1960s franklin Caravelle owner

[dayno]

Hello all,

just thought I would post to say hello, I'm new to vintage caravans but previously owned (before being stolen ) a 1976 ACT pop top camper trailer. My lovely wife is preggas and we wanted something to holiday in. When I saw the van on eBay I couldn't help myself. After a bit of to and fro with the previous owner and a 2000 km road trip I'm a proud new owner of a lovely old van.

we have called her Betty. She's had a bit of a rough life but I'm pretty handy with tools and like to get my hands dirty. Betty's interior is missing electrics, kitchen and has some water damage plus the brakes need some serious attention. I'm going to make her as water tight as possible and liveable so we can use Betty for a while before I restore with a ground up rebuild in a few years. 
I'll post up some photos when I get a chance.

I have one question before I go, Betty has the (what looks like original) dymwood overide brake hitch that has a lot of rust on the shaft that appears to be seized. I haven't rebuilt one of these but I'm assuming it can be done. Do I just pull it all apart clean the bore and shaft, replace the spring if needed and master cylinder? 


Thank you in advance


regards
Dayno

[dayno]

[dayno]

[DC3Td]

Gday Dayno.Looks to be in pretty good shape outside.Should polish up real nice.Plenty of info here re interior fit out when you`re ready to do so.Still got the `64 Rambler? Make a great tow car. cheers DC3Td.

[cobber]

G'day Dayno,

The only example of a Dymwood override coupling we have in our tow coupling thread is this one vintagecaravans.proboards.com/post/86096/thread ...is it the same as yours ?
If not would you mind posting a photo of your coupling 

Anyway,  most anything can be fixed, so pull it apart and clean it up, if it can be made to work as it did originally it is legal to keep now.

Cobber.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Dayno,

Great to see the pics of your van. Definitely more room than an ACT pop top camper for 2 1/2 people.

Good to see you've mastered Photobucket as well. Just a little tip that might make things easier for you - you can post as many photos as you like in the one post. Just cut and paste the Photobucket addresses into the post one after the other. You don't need to start a new post (Reply) for each photo.

Anyway we'll look forward to watching your progress as you make whatever repairs you have to do, then to aeeing some photos of you out and about enjoying your travels with the van.

Don Ricardo

[dayno]

 

[dayno]

Thanks for the welcome gents,

I still have the rambler, i got it as a birthday pressie a couple of years ago and was wanting to make a burnout car/ rat rod. It's just a very rough rolling shell missing bonnet, motor, box and interior. So involves a heap of work to get registered, but would totally look the part towing Betty. Kinda just wanna to put a dirty v8 in it and fry tyres hahaha

Ive already started the interior renos, have rewired her with lights, RCD and dual pole switches and sockets and new inlet.
have already sealed up the roof where it was leaking and relined interior roof, half built the kitchen, just waiting on more money to give to my local bunnings.......

then in im gonna start looking at exterior. What are peoples thoughts? I think it looks cool as is... I was just going to wash the outside and pop rivet the many holes, replace the light and leave it as is. Yeah the stripe is faded and flaking in parts but it's an old van....

[cobber]

G'day dayno,

Thanks for the tow coupling photos, different to the other one aye ?

I couldn't see how the safety locking arrangement worked until I found the patent application..... goes to show there's more than one way to lock a ball 

The the patent application is HERE.  Applied for in 1963, so that is a pretty good indicator of the vans birthday... more or less 

Cobber. 

[dayno]

Yeah different to the other one. My coupling looks to be newer than the one posted. My coupling has the support brace underneath the master cylinder and the handle that locks in the ball is of different construction. The rego papers I have specify that's it's a 1965 (not that regististering authorities are  always accurate) plus the research I've done puts Betty's age around that time.

I was surprised to learn that the hex head bolts may be original. I just found out they were commercially produced in 1910. Interesting stuff..

i guess i shall post in the tow coupling thread....

[cobber]

G'day dayno,

Thanks anyway but, I've just put this coupling in the tow coupling thread.

Are there any marks on the override brake arrangement that would help identify it ?

Cobber.

[dayno]

Aug 24, 2014 12:17:55 GMT 10 cobber said:

G'day dayno,

Thanks anyway but, I've just put this coupling in the tow coupling thread.

Are there any marks on the override brake arrangement that would help identify it ?

Cobber.

Thanks Cobber, 
the numbers on the coupling are as follows:
30cwt
pat. No. 34302-63


other than that not that I can see at the moment. I'll pull a wheel and the hitch off tomorrow for closer inspection 


That at old tow coupling thread is amazing. Good to have that one backed up on the server.

[dayno]

Hey all, I've been busy with renos on the van. After replacing the rotted out section of the roof it has sagged around the hatch section quite dramatically (10mm). I didn't understand how structural the timber was for the roof. So now instead of replacing the whole roof timber which would involve removing aluminium roof sheets and replacing timber sections from external wall to external wall I am going to install some steel bracing internally to keep it structurally sound until I've got time and money to fix permanently. Which will be winter...  I need to have the van ready for Australia Day, the family and I have 4 nights booked at shoalhaven heads tourist park for bettys maiden voyage.

I was thinking of 25mm RHS running internally from external wall to external wall. I will have to run one either side of the hatch and one further down towards the rear of the van. So my question is is there another option for me? 


As you can see from the photo the new margarine ply that has been replaced (a poor job done by myself). The internal top section of the cupboard on the left has minimal to no water damage and the holes in the aluminimum have been patched. You can see more of the sagging from the outside and water will pool in the hatch area of the roof if I don't sort it out. It's not a problem at home as it is kept covered but I don't want any more water damage. 


Any  advice other than replace the whole roof would be appreciated. 


Regards
dayne

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[DC3Td]

Gday Dayno.Theres no real quick fix as it could lead to further problems but have a look through Observatorys rebuild about 3 headings under yours & see how he overcame sagging roof plus other repairs.Certainly better to do it right from the beginning. cheers

[dayno]

Cheers thanks dc3td. I'll check it out.

On a side note I have installed electric brakes and the original coupling and drums are no long of use to me but may be of use to someone. Does anyone want them for free? I can post if you pay postage

[cobber]

G'day dayno,

I am after a vintage override hydraulic coupling to replace the frozen and rusted one on my Alley Van (as in Aluminium Caravan   )

I think you may be located in SA ? ... can you get me the weight of this coupling please so I can get an idea of the cost to get it to Sydney.

Cobber

[dayno]

I'm in Canberra. I take semi regular trips to Sydney to see family so I'd be more than happy to drop it off next time I'm up. If you want it in a rush I can check weight. Mine appears to be frozen aswell but I'm no expert on these. I couldn't push it in and doesn't look like the shaft has moved in a while plus it has this hole in the bottom. Don't know if it's normal the internal spring looks lubricated still ( shiny) let me know either way

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[cobber]

Thanks dayno,

I'll send you a PM and we can sort out arrangements that way 

Cobber.