caravan chassis upgrade

most existing drawbars only go back to point near the suspension.

i was thinking a full length rails (6") right to back of van incorporating new draw bar under existing framework. New suspension (thinking springs) bolted to those new full length rails. This would effectively raise the van say 6".

dont worry about weight at this stage but comments welcomed.

yep the wheel arches might look abnormal

maybe.....but if taken easy i dont think it would be a problem
are the Jayco's ie eagle swans etc etc shells manufactured to withstand more rigours than a standard & and if so by how much.
but in any case i am a handy man..

It is comon in the Kimberley to hear of overhead cupboards all finishing up on the floor.
If you are 'handy' enough to do that bit, keep going and build the whole thing.
That's what I did with the OKA. No regrets.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

yep, that is the one Bronwyn...and you shouldnt flirt with strangers...i'll skitch swmbo onto you..hahaha

notice that the chassis rails go right thru to the back and doesnt have any wheel arches so to speak of. my thought was...whats stopping one from adding full length 6" rails to an existing van?

I'm scared!!

Send her around...I'm needing help with a knitting project, maybe she can help? ROFLHMO!!

Bronwyn ;-)

so am I...lol

yeah i saw that some time ago (2yrs) in the physio's waiting room
have tried recently to follow it up but the magazine is gone
the net hasnt revealed anything on how it was done

Great, can't wait to see the pics

would have them up already except photobucket is killing me with how slow it's going. arrrrrgh
i forgot to reduce one of the pics and it won't cancel the upload no matter how many times i click Cancel

could you me email the pics?
rquinn1atbigponddotnetdotaul
thanks

Awesome job mate, well done, good on you for giving it a crack!!!!

How much would you say it cost you to do it?

including the new rims, tyres, hubs, axel and steel for the chassis it was somewhere around $1500 i think from memory, i did it 2 easters ago so memory is hazy on actual cost, but that figure seems to ring a bell. the big storage box on the front was extra but i don't remember how much, all up somewhere around $3000 i think if the box is included in the price. we looked at upgrading to a newer van but just couldn't afford to do it at the time, i know i have over capatilised on this van, but it will serve a purpose for a few more years yet.
haven't got any pics of inside, but currently in the front of van where the dining table folds down to make nearly a double bed, there's a cot for our 18 mth old and the rest is our 6 yr olds bed. they are both growing to big for this setup, so i'll probably pull it apart and make a set of bunk beds in it's place. i've rebuilt all the kitchen and our double bed, it has a big pull out draw underneath it just as the front bed does for storage, the only thing i still need to rebuild is the linen type cupboard as you walk through the front door on the right hand side.
the front storage box holds all our chairs and rubber ground mats and the bbq you see in the last pic on the drivers side. on the passenger side is a 40 ltr fridge on a slide that pulls out like you see in the back of 4wds. there used to be an 80 ltr engel combi fridge in there but i have changed it over to the 40 ltr to try and loose some weight off of the drawbar. under the bed at the very back of the van is 2 X 110 AH batteries which keep us going for a few days without needing power when we are away, never ran them flat yet but i'm guessing we'd get atleast 4 days without needing to charge them, possibly even more.
i only built it like this as a temporary short gap thing whilst we look at getting a bigger van later on. if i was planning on keeping the van forever i would have done things like the suspension different aswell as possibly changing over the brakes to disc and electric.

Yes, may have over capitalised but not by much and well worth it I would think. I would do as you have done and remodel the inside.

Overall it is a great effor and I appreciate the info you have provided.

Thanks mate
Evan

great work rumpig
its got my attention

now...which caravan????

Great stuff, you guys are an inspiration!!!

G'day
when you put the checkerplate on the front did you just put it over the original panel or did you remove it and replace it with the checkerplate?

Cheers
Ev

All done by ingenious previous owner. 12vlt lighting, battery, microwave, air con, 2x60lt water tanks, pump, heavy duty leaf springs, disc brakes. Tows very well.

checkerplate is over the top.

my sister inlaw has the same type of van we have and when her partner did the checker plate on his van (along sides not on front), he removed the old paneling and slid the new stuff up underneath in place.

another great job

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nah ...I cant be rude on here