Hi I have been reading for a couple of weeks and have finally been given posting privileges.
Not only am I new here the camping thing is also new.

We did a 4 day trip using on-site vans some 30 years ago and never owned a van before but something is pulling me in this direction.

Have started with a very old Chesney Kampra GT from what I can work out its early 70s and all fibreglass.
I have been going over it slowly and fixing a few things as stove, fridge and water tank has been removed over the years.
I need to get the 8” brake shoes relined as no one has 8” brakes any more

I need some minor canvas repairs

And 2 new 12” light truck tyres, cant upgrade to 13s as being F/glass and very deep offset Morris 1100 rims there is zero room

Thanks for having me and do have a heap of questions

Welcome to the forum Hawkie. Would love to see some photos of your van.

Hawkie,

Welcome aboard.

There are and have been a few members of the forum restoring older vans that will be of help to you.

Dunaruna is a full bottle when it comes to vans of all shapes and sizes.

We tackled a '76 Viscount, a small one only a few years back. Did all the upholstery ourselves. Tidied it up generally and it came up a treat. We were between vans and I was looking for something to do as if I didn't have enough.

We got all our money back plus a bit when we traded it. Enjoyed the project, good fun.

Take it easy.
SD

Hi Hawkie,
WELCOME to the forum,lots of info here and good luck with your build.


Some pics if you can would be great.
Cheers and WELCOME Rod

Hello Hawkie

I can't comment on your van but I do welcome you to the caravanning life. We love it and only wish we could do more than our jobs allow.

Photos of your project would be great.

WOW thanks for the great welcome.

Here is one of the sellers pictures of the van so you can see what it is.

Hi Hawkie,
Thats a really nice looking unit, a good project as well.
Ty for the pic.
Cheers Rod

Hiya Hawkie,
Welcome to you and your Chesney.
Hope you have many wonderful trips together.
Cheers,
Nola.

I got a wild county 2 Burner stove [color=#800080]http://www.raysoutdoors.com.au/product/144/WC+2+Burner+stove from Rays to use as a main stove and a butane stove http://www.raysoutdoors.com.au/product/138/Butane+Stove for those short morning tea stops.[/color]

I got a few different types of lights to test and a little secret for you all, Cheap as chips in Adelaide has some LED lights that have 36+5 LEDs, they take 4AA batteries and have 3 light settings for a princely sum of $7.

After testing all I got I can tell you these little suckers are brilliant, They give of as much light as a twin 11w floro and are suppose to be good for around 90 hours use.

I got a heavy duty 20l black water jerry can to replace to missing original underfloor tank, I have made a stone shield and drilled a hole through one of the lids to take a grommet and fitted a piece of ½” copper pipe through that which I intend to add about 300mm of beverage hose and a piece of pipe to get it to sit on the bottom of the tank. Hoping to get away with fitting a T piece into tap line for filling from hose. Yes I still need a breather hole and hose.

I have removed from the draw bar what looks like an old flywheel that had been welded on to hold an old brewing drum for water. LOL

I hope posting links and mentioning stores is OK?

I know 20l is not much water, but there is no room for anything much bigger where the orignal sat.

At this stage the plan is to travel from Adelaide to Sydney via the great ocean road and stopping in caravan parks along the way.

There is no set travel route yet as such, but do need to go via Ballarat and Bendigo and I will be asking for a few Ideas of great places to stop at or see.
Some fishing spots would be great.

Looking at April straight after easter and around 10 to 14 days