My big fat gypsy caravan

[(RIP) PLANK]

I have recently bought (just for fun) a big old Buccaneer caravan, a bit fo a mid life crisis thing i suppose to remind me of my youth. Though bear in mind the last time i toured and lived on one was only about 8 years ago.

it needs a lot of fixing and tarting up, notably uphlostery, carpets blinds etc. oh, and some misguided soul has added a sink and water pump at some time so they have to go! But my initial intention is just quick fix lash up to make it usable unit the end of the summer then work on it at my leisure.

as you know these things are 8 feet wide and this one has 36 hand cut mirrors more than i have seen in one of these before and a wood burner.

it has already had bearings brakes, including shoes cables etc replaced so is towable.

do any members have any suggestions or ideas for the rest of the project?

[(RIP) PLANK]

a quick photo:

[(RIP) PLANK]

another:

[extreme-4x4]

id love one ... but id have to sprey the outside to tone it down a bit

[makeitfit]

Hmph, I've just noticed how aweful the scenery is round here and here the local caravan sites were hit really bad in todays budget:o

[(RIP) PLANK]

id love one ... but id have to sprey the outside to tone it down a bit

i'm thinking of adding a couple of mirrored stainless bands when it's finished to jazz it up a bit :thumbs

it's all ready got a bull bar and one on the back:

[Paul]

A good friend lives in one over in Warton, think they are great myself..:thumb2
Have you anymore pic's of the inside?

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

hey nice van, takes me back to long chats we've had about them.

what length is she, are they wired for 24v from tug going by all
those side and indicators. perhaps swapping to led bulbs will make
life easier on the t2.

love to meet her sometime, wicksteed??

[(RIP) PLANK]

just 12 volt wiring, and i'm not entirely sure all the running lights work yet i have only moved it once though it was nearly 300 miles and used a trailer board for that to be on the safe side. I like the led bulb idea though.

it is approx 21/22 feet body, though being 8 feet wide as you know makes these feel huge.

inside it is perhaps the most ornate one i have ever seen so I had to have it.

I am plannign a few 21 volt reading lights and cabinet lights though to make it less mains dependant as they are all 240 volts only.

is anyone going to wicksteed this year then? if so we might come along though probalby not in my t2, not enough seats, and sadly maybe not in the bccaneer as we have 2 tourers and it might not be useable. I am planning a rough job to make it ready for the school summer holidays so if it's more than 3 weeks or so away you never know.

it would be nice to see you and yours again and finaly meet your new adition, did i tell you we have another one? a 10 month old daughter.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

no mate, belated congrats.

sometime somewhere eh.

think will work on some sort of informal meet
as these rallies seem to spiral up and out...

somewhere we we can all just turn up and pay
our own way, like a commercial site even with
some family facilities?

[jims-terrano]

Wow that's a real stunner Plank!!! almost too good to use with an interior like that.

Jim

[wildbri]

looks very grand, makes my 12foot abi ( in which I am writing this whilst on a grand tour of the south) look poor and simple, but then it already looks like that surrounded as we are by huge motorhomes and and vast caravan with huge awnings (why do couples need so much space on holiday?) on this caravan club site in the New Forest. bri

[dinky]

plank when i get home will pm you number of man who bought all buccaneer parts when they closed.services my elan every year.

[clivvy]

I dont know how you can tow it, how do you manouvre it?? i worry over my simple little Elddis Swift

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

I dont know how you can tow it, how do you manouvre it?? i worry over my simple little Elddis Swift

well i adopt the cats whiskers theory that if can get tug and its mirrors thru, van will follow
and as a former pro bus driver, squeezing 40 foot buses thru rush hour city traffic the 'van
is generally a breeze. only thing that gets me thinking sometimes id the kick out effect
of rear of van, but generally its less than a longer over hang of a bus as the van is already
following a tighter curve thanks to articualtion than a rigid vehicle of same lenght.

give it a go, with a 4x4 like a t2/mav be good for 20 footer like Planks and mine, enjoy
the space and leave the awning at home....

