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Post by barbarab on Jun 19, 2011 13:10:22 GMT 10
Hi, we wanted a caravan to put on site at my sister’s home near Horsham. Tony’s pretty handy so we didn’t mind doing a bit of work on her. ![]() This is her before she came to us.     You can see she’s in decent condition. We found a few things needed fixing:   There was some rot in the front corner too:   So we patched everything up:  and painted her:  We removed the bunk beds and the double bed under it:  and left a bit of a mess to fix up.  More to follow: |
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Post by barbarab on Jun 19, 2011 13:30:21 GMT 10
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Post by barbarab on Jun 19, 2011 16:25:45 GMT 10
Hi, here Tony has started on the new bedframe.    New light fittings – flourescent.  The sheltie approves.  On the seventh day Tony rested too, with Jessica (GSD) and the shelties helping.  Three layers of vinyl tiles and linoleum were taken out of here.   It really looks good, nice and neat now – no more damaged tiles.  This needed a bit of work, reinforcing the corner and resealing it.  Tony took off the exterior fridge vents and put flyscreen behind them.  He made a new smaller table so we don’t need to squeeze in. We’ve kept the old table and if we ever sell it, the new owners can have it too.  A cover was made for the sink so we have a bit more bench space.  A step made for the shelties so they can get on and off the bed easily.  The bedroom now in order.  The frame for the new airconditioner. I had to remake the blinds now for the new windows smaller than the one big one that was there before.    Tony made a front cover for the airconditioner for when she’s on the road. Don’t want a stone going through it and we renamed her “Gypsy”.  Now she has her name on the front. We might get new wheel covers made later. It’s been an interesting time. Now we’re freaking out about towing her. Barbara B - |
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 19, 2011 18:44:21 GMT 10
Struth Barbara!!...half of Horsham will be able to fit in that bed!!  I must say what an amazing job you guys have done!  Bloody brilliant. Congratulations on a fine effort. ;D Google tells me it's about 360kms from Somerville to Horsham, so I wouldn't be too concerned about towing the van, even if the ball weight is out a bit. You could still throw an old blanket over the bed and let the spare tyres rest at the back for the trip. Stack any other stuff in the rear half until the drawbar weight is down to about 100kgs, and then the remainder should be distributed equally between front and rear. The road from Melbourne to Horsham was in pretty good nick if I remember correctly from our trip last year, so the van shouldn't be bouncing around all that much. Hope you enjoy your stays in the van during your visits. I think the only problem you'll have down the track is that each time you stay you'll have to 'shoo' all the others out that have taken up residence during your absences. It's too good a van to leave vacant for any length of time.   All the best with taking the van over there. cheers, Al. |
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Post by JBJ on Jun 19, 2011 19:21:36 GMT 10
Hi,
At the risk of being my normal self, who really doesnt care much about the "RULES", I think you should forget all you have been told about drawbar weight. Just hook your van up, & take it for a tow along a reasonably straight & level road (if you have one near you).
See how it tows, slowly increasing speed in short sections, till you get it up to the speed you feel comfortable towing with. I will bet you dont have any problems.
I wont use leveller bars, & I've towed a lot of different vans & trailers.
I go back to being a teenager, when my Dad towed 14' ply vans behind an FE Holden, with Mum & 4 kids as passengers.
Guarantee that a mile or so on the road the van started swaying. Dad stopped, had a blue with Mum about all the crap she packed in the overhead cupboards. She then re packed the van, & off we went for several weeks without a problem. Didnt go real fast, but that showed me how a van can be tempremental when packed wrong.
Over the following 50 odd years, I've found trailers & vans react to how they are loaded.
I've never checked drawbar weight on anything. I've had vans I can lift at the front, & some I cant get off the ground by hand.
They all establish their own comfortable towing speed.
Some you can tow at 120 plus kmh, without a wobble. Some are comfortable at 100 kmh. Some less. Different sized tow vehicles, different height tow balls, all make a difference.
