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Post by belinda on Oct 8, 2005 8:12:10 GMT 10
Rob has his heart set on getting an annexe, but I'm not so sure. I'm worried an annexe would make the van dark, and in a high wind I have visions of it peeling the side off the van and heading out to sea.
What is the collective experience of the vintage caravanners as to the "do's and don'ts" of annexes?
Does anyone have some designs in an old book? If we did this it would be in the traditional style - striped canvas, wooden poles, attaching with turnbuckles etc.
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Post by will and lyn on Oct 8, 2005 9:36:39 GMT 10
Hi Belinda I have a canvas 50s multi stripe style 9ft annexe that you are welcome to have if you decide to use one It came with Ritzy (elvis) around 59 and is original I just swapped a Bonnet for some f100 mudguards to build a trailer for the effy and the freight was $90 to Melbourne I think this would probably cost no more than maybe $40. to $50 dollars Will
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Post by cobber on Oct 8, 2005 9:57:24 GMT 10
G’Day Belinda, I don’t know if others going to Coledale will have an annexe but I was playing with ours yesterday to make sure all the bits were there. Your fears are justified regarding high winds, and on hot days under one is not the best place to be--unless--you can roll the sides up to let the wind and air go straight through. On the other hand, if it is drizzling, or even raining, under an annexe is one of the best places to be, sitting on a comfy canvas chair, sipping on a cuppa, watching the world go by, listening to the rain pitta patter on the canvas (just as good as a tin roof) is one of the great joys of vintage caravaning. It’s then that you need to have the option of rolling down the side of the annexe that the wind is coming from. You won’t be sorry if you let Rob have an annexe. Cobber
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Oct 8, 2005 10:05:44 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Oct 8, 2005 10:05:44 GMT 10
Will - you wonderful man.
Rob is ecstatic at the idea of a stripy fifties annexe so yes, we'd like it. Call me on 02 9558 2937 to work out how to do it. I can even go out shopping for turnbuckles this afternoon.
cheers
Belinda
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Oct 8, 2005 12:02:30 GMT 10
Post by cobber on Oct 8, 2005 12:02:30 GMT 10
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Oct 9, 2005 22:57:44 GMT 10
Post by will and lyn on Oct 9, 2005 22:57:44 GMT 10
Hi Belinda I have this big shed and I will do the big search tommorrow and check it out take a photo and post it then I will ring you Will
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Oct 10, 2005 7:00:32 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Oct 10, 2005 7:00:32 GMT 10
What a lucky person - a man with a big shed!
I'm happy to be patient. We too have a big shed and I know what it's like to look for something. As well as a caravan, our shed contains two Citroens, eleven bikes and a big pile of never-been-opened removalists boxes which have moved from house to house for the last ten years.
cheers
Belinda
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Oct 10, 2005 7:49:02 GMT 10
Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2005 7:49:02 GMT 10
Yo Belinda
I have a blue and white striped canvas annexe ..... well , just the roof section . originally Just Croozn must have had an annexe as there is about 14 press stud nipples around the edge of the van roof. I decided to break with tradition and have used a aluminium sailtrack to fix the annexe to the van.
My annexe roof has the rope sewn into the edge and it takes about 1 minute on my own to feed/pull the annexe into place along the track. It came with adjustable steel poles and those horrible fluro yellow nylon ropes.but i ditched these and advertised in the local paper for wood two peice tent or annexe poles. I ended up with about three responses. and about 14 poles all different sizes and colours. I sanded them back to raw timber and give them a coat of linseed oil to give them that aged look.
Let me know before the weekend if you need any spares . I have about 6 leftovers of varying lengths. All painted pale blue with the tin bits in the middle where they join painted red........verrrrryyyy retro !!!
i then bought about 30 metres of sisal ( hemp) rope from the local net and rope shop ( about 40cents a metre) and made new guy ropes up. The turn buckles where made from the rougher timber poles. Cut to about 6" long with 1/2" holes bored in them. There is a trick to threading the ropes through these timbers . Once done the right way you never have to worry about them slipping or coming loose. I cant describe it here it would be a bit difficult to describe . I will be putting the annexe up next weekend so you can get Rob on the job and set yours up the same if you want to.
I have no walls for the annexe but if things get a bit wet i run a brattice around the end that the weather is coming from. I would like to get some removable sides made up out of striped canvas later on. Not a high priority at the moment. Once you get your annexe set up you will have the kids pestering you for a set of double bunk beds so they can sleep outside. Great fun.
On down side i have found with fitting the is i have noticed the paint work where the wall meets the ceiling is showing a faint crack inside. there must be a bit of pressure in this area cause when you get in and out of the van with movement or possibly when the wind blows and causes the annexe roof to flap . I would not have thought this would occur but it has and i will be keeping an eye on it.
There was a beautiful little annexe on eBay the other week. I contacted the seller and drove over sand had a look. perfect condition with roll up sides and a window. I bid $150 thinking i would be in the race cause no-one else would be chasing a 3 metre annexe.... WRONG REDDO ... it ended up making $470.
