Viscount Aerolite
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 13:06
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meercat
Hi Everyone, new to caravanning and have just purchased my first van albeit a 1983/4 Viscount Aerolite which to my dismay appears to have been the wrong move according to the
forum in general. The issue of the chassis cracking is of great concern as I am a single mum and decided to buy a van so that I could holiday with my
young daughter as a cheap alternative.
I bought the van privately so relied on the seller to be conscientious. I have now looked underneath the van but not sure where exactly I should be looking for cracks. Someone told me to look underneath on the door side where there are 4 bolts. If there is
sign of cracking then I have a problem. There are 4 bolts on a plate on the other side so should I be looking for cracking here too. Now for the big question - what should I do if there are. Member Reiner G from QLD mentioned that he has fixed a lot of Aerolites in his time so would appreciate any further advise you may be able to give - welding a supporting piece - is this expensive. Finally if anyone can offer any further advice on this subject, it would be greatly appreciated. Also as I am in
Melbourne CBD, if anyone knows of or can recommend someone who specialises in these types of repairs/service I would also be grateful. I haven't towed the van anywhere yet but now I am reluctant to do so.
Reply By: res.q.guy - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 16:46
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 16:46
Hi meercat..
We bought an Aerolite from my parents that had a couple of small cracks. I had use of a mates mig welder, so welded them up. It was fine for the 5 or 6 yrs we kept it, but it wasn't taken off road. An engineering/steel
shop should be able to weld them, if you should have any cracks. I have used Westy's (Engineering/steel
shop) in Ferntree Gully for other work and can recommend them, or if you want a caravan repairer, then Harding's at Bayswater are quite good. Sorry don't know of any closer the CBD, other's forumites might know of closer repairers !
Regards
Neil
AnswerID:
222479
Follow Up By: meercat - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 20:46
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 20:46
Hi Neil, thanks for this - unfortunately Bayswater is quite a distance (1 hr) from me so if anyone can recommend someone closer, would be grateful.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Reiner G (QLD) 4124 - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 21:38
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 21:38
There is no need to replace the chassis. I would keep ringing around until you get the right bloke. All it needs is run a piece of flat ( 60mmX5mm) on edge along the bottom line of the chassis. Depending if it is a single or dual axle you make a cross brace like an X going from right to left out of maybe 20 mm solid square parallel to the axle. That stops the chassis leaning in or out.
Not sure if that makes sense.....probably not. Ring around until you find somebody who tells you something that sounds close to that.
Price back in the 80's around $400......today maybe close to $1000.
Well worth it if you want to keep the van.
Shame I never took photos.
There must be a repairer preferably with gray hair in
Melbourne who has done lots of them.
Back on the phone :-)
Reiner
AnswerID:
222775
Follow Up By: meercat - Tuesday, Mar 06, 2007 at 12:42
Tuesday, Mar 06, 2007 at 12:42
Hi there me again, how can you tell what chassis you have with an Aerolite? As mentioned in my previous post, it states Alko on the drawbar. Did all Aerolites have a Koeber chassis?
Finally I am taking some photos of the cracking but not really sure where I should be looking - someone said on the drawbar directly behind the gasbottle but obviously underneath the van, and another person said on both sides of the van near the wheel axle. Chassis are chassis to me so would appreciate any advice you could provide. Cheers
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