Building our own new Caravan

Andrew, don't get me started. Yes we are adding a guest room to the van to cater for all the grandies and any homeless, so if you and Jen want a honey moon we can take on the kids. Look here, I always have brewed coffee on tap here from my machine, and all I attract is neighbourhood bachleors, and no guests that can talk my talk. Now keep your eye out for any suggestions for this van as we want to get started, we may bombard your end of the country one day. That will be some bump!!!!

DenisL, you are coming up in the world, then again I just gave away my cappuccino machine and stuck with the brewer. What about this, wouldn't the white roll out annex be a good movie screen, just drop it down the side of the van, and you've got the lot. We had thought of buying a old van after seeing advertisements for around $1000, with a good chasis and maybe a good solid frame and reconstructing the outer and remodeling the inside to suit. We preferably want a 7' - 7'6" wide to suit our narrow sharp edged roads here in Qld. so will keep our options open. Thanks Jen & Geoff

G'day Lyn
We also get the Caravan and Motorhome Magazine and really enjoy the motivation it brings into our work stressed life. The 15ft van we have was a 6 bth and as our family grew smaller we took out one set of the double bunks from the back and replaced the area with a shower toilet & handbasin. We had it all reupholsted in modern pastel shades and Geoff had relaminated the kitchen etc. It turned out rather comfy and spruced up. Now as we are heading for the years where we want to semi retire or work as we travel, you know, more of a relaxed lifestyle, we want a larger van so we maybe able to call it home for some time. I thought there might have been someone about who had started from scratch and knew of economical and practical ways of the building side and let a few secret hints out. Geoff will be able to design and work out the weights and balancing etc. as this is in his area of work. Custom made vans work out up to $3000 per foot, a bit rich for the average worker. I think there is a caravan show is Brissy in the near future, so will keep an eye open. I will leave the experienced coffee makers and drinkers compare notes on coffee/cokkee machines. :) G&J

Hi Jen

what about the manufacturers of say Horse Trailers...maybe they could build just a shell or something like that..then you could fit it out...Al built a car trailer using components he got made up from a mob who build horse trailers...but...I'm not sure on price, logistics for size....ours was a 17ft that we bought and guttered..

i should clarify the trailer I refer to was an enclosed trailer for a racing car.....not just a open trailer

Lyn. Geoff said the chassis is the easy bit and the upper frame would have to be a lot lighter such as made up with aluminium . I think the best way to go is to get an old van that has had its day inside or even if the sheets of outside cladding need replacing, just to give it a little cosmetic surgery. The inside we could pull completely out and start again. Now Geoff wants a new shed to do this in. Maybe this van is just an excuse;) G&J

Hi Jen

that's exactly what we did, we found the van in a caravan park, bascially it was sound, but the insides needed removing..if you look on my web site you'll see it

cheers

Lyn

and Ive heard the shed excuse....

Lyn, have tried getting on to your website and having a bit of bother. is there a certain search engine you use. Jen

it takes a while to load sometimes...if you'd like to email me at...grierson@hotkey.net.au....I can email you some snaps