Floored by an Olympic

[cluelesssharon]

Hi
The caravan is stripped, all that's left is a shell with wood supports on the floor waiting for a floor to go over it. One of the fibreglass wheel arched looks to be leaning over a bit, any suggestions?

I need to put down a new floor, I don't have any equipment or knowledge of what I should hire for this and I've been told that a fibreglass caravan needs to be off the chassis and off the floor to be level in order to lay the floor.

Any ideas how I can achieve this?javascript:add("%20???")

Was thinking of jacking the caravan up, trying to make a wood frame to support side ends and dropping the chassis down to free the caravan.

Moan-a-lot is not happy to say the least. javascript:add("%20:'(")

Any ideas? preferably before divorce.

Will try and post pictures soon, looking for the sympathy vote.

Thanks

Sharon

[atouchofglass]

Hi ClS

Have a look at Tonyh '65 Olympic
He is doing a ground up restoration ...
Which is what you're looking at it seems

He has made a stand which is clearly visible in the photos

vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1448&page=2

By the way if the van has been stripped down to the shell with nothing else
The door way may be out of shape
The cupboard on the right and the lounge on the left of the door entrance is part of the structure that keeps the shape

The door may not fit properly if it isn't correct

The wheel arch leaning over a bit isn't a problem... mine has it and so do most it seems
You won't see it when the cupboard and kitchen is in.


Atog

[cluelesssharon]

Hi
Thanks for the suggestion, I visited Tony last week, even if I could hire it from him when he's finished using it ( Tony's got so many projects on the go I could be collecting my pension before he's finished) also the frame is way too big to get into the van.javascript:add("%20:")

Must say he does a great job on his projects and he's so knowledgeable, subtle hint, Tony can you think of a way to do this?

Help

Have a good weekend folks

Sharon

[atouchofglass]

Hey Sharon

In another thread JBJ gave you the best advice you will ever get
Start with one problem at a time...
I wasn't referring to hiring a set of stands I was meaning make them

Then the issue is how to get the van onto the stands
then you have a stable platform to start with....

You are able to start the floor after that
ect...ect

All projects seem a little daunting when you look at what is needed to get to the end

My saying is "How does an ant eat an elephant?.... One bite at a time"

Little bits of work often will overcome any problem
Tony is a great source of information both practical and theoretical

Start by getting the steel and welding up the frames

As an example I work with a fellow that has at least seven cars that he wants to restore..... he hasn't started one in three years and yet keeps banging on about what he's gunna do

So his new nick name is "Doris Gunna-do"


Make a start and keep moving forward
It will come together

The more you do the more this forum can help
Make those first few steps and you will amaze yourself at what you can achieve

You'll be teaching us about repairing Olympics

Cheers and all the best
Atog
^{This week the electrical specialist and chassis grinder/painter
Next week??? who knows}

[tonyh]

Hi Sharon,
It is easier if the chassis stays under the van with the body supported by stands under the centre join because the fibreglass on the bottom is a bit like jelly and if you take the chassis out the centre of the floor will be too low and you will have no way to get it level to fit the new floor.
What I have done is support the body, undo and remove all the chassis to body bolts - as they go through the floor ply - and have 4 x 2000kg small cheap (about $30 each) jacks supporting the chassis at each corner to be able to raze and lower the chassis to position the fibreglass and the floor joists to the correct level position to the van floor flange to glue and then fiberglass the new floor in.
If I have lost you or you want any help don't hesitate to call or come and have another look.
Cheers, tonyh ;D

[atouchofglass]

CS
Perhaps a few photos will tell us what you are dealing with?

Atog