My husband and I have just taken on the mammoth project of renovating a caravan. Brave/insane/whatever it is, it's happening! The chassis looks good, which was our main concern, though I'm thinking the overrun system will nee fixing/replacing. Firstly, is this something that is feasible? It's an old b&b chassis, and after some dismantling of the hitch (I think?!), we are guessing that replacing it might be best.
Secondly, is there a name for the part that I have circled in the attached picture? I feel like this is a really stupid question, but is the whole thing the hitch, or the overrun system, or something completely different? I want to make sure that I have as good an understanding as possible through this project! It's just the top part of the A frame, that contains the jockey wheel, coupling head, handbrake etc. I've only attached a sketch I found of the part, as it's too dark for me to take an actual picture...but looking at the part, and the fact that I have already managed to undo some of the bolts, it seems that this whole part (whatever it is called) can be removed, so I could in theory replace it?
Another thought...would it be possibly better to simply (ha!) replace the whole chassis, rather than just this part?
Thank you in advance.
http://imgur.com/a/6ZLWb
Apparently I also need image embedding for dummies...URL link in case it's not showing :)
The complete thing as illustrated is called the hitch head or braked coupling. You could replace it with a modern hitch head it it could be adapted to fit but if you want to preserve the authenticity of the caravan then you could probably recondition the existing unit. New ones here for example but no idea if any could be adapted to fit.
Its the caravan hitch assembly, contains the hitch, over run brake which is linked to the hand brake mechanism. Depending on type and age the other important part of the over run brake is on the braking system on the hubs.It can be replaced and possibly, depending on your mechanical expertise, by one that is newer/ better.
Replace the chassis?? What material is it made of, ally, ally/wood if its good keep it.
Have tentatively mentioned to OH about taking on a project as she refuses to to let me buy another doer up property.
Good luck.
------------- Just saying
If all is not lost where is it then?
The caravan in question is a Fleetwood Colchester, from around (what I have deciphered) 1980. Overall, the chassis has some rust bubbles, but after going over it all with a wire brush, they are quite superficial, so I would like to keep the chassis if possible - but only if it's the easier option!
It was more than I was trying to weigh up whether changing the hitch assembly/head would be easy, and if not I would contemplate changing the entire chassis. But I think from what you're saying it's possible.
Would I be right in thinking that I would need some information regarding the specific chassis/a frame that I have, in order to find a new hitch assembly to fit? I was rather hoping to just find one and get it fitted. Is that just wishful thinking?!
you cant just change the entire chassis lol the rest of the caravan is built on top of it! to remove the chassis you would have to destroy the rest of the caravan to get it out. why not just book this caravan of yours in with a mobile caravan repairer and get them to sort the brakes and check the chassis over? by the sounds of it you haven't got much idea of what your doing and I for one would rather know that whatever you have been doing to your caravan is safe to actually be on the road!
Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 15/8/2016
you cant just change the entire chassis lol the rest of the caravan is built on top of it! to remove the chassis you would have to destroy the rest of the caravan to get it out. why not just book this caravan of yours in with a mobile caravan repairer and get them to sort the brakes and check the chassis over? by the sounds of it you haven't got much idea of what your doing and I for one would rather know that whatever you have been doing to your caravan is safe to actually be on the road!
I would have thought most people have no idea what they are doing when they get their first Caravan and it's a learning process and nothing wrong with asking about changing the Chassis if you've never had a van before, we've only had our 1990 Abi for 2 years and knew nothing about Caravans or what was involved, yes you can read about them but not the same as owning one.
I've just had a quick look at our Abi and to be honest it looks like IF I ever had to change the chassis it wouldn't be that hard, but I do have a history of mechanics but with a half decent basic tool kit, some reading/research and some common sense most things are fixable.
I would have thought the 1st thing to do Natalie was to either put some pics up here of the hitch and/or get the info about the Chassis, it should be stamped somewhere on it, sometimes if it's been painted they are covered up.
Most things unless physically broken can usually be repaired/refurbed from this era IMHO but without knowing what it actually is it's hard to give more definitive info.
Thank you, Leon. I know that I don't have *much* knowledge of caravans, but I'm definitely willing to learn, and I'd like to think that I am capable of getting most of it sorted! I have seen other people who have successfully managed to change the chassis, but would rather take steps to avoid changing the whole thing if possible.
I've taken some more pictures, and uploaded them here so hopefully that is of some use. It's more the plate that is at the tip of the a frame that I am thinking about, that the hitch connects to and houses the jockey wheel. Much of it is crumbling. I stripped the paint back, and then the bolts were starting to just crumble in my hands, so we made the decision to remove them. Now my thought is, once this whole plate is removed, can I simply replace it onto the existing chassis? Hopefully the pictures will make it a little clearer.
The first thing Natalie I would do is completely remove it and strip it down to metal and to its individual parts and get rid of all the paint and grunge as it can hide all sorts....you won't be able to see what's going on until that is done, but to me it looks serviceable but obviously can't see it all.
On the 2nd pic you can just see some markings, these need to be cleaned up for more info and it makes finding parts/replacement easier and nuts and bolts are the easy bits to replace, if you have access to a sandblaster that will make life easier other wise wirebrush/drill and elbow grease....keep us updated as that looks like an interesting project....
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Caravan maintenance for dummies?!
