caravan help

Hi everyone. I have a 80s franklain caravan and it needs reworking inside but don't want to start ripping everything out and find I have done the wrong thing. It will be parked permanently. Was also wondering how to make a tropical roof for it as it is a hot house. cheers deb

Community manager's note: Check out How to renovate a caravan for expert advice.

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Comments

Jason

@deborah,

Sounds like a fun project. You might like to add some photos to this discussion so that community members can see what you're working with. We have some keen caravan renovators in the community like @Peggers and @justintilson who might be keen to kick off the discussion.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the community. It's fantastic to have you join us as one of our latest Workshop members. We hope you find plenty of helpful advice and inspiration on the site from our members.

Please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the site.

Jason

MartyH

@deborah

I've never done a caravan reno before but I reckon it should be pretty obvious if anything inside is structural and shouldn't be removed. Maybe you could take a few photos and post them here though?

For the roof, again we need a bit more info. Do you basically need to build something like a freestanding carport or could it be more like a pergola and attached to the house?

There's a Bunnings how-to series on building a pergola as well as one on building a carport that might be helpful for getting started...

https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/outdoor/decking/how-to-build-a-pergola-overview

https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/outdoor/garage/how-to-build-a-carport

deborah

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3971#Comment_3971

Hi and thankyou for the replies. I know it might be hard to beleive but I don't have a phone camera, so can't tranfer photos. I am very IT illiterite but hoping to line up a friend who can do this. This will have to change just haven't caught up with the rest of the world yet.

Its good to know I can't do too much wrong and have taken on board cupboards might effect the roof. The van already leaks hence tropical roof. The van is going across to Karragarra Island on a vacant block as a bit of a change short stay place. Budget is not great for this to happen. Council need plans etc for erecting a building so I want to attach it to the van. It is wooden framed. Inside is dark imitation vj ply some water damaged. I would like to put in a sliding glass door or window to take in the view where the table is. Door would be great as I'd rather not have the skinny door it has already. So any tips or ideas would be helpful. rather nervous so haven't started yet. I persume I will have to do door and roof on the island as towing mighten work with it already done. cheers deb

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64176#Comment_64176

Thanks for the update @deborah. No worries about the photos. They can just make it easier than having to describe things.

I trust you also saw @Peggers's reply here - https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Outdoor-Living/Renovated-an-old-70s-Millard-caravan/m-p/16151#M2346 and hope he and other community members might also have some additional advice for you.

Good luck with the project,

Jason

David1

Work away to your hearts content the walls will stay up without anything in it we put a van on site and the builder mounted brakets on the edges of the van and it hold up a tin roof with out a problem regards David

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4260#Comment_4260

Thanks for the advice @David1. I'm sure @deborah appreciates the input.

Make sure you check out the new interview with caravan renovator @Peggers on the blog - https://www.workshop.com.au/t5/Blog/Physical-creativity-on-the-road/ba-p/17663

Rob has also shared some great caravan renovation projects.

Jason

dhags

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64278#Comment_64278

Hi Deborah,

The construction of the older vans is much like a house on a smaller scale. They have a timber frame, outside cladding and ply inside...just smaller timbers used than in a house.
I have stripped and replaced the ply in my van to reconfigure cupboards, bed, etc - first time van reno - nothing scarey.
There are a number of great caravan supply webstores to source the trims if you want the original finish.

Good luck.

Dave

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94767#Comment_94767

Thanks for joining in the discussion and sharing your expertise @dhags. I'm sure @deborah appreciates the advice.

It sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience to share with the community. We're really pleased you could join us. I hope you will also get plenty of helpful information and inspiration for your projects from the community in return, and have some fun too.

Please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the site.

Thanks again,

Jason

deborah

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94767#Comment_94767

Ah thanks I feel more secure now knowing I can pull out cupboards and linings off and will still stay up. hope to start next month. cheers deb

Graclo

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64176#Comment_64176

You haven't mentioned the year model, but if the caravan has white painted exterion, it is more than likely to be composite panel walls. That means it is 3 or 3.6mm plywood interior glued to approx 1 inch (25mm) of styrene foam which has very thin aluminium bonded to the outside. These panels are made in a vaccuum press and then stood on the floor. They are structurally sound on their own when built. The robe is usually placed near the door to add rigidity to the structure when travelling.

