Caravan construction.

[LandyAndy]

Once again,a thread to learn what vans are constructed from to help when Im looking for a van.
Thoughts are an older pop top in good condition that can be upgraded.
Basically,I would like to know which ones use alloy frames VS wooden that could have unseen rot.Plus any that are regarded as a "dont touch its a lemon"
All advice appreciated.
Andrew

[Rok_Dr]

Basically there are 3 methods of body construction. All have their pros and cons. I wouldn't get too hung up on any one method, but buy on condition. There are a lot of old wood vans still on the road and despite concerns I have been very happy with my wooden framed Windsor.

1. Wood frame and aluminium sheeting. This is the classic construction method and I feel has a little more 'give/flex' which I think is good in off-road or rough gravel situations. If the sealing goes then prone to rotting, however digilent inspection of the interior around the corners and inside cupboards/cavities For water stains, marks or lifting veneers will give clues.

2. Aluminium frame. Started appearing in the 80's. Frame is not prone to rotting, however interior panelling, can still have moisture damage if sealing goes. Potential for frame cracking if there has been lots of rough road usage, however this depends on build quality and spec of aluminium tubing used.

3. Aluminium/fibreglass foam sandwich sheeting. Mostly seen in newer vans. Flat smooth sides. I don't know much about the pros and cons of this construction, but a lot of manufacturers are going this route.

Sealing materials have changed over the years as well. Older vans used caulking compounds which had a shorter life span before requiring reselling. I seem to recall a 10 year life. Newer vans use silicon sealants which last longer, 20 years? I would expect anything made in the last 15-20 years will use silicon.

Insulation is another feature which was not common or a premium feature in older vans. Worth having imho, particularly if you don't have aircond.

My 2006 Windsor is wood framed but when they moved manufacture to Perth they changed to aluminium and are now a rebadged coromal. Jayco have almost always been aluminium framed until recently, ditto coromal. Viscounts were a mixture, depending on year/ model. Roma's are wood or sandwich foam for the newer ones.

If you and Deb are coming up to Perth, you're more than welcome to drop by for a chat and look through the Castle.

Cheers

Steve

[Homestar]

Just a few notes in red. I'm only mentioning these as I'm a classic caravan nut. :). No, they won't suit your needs Andy, I love mine to bits, but it stays mostly on the bitumen, and a few short tracks to get to some decent campsites.


Basically there are 3 methods of body construction. All have their pros and cons. I wouldn't get too hung up on any one method, but buy on condition. There are a lot of old wood vans still on the road and despite concerns I have been very happy with my wooden framed Windsor.

1. Wood frame and aluminium sheeting. This is the classic construction method and I feel has a little more 'give/flex' which I think is good in off-road or rough gravel situations. If the sealing goes then prone to rotting, however digilent inspection of the interior around the corners and inside cupboards/cavities For water stains, marks or lifting veneers will give clues.

2. Aluminium frame. Started appearing in the 80's - Early 70's - introduced by Viscount. Frame is not prone to rotting, however interior panelling, can still have moisture damage if sealing goes. Potential for frame cracking if there has been lots of rough road usage, however this depends on build quality and spec of aluminium tubing used.

3. Aluminium/fibreglass foam sandwich sheeting. Mostly seen in newer vans Franklin developed sandwich panel construction in the late 60's and started using it in production from the early 70's. My 76 Franklin arrow is composite construction and is still rock solid after 40 years (but you wouldn't tow one of these vintage off road if you wanted it to last. :). Flat smooth sides. I don't know much about the pros and cons of this construction, but a lot of manufacturers are going this route. Cost effective, strong, rigid construction.

Sealing materials have changed over the years as well. Older vans used caulking compounds which had a shorter life span before requiring reselling. I seem to recall a 10 year life. yep, the old mastic style sealants go hard and crack after 10 to 15 yearsNewer vans use silicon sealants which last longer, 20 years? I would expect anything made in the last 15-20 years will use silicon. poly urethane sealants are the best and used extensively in the car industry, and also in parts in vans. I don't know why they don't use more of it (probably cost) as it is far superior to silicone based sealants.

Insulation is another feature which was not common or a premium feature in older vans. Again, Franklins vans using there composite construction were fully insulated back in the early 70's but most vans using either timber or aluminium frames were not. Worth having imho, particularly if you don't have aircond.

My 2006 Windsor is wood framed but when they moved manufacture to Perth they changed to aluminium and are now a rebadged coromal. Jayco have almost always been aluminium framed until recently, ditto coromal. Viscounts were a mixture, depending on year/ model. Roma's are wood or sandwich foam for the newer ones.

If you and Deb are coming up to Perth, you're more than welcome to drop by for a chat and look through the Castle.

Cheers

Steve

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I really dont think what its made of counts for much,,
quality of build does, sadly not something easily seen.
As with all things with wheels its a lucky dip:p

[TerryO]

There are a couple of other different forms of construction for vans, the least common is a complete Fibreglass moulded construction with no internal frame work, this is perhaps the strongest method of building a caravan though some can be a bit heavy.

The other is the more common Pommy way with composite sheets bolted together on the edges with a aluminium 90 degree joiner like how Bailey caravans are built and again with no internal frame. This makes the van potentially very light and believe it or not very strong.

Check out Zone caravans built in Queensland, they are a work of art and extremely light. Recently when I rang them and asked about building a van to a certain design they came back with a estimated cost of over $170k plus. This same lay out from other high end quality van builders can be had for about $120k but brings a weight penalty.

[Vern]

My folks invented this and made a few before onselling the company to Centaur.
http://www.centaurproducts.com.au/index.php?id=57

Basic construction is gal chassis, marine ply floor, sandwich panel walls, one piece fibreglass roof/front which had timber cross bars. All bonded with a polyurethane sealer of some kind.
Sandwich panel was a glass outer, polystyrene center, timber veneer inner wall.
Is very strong and doesn't have that flimsy feel of a timber framed aluminium van, its more like a mustang fibreglass boat that it was based on.

[Cap]

Alloy frame and sheeting, my Millard is early 1970 and they were built before it. strong construction and i prefer over timber... never worry about it.

[Homestar]

My folks invented this and made a few before onselling the company to Centaur.
Centaur Products Australia: Karakampa (http://www.centaurproducts.com.au/index.php?id=57)

Basic construction is gal chassis, marine ply floor, sandwich panel walls, one piece fibreglass roof/front which had timber cross bars. All bonded with a polyurethane sealer of some kind.
Sandwich panel was a glass outer, polystyrene center, timber veneer inner wall.
Is very strong and doesn't have that flimsy feel of a timber framed aluminium van, its more like a mustang fibreglass boat that it was based on.

I like!

I better not show SWMBO or that could cost me some dollars... :D

[mick88]

Weren't "Olympic" a pretty good caravan in their day.
Made in Queensland, fibreglass construction, possibly a touch on the heavy side.


https://www.google.com.au/search?q=olympic+fibreglass+caravans&biw=1680&bih=902&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjTgvKmrMzKAhVBWWMKHRJYC1cQsAQIRA



Cheers, Mick.

[JDNSW]

Just for completeness - my old Carapark van - steel frame, with alloy sheeting. The steel cracks!

John