dave01
Full Member
MR ROADHAVEN
Posts: 234
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Post by dave01 on Apr 9, 2008 21:20:12 GMT 10
Hey all you vv's. We have been into voyeurism since finding this website, finding out all about the other world of vintage caravanners. The interest was sparked when we got the offer of a Roadhaven caravan. We are still debating since we don't know much about the storage necessities of caravans and we are hoping some of you 'experts' will be able to help us. We cannot garage the caravan, so is it best to provide a pergola or should we get a shed? So far all the property where we can store the caravan is grassed. What is best to put under the caravan (bitumen? we have been told bricks hold moisture and therefore are no good). The caravan will be for visual pleasure originally, so should it be jacked up or left on its wheels? As you can see, we are babes in the wood (but hoping to improve our knowledge in the near future).
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neilncheryl
Full Member
Make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
Posts: 324
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Post by neilncheryl on Apr 9, 2008 22:00:20 GMT 10
Hi Dave01 We have our van in a carport with protection on two sides from the sun. This has been adequate for us & has kept it in good condition although a garage would help keep dust blowing over it (carport better for visual pleasure) Don't know if bricks do or don't hold moisture - our floor is concrete and works well for us For visual pleasure I would go the pergola and maybe deco for the floor (keeps costs down) but put a mat down on the deco at the caravan door to stop it being walked into the van. Happy V V ing - it gets you hooked Neil
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Post by tinnie on Apr 9, 2008 23:21:06 GMT 10
Hi Dave, Welcome aboard the wonderful (and crazy, addictive) world in Vintage Vanning. A Roadhaven is a great van, just ask Firefighter, he has an excellent example!
Is the van bondwood sided? Also what part of Aus are you in? How wet does it get underfoot where the van would be stored?
Cheers,
Gristy
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Post by willyn on Apr 10, 2008 7:44:23 GMT 10
gidday Dave o1 I found the best thing is a Pergola you can buy them fro Supercheap auto parts for around $399.00 one winter I covered a bondwood van with a tarp completely and it caused a little bit of mould and slight buckling in the walls although when the tarp came of it straightened ok in WA we can have ten seasons in a day hot rain freezing at night it may be different elswhere
Will ps there are some previous posts on the subject perhaps Franklin one can guide you there
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Post by firefighter on Apr 10, 2008 7:54:36 GMT 10
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Post by Franklin1 on Apr 10, 2008 19:09:54 GMT 10
Gees, Will...don't you go puttin' pressure on me! I couldn't even remember which thread had the question in it, and had to go through your member name to find your last post (this one, luckily ;D ) However, as luck would have it, there are two threads I can find relating to caravan cover ideas: vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1182822882vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=technicalstuffboard&action=display&thread=1161920991Will, I seem to remember you posting a photo of the "invention" you constructed, but I'm danged if I can find that thread. cheers, Al. Oops, forgot to mention that in the second link above there is a reply by kingy with a website link to Caravans Plus for parts and accessories. Link won't work...needs an "s" after "caravan", so correct link is www.caravansplus.com.auDoesn't relate to covers, but if anybody is looking for other stuff, eg. J-mould, etc., this is worth a try.
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dave01
Full Member
MR ROADHAVEN
Posts: 234
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Post by dave01 on Apr 10, 2008 21:06:08 GMT 10
Thanks for the responses. The caravan is in Victoria, Berwick actually but not the one that was at the swap meet. It is bondwood. I guess at the moment, being in our drought, it is not very wet underfoot but who knows how long that will last? A pergola should keep it dryer though.
We have been told that, being bondwood, the caravan will be extremely heavy to tow. It is 13 foot 6. I guess most vintage caravans are heavier to tow, is this so? These things would have been towed by FB Holdens, but how successfully and at what speed? If the caravan has a wooden chassis how do I know how successfully it will tow (though it won't be behind an FB Holden).
When is the next V V gathering around this area? it would be much easier to ask the multitude of questions we want to ask when face to face. For example, today we were told that the wood involved in the construction of these vans was not brilliant - therefore raising a concern about the quality of the chassis if it is a wooden one. Were told "good luck towing it". This advice came from a modern day caravan manufacturer. This could of course be sour grapes because we are not in the market for a modern day caravan?
A question for Firefighter, Gristy mentioned that you have a Roadhaven. What number is it and do you know what year it was manufactured? The one we are looking at is number 107.
