G'day Brian and Jim, thanks for that, I will give them a call.

cheers

ozi2

ozi2 wrote:

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Hi guys, by now I realise that there are a few Avan owners on the the forum and I am wondering if anyone has had to replace the high density adhesive foam on  side roof panels?(inside/lower edge of L shaped aluminium facing down when closed and latched)

My forward panel looks ok, however the rear panel definately needs to be replaced. I contacted Avan and was told that the foam is 3/4 x3/4 h/density.........maybe thats so for the front, but the rear foam is less & measures more around 15mm tops! Avan is 4 years old and some compression has taken place. Looking around at Bunnings I couldnt find anything around the 15mm x 15mm mark. Any suggestions/tips appreciated.

For the information of non Avan owners, the front roof panel folds "over"rear panel, therefore the gap is greater at the front and narrower at the rear, but the rear measure's between 12-15mm (some distortion )

Thanks in advance,

ozi2

 

Get the "Closed Cell"  type seal From Clarkes.

 

If you are a  a Member of the Avan Club Australia you can peruse the Avan website for this subject certain it has been covered.

I have had to renew all my seals on the Cruiseliner (2005)   Think the seals used originaly were not Closed Cell type foam.

 

Regards

Mike

 

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Hi Mike and thanks for the info re type of foam. My rear foam both sides has totally disintegrated and needs replacing.

I havent joined Avan club yet but at $30 initial joining fee it wont be a burden given the knowledge base available on how to jobs. My biggest issue really is getting the best size foam as it varies front to back on rear roof panel , ie 15mm down to 12mm, I guess this is down to movement in the frame.

cheers mate,

ozi2

G'day Mike, thank you very much for the idea's/tips on replacing the foam strips and the links. Lots of info.

cheers,

ozi2

Ozi2,

What state are you in, nothing on your profile ?

If in WA there are two places to buy the foam in the Perth area, George Day Caravans http://www.georgeday.com.au/ or WA Avan at Guildford (also known as Offshore Marine) closing soon I believe and all parts going to GD). http://www.avanwa.com.au/     

The foam is mainly to keep out dust, insects, draught etc.   Another thing to consider is the nylon strips you can also buy which help your panels slide over each other when closing the roof down and putting up etc, they wear or come off after awhile too and adding extra bits certainly help with the lifting by stopping the aluminium edging from sticking.   In the past, I also replaced some of my foam bits, the stuff you get from Avan repairers/parts already has adhesive on one side (peel off protecting skin) for easy attachment, making sure old surface is clean etc.   

I would certainly recommend joining the Avan Club of Australia http://www.avanclubaust.org.au/479/Home/ 

I was a member of the Club for 7 years, members can attend any Avan Club rally in any state and an Australian wide guide to rallies, dates, contacts etc is put in their regular newsletters.  At $20 per annum membership and $10 joining fee, it is one of the cheapest clubs in Oz and well worth joining.  Please note it is not for caravans, only Avan folding type camper trailers.  The club started like that before Avan started making caravans and members voted to keep it for the A shaped folding camper trailers.  And yes they do have info for members on repairing etc once you have joined.

Here is one NSW break away Avan group that has all types of Avan RV's eligible as members, see;

http://www.sccavanners.com/index.html 

In particular see their Avan camper trailer modifications shown here;

http://www.sccavanners.com/modifications.htm 

elliemike wrote:

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Before you pull any of the strips off.

Photograph it.

Or do a good dimensioned sketch. 

Put some masking tape on the panels at the ends of the tape to mark  the positions. It makes it easier when putting the new stuff back on in the correct place.

Make sure the Nylon (Polystone) guides are still in place at the end of the Top Roof Panel.

 

http://alinerownersclub.org/        The American Site.

http://www.aroundoz.com/a_clinic.htm       Another interesting site.

-- Edited by elliemike on Wednesday 12th of December 2012 08:34:44 PM

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 Hi Mike, I sourced the tape from Clark Rubber and as per your suggestion chose the closed cell tape.

For interested forum members the closed cell adhesive code number is EPDM 414. For my purposes I chose 12 x 12mm tape for rear roof panel gap, your gap sizes could vary so best to measure before purchase. Expect to pay around $6.75 mt at Clark rubber.

cheers

ozi2

Nomad246 wrote:

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Damn ,,, we need an Avan ,,, you guys have so much fun with them

What a great pastime they are

Cheers

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Yep great  little camper.

This year we did the Outback Way    (Well lets say Perth  to Noosa via the Outback Way)  Then up to Lakefield National Park and back to Perth via the Savannah Way, Gibb River Road Derby Broome etc.

Lot of Fun and Dust.

Mike and Ellie

ozi2 wrote:

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G'day Duh, thank you for your post and comments; along with fellow posters I have been able to source the tape for the job..........now comes the messy bit of cleaning old adhesive and fiddly access but a pretty cheap outcome at around $40.00 for all items including acetone, scraper.

Cheers mate,

ozi2

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  Personally I wouldn't use acetone anywhere near the van as it will damage paint and lift transfers/stickers if spilt - kero or turps will soften and remove the old adhesive and not dry as rapidly as acetone.