduced the strength of the whole roof frame by at least a third. It does make me wonder whether that weakening has caused the bow around the hatch, which doesn't have the benefit of any cross framing. I would be consulting a joiner about strengthening this framing. Ray |
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roofless
New Member
Stay at home Dad...
Posts: 9
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Post by roofless on Jan 31, 2013 15:24:50 GMT 10
Laminating the beams with some flat or angle ally will work a treat.
I've just finished doing it to mine and turned a 6" sag into a flat roof again.. Simply cut some timber to use as props, prop the roof beam in question and the glue and screw the ally to it....
I also agree with having the correct cutouts for the long beams... I'm looking at doing this now.....
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frank
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by frank on Feb 8, 2013 20:40:19 GMT 10
ok we have decided we are going to laminate the beams with ply wood, i have to replace the timber around the hatch, so that will be done with 15 mm ply as well. making it easier to laminate the beams either side of that as well.
our next problem has come up now. and im sure there will be lots more questions as we go along.. but we are learning. the original ceiling was made from tounge and groove canite, I have spent the whole day today driving around to find this product. but as i was told by several stores, (whiteboard suppliers, mitre 10 timber, ply board suppliers,) that canite is no longer being produced and none of them had ever seen canite in that form (tounge and groove) so now comes the question, does anyone know who may have some of this laying around? i know i am pushing my luck, but what have we got to lose by asking.
failing that we will need to find out how we can get that same effect in the ceiling with another product, as we want the van as original as possible..
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 8, 2013 21:06:47 GMT 10
G'day frank, From the Lifetime Industries website: "Caneite is no longer manufactured in Australia (or anywhere else as far as we know). We now stock "Soft Board" - please click here for details Soft Board " Maybe someone who makes tongue and groove flooring could do something for you with the Soft Board product? cheers, Al. |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Feb 8, 2013 21:59:04 GMT 10
Franklin1 is correct, caneite is no longer made. It was made from sugar cane pulp (as the name suggests). Softboard is a eucalypt pulp derivative and has virtually the same properties as caneite as far as flexibility goes. Have never seen a tongue and grooved effect on caneite, but would suggest that it would have been pressed into it at the time of manufacture. To my knowledge there is only one softboard profile - a stuccoed finish. The T&G finish may be a NZ speciality.
If you still want to maintain that T&G look on your ceiling, I reckon you would need to look at other materials, like the pine panelling or even a Hardie product. Not sure what the weight comparison would be like, compared to softboard, you would need to do some research on that one.
Having just installed a softboard roof on my van, I really like the stuccoed look of the underside (inside the van). It would still be comparitively true to era going that way too as well as being a great insulator. But that would have to be your decision.
Ps. As I mentioned on a previous thread with another member, it would be better to keep the whole resto history together to actually have one thread on your Crusader in the Member's Photo's section and put all your questions on that one thread, for the sake of continuity and keeping the history together for yourself too.
Ray
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2013 6:30:38 GMT 10
G'day frank, From the Lifetime Industries website: "Caneite is no longer manufactured in Australia (or anywhere else as far as we know). We now stock "Soft Board" - please click here for details Soft Board " Maybe someone who makes tongue and groove flooring could do something for you with the Soft Board product? cheers, Al. maybe cobber can add this link to his suppliers list. cobber |
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Post by cobber on Feb 9, 2013 8:52:27 GMT 10
DONE ! Although I've used their Home page address to give access to their full range of products....... which is well worth looking at  I think Al has first hand experience with these people.... right Al ? Although.... now that we start looking  there is another mob who have what appears to be a similar product Plywood Services I'll add 'em to the list too. Cobber.
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 9, 2013 9:40:41 GMT 10
G'day cobber, Nup, Al just has first hand experience at searching for stuff when people ask questions.  The 'Lifetime Industries' link was one of the first search results that showed up. One of the other results was a thread on this forum from 2009 talking about the demise of the cane-ite product, and the 'replacement' soft board equivalent. Soooo, we already know all this stuff.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by hilldweller on Feb 9, 2013 15:40:54 GMT 10
the original ceiling was made from tounge and groove canite, Are you sure it was canite? It's just that since there's no cane industry here I don't know where it would have come from. Would be surprised if we imported it given the ready availability locally of other wood/pulp products. |
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Post by seeshell on Feb 9, 2013 18:15:09 GMT 10
Hi Al
I gather it may have been masonite or some similar product (though it's entirely possible cane-ite was imported from Australia).
I remember seeing plans by the manufacturers of Masonite for home builders to make vans in old magazines. The makers of Masonite really promoted itself in relation to caravans and for a long time it was used as internal lining as well as outside on older vans.
When I think back I can recall seeing items made of pressed/patterned masonite as well.
Am I correct in assuming that what is called softboard here the same as Masonite?
Cheers
Seeshell
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Post by cobber on Feb 9, 2013 19:21:05 GMT 10
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 9, 2013 19:43:24 GMT 10
In the olden days, masonite was marketed as "The World's Most Wanted Hardboard", so it certainly ain't a softboard. I don't know who actually makes this softboard product, but it gets a mention on the Gunnersens website . cheers, Al. |
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frank
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by frank on Feb 9, 2013 20:43:43 GMT 10
The original ceiling was 14mm thick, light weight, flexible boards of about 30-35 cm wide and 244 long and is light brown/tannish in colour throughout, and flakes easily when pulled apart.
You can see the fibrious material it's made out of, and seemed to have the white coating (with grey speckles) applied at the time of manufacture as its present in the tongue and groove part. So was not applied after it was fitted.
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 18, 2013 21:29:56 GMT 10
Wow...great work....we saw quite a few crusaders....having just returned from 2 weeks in NZ and I wanted to stuff so many vintage caravans sitting in paddocks forgotten...or were they.....into my backpack....some farm houses had 3 or 4 old bondwoods etc sitting near the house....some had pay tv dishes on them...some were derelict....the crusaders we saw were a lovely shape.....shall be interested to see your final result! J
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Post by First Glass - Tory on Apr 13, 2013 21:58:30 GMT 10
Well done Frank & Barb,
On getting a caravan, is great to have your own and start to do it how you want it.
How's it all coming along now since you purchased back in Jan.
Any pictures??
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frank
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by frank on Apr 15, 2013 21:25:57 GMT 10
Thanks for all the comments.. we are currently trying to get the sag out of the roof. hopefully this will be fixed soon, have also discovered we dont need to pull the walls apart as they are all solid through out the whole van, so that will save a lot of time as well. . we may need to spend a little time repairing the fibreglass in areas as there are quite a few fine cracks, these appear not to leak but i dont want them to start leaking either. so a repair for them is certainly required. here are a couple of photos of the outside already.   |
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frank
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by frank on Sept 22, 2013 12:29:43 GMT 10
weather is getting better again and time to start working on the van to get it ready for the nationals. hopefully way before so we can take it away before on a few test runs.. i think we have the leaks fixed now.the ceiling has been resored to its original height using pvc angle which seems to have worked well. . so can start putting a new ceiling back in, then get the cupboards redone.. (waiting for my cabinet maker on these), then we lift the van of the ground and start working on the underneath. and we have just found a company in NZ who are able to help with any parts we need.. if anyone requires parts its called www.retrocaravansltd.co.nzfound them by accident and called the guy this morning. and seems very happy to help.. of course the dollars come into the equation but lets see how we go.. will start updating regularly again once ceiling goes in. |
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Post by theyeti on Sept 12, 2014 18:19:39 GMT 10
Just joined the forum after buying what was originally to be cheap temporary accommodation, while we build our home, and have now fallen in love with this quirky ugly duckling of a Crusader 18' duel axle van.
I don't want to hijack this thread but thought I would say thanks for all the great advice I've found in this thread
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Great decision 
? By cutting an open V shape, in my opinion they have reduced the strength of the whole roof frame by at least a third. It does make me wonder whether that weakening has caused the bow around the hatch, which doesn't have the benefit of any cross framing.
there is another mob who have what appears to be a similar product 
The 'Lifetime Industries' link was one of the first search results that showed up. One of the other results was a thread on this forum from 2009 talking about the demise of the cane-ite product, and the 'replacement' soft board equivalent. Soooo, we already know all this stuff. 