[(RIP) PLANK]

Thanks for the contact Dinky!

Wildbri, I just hope the front tow bar holds out ;) but it was made by a very trustworth man so i am confident!

On the manouvering and towing front, the worst bits are its width it makes it hard to see behind from a t2 een with the dreaded towing mirrors, I brought i thorugh some villages in devon and somerset and it caused quite a comotion on the roads!

On the motorway brilliant as they weight around 2 tonnes and just sit there no swaying or anything.

but when its pitched up the best bit is the width, that extra foot makes it seem twice as lare inside and with no toilet shower etc it's all livable space.

I agree with Bri on people taking too much stuff etc on holiday, but bear in mind i have only spent 3 nights inside a house in the last 2 years !

For me sitting in fonrt of a log burner with a Royal Brierley crystal glass filled with a nice drop of penny red from halfpeenny green vinyard (which is less than a mile and a half away) is priceless.

An informal weekend at wicksteed on anywhere else for that matter, would be nice! I agree planning a rally can get a bit OTT

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Plank, caught a documentary on the Appleby fair last night on one of more
obscure sky channels maybe named community.

Made by young travellers, not seen it all yet but some nice kit on 4 wheels,
4 and 2 legs...

its on my sky+ hard drive, could try to get onto a dvd if interested...

[jims-terrano]

They keep repeating that prog RBRT, I keep seeing bits of it too. Get's hairier than Si n Dave up there at Fair time:lol:lol

You'd better keep posting photo's of your van Plank.:thumbs

Jim

[(RIP) PLANK]

i keep looking for that to see if i am on it :thumb2

hows this for an example of the local wildlife taken this year:

[(RIP) PLANK]

photo didn't load for some reason hold on!

no dont want to know since site upgrade it wants me to resise the photo, never done that before and i can't be arsed sorry

[Deleted account DD]

do any members have any suggestions or ideas for the rest of the project?


Is that a serious question :augie:augie:naughty








only joking........good luck with it , i love seeing the older vans restored, ?youll need a truck of the same vintage to tow it i presume? they all pitch up at a show near us once a year, poshest one last time was a 1930s roller with a caravan of the appropriate age through to 1980s sprite pulled by an immaculate 2.8i Granada.

I think Id feel a bit self conscious with that external colour scheme and I just cant imagine a "dry van" Ive often wondered what the logic or history behind that is :nenau ??

Does it , or will it ,have 240v ?

[Deleted account DD]

looks very grand, makes my 12foot abi ( in which I am writing this whilst on a grand tour of the south) look poor and simple, but then it already looks like that surrounded as we are by huge motorhomes and and vast caravan with huge awnings (why do couples need so much space on holiday?) on this caravan club site in the New Forest. bri

Serious answer Bri, we have a twin axle with a porch awning (shopping for for a full awning at the mo) for just the two of us. When the kids used to caravan with us we were all crammed into a modest 2 or 4 berth.We switched to a middling 2 berth when they stopped coming with us then went LARGE as they say in McDonalds.

The current set up is no more hassle than a small rig but the benefits and comfort with over 19ft x 7ft internal size are absolutely superb, beyond comparison :thumb2:thumb2

[(RIP) PLANK]

Daved the 'dry van' thing is deeply embeded in Romany traditions and culture particulary around cultural codes of cleanliness. I can explain more by PM if you are interested.

[Deleted account DD]

Daved the 'dry van' thing is deeply embeded in Romany traditions and culture particulary around cultural codes of cleanliness. I can explain more by PM if you are interested.


go for it :thumb2

[(RIP) PLANK]

well, my project is coming along at a reasonable pace, new carpets the funrniture off being re -upholstered in nice new leather as we speak etc.

New wood burner and double skinned stainless flue, now here is a question!

