Hello to all members and a short story of my DIY Caravan.
Hetho said
11:27 PM Dec 16, 2015
Hello all.
Here is my short caravan story and some photos.
My caravan project started looking at caravans for our retirement.
We went caravan shopping and finally decided on a van that would suit our needs - $125000.00. Need to work for a few more years.
Driving to Perth one morning up the Kwinana Freewaywe saw a caravan carcass being towed; presumably to have the outer panels installed; and my wife said: ?why don't you build one?.!
That was the start of our caravan.
Whilst holidaying in Albany. WA, I spotted a 1976, 23Ft Capricorn dual axel van sitting unloved in a paddock. Inspected the chassis, paid $250.00 for it, and towed it home.
After a couple of weeks the Capricorn was stripped down to the chassis. Everything above the chassis went to the local scrap dealer and Gumtree for a total of $1600.00.
Then I was made redundant in October 2015; and the project became my full time job.
The suspension was removed and replaced with 3.5 Ton capacity springs and axles. The draw bar was removed and replaced with 150 x 50 x 3 RHS, with an extended ?A? frame that runs through as one piece to the front spring hangers.
The walls and roof and floor are a fiberglass composite, with a molded nose cone supplied by a company in Coolum Beach, Qld; and I`m in Mandurah WA.
Freight was astronomical, so I licensed the chassis as a ?flat top? and drove over to Qld to pick up the materials, which included the windows, doors and trims.
The trip was approx. 10000 Km`s and cost $2500.00 all up including insurance, which was much cheaper than the best freight quote of $5700.00.
The build started on the 23 March, 2015; and I was ?Done and dusted? at the end of October.
Took it on a test run to Port Hedland (3600 Km`s return) 2 weeks ago and nothing broke and towed like a dream, I`m happy.
My original build estimate was $40000.00, but lashed out on some good gear to make life more comfortable. The total cost was $45000.00 and have it insured for an agreed value of $80000.00, and weighed in at 2200 Kg`s.
We are leaving Mandurah on the 29th Dec. for Victoria to see my mum in Mt Beauty (she`s 87), then down to Mornington Peninsula to see my daughter and newest grandson. (Popped out on 9th Dec) Home end of Jan, 2016.
I have kept the verbal short, the pictures will tell the rest. ( Heaps more photos if anyone is interested)
WOW!!! Hetho, well done. The satisfaction would be immeasurable.
Aussie Paul.
KFT said
05:06 PM Dec 17, 2015
Welcome from us too Hetho
Wow what a great result. You have excelled and the caravan you now have is going to be a head turner for sure Well done.
We are a happy bunch in here, happy to have a chat about anything.
Do a search and if you cannot find the right answer then pop a question into the relevant section for a quicker response.
We have some lovely polo shirts in the shop, good quality and comfortable too.
I am sure the "Chief of cheer" will be along soon to welcome you also.
Frank
aussietraveller said
06:04 PM Dec 17, 2015
That's a fantastic looking van and to have done it all yourself is a real credit to you hetho, welcome to the forum I am sure you will find us a friendly bunch and we look forward to maybe seeing your van one day out in the big playground.
Dougwe said
08:12 PM Dec 17, 2015
Gee fanks for the intro KFC
Welcome to the gang Hetho, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Nice van and I tell you that for free.
Keep an eye out for KFC's pink polo shirt, you will need sunnies for sure.
Hetho said
09:34 PM Dec 17, 2015
Hi Aussie Paul, KFT, Aussietraveller and Dougwe.
Thank you all for your kind comments, and welcome.
Hope to meet you all on the road somewhere.
Regards.
Hetho
Hello all.
Here is my short caravan story and some photos.
My caravan project started looking at caravans for our retirement.
We went caravan shopping and finally decided on a van that would suit our needs - $125000.00. Need to work for a few more years.
Driving to Perth one morning up the Kwinana Freeway we saw a caravan carcass being towed; presumably to have the outer panels installed; and my wife said: ?why don't you build one?.!
That was the start of our caravan.
Whilst holidaying in Albany. WA, I spotted a 1976, 23Ft Capricorn dual axel van sitting unloved in a paddock. Inspected the chassis, paid $250.00 for it, and towed it home.
After a couple of weeks the Capricorn was stripped down to the chassis. Everything above the chassis went to the local scrap dealer and Gumtree for a total of $1600.00.
Then I was made redundant in October 2015; and the project became my full time job.
The suspension was removed and replaced with 3.5 Ton capacity springs and axles. The draw bar was removed and replaced with 150 x 50 x 3 RHS, with an extended ?A? frame that runs through as one piece to the front spring hangers.
The walls and roof and floor are a fiberglass composite, with a molded nose cone supplied by a company in Coolum Beach, Qld; and I`m in Mandurah WA.
Freight was astronomical, so I licensed the chassis as a ?flat top? and drove over to Qld to pick up the materials, which included the windows, doors and trims.
The trip was approx. 10000 Km`s and cost $2500.00 all up including insurance, which was much cheaper than the best freight quote of $5700.00.
The build started on the 23 March, 2015; and I was ?Done and dusted? at the end of October.
Took it on a test run to Port Hedland (3600 Km`s return) 2 weeks ago and nothing broke and towed like a dream, I`m happy.
My original build estimate was $40000.00, but lashed out on some good gear to make life more comfortable. The total cost was $45000.00 and have it insured for an agreed value of $80000.00, and weighed in at 2200 Kg`s.
We are leaving Mandurah on the 29th Dec. for Victoria to see my mum in Mt Beauty (she`s 87), then down to Mornington Peninsula to see my daughter and newest grandson. (Popped out on 9th Dec) Home end of Jan, 2016.
I have kept the verbal short, the pictures will tell the rest. ( Heaps more photos if anyone is interested)
Regards.
Hetho.
WOW!!! Hetho, well done. The satisfaction would be immeasurable.
Aussie Paul.
Wow what a great result. You have excelled and the caravan you now have is going to be a head turner for sure Well done.
We are a happy bunch in here, happy to have a chat about anything.
Do a search and if you cannot find the right answer then pop a question into the relevant section for a quicker response.
We have some lovely polo shirts in the shop, good quality and comfortable too.
I am sure the "Chief of cheer" will be along soon to welcome you also.
Frank
Gee fanks for the intro KFC
Welcome to the gang Hetho, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Nice van and I tell you that for free.
Keep an eye out for KFC's pink polo shirt, you will need sunnies for sure.
Thank you all for your kind comments, and welcome.
Hope to meet you all on the road somewhere.
Regards.
Hetho