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Post by Mustang on Jan 25, 2016 15:03:34 GMT 10
Hi Bluebird She's a very pretty van - lovely renovation and restoration done. Just about the wheels, check in your state. Recently it became illegal to "whitewall" wheels in Victoria, and you can get pulled off the road and ticketed for it. Not sure about other states. If you need whitewall truck tyres, you might try www.dbtires.com - in the USA, but do white wall truck tires. There may also be local providers, but the usual suspects (Antique Tyres in Melbourne) don't have any. Cheers Seeshell Any explaination? re the whitewall? |
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 16:12:50 GMT 10
Hi Mustang
Apparently it relates to some whitewalling processes grinding/taking off the tyre details (load rating, specifications etc.) which then make them illegal. It may be different if you used flappers or just painted on without the inset process - I can't say. The compliance regulation here is: Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 23/00 – Passenger Car Tyres) 2006 which is being enforced, and a few people in Vic have been up for whole new sets of tyres.
Quite a lot of discussion about it at the car clubs as you might imagine.
Cheers
Seeshell
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 25, 2016 19:10:14 GMT 10
Thanks Seeshell. I think at this stage that I'm going to get them painted on - no grinding/taking off involved. I'll probably invest in the whitewall tyres for my next set. Monica  |
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Post by akeepsake on Jan 25, 2016 20:12:18 GMT 10
www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/221263836440 These are the go Called" Flappers" and fit under the rim and look just like real whitewall Buy a set and split em with someone else on the forum!! Cheers
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Post by fordprefect on Jan 26, 2016 22:47:15 GMT 10
Hi bluebird,
How does yours tow at freeway speeds
We have recently returned from Canberra.
Regards Alex
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 27, 2016 19:09:03 GMT 10
www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/221263836440 These are the go Called" Flappers" and fit under the rim and look just like real whitewall Buy a set and split em with someone else on the forum!! Cheers mmm interesting, definitely something to consider. Thanks for shaing keepsake, Monica |
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 27, 2016 19:10:22 GMT 10
Hi bluebird, How does yours tow at freeway speeds We have recently returned from Canberra. Regards Alex Hi Alex, We just had a weekend away in BlueBird in Bathurst (travelled from Shellharbour). The van travels great. I'm pretty sure we travel at 100 on the freeway. How about you? How does your van travel? Monica |
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Post by mel on Jan 28, 2016 15:19:53 GMT 10
Hi Monica,
Your van looks great. I love all the accessories you have for her. I am on the lookout for some outdoor chairs just like the ones you have. Shellharbour is a lovely spot. I would like to live there one day.
Melani
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Post by fordprefect on Jan 29, 2016 0:19:05 GMT 10
Hi Monica,
I find it depends on loading
We tow with a falcon rather than a 4wd
If the weight is wrong it hops around above about 90km/h
I have updated springs and shackle bushes
Wheels and tyres
Before that it was worse
The falcon is an IRS model and pretty soft, so that doesn't help (maybe upgrade suspension would help)
Have you added any extra weight like batteries under the front bed. (we don't eat or cook inside) or air conditioning.
Regards Alex
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 29, 2016 7:56:53 GMT 10
Hi Monica, Your van looks great. I love all the accessories you have for her. I am on the lookout for some outdoor chairs just like the ones you have. Shellharbour is a lovely spot. I would like to live there one day. Melani Hi Melani Thanks so much, It has been a bit of fun collecting all the goodies and it's been a bit difficult to get blue, I think it's a rarer colour in the things that I have wanted. Yes the chairs are great. I have four and a lay down lounge in the blue as well. What colour chairs are you after for your van? Yes Shellharbour is a great spot. I love living here. We enjoy the outdoors every day, it's a great lifestyle. I love your van too. The colours you've chosen are so pretty. I love the material that you've used in your curtains, I used it to make a skirt last year. Happy Travels Mel, Monica |
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 29, 2016 8:11:21 GMT 10
Hi Monica, I find it depends on loading We tow with a falcon rather than a 4wd If the weight is wrong it hops around above about 90km/h I have updated springs and shackle bushes Wheels and tyres Before that it was worse The falcon is an IRS model and pretty soft, so that doesn't help (maybe upgrade suspension would help) Have you added any extra weight like batteries under the front bed. (we don't eat or cook inside) or air conditioning. Regards Alex Hi Alex, I've asked Shaun and he says that our springs and shackle bushes are all original. The only things that we've done with the running gear is replaced the axle, well probably put it back to original as the last owner had a Valiant Axle and wheels on there, and have added electronic brakes because the mechanical brakes didn't work properly. We also replaced the towing hitch on the van as the old one was probably illegal and the van actually came off our car. Luckily I was only driving about 5kms per hour when it happened. It bloody scared me when it happened LOL. Here's a photo:  When we brought the van it did have a battery under the seat at the front of the van. We have removed it only because we are planning on replacing it with a new battery. We also try to distribute the weight in the van and we also pack a lot of things in the back of our Pajero. Our bed is at the back of the van, we have installed a new bed with gas struts so the bed lifts up. We have heaps of room under there and it's normally packed full with all my accessories, although they don't weigh much, luckily. I think the size of our vans is perfect - not too small, not too big. Although, as we only have the one bed our kids can't sleep in there. We brought an OzTent for them to sleep in, which is great. Are you guys heading up to the VV Nationals this year? Monica |
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Post by mel on Jan 29, 2016 15:52:12 GMT 10
Hi Monica,
I would love to see a picture of the skirt!
