Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[ajlelectronics]

Whilst pottering about in the van I had a drip on my head. Inspection revealed a damp patch on the floor and water emerging from a screw head on the roof vent. On removing the roof panels, I found that two of the roof spars were completely rotten and resembled wood that had been in a fire!
This was due in no small part do a previous "repair" which entailed fitting a roof vent which was too small. In order to fill the void, liberal applications of expanding foam had been applied!

To get the wallboards off, I need to remove the furniture. This is all fastened from the outside in, so have to take off the side skin.

Removing the awning rails is giving some problems. Rather than screws or even rivets, the rail is fixed every inch or so with twisted shank nails. The heads of these nails have almost rusted away, but not badly enough to release the rail easily.

I can't drill out the nails as the bit will wander into the wood, so I am at a bit of a loss as to how I will do this without major damage.

Is the awning rail standard, so I could maybe butcher it off and replace it?

[scooterdaz]

Would you be able to get the heads off the nails with a small grinding tool, something like a dremill

[Uncle Alec]

Awning rail is available either new or secondhand, so I would say butcher it, get the nails out using Mole grips or pincers (taking care not to cut through the nails but if you do punch them in flush with the wood), and hopefully avoid damaging the wood.
They are a pain those nails. I had problems with them on the Royale.

[ajlelectronics]

Van is slowly coming apart and showing all the bodges previously carried out. Most of the wood seems OK but the uprights in all four corners is rotten. I have the side skins off, just the front / back and roof sections now, to expose the full horrors.

I found a number of techniques for dealing with those damn nails, including a "trim button tool" which is a flat steel bar with a slot in it. Some of them required a claw hammer, others needed the heads cutting off. Once cut, a pair of mole grips withdrew the nail fairly easily. Awning rails are destroyed, so I hope replacement will not be too pricey?

[ajlelectronics]

All of the bodywork is now off and the full horrors exposed. I am extremely unimpressed by the build standard. Far from carpentry, it looks like a five year old was let loose with some scrap wood and thousands of nails! In places, there are a few long staples to break up the monotony, but where it is impossible to get a screwdriver, they have used mild steel screws!

The wallboards were not as I hoped, fastened to the structure, they are PART of the structure. Major disassembly required to replace them. Ceiling boards are fitted before the roof trusses and side rails and all is screwed together. Previous repairer cut the old boards down and then cut the new ones to wedge into place. Shelves at each end are again part of the structure, full roof woodwork removal required to get to them. "A frame" has some rust damage where the cabinet has been bobbing about and holding water in contact.

Now considering whether I actually want to continue with this. My standards will not allow me to repair to the manufacturer's standard, I will have to do it properly. I can see me spending a small fortune on this!

[Onlyrwd]

I can understand your concern, '70s mainstream caravans were thrown together from what I have seen inside a few I have flatpacked, 30 years of use and water ingress will spread everywhere causing far more damage than first thought.

The method and the order in which caravans are constructed make them difficult to repair neatly without major disassembly, question is now whether to stop and use the money to get a better one but even they you dont know what you are getting...
_________________
Mick


78 Cavalier GL
78 Manta Berlinetta

67/68 Thomson Glenelg WANTED

[ajlelectronics]

Not sure yet, but I might have to scrap this van...

I bought a pop up tent which was meant to protect her from the weather whilst undressed, but the two roof support poles have cut through the material and allowed it to fall. This allowed the rainwater to pool in the material and then drip through onto the front and back of the van, soaking it thoroughly. Inside is sopping wet too. I have made a rudimentary efort to keep the rain off and I hope it will dry out. I will then wrap it in a tarpaulin until I get a chance and the right weather to start repairing it.

If it doesn't dry out etc, then it will have to be done away with, not an idea that enthralls me, especially as I have bought quite a few bits and pieces for it.

If I do bin it, is there any market for a full set of panels and windows etc? How about a 2 way fridge, untested?

[ajlelectronics]

Well that's the end of the project!

Went to get something out of the garage this morning and noticed that the side storage area had been tidied up. No big surprise as 'indoors tends to do such things.

When I looked a bit closer, some thieving ***** has stolen all the caravan panels and windows that were stored there. Cretins even took the fibreglass rear panel. So as soon as we get some clear weather it looks like I am going to have to dismantle and dispose of it.

I have a couple of panels and windows left including the roof so should they be of use to anyone, they will be free to a good home. Also the two way fridge, an awning and cushions etc. Or take the lot away and solve the lot for me!

Located in Gloucester