While we are on the subject of canvas . I have a 12' X 12' Canvas annexe with 15 oz walls in perfect condition. all poles but missing a few ropes etc. Ideal for scouts, or other community cgroups . i am asking $150 if you know of anyone interested. These things will "outlive" any late model tent in a good storm.
Anyway Belinda and crew i will catch up with you on Friday and get an NRMA Motorfest form off you. Stephen Knox told me you have some spares.
Cheers Reddo ( phew ... talk about long winded messages)
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Oct 10, 2005 19:46:07 GMT 10
Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 10, 2005 19:46:07 GMT 10
Hi Reddo. If you kin tawk that longe abowt annexes, what are you like with sumpthin intrestin??? Did you know that the little annexe on ebay was a one-piece??? I was also interested in it until I found that out. A lot to handle when they are all sewn together like that. I also was surprised about the price it got. Would have liked it, even if it meant separating the walls from the awning part. Cheers Ray
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Oct 10, 2005 20:08:40 GMT 10
Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2005 20:08:40 GMT 10
Hi Ray I went to the blokes place and we rolled it out on the ground. It laced up at the corners so it would not have been too bad to put up. The problem with fitting these annexes to old round vans is that you have to work out what the ideal length of the roof is . Too long and you end up with a roof that finishes too far down the side of your van with 4 ft high walls. Too short and you end up with clips or tracks mounted on the van to take the walls . My van is 9'6" from front to back. If i made the walls 7ft high i would have an annexe about 7ft long. So small you would have to go outside to change your mind Cheers Reddo - minister for short stories.
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Oct 11, 2005 7:15:56 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Oct 11, 2005 7:15:56 GMT 10
Reddo makes an interesting point (in his habitually succinct vernacular). How does one fit a square-ish annexe to a round-ish van?
Is there anyone out there with an early Keith Winser or other publication that explains how they did it in the old days? In particular, how did they attach annexes to vans? I suppose that's the eternal question - "what came first - the turnbutton or the c-channel?"
I'm working steadily through my "going away in the van" checklist in readiness for Coledale. The big block of ice is frozen and large amounts of sausages have been bought to keep hungry kids happy.
Mark tells me when he and Ditzy pack it's "a bit of a "throw in job", and what we forget,we buy." Lucky bastard! I still have to make sure everyone packs clean undies (and then changes them on a regular basis).
Three sleepies to go!
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Oct 11, 2005 10:27:07 GMT 10
Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2005 10:27:07 GMT 10
Belinda and Dennis The Roovan has press studs with woodscrew threads which screw into the timber frame ( hmmmm thats logical !!! ) . These studs are about 1" ( 25mm for the post imperial cosmic kiddies) in from the edge of the van just behind the alloy strip. They run from the front clearance lamp right the way over the top and down to below the left blinker at the rear ,and are spaced about 1 foot (12" or 300mm again for the youngens sake) apart. I screwed the sailtrack directly onto the alloy strip so i didn't create any extra opportunities for leaks. The track is secured with 3/4"(Thats 20mm kiddies) X 8 gauge stainless steel self tappers. The rounded shape of the van dictates that you end up with a 6ft ( 1800mm pay attention you lot) at either end of the annexe and 2 X 7ft ( thats right kiddies 2100mm) in between the 6 footers to give you the same shape as the side of your van. Now it gets really technuckle....I have 2 intermediate poles between the van and the corners of the annexe which are about 6'6'' high ( Smithers... stay awake son!!!) and gives an even fall to outer edge of the annexe. Sailtracks Not sure when they first appeared on vans. My guess is mid sixties. I remember seeing them on aluminum vans when we use to camp at Foster Caravan Park back in 1966. I used the track because i see it as a much more practical idea than the old press studs and probably more waterproof as well. Sure saves a lot of swearing when youare attaching it to the van.!!! It doesnt look out of place and the issue of not being "period " doesn't bother me in the slightest.... The vans didn't have Kangaroos painted on them back in the old days either. Hey ... I could always say my van was made in '66 that would make it correct wouldn't it??? I will leave the 100 % authentic restorations to others. I just wanted something that was easy to put up and provided shade and shelter. Ok . All those born before 1975, Class dismissed. The rest of you can stay back and practice your times tables Redman .... stop picking your nose!!!
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Oct 11, 2005 13:41:59 GMT 10
Post by Roehm3108 on Oct 11, 2005 13:41:59 GMT 10
When I had my 10.5 ft egg shaped Franklin (built 1962/3) the awning still had the old clips on. So probably mid-sixties is close to the mark for sailtracks Reddo! Ray (now with an ej)
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Oct 21, 2005 21:21:54 GMT 10
Post by will and Lyn on Oct 21, 2005 21:21:54 GMT 10
hi Belinda will get the opportunity to get the blue and white annexe aout of the shed in the next week or so I will get your adress partics and find out a cost for delivery Will
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Oct 22, 2005 22:04:52 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Oct 22, 2005 22:04:52 GMT 10
At Coledale I took lots of photos of annexes, including the different ways they were attached to vans (clips on a brass track, sailtrack etc.)
