mariesnowgoose
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Looks like we'll be going to the music meet at the Green Dragon in my old kangoo with the tents in the back 
Big problem with camper - sad news, help!
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We had new rear springs fitted to our Hymer at the garage that regularly did the MOT in May. This involved them working very closely around the spring hangers. I took it for MOT in November and they even said it should fly through. We went off in the car and a couple of hours later got a phone call which we thought was the garage saying the motorhome was ready to be picked up. It was the garage but a very shocked fitter was telling me there was corrosion in the rear extension chassis and within 30cm of the spring hanger and tow bar mountings. There was no sign of rust on the outside of the chassis but when he had checked it the metal had given way. The extension chassis is a u shape section with the top open. It had rusted from the interior un-noticed.
We went to another local garage that specialised in welding and they cut out the bad sections and replaced them with new metal in two days. Cost about £500.
We live full time in our motorhome so the MOT news was very nasty shock, as we could possibly have lost our home, not just a van used on a casual basis.
John
We went to another local garage that specialised in welding and they cut out the bad sections and replaced them with new metal in two days. Cost about £500.
We live full time in our motorhome so the MOT news was very nasty shock, as we could possibly have lost our home, not just a van used on a casual basis.
John
mariesnowgoose
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OK.
Thanks for all your responses peeps.
I think the first decision to make is:
a) get the work done that's needed right away to make it reliable and get it through its MOT
b) forget that and go for a chassis conversion
b) is a non-starter, really. Without a lot of forethought, research, planning and TIME.
Also, we would be without a camper for some considerable time if we go down that route.
So, it looks like a) is the solution for now.
The decision's not really down to me. Neil is footing the bill, so it's his call.
Good luck, Neil
Gaz- it's a howling gale here at the minute and Neil is not too keen on driving over the tops to Brampton in it
Most grateful thanks for all your help and suggestions, though. Ta muchly!
We may still be over there tomorrow if we haven't figured out a more local alternative by then....
Thanks for all your responses peeps.
I think the first decision to make is:
a) get the work done that's needed right away to make it reliable and get it through its MOT
b) forget that and go for a chassis conversion
b) is a non-starter, really. Without a lot of forethought, research, planning and TIME.
Also, we would be without a camper for some considerable time if we go down that route.
So, it looks like a) is the solution for now.
The decision's not really down to me. Neil is footing the bill, so it's his call.
Good luck, Neil
Gaz- it's a howling gale here at the minute and Neil is not too keen on driving over the tops to Brampton in it
Most grateful thanks for all your help and suggestions, though. Ta muchly!
We may still be over there tomorrow if we haven't figured out a more local alternative by then....
Smaug
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OK.
Thanks for all your responses peeps.
I think the first decision to make is:
a) get the work done that's needed right away to make it reliable and get it through its MOT
b) forget that and go for a chassis conversion
b) is a non-starter, really. Without a lot of forethought, research, planning and TIME.
Also, we would be without a camper for some considerable time if we go down that route.
So, it looks like a) is the solution for now.
The decision's not really down to me. Neil is footing the bill, so it's his call.
Good luck, Neil
Gaz- it's a howling gale here at the minute and Neil is not too keen on driving over the tops to Brampton in it
Most grateful thanks for all your help and suggestions, though. Ta muchly!
We may still be over there tomorrow if we haven't figured out a more local alternative by then....
If it blows over on the tops, you have an insurance write-off = problem solved, buy a replacement! (unless they find out about the MoT perhaps) :king:
But you are allowed to drive an MoT failure to & from a test station appointment anyway.
mariesnowgoose
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Brilliant!
Thanks for that, Smaug, it's put my mind at rest.
I'm not very good at breaking the law
snowbirds
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A bad day
Hi mariessnowgosse,
So sorry to hear about your van,i have never seen such a bad Mot report in all my years owing and rebuilding classic cars and Motorhomes.It seems a lot of covering up was done before the last MOT and the last Mot Inspector needs to be sacked before he kills someone.I know this does't help your situation but if the underneath is as bad as it sounds more welding on to a already shot chassis could have it's problems.If you go down the body swap route you will have to find an later base chassis at what cost and most commercials have a harder life.We wish you well what ever way you go,but be careful and work out the costs up front and add 50% to it.I am now retired after along life saying to the wife,it's not a problem I can rebuild it?.But I have had a few money pits in my life. good luck.
