The time has Come

[scootman]

Hi all. Firstly Im very saddened to read of Trevs passing. I enjoyed reading his input in this website which I come to every day and often thought to myself what a positive type of character he must be.

If you remember back some months back I made mention that I was going to attempt to build a midget caravan from the original 1940 plans. Well after months of waiting the torsion suspension for it has finally arrived so come Sunday I will be out having my first welding lessons. Expect to hear lots of whining and stupid questions coming from me over the next couple of months. Especially bradngem as my project is a bit similiar to yours.
I will attempt to load a pic of the van in question that I am trying to copy.
Scoot

[scootman]

ok here we go, did it work?

[scootman]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Deleted]

haha ..........midget trailer ..........midget photo Scootman .......well
done

Its great to hear you are going to embark on this project........we all wish you well & look forward to the progress photos, your questions and even your whinging & whining ;D ;D

Mark

[carapark]

Your'e a bit of a character Scootman, midget caravan, midget picture

Look forward to seeing progress pics

Gary

[Roehm3108]

Hi Scootman!
That van looks great!!!! Have you got much onfo as to its history? Is it a spin-off from the Teardrop? What are the dimensions etc... ? Will you be able to stand in it?? Question, questions questions
Ray

[jazhow2]

Scootman,

Great to hear you've made a start! ;D

We saw you bidding away for your plans on ebay..looks like you got there in the end!

Look forward to following your progress!

Congratulations, I hope you enjoy the project.....and don't forget to keep us up to date with progress shot's.! : shots and more shots!!!! ;D
good luck!
;D ;D ;D ;D

[scootman]

LOL , mmm perhaps a chinese person could stand in it, I would stoop. at its longest its 9feet, at its tallest 5foot 6. Im having some trouble understanding the plans so have had to redo some of it. So I guess it wont be an exact replice. A guy in Canada did manage it and Ive seen his pics,. Great pics.
Heres the site with the original plans. www.wilddog.com/1998/plans/1940/slide01.html


Here is the site for the guy in Canada who built one. Mine will NOT be that fancy.http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[e-mail]/album?.dir=707b&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[e-mail]/my_photos
Scoot

[type82e]

cant wait to see the photos
good on you should be lots of fun
marcel

[scootman]

Ok stage one. Have got most of the trailer made. OF course the idiots at the trailer shop (.)(.) it up and gave me holden wheels with ford hubs so I couldnt put the wheels on but heres a pic of the start.

[Roehm3108]

What an interesting van - sort of a teardrop on steriods!! What makes it look so different is the inboard wheel arch instead of the external wheels/mudguard. Certainly gives that extra onboard capacity for storage etc.

Are there any of these vans in Oz yet???

Look forward to your progress with this. Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the experience!!!

Ray

[Deleted]

Hey scootman

Looks like a real challenge. Keep us posted with lotsa piccies.

Trish and i owned a similar style of van ( not teardrop)back in the early 90's We done heaps of fishing trips up on stockton beach for about 5 years while the boys where growing up.

The van was teardrop shaped ply construction .really it was more like a greyhound trailer but thankfully it had never been used for that purpose. about 5'6" high 8' long , 4'6" wide the wheels where outside the bodyline similar to a box trailer. 2 doors on the passengers side and an aluminium window on the right . just enough room for a double bed matress inside. it had two shelves high up at either end that went across the full width of the van and gave enough storage room for clothes and food. it had a double power point and 240v/12v lighting.
Roof hatch with fly screen the same as a full size van. the kids slept outside on double decker hessian bunks in the old green and white striped canvas annexe held up with 2 piece timber poles.

The whole thing weighed about 100kg. Dunno how many times I forgot that it was on behind the 4X4 while blasting over the sand hills to the favorite fishing spots ;D We had many enjoyable and rewarding fishin trips in the little "Backed Bean" and i kick myself now for getting rid of it.

I have tried to track it down again but the trail has gone cold. A bloke bought it and said he was going to keep it at a caravan park near stockton beach where he has an onsite van. he was going to tow it down the beach with a large Quadbike for overnight fishin/campin trips with the kids from the van park. Lucky kids... the will have lasting memories of early caravans when they get older.

I have a couple of photos somewhere will take some "DiGi Photos" off the old prints and post em when i get a chance.

Good luck with the project
Reddo

[Jim]

G'day scoot
Do you intend to run a tube or beam up the full length of the chassis to tow point?
Jim

[scootman]

Hi Jim. I did look at that. But after looking underneath a few other bigger vans around the place I discovered that a lot of them dont. The weight of the little van shouldnt be too bad so am going to leave it as is?
What made you ask me that?
Scoot

[Jim]

scoot

I asked because as the chassis is at present there seems to be a basic flaw in the design. It’s to do with the load path through the chassis
I’ll email you a mud map to explain what I mean.

What’s the material size and section you’ve used?
What’s the load rating on the axle assembly your have? It looks like an Alko assembly.

Jim

[Roehm3108]

HI Jim
Could U also email me a copy of that mud map, for my own eddookachon???

Thanks
Ray

[scootman]

Hi Jim. The trailer has been made from 2x2x1/8 square tubing and 2x2x1/8 angle . I have made it to the exact specifications of the plan ( and actually followed it for the first time in my life ) so if you think there is a prob. PLEASE LET ME KNOW before i go any further.
The torsion bar and axle have 400kg weight thingy.

I "think" I am attaching the plan

[triff49]

dear scootman, could you give me some idear where i could purchase a axle like the one you have would appreciate any imformation ,yours triff49

[scootman]

Hi Triff, it was a bit of an effort to get the torsion bar suspension. I went to the local trailer builder and got them to order it and the hubs and wheels for me all at the same time. I took the measurements of what I wanted in and they had to order it in for me. Took a few weeks. From what I understand in every country in the world it is the preffered system for boat trailers and vans but not here in Australia. IT also cost about 250 dollars more than leaf springs. But the guy that helped me with the trailer has built many and reckons it was the easiest time he has ever had putting one together.
So if I was you I would go to your nearest trailer supplier and ask them to order one for you. The only thing I can find on the one I got is alto international if thats any help.

[scootman]

Sorry about the dog. Every time she sees a camera she stands in front of it! ;D I kid you not, if we're walking along the beach and someone has a camera she goes and stands there waiting for the click!

[Roehm3108]

Yeah, right Scootman, tell us anothereee! Be honest, you trained that dog to do that so that you could pick up chicks along the esplanade. What chick wouldn't be taken in with a winsome look like that!!!!
Ray

[willandlyn]

Gidday Scootman

I like the sliding dogs head on the door gee it looks real
what shop did you get it from
whats grafted on the front Door the TAIL

funny photo mate
Oh yeah the other dog better watch out Ay


Will