So my idea is try out what you have. It may not give you any grief as it is. If it does, then toss your spare wheels, & a bit of a load in the back of the van. Test it to same speed & road. If its better, that gives you some ideas where to stack the weight.
If not, put the load to the front & try it.
Vintage caravans werent designed on computers, & a hell of a lot were homebuilt.
Find out what works for you, Then go & enjoy the best fun you will ever have.
Its all fun if you let it be.
JBJ
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Post by retro64 on Jun 19, 2011 19:38:15 GMT 10
Hi guys, We love the pictures of your van restoration. It's nice to see a different colour scheme, what a great use of browns and neutrals, it looks lovely and sleek. You've incorporated some great ideas but our favourite has got to be the step for the shelties and the Sheltie seal of approval,very cute !!! cheers retro64 |
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 19, 2011 20:12:58 GMT 10
G'day Barbara, ...and that means you should ignore my suggestion about a concrete slab in the rear as well... cheers, Al. |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jun 19, 2011 20:58:28 GMT 10
Hi. Great pics of a fabulous transformation - congratulations on all your work. Now go and enjoy the fruits of your labours. I've been following the whole debate on ball-weights etc. Of course adding the aircon hasn't helped your problem  I agree with what Al said somewhere along the track, get the van weighed, to see if your calcs are right. As long as your car has the towing capacity, I also agree with what JBJ advised - go out and enjoy the van ;D ;D The only thing that JBJ and I disagree on is the matter of anti-sway bars. I feel thay DO help you control your van better, especially when those huge B Doubles pass you, as no amount of correct packing will overcome their pull. For what they cost in the whole scheme of a caravan investment, it's a small cost for added safety - and these days every little bit helps. Ray |
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Post by humpyboy on Jun 19, 2011 21:00:11 GMT 10
I saw this van when it was only about half done and was very impressed with the work done thus far, Tony&Barb you have done well she looks beautifull and I'm sure you will both enjoy using her.
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Post by curtis on Jun 19, 2011 21:16:27 GMT 10
We too saw this van while the works were in progress, it looked good then but even better now.
We have never checked the ball weight of our Freeway, tows just fine. We do have anti sway bars, and try to keep the weight low down inside the van. Have travelled at 110km/h on the Ballarat freeway with not a wobble in the world!!
Good luck for the tow to Horsham and enjoy using Gypsy. (Hope the is some room left in the bed one ALL the Shelties get in!!)
Sue and Dave
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 21, 2011 23:25:17 GMT 10
Hi Barbara and Tony, What a great job you've done on your Freeway. It really looks the goods!  The internal paintwork looks fantastic. On the question of towing and ball weight, I agree with Roehm. Even if the ball weight of your van is a bit above average, you should be OK providing your car is up to it. Our van weighs about 850 kgs dry, and the ball weight once loaded is 150 kgs, which is comparatively heavy, and probably influenced by the fact that our quite large annexe and main water tank are carried at the front of the van. When we went looking for a new tow vehicle last year, the ball weight rating of the car became important. The car we bought has a rating of 230 kgs. We looked at a car with a rating of 180 kgs, but decided that didn't give us enough leeway. Having said that, we're very happy with what we ended up with. Because of the comparatively heavy weight on the tow bar, we use load levellers, and like Roehm, I reckon they are the go. In fact they once saved us from a situation which would almost certainly have ended in us jack knifing at best, or with an overturned caravan at worst. (I must tell that story on the forum one day!) The levellers certainly provide us with a stable and pleasant ride. That's our experience for what it's worth... Don Ricardo |
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Post by firefighter on Jun 22, 2011 9:01:09 GMT 10
 G'day Barbara & Tony It appears you have not towed a caravan before .......maybe you should send away for this free book ....and have a read of it before you hit the road ......it might save you a lot of head aches latter on AND....... any body else on the forum that is new to towing caravan/trailers etc..........this would also include all the new cool chicks that have joined the forum that have bought a van or are still looking for a caravan I would guess a lot of members have never tow a caravan in there life ...untill they have bought a vintage van  ?? www.towingguide.com.au/f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2011 9:06:19 GMT 10
Well said f/f!
hughdeani
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Post by barbarab on Jun 22, 2011 19:14:29 GMT 10
Hi f/f,
we've already discovered that site. :-)
You'd be surprised at how many caravan sites we've discovered and examined. Have you heard of the saying "A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing"? Well, that's us! Right now, we're busy building up our courage - after all, how scarey can it be?
