Franklin windows again

[barbarab]

Hi,
Tony would like to put normal slimline window winders on the caravan windows. He is suggesting one each side for the larger windows and a central one on the small windows.
I'm concerned that the winders mightn't hold the windows in firmly enough (at the corners) when travelling - what do you think?
If we don't use the winders, how can I clean the rust off the old window stays and acorn locks etc. I don't want to buy new ones if I can avoid it. Carac wanted $19.95 for a single window stay.
Barbara B

[barbarab]

Hi,
sorry, but I have another question about the windows.
Tony began replacing and repairing them and after breaking a cut sheet for one window three times, he bought 3mm perspex instead of using glass.
The front and back windows of our caravan are quite large - is 3mm perspex suitable to glaze it or should we add a centre bar? It seems to flex a bit.
Barbara B

[Franklin1]

G'day Barbara,

...and after breaking a cut sheet for one window three times...

Three times??!! Oooh...how frustrating!!

I know from your original posts on the forum that you have a 1966 Franklin Freeway van, and that you are putting the van on your sister's farm as accommodation for when you visit. So, the van won't be spending its life travelling along the highway at high speeds, or anything like that, which means the perspex won't be under any pressure (other than high winds in the farm area).

I don't see any reason why you would have a problem with the perspex as it is, without the need for a centre bar. I'd be guessing that perspex is probably stronger than 3mm float glass anyway.

We haven't seen a photo of your van yet, but here's a photo of a 1965 Freeway, showing the rear window layout...



Other readers on the forum may have a different opinion to me, after seeing the photos.

Now Barbara, I have to whisper this question to you, so Tony doesn't hear me: He wasn't trying to bend the glass around the corner window when he broke it three times, was he?

Nah, didn't think so...

cheers,
Al.

[barbarab]

Hi Al,
I told Tony about your suggestion about not bendig it around the corner and he said that wasn't the problem. He thought anyone could do that. ;D
He thinks there might have been a small burr on the inside of the frame where it had been rivetted. Anyway - that's all fixed now. He has the two large windows to go and one has been siliconed in so it's a rotten job getting the frame clean.
Here's a couple of photos of "Betsy" taken by her previous owner. He said it was OK to post them. Her number is 1036-5, not 1036-6 as I wrote originally.


We have gutted it - taken out all the beds and bunks and made new cushions. The new bed frame will be made after the windows and fly screens are done.
Barbara B

[curtis]

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for the photos - it's great to see some pics of your van.

With our Freeway we used glass all round - except for those bendy corner windows. I too broke a few along the way and had to get more made. The trick is to make sure the frames are really clean and that the glass is no where near the rivets.

For the latches we used the original "anti rattle" catches. I got them from Caravans plus on line store. They did cost a bit by the time I purchases 2 for every window and 2 for the roof hatch, but the new ones are stainless steel and so will be the last ones I ever buy. Do it once and do it right I say.

Good luck with the resto and please keep the photos coming.

Dave

[barbarab]

Hi,
more questions, I'm afraid.
Tony has put the winders on the windows and it works very well on the windows in the back of the van. Someone has changed the flyscreens on the front of the van and used wider material with a thicker spline. The winder handles don't fit over the newer frames. Where can we get flyscreen material like the old one please? It is 17mm wide and aluminium while the new one is 25mm and painted white.
Barbara B

[barbarab]

Hi,
it's OK - we figured out a way around it.
Barbara B