All windows and door would have 25 x 25mm timber in the wall to screw to. The hinge side of the door may have a steel upright in wall to strengthen it.

It is most important to remove all windows and replace the sealant between window and wall. Water penetration will cause the internal wall timber to rot out.

Just placing silicone or similar on the outside will not fix the problem as the existing paint would be oxidised and powdery. There are much better methods for sealing windows than silicone. Window sealant on Viscount leaking

Particle board mounting in wall behind power inlet disintegrating because of water leaks.

The two above photos illustrate where water is leaking in. The blackened sealant is the result of dirt washing in with the tracks of water.

Water is very dangerous because it can cause electric shocks. It it wise to have your electrician fit a safety switch (earth leakage circuit breaker) or have one fitted to the circuit that you are plugging it in to on the island.

Cheers

Graeme

LizzieCro

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95132#Comment_95132

@deborah
Hi Deborah,
Any updates on your progress with the van? I'm keen to see what you're doing.
Cheers, Liz.

Shelby

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114096#Comment_114096

@deborah I'm also keen to know how you're getting on! I'm eager to buy and Reno a van myself! Not sure what I'd do with it as we actually have a caravan, but I've always wanted to do one up...

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124792#Comment_124792

Hi @Shelby,

Thanks for joining in the discussion.

Have you seen the How to renovate a caravan series of articles by @Peggers? If you click on Rob's username you'll also find loads of posts about his projects - they are very inspiring! We look forward to reading about you taking the plunge!

Welcome to the Workshop community. Feel free to post whenever you need a hand or have something to share.

Jason

Shelby

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131935#Comment_131935

Yes I sure have thank you @Jason ! I was on the bunnings website and it showed one of the blog posts and I was like WHAT??? I couldn't believe how helpful it was and then of course found this whole community! I've got a book chockers full of projects at the minute, I'm already getting out of control haha!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136281#Comment_136281

Good stuff @Shelby. We look forward to helping you turn that book of ideas into reality. 😎

Jason

normroberts

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4260#Comment_4260

@David1

Hi David well that sounds pretty good what sort of rackets did the builder put on the edge of the van and what size posts to hold up the roof did you use.

I am looking to help my son cover his van so that it will not be so hot during the summer months. I appreciate any comments you may give me thanks and regards Norm

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/67441#Comment_67441

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @normroberts. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.

Let me mention @David1 so they are alerted to your question and hopefully answer it for you.

You might be interested in starting your own discussion so that your question is more visible to the wider community. That way we can discuss methods of reducing heat within your son's van specifically.

We look forward to hearing more about your project and would encourage you to let us know if you need assistance or would like to share it with the community.

Mitchell

MarvinBurns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/4260#Comment_4260

I wonder if one can purchase the aluminium brackets used to support the tropical roof or whether they have yo be personally constructed.

MarvinBurns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95132#Comment_95132

Vacuum the dust out and soak that particle board with a diluted Bondcrete mixture to seal it up. 60% Bondcrete and 40% water, paint it on, let it soak in and dry then give it another coat.

StevieB

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115439#Comment_115439

Hi @MarvinBurns,

Thanks for jumping in with your expertise. It's great to have you join the Bunnings Workshop community and already offer suggestions.

Is your comment for @deborah or perhaps another member in this discussion? I'd love to help tag the right person so they are alerted to your helpful advice.

Stevie

MarvinBurns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125591#Comment_125591

Hi Stevie

My suggestion came about from the picture from Graclo with a reply from Graeme, it all looks a bit old but particle board is a favourite repair of mine.

Cheers

Rod

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132414#Comment_132414

That's a great tip about the particleboard @MarvinBurns. I'll have to try that sometime as I've always presumed disintegrating particleboard couldn't be saved. Binding it with Bondcrete certainly makes sense.

Many thanks for sharing.

Mitchell

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