Sealing the storm collar and roof plate requires heat proof silicone, and it all seems to be black or red and i really need clear, any ideas? I can get it a crazy prices but i'm looking for a good deal.

[solarman216]

ignore this did not read it right, Rick

[Paul]

Here's our friend's van.. :thumb2

http://premium1.uploadit.org/Roytoner//Picture-104.jpg

[(RIP) PLANK]

Here's our friend's van.. :thumb2

http://premium1.uploadit.org/Roytoner//Picture-104.jpg

very nice, if a little plain ;) :augie

only kidding, i love to see old Buccaneers still being used for what they were made for.

[Paul]

very nice, if a little plain ;) :augie

only kidding, i love to see old Buccaneers still being used for what they were made for.
He loves it more then is wife.. :jesterbg

[(RIP) PLANK]

He loves it more then is wife.. :jesterbg

i was going to say 'is she plain too?' but that would just be rude so i wont ;)

[briggie]

you could have said large and accomodating , but i bet your glad you didnt :naughty

[(RIP) PLANK]

you could have said large and accomodating , but i bet your glad you didnt :naughty

yes very glad, it's a credit to the club how tactful we can be, don't you think?

[briggie]

tactfull is not a word that readily springs to mind :augie

[(RIP) PLANK]

as predicted by TTT (ex-rbt) i was trying the lights on this today and when i had them all on i hit the hazard warning switch and blew the fuse! it couldn't run an extra 16 indicator bulbs 12 side lights and 8 brake lights :doh

so i am searching ebay for led replacments!

It never does this on a transit!

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

is it 12v or 24v on road lights, reckon the t2 could do with some extra
marker lights to complement the trailer? seriously would you use a
beacon towing towing such a beaut.

[(RIP) PLANK]

it's 12v, but i htink the issue is just too many watts from too many bulbs, I will have to take a few out for the time being and then replace them with LED ones 'as-and-when'. I will be doing a few more jobs on it over the next week and then I will be away in it until spetember, and i have no Dongle so no posts from me :(

I think the trouble with a beacon would be that no one would see it from the back. By the way i tried your mobie number today and couldn't get through i think i may have it saved wrong, i was after a bit of on the spot T2 advice. I needed to know what grade of oil and how much as i had left the manual at home. I the end it got 5 -30 semi synthetic about 6 litres. Shoking but we only drained about 3 litres out :o

I must top it up more often :doh

[Deleted account DD]

as predicted by TTT (ex-rbt) i was trying the lights on this today and when i had them all on i hit the hazard warning switch and blew the fuse! it couldn't run an extra 16 indicator bulbs 12 side lights and 8 brake lights :doh

so i am searching ebay for led replacments!

It never does this on a transit!

Instead of fitting leds to the caravan maybe prepare the Terrano better for this and similar :D

I would contemplate fitting one or two secondary relay(s) which take a trigger off the car indicator circuits ,even use a transit one ;). Put the power feed to the relay direct from the battery, then put the switched output from the relay to the tow bar electrics.

With that, the power for the trailer bulbs is effectively coming straight from the battery so youve got a well beefy "to trailer" system and no additional load on the car indicator/hazard and it could handle the problem again on any trailer you come across.

Cheap, basic and dead easy :thumb2

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

interesting daved, was going to suggest similar as pre led was thinking of
adding side markers to caravan but concerned for their drain on the system.

my train of thought had been slightly different as wondered if could use the
caravans own battery via relays to run them, and also along way then provide
power to the lights when car not there, essentially parking lights as of course
trailers soon become illegal on the highway if not lit.

funny really as towsure now list various kits that make the hazards flash etc
whilst not on car but say using a motor mover, along similar lines years ago
i wondered about such gizmo to show trailer was stolen and maybe blow fuse
on stealing vehicle, a sting in tail if you like, again someone else has since
marketed this i believe.

the trolls wiring/fuse is heavier than the t2, perhaps to go with 3500kg limit?