I burnt a CD and snail-mailed all of these to Mark, so if anyone has any particular questions there is now a bank of images which gives a fair comparison.
Will, We're in metropolitan Sydney (postcode 2193) - that might help you work out freight charges.
cheers
Belinda
Post script: I referred to the photos a lot when we were attaching the annexe to our van and they were a big help.
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Oct 23, 2005 18:29:09 GMT 10
Post by trodler on Oct 23, 2005 18:29:09 GMT 10
Hi Belinda.
I have been cleaning out the old shed over the weekend, and I have come across a bag full of wooden annex poles,that you are welcome to if your new annex doesnt have any.
happy camping.
Trodler.
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Oct 25, 2005 19:50:21 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Oct 25, 2005 19:50:21 GMT 10
Will, I can't find the post you put in with your phone number. Could you let me know again and I'll call you about the annexe.
Trodler, yes we'd like the poles. Reddo also gave us some so between them we should be able to do the job and pass any surplus onto another needy van owner.
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Oct 25, 2005 22:16:54 GMT 10
Post by will and Lyn on Oct 25, 2005 22:16:54 GMT 10
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Oct 26, 2005 7:24:26 GMT 10
Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2005 7:24:26 GMT 10
Hi will
No, he wasn't bullsh*tting ya mate!!!.
You should know by now i am famous all around OZ. Just ask the barmaids at the Great Northern Hotel in Cairns.I think one of my teeth is still in a jar up behind the bar. ( another story for another time)
I have known the Deeg bros since my high school days in the mid sixties. Fred often turns up at swap meets and calls in for a beer while he is doing the rounds. We use to do a lot of trail/ trials riding on bultacos etc out the scrub near west wallsend. Never had much to do with ginter and vinnie. unusual names but nice blokes.
Reddo - legend in his own lunchbox.
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Jan 15, 2006 9:25:50 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Jan 15, 2006 9:25:50 GMT 10
Unfortunately the annexe still hasn't shown up (Will, did you see the post about that?), but we did get ourselves an annexe floor in anticipation and it's proved surprisingly handy.
I read on the instructions that you could "use your annexe floor 365 days a year" to repair worn bits of lawn.
Now, in our back yard "lawn" gave place to dirt in many places a long time ago (three kids, lots of bikes, several cars, a vintage van - you know the picture) so I thought I'd give it a burl. Before we went to Kiama I threw around a lot of lawn seed, laid the mat over the top and gave it a water.
Picture our amazement when we came home after a week and found a four-inch fuzz of new grass poking up through the mat!
The things you learn when you get into vintage vans.
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Mar 3, 2006 12:44:57 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Mar 3, 2006 12:44:57 GMT 10
For those of you who've been following the saga since last August, I HAVE FINALLY GOT THE ANNEXE!!!!! When the kids get home from school this afternoon we'll have a family tent-pitching session.
The annexe turned up at a depot in Western Sydney. It seems the people there have been scratching their heads over it for quite a while.
In the meantime the annexe floor mat has done a good job rejuvenating the back yard. I've kept throwing grass seed on the barest patches, covering it with the mat and watering it. The grass grows up through the holes in the mat and every ten days or so we move it on to the next patch. After two months the back yard looks like a funny green chess board, but anything is an improvement on beaten earth!
Will, thanks so much for helping us out on this one.
cheers
Belinda
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Mar 3, 2006 13:00:46 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Mar 3, 2006 13:00:46 GMT 10
Here is some advice on cleaning canvas from the helpful people at Carlton Canvas (Sydney) 02 9587 0208
Use a light soapy solution (not detergent) in warm water. Lux Flakes is best.
Clean the canvas with a very soft brush (like a bannister brush) or a sponge. Don't use a stiff brush/broom or anything abrasive.
Don't use anything with chlorine, caustic or bleach as this will take out colour and make the canvas deteriorate.
Hose off thoroughly afterwards.
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Mar 16, 2006 11:04:16 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Mar 16, 2006 11:04:16 GMT 10
Will's annexe finally arrived, we've washed it in Lux and have had it repaired, including swapping the marconi clips for sailtrack.
This weekend we have to screw the sailtrack onto the van. Any advice on how to do so without prompting a divorce?
The supplier advised applying a bead of Silastic first to avoid leaks and make the strip attach better, and he suggested self-tapping screws. Do we start in the middle and work outwards? How far apart should we put the screws?
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Mar 16, 2006 12:07:27 GMT 10
Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2006 12:07:27 GMT 10
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Mar 18, 2006 18:15:33 GMT 10
Post by belinda on Mar 18, 2006 18:15:33 GMT 10
Woo Hoo, the annexe went on today! We're having a celebration party in the backyard this evening.
Reddo, thanks for the brilliant instructions. They were absolutely spot on.
The next step is the little roller on the top corner of the door to stop it wearing out the roof. Can anyone post a photo of one of these? or some suggestions of what we should get?
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