I'm not too fussed about the colour of the chairs. If I could find some in that style I would be happy.
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 29, 2016 20:26:18 GMT 10
Hi Monica, I would love to see a picture of the skirt! I'm not too fussed about the colour of the chairs. If I could find some in that style I would be happy. Hi Mel, Here's a photo of the skirt. I'm a bit of a novice sewer so think it needs some adjusting. Also I've lost a lot of weight in the last couple of months so it probably doesn't fit me anymore LOL:  I got my chairs from ebay. They are quite light and was lucky enough to find a seller that was willing to post them. They were really cheap to get posted to me. The lounge I got from a garage sale from an old couple that had it since it was new. They were so lovely. The lounge is a bit worse for wear, but still very usable. I used it recently around my pool, it was pretty comfy. You could try op-shops as well. I got some orange ones from there a while ago and then ended up donating them back LOL. I notice that you are from Tasmania, I've never been there so I have no idea on what is available. I guess the postage is more expensive too  Monica |
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 30, 2016 13:24:34 GMT 10
Hi Monica, I find it depends on loading We tow with a falcon rather than a 4wd If the weight is wrong it hops around above about 90km/h I have updated springs and shackle bushes Wheels and tyres Before that it was worse The falcon is an IRS model and pretty soft, so that doesn't help (maybe upgrade suspension would help) Have you added any extra weight like batteries under the front bed. (we don't eat or cook inside) or air conditioning. Regards Alex Hi Fordprefect (and Bluebird), As you may have seen from pics of our van, we also tow with a Falcon, though possibly a later model than yours. Loading of the van is obviously important, but I just thought I'd gatecrash the conversation and ask whether your van runs on light truck tyres, and if so what tyre pressure you use? Our van is on light truck tyres (which are recommended for caravans), and used to wag its tail all over the road until a caravan maintenance chap pointed out that light truck tyres need to be at about 50 psi. Once we got that right the van never gets out of line and just follows the car perfectly without any wag or hop. Just thought it was a tip that might help. Don Ricardo |
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 30, 2016 19:22:10 GMT 10
Hi Monica, I find it depends on loading We tow with a falcon rather than a 4wd If the weight is wrong it hops around above about 90km/h I have updated springs and shackle bushes Wheels and tyres Before that it was worse The falcon is an IRS model and pretty soft, so that doesn't help (maybe upgrade suspension would help) Have you added any extra weight like batteries under the front bed. (we don't eat or cook inside) or air conditioning. Regards Alex Hi Fordprefect (and Bluebird), As you may have seen from pics of our van, we also tow with a Falcon, though possibly a later model than yours. Loading of the van is obviously important, but I just thought I'd gatecrash the conversation and ask whether your van runs on light truck tyres, and if so what tyre pressure you use? Our van is on light truck tyres (which are recommended for caravans), and used to wag its tail all over the road until a caravan maintenance chap pointed out that light truck tyres need to be at about 50 psi. Once we got that right the van never gets out of line and just follows the car perfectly without any wag or hop. Just thought it was a tip that might help. Don Ricardo Hi Don Ricardo, Yes we have light truck tyres on BlueBird. We just brought them brand new last week and put them on. They are 13" x 165's. Shaun wanted 175's but they didn't have any in stock. He said that he had filled them up to 50 psi as well. Like I said, our tow vehicle is a Mitsubishi Pajero and we don't even know we're towing the little van. It's great. We are lucky that we have never had any problems with this van We have two other vans, and the last time we towed our Millard which is 18 foot, it was jumping around a bit, so maybe that was due to the PSI in the tyre ?? not sure we'll need to check that. Thanks for your input and information Don Ricardo. Monica |
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Post by jp63 on Jan 31, 2016 12:06:33 GMT 10
A bit off topic, but as a fellow novice sewer I think the skirt looks fabulous and Im a huge fan of the pockets! Every skirt/dress should have them if you ask me  |
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 31, 2016 19:19:56 GMT 10
A bit off topic, but as a fellow novice sewer I think the skirt looks fabulous and Im a huge fan of the pockets! Every skirt/dress should have them if you ask me Thanks Yes true I love pockets in skirts and dresses, they're great |