Barbara B
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Post by firefighter on Jun 22, 2011 19:20:22 GMT 10
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Post by barbarab on Jun 22, 2011 20:20:31 GMT 10
Hi,
I requested it but apparently they're out os stock.
I think we'll be heading out early one Sunday morning at about 3am. We usually go up at that time and count on no traffic until the other side of Deer Park, and then most of it is coming the other way.
Barbara B
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Post by jenniewren on Jun 22, 2011 20:51:50 GMT 10
Never too old to learn I say......everything above has been said that I agree with! I am one of those "chicks" err lady thank you very much who has NEVER towed a caravan in my life....my theory....I am never going to either! That's the "dudes" err "gentleman's (The boy's) job! Of course assuming that a male travels on holiday with you of course! BUT...I have seen plenty of ladies towing huge trailers/vans & horse floats so it can't be that hard! The vehicle must be the key...
Distributing the weight in the van is also paramount....proved that when we towed our vv! J
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Post by barbarab on Jun 26, 2011 11:17:14 GMT 10
Hi,
a last postscript - Tony and my brother took the caravan up to Horsham this morning starting out at 4am. We'd got the towball weight down to 82kg. Tony said she towed beautifully - nice and straight with no dramas at all. He had to take it easy through the Pentland Hills, but that was all.
Thank you everyone for your continued help and encouragement. I can't say how much it has helped and how much we appreciated it.
Barbara B
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Post by hilldweller on Jun 26, 2011 16:35:08 GMT 10
Never too old to learn I say......everything above has been said that I agree with! I am one of those "chicks" err lady thank you very much who has NEVER towed a caravan in my life....my theory....I am never going to either! That's the "dudes" err "gentleman's (The boy's) job! Of course assuming that a male travels on holiday with you of course! BUT...I have seen plenty of ladies towing huge trailers/vans & horse floats so it can't be that hard! The vehicle must be the key... Distributing the weight in the van is also paramount....proved that when we towed our vv! J You are right. It's not hard you just have to remember to allow space if the van's a bit wider than the tow vehicle and look for easy parking spaces (yes I can reverse the van but no way I'd try parallel parking it on a street). Having said that, I dunno what driving would be like with a vintage tow car without power steering as I've never driven one, but with a modern vehicle it's fine. Nice looking van Barbara |
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gizzo
New Member
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Post by gizzo on Aug 5, 2011 22:33:25 GMT 10
well done tony & barb on your resto.im about to start on a a few water rot repairs on my 68 sportline and general cleanup, you have gave me inspiration to keep on going.
campbell
natimuk,vic
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Post by barbarab on Aug 6, 2011 8:38:10 GMT 10
Thank you Campbell,
I hope you enjoy the process of mending it as much as we did too.
We went up to Horsham for a week in July and it was good - much more convenient than a tent and it's great to have a decent bed at the end of the day.
I just asked Tony if there's anything he would have done differently about the interior and he said he's satisfied with it.
Barbara B
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robby
New Member
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Post by robby on Feb 1, 2019 18:23:49 GMT 10
Hi Barbara and Tony. We are first time caravan owners. We have bought a 1970 Franklin Freeway. It needs ALOT of work. I hope it looks great one day like yours.
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Post by Roehm3108 on Feb 1, 2019 21:30:23 GMT 10
Hi Robby
B&T don't seem to be around any more as this thread is about 8 years old since it has been added to. At least you have a good yardstick to use for your van!! Good luck with that.
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I agree with what Al said somewhere along the track, get the van weighed, to see if your calcs are right. As long as your car has the towing capacity, I also agree with what JBJ advised - go out and enjoy the van 