Thanks to Franklin 1 for the links, will have fun researching.
Dave.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Apr 10, 2008 21:34:30 GMT 10
Hi Dave, Welcome to the forum and to the exalted status of V V owner. Bondwood caravans are not necessarily all that heavy to tow, at least not compared to modern vans. We have a bondwood van which is 14' 6" long and weighs in at around 900 kgs. That's reasonably big and heavy for its era but a lightweight compared to modern vans which have every mod con loaded into them. Your van is 13' 6" and how heavy it weighs will depend on the construction Roadhaven used. Firefighter can tell you more. It will probably weigh more than a fibreglass van or one of the little 10' vans but still be quite manageable. Some of the older vans tow pretty well also - some of the people on the forum say they can sit quite comfortably on 100 kmh with their van and an older car. Regarding cover for your van, when you say 'pergola' I presume you are basically talking about a carport, ie some uprights with a full roof across the top? With a bondwood you will definitely need a full roof. Essentially with a bondwood van the more protection you can give them (roof, side walls, front and rear) the better they will last. Our van (which has been in the family since new in 1949) has always been housed in a garage or carport with at least a roof and two sides protected, and has lasted very well. We have never had to replace any panels or deal with any rot. In its time it has stood on an earthen floor, a concrete floor, and then for the last 15 years on a brick floor, and there have been no problems with damp. But again, we have made sure that the floor stays pretty well dry. As I said, the more protection you can provide, the better off the van will be. You were asking about the next V V gathering in your area. There is actually one this weekend at Cowes which is very doable from Berwick. More detail can be found here: vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=runevent1&action=display&thread=1196751282Good luck with your van. I look forward to seeing pics when you get a chance. Don Ricardo
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Post by Franklin1 on Apr 10, 2008 21:38:33 GMT 10
Hi Dave, I guess the first useful bit of advice I can give you is to ignore anyone's opinion about vintage caravans unless they are involved with them first-hand. This forum is mainly about pre-1970 vans which means the "youngest" van is now 39 years old. You don't get things lasting that long if they are crap. My 14ft 1956 bondwood / plywood (same thing) van weighs 749kg. When I bought it from Ballarat and towed it 930kms home, I found that above 80kph it would wallow and sway noticeably. I know others have spoken about their vans travelling ok at speeds up to 100kph. Other members will be more familiar with Roadhaven vans, so I'll leave it to them to give specific comment, however the chassis on my Franklin is steel C-channel 1/4 inch thick, with 3"x3" timber cross-beams bolted to that, and the plywood flooring nailed on top. All of the chassis, cross-beams, and flooring is still in very good condition (I haven't restored it yet), and the van is now 52 years old. No doubt other members will be stirred up enough to promote how good their vans are... (including Don Ricardo who has just beaten me to the post ;D ) cheers, Al.
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mpower
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by mpower on Apr 10, 2008 21:40:08 GMT 10
G'Day Dave,
Our 1940s home made bond wood is the same length as your van. Its weight is one tonne and is presumably that heavy due to the solid wooden flooring. Although high, one advantage is that the heavy floor gives the van a low centre of gravity making it quite stable on the road.
Mark and Maureen
Bendigo
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Post by minicamper on Apr 11, 2008 7:00:29 GMT 10
G'day Dave,
To add to Franklin's comment, as far as I'm concerned, anyting that was made with timber in it from the 30's to the 60's that has been kept dry or protected from wet or dry rot will be like bloody rock!
My home's timber frame is hardwood (and they're not joking) from just before the war and its so bloody hard you literally can't hammer a nail into it without predrilling!
Like anything if its been looked after, it'll last (generally) but if neglected and left to the elements it won't. I reckon that opinion is as you say, sour grapes/ignorance. Go the bondy!
If you need any help, I'm in Pakenham every Saturday working on vintage and classic cars so yell out.
