Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[midlandgardencare]

i have a 1990's swift challenger that has had bad water ingress at the back. a preious owner has sealed the leaks but hasnt repaired the damage now the timbers have rotted and the boards are de-laminated, i'd like to repair the framework and re-board the back of the caravan. i'm not too concerned with matching the wall boards to the existing patern.

a couple of questions i have are where do i buy wallboards from, and how would you think is best to tackle replacing part of the frame? the back already has the seating removed and i'll be taking the cupboards down soon as they are no longer attached to the roof and are resting on the curtain pelmet. the floor is ok as ive already checked that.
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www.midlandgardencare.co.uk

[EcclesE10]

Been down this path with my 1957 Eccles recently, there was some rot in the framing round the wheel arch and a bit in the top rail, and at some point in years past someone had scarfed about 18" into the bottom of the door post. I tackled this by removing the wardrobe and seatbox, then removed the internal panelling by punching the pins through the board into the framing, although on a more modern van this may not help as the internal panelling may not be pinned on. Having removed the inner panelling, I cut away the foil/paper insulation, which will be replaced with Thermawrap foil backed bubblewrap, this meant I could see what needed replacing. I made a new softwood door post, treated with Cuprinol 5 star, and the two bits of rot were cut out and replaced with new timber. Joins were scarfed, glued with epoxy, and then strapped with 22mm square hardwood. Just got the inner panelling to replace and we are back on the road... For the wall boards, try Meyer Timber, as I believe they supply a variety of laminate faced decorative boards. BE AWARE, when you cut bits out of the framing to replace them, there is a chance the whole lot could collapse round your ears if you leave too much unsupported! I put lengths of timber as props between a spreader plate on the floor and another under the roof... Hope this helps, Matt