We have a usable but tatty Esterel folding caravan that we want to restore over the winter. It's got some water damage to the roof and floor, the runners are clogged with old grease and there are rusty areas around the gas struts. Does anyone have any advice or experience to share, or has anyone come across an owners club where I can get specific information? So far I've only found one that accepts members who have vans that are much younger than my early 80s model!
Hi theothrsam, Welcome to the forum, I had the Esterel 10ft, sillage,and loved it,had same problem with members club(a bit of discriminanation here),If van looked after they tend not to get damp or water in as much an conventional vans,due to the one piece roof, the roof vent seal must be leaking, happens if someone puts weight on roof when down,and distorts it, Runners clogged old grease,I scraped off as much as possibly then used WD40 to remove the grease I could'nt get at, then re greased, Gas struts,lightly take wire brush to them,or if you have one of those little dremel drill things, they have small cylinder type wheel use that,or fine wet n dry emery paper,when clean,I used Q rust from auto shop,( dont know if still avalible), There are a few car Tail gate struts that fit the Esterel,(not as good as originals but they do ok), Caravan breakers yard only place you may find any good spare parts, if you google caravan breakers you get a list of most of them( round about the Midlands) not many this side of Gretna.wish I lived near your location, I'd love to help on your project, hope this has been of some help.
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Thanks John, just got around to checking this post as I'd basically forgotten about it whilst working a stretch of night shifts. Anyway, the advice has been useful and the van is now under cover in preparation for removing the roof vent and resealing it. hopefully there's some life left in the struts but it's handy to know about the car tail gate ones fitting.
Hi there theothersam.
I have a Esterel 14.6 which needs some repaneling.
But on the subject of gas struts, one club member found the data on one and found some how could supplier them in the uk. Pete Manchester
Hi there i have an old esterel 1980 does anyone know if i can get the nylon runners for the inside the roof i will need to change them all i need a gas strut but i have found out that M S ENGINEERING of bradford do them 44 1234772255 the lady was very help full agout £35 each
I have just bought an Esterel Folding Caravan, I think it’s a C39 1988
I need a Stopper for the end of one of the Roof Runners, as the wheel slides out at the end of the runner.
Does anyone know where I can buy Stoppers for the Roof Runners?
Val, you mentioned in a previous post that you had to replace the Roof Runners on your Esterel. I hope you were successful, did you replace the Stoppers?
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Topic: Esterel restoration
