Thread: Homestar's new home?

So, SWMBO wasted no time and has started to pack the van. Bedding, towels, etc. I bought some clearance ready made curtains - not what I want long term, but will do for now - and have 75% of them cut, hemmed and installed. Will do the rest tommorrow night. They are a burgundy blockout which doesn't look too bad. For $50 I can't complain. SWMBO new sewing machine isn't as good as the old Singer I don't think, but I can live with it - I use it far more than she does... 😁

3 days to go, once the curtains are finished, I have 4 flyscreens I need to fix and to redo the flyscreen on the door. After that, it's just more packing, and doing a few pre trip checks on the 101.

So close now... 😊

Read more: Gav's New Viscount Van | Classic Caravans

hehe,,, "A camping we will go,, a camping we will go,, off on a holiday, a camping we will gooooo"

Someby say curtains? Lol

Well, ready or not, we hit the road in a few hours - just heading an hour up the Hume tonight and staying at a friends place, then a small jump again from there up to another friends in Tatura - Both AULRO members - ain't this forum great! Monday is another small hop to Corowa from there, so not long runs - max about an hour and a half or so.


231F956B-F669-4260-B927-656490423E20 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

A quick update - we spent 9 nights in the van on the way to Corowa and while there for the week. Was very comfy and got a lot of attention in the middle of the oval at the caravan park. I got it home last night as it spent a couple of weeks at a farm after Corowa so once I get tidied up a bit around the house, I'll be back into it. There's still heaps to do and I got a lot of good ideas (mostly from Harry - thanks mate) 👍

Been doing a bit in the evenings and this weekend. Got the HWS fitted and plumbed in - just have to hook the gas up but I need a small bit of copper pipe - getting this from a mate during the week rather than buying a 10 metre roll, so will be complete next weekend.

Also installed the cheapy diesel heater I paid $250 delievered for - I think it may actually be too big for the van - it is a 5KW unit, but even at it's lowest setting it kicks out heaps of hot air - will see when it is actually cold though. 😁

There isn't much to them - not sure how some companies can justify over $1000 for a small casting, fan, control unit and electric fuel pump.

It draws 10 amps for around 2 minutes while starting up then drops to around 2.5 amps when running on low up to 3.5 amps going flat stick. I will have to do something with the exhaust of it - it wouldn't be much fun for other campers running it on a cold still morning - it has a horrible drone to it. Will buy a muffler for it and some exhaust wrap as well I think which hopefully will make it bearable for those around me - inside with the door closed you can barely hear it, but I wouldn't want to camp next to one that hasn't been silenced...

Not sure how it will go in sub zero conditions as the fuel line has to run under the van and it goes in the bottom of the unit so likely to freeze up when you need it most probably. Looking at how it's made, it could be modified to keep everything inside the van - will see how things pan out before I go down that path, but doable if needed.

I now have a modern awning that I can fit up to the van, but the question is do I or don't I? Unit is slightly too long but can be shortened easily. Even came with anti flapper kit. Needs new canvas but that's only a few hundred dollars compared to the $800 plus a new one is. Problem is its looks... It will sit up above the roofline slightly at each end as the roofline has quite a sweep to it so thinking it will look dicky when packed up but should that concern me? Probably won't be so bad with it out, but I'm a bit torn...

Don't want to go drilling holes in the van only to find I hate it... I'll prop it up with some timber but looking for opinions here - yes or no? I won't be upset with either opinion as I really don't know myself.

Got it for nothing off next doors van as it was replaced by insurance when the fabric tore, so easy come, easy go...

Think I’ve made my mind up that I won’t be fitting it, I think it will look too out of place. Will see if I can sell it and put the money towards something more period correct.