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
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Post by BlueBird on Jan 31, 2016 19:28:08 GMT 10
Hi everyone, Today Shaun did a bit of work on BlueBird. He connected up the tap on the kitchen sink to a tap so we can hook up to water via a hose at caravan parks, etc. Here are some photos of his work: This is all we had to buy to complete the job:  The is the inside cupboard once he took off the sink. We found a hole there already, ready for the pipe to go down  Here's the water pipe ready to connect up to the tap:  Here's the water pipe connected up to the tap:  Here's where we connected the external tap up:   Monica |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Jan 31, 2016 21:35:30 GMT 10
hi bluebird well done with the connection but when you connect the hose to the garden tap and turn it on, you may not get any flow to your sink tap, especially if the supply it reasonably high flow. the brass tap you fitted has an "under/over" flow through the floating washer, which lifts the washer off it's seat as the water passes through the tap. (note the under/over flow path - this valve shows a washer which is forced to raise and lower because it is attached to the tap spindle, yours is not physically attached to the spindle.) if the flow is reversed through the tap, the flow will force the washer onto the seat and stop flow to your kitchen tap. you can overcome this problem by removing the washer. geoff 'n jude |
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Post by mel on Feb 1, 2016 12:10:08 GMT 10
Hi Monica, I would love to see a picture of the skirt! I'm not too fussed about the colour of the chairs. If I could find some in that style I would be happy. Hi Mel, Here's a photo of the skirt. I'm a bit of a novice sewer so think it needs some adjusting. Also I've lost a lot of weight in the last couple of months so it probably doesn't fit me anymore LOL: I got my chairs from ebay. They are quite light and was lucky enough to find a seller that was willing to post them. They were really cheap to get posted to me. The lounge I got from a garage sale from an old couple that had it since it was new. They were so lovely. The lounge is a bit worse for wear, but still very usable. I used it recently around my pool, it was pretty comfy. You could try op-shops as well. I got some orange ones from there a while ago and then ended up donating them back LOL. I notice that you are from Tasmania, I've never been there so I have no idea on what is available. I guess the postage is more expensive too Monica |
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Post by mel on Feb 1, 2016 12:15:41 GMT 10
Love the skirt, you did a great job. Yes, second hand things can be a little harder to find in Tassie but prices are generally less then on the mainland. Postage is not too bad these days, so I tend to do most of my shopping online.
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Feb 1, 2016 19:28:34 GMT 10
hi bluebird well done with the connection but when you connect the hose to the garden tap and turn it on, you may not get any flow to your sink tap, especially if the supply it reasonably high flow. the brass tap you fitted has an "under/over" flow through the floating washer, which lifts the washer off it's seat as the water passes through the tap. (note the under/over flow path - this valve shows a washer which is forced to raise and lower because it is attached to the tap spindle, yours is not physically attached to the spindle.) if the flow is reversed through the tap, the flow will force the washer onto the seat and stop flow to your kitchen tap. you can overcome this problem by removing the washer. geoff 'n jude Hi Geoff and Jude, Thanks for your post. Yes I should have written that we had to remove the washer after we tested it and no water came through LOL. Thanks again, Monica |
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Post by fordprefect on Feb 1, 2016 21:45:03 GMT 10
Hi Don,
Interesting about the falcon,
We have 2 x au's,
The sedan with IRS is very soft for towing
I tend to use the wagon for towing the defect Ina car trailer.
I must try the van on the wagon.
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BlueBird
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Monica and Shaun
Posts: 209
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Post by BlueBird on Apr 17, 2016 14:28:37 GMT 10
Hi, After a failed attempt myself, I was lucky enough to have fellow members Garry and Brenda (willies) make me some bunting for BlueBird. Here are some photos of it in BlueBird:    Brenda has done a fantastic job and I am very happy with them. Thanks again Brenda and Garry, Monica |
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Post by No longer vanless on Apr 24, 2016 9:19:36 GMT 10
Lovely van! So sweet.
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