1976 microlite caravan chassis crack

[Eden]

Hi
I am looking for some advice please ?
I have a 1976 freedom microlite caravan. The chassis has literally rusted through at the tow bar end. (Please see photo attached)

It possible to get this safely welded? The chassis is quite rusty but the fibreglass van is in good condition.
And advice gratefully received.

 

[p0689109]

No image!
But if the chassis is rusted there then I would have thought the rest is likely to be worse!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum, to ensure photos show to all members without problems either drag and drop them into the post or use the upload a file tool, an option that exists when you write a post at the bottom right corner.

Regarding the possibility of a repair, anything is repairable with the correct skills, the danger is letting someone who pretends to or thinks they have the right skills to make it 'look' repaired.

I doubt that will be the only area of concern across the chassis and is usually why good looking caravans end up scrapped.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I thought Freedom caravans had galvanised chassis. Might be worth seeing if you can source a better chassis from a breaker off one with body damage and swop your body over.

 

[Eden]

hi
Sorry about the photo
Is it added correctly now?

 

[Eden]

thanks for replying
I think I have correctly uploaded the picture now!

 

[sg66]

It is unfortunately a common place to go, it's best done with the body off. Depends on how good bad the rest of the chassis is, stress can help cause the cracks and them rust sets in.

It maybe possible to patch it in situe but hard to say without seeing

What's the condition the rest of it.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Yes, pic showing fine now. I suspect you're looking at a body-off repair there, and keep your fingers crossed it's localised, if not....new chassis if such is still available

I'm sure others with caravan experience will be along to confirm or otherwise my fears.

 

[Eden]

Thanks for that reply pdg
I think your right.
Shame really as lovely old van, as it's only 9' long I think I'd struggle to get a chassis to fit but I'll have a look.
Just in case I do find one is it hard to separate van from chassis?!!

 

[sg66]

There is a big difference from the floor design of your van to a modern one, if your going to swap a chassis you have to take it off any way, in which case having it repaired is not that big a deal and less hassle than trying to find one with same wheelbase length or altering the new one to fit.

 

[sg66]

Easiest way to get it off the chassis is push it up onto sturdy blocks under wheels and chock it. Level the van, support under the floor in multiple points with flat top stands or blocks. Undo all the bolts, let the tyres down, to drop from body, remove wheels. More clearance, depending on design of chassis you may have to swap some supports round as you pull chassis out, as above remove anything that may snag on chassis.

Remove any excess weight from inside before you start

 

[Shedendman]

I'd take a wild guess and say its a case of finding the bolts for body to chassis lifting it off,gantry crane might be the idea wheel it out from under it,think finding these bolts might be a pita

 

[wookie]

Can you not just make a new chassis by copying the original ?

Once it's been made send it for galvanising and then stick the caravan shell back on, if there is any chassis plates on the original they could migrate to the replacement

 

[dannyp]

have a look at the rest of it but the repair dosent look overly difficult tbh

 

[Eden]

Thanks all
I’m going to see if I can lift van off chassis then decide what to do from there. If all looks lost I’ll turn it into a little shed or garden room!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@Eden

Took the liberty of showing the damage to a local caravan place near me, all work related boss honest.

Their workshop Forman advised, that it looks terminal. but that is based on the picture.
But they advised to really check the opposite side real well. Plus the anchor points were the beams attach to the frame.

Fixings would be a body off and remove. The metal looks badly pitted they advised if you are to plate and repair it has to extend to clean metal. Some old vans had a dipped chassis what is a pig to clean the rust off. Then use same size plate and do a full weld plate inside the channel and outside.

Plus do the other side to match.

Expect to find more metal moth as you inspect the chassis.

They did say, all that is based on one picture and not to be taken as gospel as they are looking at one point.