[briggie]

would it be a idea to fit a extra battery , so that when not in use the alt is charging the battery up , then if extra capacity is required , you have the option :nenau

[briggie]

would it be a idea to fit a extra battery , so that when not in use the alt is charging the battery up , then if extra capacity is required , you have the option :nenau

the reason i suggest this is , many years ago i used to run a high power radio set and high power linear amplifier , if i used this when stationary it would flatten the battery in about 30 mins ,so me my buddy fitted a secondary battery ( we actually though about fitting 2 secondary batteries lol ), it was charged up through the cigarette lighter socket through a trickle charger .

[Deleted account DD]

would it be a idea to fit a extra battery , so that when not in use the alt is charging the battery up , then if extra capacity is required , you have the option :nenau

Shouldnt be any need to at all on this project and it can affect your insurance as a mod. (found that out when i investigated twin batteries) Tow bar electrics and flasher relay changes dont seem to bother them but as soon as another batteries fitted the balloon goes up.

[Deleted account DD]

i
the trolls wiring/fuse is heavier than the t2, perhaps to go with 3500kg limit?

Almost definitely :thumb2

Its noticeable that when I am drawing a hefty current the jeep doesnt flicker where as the TII sometimes did.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

mind when i 'm hooking up and testing lights, putting hazards on does
induce some noise from the altenator, essentially revs up/drain.

the abbey sepctrum does have side indicators though.

so how much would a second battery on car cost then, tbh didnt even
think of insurance though would for other mods...

in that case thinking best bet is to just charge on in boot in an adhoc
fashion like charging one of these battery booster things from the
rear power outlet?

[Deleted account DD]

I dont know about cost for 2nd battery, didnt get a figure. It came to light when I was shopping around for quotes with the psi & k&ns fitted. Insurers generally werent bothered about the k&n. All without exception wanted to know about the psi although the difference in premiums ranged from not worth worrying about to f me how much !!

The bit about the battery came about in conversation with two brokers when i was asked what electrical mods i had carried out and i moentioned considering twin batteries, their concerns were later confirmed directly with a couple of the companies.

Theres no real black and white other than if they refuse to pay out if you havent declared! but effectively its all risk based. If youre putting extra batteries in youre up to something non standard if you like. Tow bar electrics for example I wouldn't have thought wouldnt be a problem for anyone because it doesn't effectively do anything outside of the normal standard spec, reverse sensors they seemed to like!

However once a second battery goes in your up to something so its what and why. winches are another thing they got twitchy about, again risk based. I stress i was looking at on road policies not all encompassing off road or the so called agricultural business use.

Unanimously they all said they wouldn't even quote for a second battery hard-wired system unless i or whoever did it could produce proof of professional competence and or the system was "inspected" a pro. No idea what the criteria for that was, didnt ask. Started thinking about changing the car instead :D

We could argue all day and be thoroughly offended by these peoples attitudes but at the end of the day if you dont declare it and they find it youre stuffed big time insurance wise.

I have my private thoughts on the subject and cant see how they could regulate the loose in the boot battery which must be worsebut unfortunately thats the way it is ;)

[Deleted account DD]

Ps in private conversation one place even told me after market tinted windows could declarable. The logic is they could conceivably interfere with your all round vision irrespective of whether they meet legal standards, theyre a modification which has a risk implication.

I tend to think theyd have to have a real downer on you to bring that one into play but again its very real and if they decide not to pay out!!!!!


Anyhow sorry Plank.................bought those leds yet or are the spade connectors, 10m rolls of wire and a couple of old relays coming out of the junk box :D

[briggie]

just been talking to my neighbour carl .... he has a pajero 2.5 td auto , and he says its fitted with 2 batteries as standard..... he reckons its for all the " toys " like air con , heated seats etc :rolleyes:

[Deleted account DD]

just been talking to my neighbour carl .... he has a pajero 2.5 td auto , and he says its fitted with 2 batteries as standard..... he reckons its for all the " toys " like air con , heated seats etc :rolleyes:

And if thats standard unmodified spec thats the way it is and ins co will have that data :nenau not sure of the point youre making ?

