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Anon
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My New Van

Following on from my posts in the questions section, I said that I'd put some more detailed info on the van up in a new post. Wasn't really sure where to post it, so hope it's ok here...
I've just bought my grandparents coachbuilt motorhome, they've owned it for quite a few years so at least I know it's history! I havn't got any photos yet so you'll have to make do with a descpription for now. The van is a 1987 (E-reg) CF2 350 diesel and was custom built by my grandparents when the the chassis was only around four or five years old. This is the forth motorhome they've built, the first one being a pop-top Commer PB way back when my dad was still a kid. That was replaced by a coachbuilt Commer, then a coachbuilt Bedford CF 350, and then this one. Actually, this one was never meant to be, but things don't always work out as planned... The original Bedford was getting a bit long in the tooth so the plan was to buy a nearly new Bedford (this was quite a few years ago so they'd not long been out of production) and simply swap the camper body onto the new chassis. Only a couple of weekends work and job done. My Nan blames the next two years work on my Grandads stubbon refusal to use a tape measure...
They located a suitable chassis but just before buying my Nan suggested mesuring everything to make sure it fitted. My Grandad pointed out that this was just a facelifted version of what they already had, so no need. After getting it home and parking next to the other van it seemed to be a bit longer. The old van had a 126" wheelbase, the new one was the extra long 140" version!
I believe they had a few words that evening about double checking things...
Because the old body wouldn't fit the new chassis they had to start all over again and build a completely new van, but they did get a much bigger and better van than they would have had otherwise.
First thing was to remove the dropside body, then fit a luton body from a Mercedes furniture van which required a further chassis extension to accomodate the overhang. My Grandad made this up from top hat sections to match the Bedford chassis. The body is riveted aluminium construction with top hat section stringers and transverse channel section floor members, and a fibreglass roof. Everything was properly sealed while building and so far all those rivets have never leaked, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if it ever did. There's no wood in the structure and my grandad used polystyrene rather than fibreglass insulation, so there's nothing behind the skin to soak up water and stay damp, therefore no rot. I will of course check and re-seal anything if needed. The back roller shutter was removed and paneled over, and the luton was altered so that it's angle of rake matches the windscreen. The back of the cab was cut away and the whole body faired in with it. Double glazed acrylic windows came from a caravan, as did all the locker doors. Fittings are pretty much what you'd expect, ie. cooker & oven, 3-way fridge, Thetford cassette loo, water heater etc. Water comes from an underfloor stainless steel tank.
That's a brief overview, I will take some photos and post them soon. My grandparents havn't used it for a while so it needs a bit of TLC but she's basicly a good sound van, and once on the road will be my everyday vehicle.

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Fri 17 Oct 2008 @ 20:47 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Took some photos today as promised....





The front is off for the moment as I'm making up some brackets to fit a new rad from a transit, and this gives me a bit more room to work (couldn't get hold of a CF rad). Also needs a bit of welding on the front chassis legs.



Sun 26 Oct 2008 @ 18:04 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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A nice camper Indyian, but if you go fitting F**d parts it will only rust faster.

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Wed 29 Oct 2008 @ 11:05 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Ha ha, tell me about it, I've got a Transit as well!;D Don't worry, the rest's staying genuine Bedford!
Wed 29 Oct 2008 @ 19:59 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Whats a transit then??;D

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Thu 30 Oct 2008 @ 20:38 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Summat to do with funny bacteria in the gut according to the TV advert

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Thu 30 Oct 2008 @ 23:48 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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LOL! I think my tranny's just got a new nickname - Digestive!!!;D
Fri 31 Oct 2008 @ 00:26 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
Anon
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Hi from me and welcome to the forums :)

mike
Tue 03 Feb 2009 @ 20:02 Edit this messageQuote this messagePMQuote this message
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