Thread: Caravans - new V old

Hi Gav,

our van is only a year old, full height 21'6" semi off road version with cruisemaster independent susp, 12" brakes and is ally clad etc. It doesn't have a hot dipped chassis, which I was told wasn't available as an option which is a pity, but has the full offroad version heavy duragal/ supagal chassis. With all the mod cons, shower and ensuite, hot water , 200litres of water, 3 solar panels, 3 batteries, toilet, A/C etc etc etc it weighs in at 2520kg empty

Close to 3 tons loaded.

I would say it has everything to do with all the 'stuff' people want to add to their vans nowadays. Build quality and materials have improved to a point, but I think driven more about profitability than longevity.
if I get the lifespan from some of the old vans like yours I'll be happy.


JC

The thing about older vans is how they were built, not what they were built with(cheap plywood) and this is why they will out last the modern van, the gear they were built with was cheap and nasty, but caravan makers in those days took pride in the workmanship and built them to last, also extras, most modern vans have that much extra stuff in them, like showers larger water tanks, heaps more plumbing and electrics and more cooking stuff, ovens, Microwaves, A/C, bigger rims, larger windows.

Baz.

Originally Posted by Redback

The thing about older vans is how they were built, not what they were built with(cheap plywood) and this is why they will out last the modern van, the gear they were built with was cheap and nasty, but caravan makers in those days took pride in the workmanship and built them to last, also extras, most modern vans have that much extra stuff in them, like showers larger water tanks, heaps more plumbing and electrics and more cooking stuff, ovens, Microwaves, A/C, bigger rims, larger windows.

Baz.

It's crazy... The roads have improved dramatically around australia over the last 30years.... So the current crop of 'vans "HAVE" to be high, absolutely immense, indestructable RHS drawbars, that go right back to the massive chassis axle hangers. They are bloody unbelievable how tough and strong the chassis is built, then you have all the modern cons on top of it. I reckon 0.05% of them would even see a gravel road in there lifetime.

I've been looking at old 'vans too. My old man keeps telling me to look at old franklins due to the foam sandwich construction. he said they were hated when new "they'll fall apart before you even get them home"........ Look at the number still on the roads 30years later though .... Most likely because the frames don't rot out when they leak..... 'cos there is no frame

I "almost" bough a really tidy old full sized 'van locally on ebay. I looked at it, the chasis is frail little C sections, drawbar good 'n' strong, the outrigger from the chassis are nothing, the floor is light................... The caravan was early 70's but appeared to have never leaked. All those years old, and it's still sound and excellent. So why do they need to be so heavily built ?

I did just agree to buy an old full sized 17foot Chesney. Ugly in a weird way, full aluminium frame (either that or they figurted out a way to rivet to wood) It looks like it's had a poorly repaired wall in it, but next to no rot, no water leaks, tidy and original inside, underneath is covered with surface rust but very sound. Tare weight 913kg ... for a full sized 17' bunk van.

I'll just tidy up it's wall when it's been repaired, give it a splash of paint (that it really doesn't need, it looks great from 10paces) and it'll be good to go for another 20years. I'll probalby re-seal the whole 'van "just incase". It's only labour, it won't cost anything.

The trick I've found is to find one that's never leaked (or if it has, slight staining that was immediately fixed at the time so there's no rot). There easy to pick, just open the door, if it doesn't stink you'll liekly find no evidence of leakage and rott.

I'll probably take the old Rangie down one night this week and drag it home.... I don't like towing something that I have checked the tires, bearings, lights, brakes etc on ... so I'll use the heaviest vehicle I own to bring it home (ie: the old 'Classic). Keep it under 80km/h after checking the air pressure in the tires.

seeya,
Shane L.

Our 1963 Franklin Premier (badged as Wanda) has a TARE of 810kgs & AGG of 1014kgs & tows very nicely. Previous owner dragged it across the Nullarbor a few times & all over Australia. Inside is still very good with everything other than the ice box as standard - had a 3 way fridge installed back in the 70's. Has a minor water leak from the rear window, & probably needs resealing. But rubbers all seem good.

We are planning a trip around Europe in a couple of years & will get a UK modern van along the lines of Bailey of Bristol Pursuit 530, basically a 4 berth, 20 foot with a TARE of 1175kgs & AGG of 1377kgs. Also has a full en-suite for SHMBO & will probably tow with a late Defender purchased over there for the trip, maybe modified into a Dormobile for the out of the way places like Iceland! Also going to bring this lot back to Australia after the trip, so we can do the Australia trip. Then into an old folks home!

So I don't really understand why the Australian caravans are so heavy, as the old Franklin has done plenty of unsealed work & springs, bushes & bearings all seem to have held up well.

I just noticed something else.... We can now put the old caravan onto club permits in Victoria.... That's brilliant, I'm going to paint up the old caravan with the stripes the same colour as my old cars, and stick it on a club permit. That'll look fantastic (old club permit car towing an old club permit caravan!).

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I just noticed something else.... We can now put the old caravan onto club permits in Victoria.... That's brilliant, I'm going to paint up the old caravan with the stripes the same colour as my old cars, and stick it on a club permit. That'll look fantastic (old club permit car towing an old club permit caravan!).

seeya,
Shane L.

How much is a club permit for a Caravan?
I always thought it was more expensive than full rego.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

How much is a club permit for a Caravan?
I always thought it was more expensive than full rego.

No savings really .... $23 ( 45 day) $43 (90day) versus $48 for normal registration. I just want to plates to match How nuts is that

caravan and trailer registration is cheap in victoria.

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

No savings really .... $23 ( 45 day) $43 (90day) versus $48 for normal registration. I just want to plates to match How nuts is that

caravan and trailer registration is cheap in victoria.

seeya,
Shane L.

Shhhh!!!!!
With our club permit and trailer rego, they'll all be wanting to move down here.
Don't even mention their bad beer and our real footy.