[briggie]

And if thats standard unmodified spec thats the way it is and ins co will have that data :nenau not sure of the point youre making ?

just wondered why some have 2 and some have one :confused:

[dinky]

Dont some mistrals come with 2 battries,Plank makes my elan 14 look very small.

[briggie]

Dont some mistrals come with 2 battries,Plank makes my elan 14 look very small.

mine has the space for 2 batteries , but only has one fitted

[Deleted account DD]

just wondered why some have 2 and some have one :confused:



I guess some are prepared in advance for beefing up and the wiring looms and fuses will reflect that.

I only have one battery (albeit the size of an hgv one :D) with electric everything, heated seats, climate etc etc and (touch wood) no problems.

Your neighbours theory may correct about the toys but more likely a design error once the toys were loaded on and the battery kept conking out unless it came from the factory with battery and loom ready for hard graft, similar to how mod defenders used to.

[Deleted account DD]

Dont some mistrals come with 2 battries,Plank makes my elan 14 look very small.


My TII had space for another battery tray but as far as I could find the wiring loom was a one battery system.

Anyway wasn't planks problem excess current through an existing circuit as opposed to not enough current available ?

[briggie]

My TII had space for another battery tray but as far as I could find the wiring loom was a one battery system.

Anyway wasn't planks problem excess current through an existing circuit as opposed to not enough current available ?

do you still have those strips of leds daved ? ..... might be a idea for plank :nenau

[Deleted account DD]

do you still have those strips of leds daved ? ..... might be a idea for plank :nenau

I think youre getting me mixed up with someone else!!!;)

[briggie]

I think youre getting me mixed up with someone else!!!;)

oops was darwin ..... im getting ( am ) old :lol

[(RIP) PLANK]

well i think i've found a quick fix to the problem of excess current on the indicator circuit!

I took all the light lenses off today, the previous owner as part of a half finished restoration nad rewired and renewed all the bulbs. Good job except one thing.

21 watt bulbs in all the indicators front and back :eek:

so by putting 15 watts in the reas indicators and 5 watts in the front where they wont realy be seen i can cut current draw by 66% that hould solve the issue. All the other bulbs seem fine.

[Smegg]

its a beaut and i was thinking i had done well on my old fleetwood.

[(RIP) PLANK]

mine has the space for 2 batteries , but only has one fitted

I usualy fit a second battry on a transit, on the old Di engines you could get the battery tray fomr a petrol and fit it on the oposite side then charge it using a smart com relay, the sort used for spilt charging in a caravan. new transits make it harder to position the second battery. But it is ideal for roof beacons radio etc so you dont flatten the starting battery.

[(RIP) PLANK]

I got the first part of my new leather upholstery back and fitted it today I am very pleased with it :)

The rest is being deilvered as it is finished over the next few days so I can fit it all bit by bit to save having a cluttered space to work in. It should be all done for the weekend and i will post a few pics.

[Deleted account DD]

well i think i've found a quick fix to the problem of excess current on the indicator circuit!

I took all the light lenses off today, the previous owner as part of a half finished restoration nad rewired and renewed all the bulbs. Good job except one thing.

21 watt bulbs in all the indicators front and back :eek:

so by putting 15 watts in the reas indicators and 5 watts in the front where they wont realy be seen i can cut current draw by 66% that hould solve the issue. All the other bulbs seem fine.

lmao

Just goes to prove, trust no one and nowt :D

[briggie]

hear all , see all say nowt.

eat all , sup all pay nowt

and if you do owt for nowt always do it for yourself

[(RIP) PLANK]

well i bought al new bulbs today, took the lenses off, did the maths and i would be able to reduce 14 amps of drain to just under 5 with all lights still operational (indicator circuit only)

then i realised i had bought the wrong bulbs :doh

oh well tomorrow's another day :thumbs

[(RIP) PLANK]

a more up to date photo:

outside

[(RIP) PLANK]

and another:

Interior

[larson]

it looks well...

