Post by sarahlou on Oct 9, 2013 15:37:21 GMT 10
Hello,
I thought that I would share some photos our most recent purchase, a Franklin Caravelle. We've now got two project caravans. We’re currently in the middle of our bathroom renovation and the end is in sight so I can’t wait to start getting stuck into these little (big) caravan projects. Here’s some photos of the new acquisition (a late 1960’s Franklin Caravelle – the seller estimated 1965 but I think it’s more like 1967-69 - perhaps someone can offer a more precise dating?):
There is a lot of water damage inside. There are rotten beams in the roof that need to be replaced, and I'm sure there will be more structural repairs that will need to be done once we get into the skeleton.
There is mould in the cupboards and on the underside of the dining table. It will be a complete strip out and re-line and unfortunately due to the water damage unfortunately there is not much here that is in a salvageable state. We might retain the fridge (if it works) and the little gas cooker. If we can get the bench seats out in one piece then we’ll wash them down with bleach, put them back in and give them a coat of paint.
This project needs a lot of work before we get to this stage but I like to think ahead - I’m thinking about getting some custom made laminex flat packs to replace the 3 cabinets in the van (being the tall wardrobe, the small bedside and the kitchenette). I’ve seen Laminex has some 1960's style patterns these days and I hope that these will be a suitable replacement for the original cabinetry. I’ve had preliminary discussions with a flat pack kitchen maker who has made cabinets for a dozen or so caravans and they can make cabinetry that is a little thinner than regular kitchen cabinets to help with the weight issue. Has anyone had experience installing flat packs in a caravan? Easy enough in a regular kitchen but is there anything special we need to be aware of in a caravan?
There are a few things that I would like to do straight away: grind the flakey rust off the draw bar and the springs and paint with rust proofing, get the brake fixed, find replacement tail lights, test electricals, test gas.
Sarah
I thought that I would share some photos our most recent purchase, a Franklin Caravelle. We've now got two project caravans. We’re currently in the middle of our bathroom renovation and the end is in sight so I can’t wait to start getting stuck into these little (big) caravan projects. Here’s some photos of the new acquisition (a late 1960’s Franklin Caravelle – the seller estimated 1965 but I think it’s more like 1967-69 - perhaps someone can offer a more precise dating?):
There is a lot of water damage inside. There are rotten beams in the roof that need to be replaced, and I'm sure there will be more structural repairs that will need to be done once we get into the skeleton.
There is mould in the cupboards and on the underside of the dining table. It will be a complete strip out and re-line and unfortunately due to the water damage unfortunately there is not much here that is in a salvageable state. We might retain the fridge (if it works) and the little gas cooker. If we can get the bench seats out in one piece then we’ll wash them down with bleach, put them back in and give them a coat of paint.
This project needs a lot of work before we get to this stage but I like to think ahead - I’m thinking about getting some custom made laminex flat packs to replace the 3 cabinets in the van (being the tall wardrobe, the small bedside and the kitchenette). I’ve seen Laminex has some 1960's style patterns these days and I hope that these will be a suitable replacement for the original cabinetry. I’ve had preliminary discussions with a flat pack kitchen maker who has made cabinets for a dozen or so caravans and they can make cabinetry that is a little thinner than regular kitchen cabinets to help with the weight issue. Has anyone had experience installing flat packs in a caravan? Easy enough in a regular kitchen but is there anything special we need to be aware of in a caravan?
There are a few things that I would like to do straight away: grind the flakey rust off the draw bar and the springs and paint with rust proofing, get the brake fixed, find replacement tail lights, test electricals, test gas.
Sarah
We are such newbies we didn't think of doing the underneath while the floor is out. Hopefully as we progress we will wise up a bit after reading through these really helpful threads.