My Teardrop refurb continues

[DC3Td]

So now that the kitchenette area is all finished (read:totally gutted,relined,reshelved)it only remains to fit the appliances, work now begins on the tow rail/A frame.Not a real pretty site but i guess it did its job over the years.As you`re probably aware it has a full length 2-1/4" x 3" wood rail sheathed in heavy angle iron with two outer support angles.Given its 57 years, its stood up well, particularly underneath, but on top has suffered badly.Primarily i believe, as having two angles bolted to it, there was little or nowhere for water to run off. Just my theory as the wood rot does not go any further than up to the curve on the cladding. Needless to say though a new 'stick' is to be fitted full length. The gawd almighty heavy angle overkill will meet the grinder. The two outer angle supports are to be refurbed & retained along with the spare wheel holder which only just manages to contain a 16" wheel! So hopefully over the next week or so i can take care of this project. As for the sleep area, i`m undecided.I have 'something' going on the roof lining area but not saying just yet.I kinda like the fleck paint treatment that is currently adorning the walls & cabinetry but....who knows.Fixture wise though it will remain original.It has all that needs to be there & it works. Well that`s my update as such.In the 'Whatever' section i`ve added a couple of other pics. cheers gordon

[minicamper]

Hey DC, I'm not sure what your background is, but before you go taking a grinder to anything, might i suggest you speak to some of the more engineering inlcined on here.

Your a frame, although different in total design to mine, is basically made of the same materials. The strength in your is coming from that big beefy angle iron in the middle. Mine had been extended at some stage and the strengthening was done by boxing in the angle iron, exactly the way your outer sections have been done near the hitch. It's not enough and my chassis snapped, fortunately at walking pace, but could have easily been a disaster. Of course it all comes down to weight and I don't know what your is (van, not yours personally)
See the photo's at vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=3405&page=1 and scroll past the scenic tour at the beginning.

Cheers
Chris

[JBJ]

Hi Gordon,


A couple of suggestions for you to consider, then do what you like as its your van.

The hardwood drawbar is more than adequate as is. Australian hardwood timber generally only weathers from exposure to weather. Simply put some form of protective treatment on & it should stay OK for longer than the van will live.

I would put something like the treatment they put on the base of power poles, which is a paste type product, on both exposed sections of the timber drawbar at front.

Then fold or cut a 1.6 mm cover strip from galv. steel plate, to cover the entire top of the drawbar from side to side. Rivet or screw fix over, squeezing the paste out the sides.

For the underside, do the same forming a channel section. The vertical legs only need to be deep enough to allow easy fixing to the angle iron.

Give the finished product a good coat of epoxy enamel. or that POR15 product.

That will look neat, last forever, & not destroy a working product that you have at present.

It may not appeal to a perfectionist, but they never get to finish products in reasonable periods of time.

Get it fixed & use it. Nothing has to be show car stuff with caravans, it is TOTALLY about using them & having fun.

At a caravan run, no one gives a damn about the quality of underneath detail, the perfect fit of components, or the neatness of the inside of your storage cupboard.


As I said at the start, you will do what you want to. No one can influence anyone much. I've seen more unfinished projects get thrown away by trying to achieve the un neccessary level of construction the builder is trying to get, than I have seen completed.
I've even been guilty of doing the same myself in the past.

But never again. Set reasonable goals & levels of finish that can be achieved without having to throw the (destroyed) project away.

JBJ

[DC3Td]

Hi Chris & JBJ. Thanks for your support & suggestions. Removing the heavy angle iron.The A frame angles along with the spare wheel holder will remain albeit them being straightened. But for my own peace of mind a new wood tow rail which i already have will replace the existing one.This is strickly a sympathetic refurbishment.Although personally i would loved to have totally restored it.Pity i only have a carport & not a damn big shed. Once again thanks guys. cheers gordon