[Lynn]

lol me and adam would love your caravan, he makes me sleep in a tiny tent when we go to korc! it hardly houses my handbag!

[Deleted account DD]

it hardly houses my handbag!


you must have one of those geet big radley things then ?

[Lynn]

lol no iam a forelli girl tho i do like the radleys!

[briggie]

lol no iam a forelli girl tho i do like the radleys!

sheila has one with handles on :naughty...... ive often asked if it has hot and cold running water :sly

[Lynn]

lol we have to have big handbags cos you give us your wallet your prat nav ,map books all your change and whatever else you can find!

[Deleted account DD]

lol no iam a forelli girl tho i do like the radleys!

my missus has 5 radleys and a mullberry purse that cost as much as a new set of tyres (Adz..............keep your own bank account)

I shudder how much you women spend :naughty

[(RIP) PLANK]

lol me and adam would love your caravan, he makes me sleep in a tiny tent when we go to korc! it hardly houses my handbag!

I've got plenty of room for a nice handbag :thumbs

though i wouldn't take that caravan to a rally for just a couple of days i'd use a smaller one.

[Lynn]

:lol adam loves giving me his money fur coat one week and diamond ring the next!...........i tell a good tale !:clap

[wildbri]

Your van looks very nice Mr Plank, I saw this and thought of you, regards bri

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leyland-fg-gypsy-wagon-gypsy-caravan-showman-motorhome-/400179192440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d2c89e278

[(RIP) PLANK]

Your van looks very nice Mr Plank, I saw this and thought of you, regards bri

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leyland-fg-gypsy-wagon-gypsy-caravan-showman-motorhome-/400179192440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d2c89e278

i've got it on my watch list already :thumbs my mrs said 'no way!' :(

[96terrano]

Nice looking van. It'll cretinly stand out on the roads. Where did you get it

[lacroupade]

Nice looking van. It'll cretinly stand out on the roads. Where did you get it

Definitely a candidate for funniest type of the week :lol:lol:lol

So Plank, where the Crown Derby mate - you're letting the side down??:confused:

[Deleted account DD]

Didnt spot that :jesterbg

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Your van looks very nice Mr Plank, I saw this and thought of you, regards bri

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leyland-fg-gypsy-wagon-gypsy-caravan-showman-motorhome-/400179192440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d2c89e278

now that is different, got a soft spot for that cab design, recall some milk
floats as a kid on that chassis, ok perhaps not floats as such but run by
local co-op division.

will have to get you a picture of a motor home a pal took at dorset steam fair
i believe, chassis was a twin steer coach, like italian job, body from a fair ground
showman type truck towed caravan, in wagon and drag configuation in its first
life ie would have had a dolly type front axle. like these touring caravans bolted
onto transit pickups to the ultimate degree....

[solarman216]

You ever tried driven one of those ffin things, looks great but no way, Rick

[lacroupade]

Hmph, I've just noticed how aweful the scenery is round here and here the local caravan sites were hit really bad in todays budget:o

How??:confused:

[gazterrano]

a quick photo:

wow thats some van that plank! heavy & sturdy springs to mind never realised T2 would pull that size of van ..pretty impressed cheers for info plank!:thumbs

[96terrano]

big van to pull with a SWB is it not

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

big van to pull with a SWB is it not

think seen a bigger one that that, maybe a relative's.

now law has allowed width to 8 feet or 2.5 metres, though length
of body still 7 metres, which is over 20 feet of course, near 23 feet
i believe.

[96terrano]

Definitely a candidate for funniest type of the week :lol:lol:lol

So Plank, where the Crown Derby mate - you're letting the side down??:confused:

Bugger, I just spotted it now:doh:lol. Stupid iPhone word correction thingy, it replaces words if you get one a little wrong:hmh:hmh:mad::mad: