Paul's 16.49 mods, trips and dribble

[Paul]

Trip went well. Had a week at the dam. We had the place to ourselves the first few days. The rest of the week was reasonably quiet also.
Love the new (old) van. Kids are wrapped with the bunks. Loaded the loo with chemicals but it never got used so merry xmas too me lol.
Day we arrived we had a small shower and the night before we left it rained so threw an extra tarp up for some extra shelter. The rest of the week was fantastic weather.
Tried to get into a park the second week of the holidays so we could use it again but were all booked so now just have to find somewhere to park the silly big thing until a week in Easter.

 

[Dobbie]

I like the offside awning....it would keep things cool and dry....and help the fridge if it's on the offside.

 

[Paul]

For sure. That's why I made it.
I had a fridge one on my last van and the wall was quite often 10deg cooler in the shade. Checked it with a heat gun. So got this made. Great shade and privacy as well.

That said the fridge did seem to struggle a bit and it wasn't hot weather. Had it on the coldest setting the entire trip and hovered between 3 and some times 9 degrees for some reason. Has a fan at the back too. Running on gas

If that were my old jayco fridge everything would be frozen. Only used to run it in half and make it hotter as the food went down each day. Go figure.

 

[Dobbie]

We had an offside awning on our Swan and loved it.

Now have a less attractive home made emergency tarp for the expanda to use in extreme conditions only....storms and really high temps. It wouldn't win any beauty contests but works when needed and easy to carry under all the other stuff we seem to need these days.

 

[dagree]

Also fitted a sail track on our previous van and used the long screen wall on the off side when setup for a while in a sunny location.... Definitely made the van cooler (Also a bit of protection for the push bikes etc). Now where did I put the left over track to see if there is enough left?

 

[Paul]

Well
Time to update the dribble thread.
Van sold. Went to a lovely family in Melbourne. Left yesterday.
Sure will miss the big lug.

 

[davemc]

The new Crusader gone already? Are you getting another or just 5 more cars for me to drool over

 

[Paul]

Lol funny you should mention that. If I had my way it would be more cars but not allowed.
The wife has decided we want a full size ensuite. For the shower only of course because im still scared of the dreaded cassette hahahaha

We have a 6 month old Condor on its way. Honestly I think it would be better to just buy a new one to get the exact layout we want but anyway exciting times ahead yet again..

Going away for a week around easter so we will see how it goes. As for the cars the 57 is still crusing along and the hatch is still waiting for a new cam and a few other bits and pieces but still drivable. I just want a 9 second street car hahahahaha. I just have no motivation at the momemt.

 

[davemc]

You sound like my mate Paul. He has a MG fastback replaced the original motor with a Disco V8 and just brought a second hand Range Rover V8 he pulled apart and re conditioning. The car goes fast enough now Keep saying its his excuse to not see the wife

Back on vans whats the Condor like

 

[Paul]

Yeah its a disease lol


Dont know. Only seen pictures so far. Like new i hope

 

[CrazyMOBB]

Ladder and extendable broom storage spot. Idea from here
View attachment 29581
Ladder is this. Best money ever spent
View attachment 29582

Battery monitor, tank gauge and water pump switch. All where the sink cabinet is. Idea from here
View attachment 29583

Storage box behind wheel. Poles and fishing gear. Thought this one up but nothing new

View attachment 29584

Led stop light in side of van. Light up the neighbours yard as well
Idea from here
View attachment 29585

View attachment 29586
View attachment 29587

Tarp attached by sail track on front of the roof. Thought this up but im sure nothing new. Moogerah dam Xmas 2014 rained for 4 Out of the 6 Days we were thereView attachment 29588

That's about all the van pics I can find.

This is why I have no money lol
View attachment 29589View attachment 29590

Can I ask you where you got the ladder from?

 

[chartrock]

Can I ask you where you got the ladder from?

This is where I bought mine. I bought a 3 step model and made a timber platform for the top to make it easier to stand on. Best money I have spent and could have resold it many times. Any time I get it out to use, someone will come up and enquire about it.

 

[davemc]

This is where I bought mine. I bought a 3 step model and made a timber platform for the top to make it easier to stand on. Best money I have spent and could have resold it many times. Any time I get it out to use, someone will come up and enquire about it.

We got a 4 step at the caravan show. great ladder to take with you.

 

[Paul]

Can I ask you where you got the ladder from?

TXP Squeeze Box ladders. I got the 4 step. Bit pricey but paid for its self first time I used it. Like chatrock said. Everytime I get it out someone comes up and comments on it. The ladder that is

Here is the link (If it works)
www.txp.com.au › Home › TXP Ladders

 

[CrazyMOBB]

TXP Squeeze Box ladders. I got the 4 step. Bit pricey but paid for its self first time I used it. Like chatrock said. Everytime I get it out someone comes up and comments on it. The ladder that is

Here is the link (If it works)
www.txp.com.au › Home › TXP Ladders

Brilliant. Thanks.

 

[Paul]

So
The Condor was at my house last night when I got home. Haven't had a good look over it yet but it seems the goods.
But I am now 4 out of 4 for second hand vans being dirty. I just don't get it how people could leave them so filthy? We keep ours clean and give them a scrub when selling? What's wrong with some people?
Anyway I have decided to buy 5 new tyres for it. The front ones are very worn on the sides. When I backed it in off the road I noticed the tyre leaning over when turning. I thought gees that must be a weak wall. Had a look and yep 2 ply tyres! lol.
How could that be registered? Bloody Mexicans lol
Any way 5 new LT tyres getting fitted in the morning then rego. Will clean it all up and hopefully get away in it

 

[mfexpanda]

So
The Condor was at my house last night when I got home. Haven't had a good look over it yet but it seems the goods.
But I am now 4 out of 4 for second hand vans being dirty. I just don't get it how people could leave them so filthy? We keep ours clean and give them a scrub when selling? What's wrong with some people?
Anyway I have decided to buy 5 new tyres for it. The front ones are very worn on the sides. When I backed it in off the road I noticed the tyre leaning over when turning. I thought gees that must be a weak wall. Had a look and yep 2 ply tyres! lol.
How could that be registered? Bloody Mexicans lol
Any way 5 new LT tyres getting fitted in the morning then rego. Will clean it all up and hopefully get away in it

I'm sure that by the time you have finished with the van it will be perfect !

 

[Drover]

That ladder has been on my To Buy list since I saw Chartrocks...................

 

[Paul]

I'm sure that by the time you have finished with the van it will be perfect !

Thanks mate
Cleaned the outside today and some of the inside and came up mint
Rolled the awning out and its floopin huge lol
So the new end shade wall i brought is too short dammit
Silly vans almost as bad as cars lol. So then i got the long shade wall out that came with the van. 4 foot to short lol

Off to ebay to get an 18 foot one and an anti flap kit and long end walls. I need 2400 and brought 2100 dough!

 

[Paul]

So took the empty van for a larrup up the highway and it towed great. So at least now if this one has issues I know it's because how I have packed it

I contacted the seller of the shade wall I brought and hese says all side walls are 2100 long but I don't believe him
It's a good foot short but will be better than nothing I guess.
I bought another one that has a meter long roof first and is 2300 wide so will use that up the front. Will take a pic when it's set up. Long wall shade and afk kit also ordered.

Did a few mods this weekend.
Removed the bike rack and tow ball mount from the back (if it doesn't have an engine I really don't see the point lol)
And removed the Gerry can holder.
Purchased an aluminium box to house the shade wall and a few other odds and ends. Welded a small angle frame to hold it and worked a treat. Will only have light stuff in there. Because I didn't want a pole carrier on the back as I wanted to keep the weight down and I was too lazy to move the gas bottles forward I found a spot to run it parallel with the chassis. Bunnings had no brackets so bent some up out of 20mm strap. Fits all my extra poles for my tarp addiction
Got a new sullage hose and cut it down to fit inside the chassis rail. The shirt piece left over is rolled up in the a frame basket along with the two drinking water hoses.
I hated carrying the folding table in the van or the car so made a shelf 1800 long for the tunnel boot. Fit the table and the new folding table I brought for the weber while at Bunnings lol. Also have the ladder and beach umbrella there.
Leaves plenty of room underneath still so happy days.

Then the dining table wobbled a bit too much for my liking. Not sure if anyone has done this before but I made two small fold away legs for it. Just a bit of aluminium pipe and channel. Held up out the way with a broom holder. I must say it is so so much better now. I think it should have had two legs from the factory but any way.

Crappy phone pics below of some of the above dribble