------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 09/1/2011
how would you comply if you built your own van. ie a teardrop ?
Just understand the Construction and Design Regs; Electricity regs and Gas regs inside out......simples
Phil
Hi Phil, Get the Piont about the teardrop, nose weight would be affected as bulk of body is over axle and A frame, reversed body,reversed weight distribution/ballance/nose weight/access to kitchen locker,think it would be simpler to make new doorway on uk side and block off the offside door,many years ago i did a total rebuild,on an ACE globetrotter?,(no internet or help back then) posted my experience of problems i had when i bought a old van,that was in response to a post about a damp van, and OP was in state of dispair with the task of fixing their van,and to show OP that all is possible if you put your mind to it.(all Regs taken into account). Project i was thinking about was an Esterel folding van,UK or Continental spec,and swap sides walls round (Estarel is little more than a rectangular box) gas locker not a issue as seperate from body,though would still need a lot of work to keep appliances at their original end of van etc, as for tunring a van 180 deg on its chassis, difficult but not impossible,but not practical, as most vans have slopped front,to even consider 180deg turn van would need to be same shape at front and rear. Think if OP wants van door uk side i would look to move door to uk side, or as was said earlier move tools into car,pull onto verge,best thing is call out rescue/recovery to change wheel,as they will park good distance from your van allowing wheel change safely.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
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hi john if you look at an old freedom van the non -sloping end of the van is at the towbar end of the van if i spin the van then it will be the same profile as uk vans ,ie slope to towbar end im not gonna build a teardrop van , just thought id throw that one in . cutting a new door would be really hard as the van is moulded from fibreglass .internally it set out in reverse as well [beds at far end ,kitchen at tow end ]so it would sort that out also
------------- if it aint broke ...keep fixing it until it is !
If you are to build your own caravan, or just swivel an existing one around, it may be prudent to have a word with VOSA to discuss the principles of Individual vehicle Approval and as to whether your precise proposals will mean that before your van can be used on the road it is tested and approved for compliance with the Construction and Use Regs and a number of recent EU Directives.
For example, if you are to create a new kind of chassis for the trailer then under one Directive all trailers first used on the road from (I think) October 2011 must be type approved and comply with EU standards. For new kinds of caravan, type approval will be required from October 2012 (I think)
Contact at VOSA is via
Enquiry Unit, VOSA, 91/92 The Strand, Swansea, SA1 2DA. Tel: 0300 123 9000 Fax: 01792 454 313
I did read somewhere a suggestion that these new requirements will mean that it will no longer be possible to self build your own trailer/caravan because of the cost of getting it type approved.
These rules are the subject of on going development and there has already been some slippage on the timetable, so its worth getting a specific answer from VOSA before any costs are incurred.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
The more I read this, the more intruiged I am about the idea. I still think it's quite a drastic consideration to spin the door to the opposite side and agree with Phils considerations regarding regs/approval etc.
Purely out of further interest, do you happen to have a photo of the van you could post (can't find any examples)?
hi paul, google freedom microlight 400 and slect images that should do it also youtube has some short films but these are on the uk configured side also if you look at your caravan animation then my van is the opposite way [and not a great deal bigger!]
------------- if it aint broke ...keep fixing it until it is !
Quote: Originally posted by sticker on 10/1/2011
cheers phil ,as iwith most things in life nothings as easy as it first seems
That's the thing about projects. Many folk come up with great ideas, wonderful ventures to get involved with, but often the minutia passes by, due to enthousiasm, and then its down to earth. Pulling together all the strands has to be the first issue. Covering all the bases costs money and its best to embrace all aspects of a project to fully cost it out before you start.
I don't think there is a manual anywhere which addresses all issues in a project such as those discussed on this thread (anyone know?). But if not then maybe go for it and then write the book.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
spot on tim! have a coconut when i eventually work out how to put photos on here ill find it easier to explain things when i start the project ill take photos of its progression
------------- if it aint broke ...keep fixing it until it is !
Hi Sticker.
Yea I Googled it, but couldn't find (only quick search though), but seeing the photo's posted by Tim sheds better light and I can fully understand your thoughts now.
I've got to be honest, it does sound feasible and I think it was Tentz who'd mentioned that the Freedoms have been imported with reversed bodies.
I assume you're going to give this a go from your comments, so I'll follow your project with interest.
hi paul ,yes we are going ahead but not for a month or so untill weather improves , we need to get done before our fishing season starts got a bit of working out to reguards lighting , but i may just fit a trailer lighting bar and not have to drill any holes in van......... we shall see if you have any thoughts get them posted i like a good chinwag
------------- if it aint broke ...keep fixing it until it is !
Hi sticker, saw pics of the van in above post,looks a nice wee van, and looks as though it was designed, so that it can be rotated on chassis, worth a look into doing it, check it out with manufacturer,as it would be resonable to think that when van built to the EU regs would apply in the uk as we are part of the EU. dont know if cooker/fridge is at front at the moment,if so may pose problem with the ballance and nose weight,if over wheels should be ok, regarding the rear and front lights, could look for a light fitting for the front same size as the rear one you got at present,as for fixing them to body without drilling it, you could drill 2 holes in the base of light and fit 2 bolts thought it with a small bar on each bolt fit into gap turn bars horizontal and tighten up against inner body, if you follow me, same idea as those umbrella type bolts. look forward to seeing your post with any developments, Good luck
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
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Topic: doors