Cheers Chris
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2008 7:52:42 GMT 10
Hi Dave All of the above is true. I towed my 12ft 1954 fairway with an Grey motored EK ute . Only hill i ever suffered on was the one heading north out of Sofala NSW. about 5 mile long , steep and relentless Bondys tow well if they are set up and packed properly. I have no trouble towing my van with my 186 powered HR Ute. The van originally ran 16" wheels with 650 tyres. I change these to 15" wheels with lower profile tyres. This bought the C of G down a few inches which in turn improved "towability" and reduced sway and wind drag. ( another bonus is i dont have to climb as high to get in after happy Hour ) As for storage i built a 6 metre X 6 metre carport that i bought out of a blokes backyard for $400 i dismantle and take away. It currently has a grass/dirt floor and iis open on 3 sides. I find this adequate protection from the elements but would benefit from being closed in on at least another 2 sides. Most old vans stand more than 7 ft tall so a normal shed with a 7' X 8' roller door entry is not an option. The shelter needs to be at least 2.7 (9') high. Something you need to watch out for when storing timber vans is condensation . Moisture that accumulates on the outside of a van during the night will run down the sides to the bottom edge . Most old bondys have a "J" or "L" shaped aluminium mould running along the join where the roof meets the side walls then it carries on down unti it wraps around around the sides and along the bottom edges of the side walls. The moisture gets in behind this bottom mould and when the sun/warmth of the day hits it the moisture acts in a capilary action and is drawn up through the end grain of the ply. Hence we see a few old vans with a rotted bottom edges . This happens even if there is no bottom mould . Its just compounded when there is a bottom mould because the water doesnt drip off and get away. Its held there by the mould. I drew a pencil line along the top edge of the mould. removed the screws and dropped the mould out of the way. Trimmed off the affected area at the pencil line . Sealed it with oil based pink primer then bondcrete before replacing the mould. Skirts are now permanently sealed, 1" shorter than original but i am pretty sure i wont have any more problems with rot.... Just the rot i speak on the odd occassion ;D Never listen to Late model caravan dealers . I put em in the same league as car dealers.. Make what you like about that statement. They know jack shit about our old vans. Its like asking a 2008 1st year apprentice mechanic to tune your carby. They dont even teach that at tech nowadays. Its fuel injection or nothing..... Enjoy the hobby Dave. It is addictive. You will end up with more than one van in your yard. And... Ya will never go wrong with a Bondy. Bondys Rule .. OK ;D Reddo
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Post by firefighter on Apr 11, 2008 7:54:28 GMT 10
Hi Dave have sent you a P M with my phone no will be at pakenham racecourse on sunday ... for the federation pakenham picnic ( one of the organisers ) there might even be a roadhaven on show free entry geoff ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by firefighter on Apr 11, 2008 8:07:00 GMT 10
::)dave if you go to " down history lane " page 4 3/4 of the way down you will find a story about roadhaven van I put on f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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dave01
Full Member
MR ROADHAVEN
Posts: 234
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Post by dave01 on Apr 11, 2008 21:06:31 GMT 10
Hi Geoff, thanks for the invite, hopefully will be able to make it to pakenham after going to Cowes on Saturday. thanks for sending the PM with the phone number, but what is a PM? and how do we get onto it? (You can tell we are new at this game).
Firefighter, found your entry on roadhavens about a week ago and loved reading all the info about it. Showed the site to another roadhaven owner who was also very interested. Great information on the site.
Thanks to all the others who have replied and offered help. Be sure that we will be in contact at some stage.
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dave01
Full Member
MR ROADHAVEN
Posts: 234
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Post by dave01 on Apr 11, 2008 21:10:33 GMT 10
Hey Geoff, we are quick learners after all, have just found the P M Thanks, will be in touch.
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Post by exocet on Apr 12, 2008 22:04:06 GMT 10
Gidday dave01, our little 12ft bondwood has a wooden chassis, weighs 749 kg's, built in 1952 and still zips along at 100kph behind the tow car without any problem at all, actually you can almost forget that "Dorothea" is actually behind you!
Cheers Exocet
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whippy
Full Member
"Twiggy" the Globetrotter
Posts: 462
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Post by whippy on Apr 14, 2008 20:58:32 GMT 10
Hi Dave, Have you still got that grouse FORD jacket you wore at Cowes? PM is personal message, as every site is different, look around the page, you will see a pm icon, it will be like replying on here. Regards, Glynn
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dave01
Full Member
MR ROADHAVEN
Posts: 234
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Post by dave01 on Apr 15, 2008 21:40:03 GMT 10
gidday glynn, yeah live in that shirt thort it out of place at cowes with so many holdens there tho, who knows maybe one day...i'll buy buy an early ford to tow our van...mind you we haven,t got the van yet.
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