Snowbirds
Hi mariessnowgosse,
So sorry to hear about your van,i have never seen such a bad Mot report in all my years owing and rebuilding classic cars and Motorhomes.It seems a lot of covering up was done before the last MOT and the last Mot Inspector needs to be sacked before he kills someone.I know this does't help your situation but if the underneath is as bad as it sounds more welding on to a already shot chassis could have it's problems.If you go down the body swap route you will have to find an later base chassis at what cost and most commercials have a harder life.We wish you well what ever way you go,but be careful and work out the costs up front and add 50% to it.I am now retired after along life saying to the wife,it's not a problem I can rebuild it?.But I have had a few money pits in my life. good luck.
Snowbirds
Thanks for that, Smaug
No point - they are spot on with the problems.
A lot of stuff underneath is filler.
I'll try and replicate the failure list.
Nearside front steering rack gaiter split.
Offside front steering rack gaiter split.
Offside (centre of sill inner) vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings.
Centre rear (x member) vehicle structure has unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings.
Rear exhaust system not adequately supported.
Nearside rear (above leaf spring) vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings.
Offside rear (above leaf spring) vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings.
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive.
Nearside front (incorrect fit) brake hose stretched (found during steering lock to lock check).
Offside rear (next to shocker) vehicle structure has unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings.
Centre rear vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings.
Nearside front vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering.
Offside front vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering.
NSF shocker incorrect fit right side fitted to left.
Do you want me to go on?
As you can see, a dog's breakfast no doubt about it.
Smaug
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Brilliant!
Thanks for that, Smaug, it's put my mind at rest.
I'm not very good at breaking the law
Just make sure you do have an actual appointment (ie your detination will back you up!) & that you do not deviate far from a direct route. :drive:
Randonneur
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Just my ten pen'orth, is there an agricultural or automotive college near you that might like to give their apprentices some welding and mechanical experience?
I reckon they would jump at the chance to get some "real life" experience in vehicle repair, and it would probably cost you a lot less than a garage would charge. Under their tutors supervision you should be able to get the work done to MOT standard so when you take it for re-test it should pass no problem.
I reckon they would jump at the chance to get some "real life" experience in vehicle repair, and it would probably cost you a lot less than a garage would charge. Under their tutors supervision you should be able to get the work done to MOT standard so when you take it for re-test it should pass no problem.
mariesnowgoose
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We might have to contemplate scrapping it ultimately
It's such a shame.
The actual camper body is good and internally it's great with a lot of new fittings (already in when we got it).
The thinking caps are on!
It's such a shame.
The actual camper body is good and internally it's great with a lot of new fittings (already in when we got it).
The thinking caps are on!
oldish hippy
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well get a van and convert it
mariesnowgoose
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But I love ours
The layout and fittings are spot on near perfect for what we wanted.
And it's water and rust proof
...apart from the damn vehicle it's mounted on!
The layout and fittings are spot on near perfect for what we wanted.
And it's water and rust proof
...apart from the damn vehicle it's mounted on!
Smaug
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If you do have to scrap it, see what can be transferred to a new van & put most of the rest of it on e-bay, it could get you a good deal of your money back. Don't forget that, as well as major stuff like cooker & fridge etc, internal cupboards, cushions, doors, vents, bottles, regulator & windows are valuable to owners of other vans like it that have had a bit of a whoopsie.
Even the engine, gearbox, wheels, bumpers & external panels can be sold off. If selling the wheels swop for the unwanted ones so it will still roll into a scrappy for the final weigh in (another 2-300 quids worth of scrap value).
Do not underestimate the value of a dead camper - provide you have the space, time & energy to remove stuff that people want. You'll also need a decent courier to post it off all over the UK too.
Good luck, it's a lot of hasle time & effort, but I'm certain it "will all be for the best in the end" :heart:
Even the engine, gearbox, wheels, bumpers & external panels can be sold off. If selling the wheels swop for the unwanted ones so it will still roll into a scrappy for the final weigh in (another 2-300 quids worth of scrap value).
Do not underestimate the value of a dead camper - provide you have the space, time & energy to remove stuff that people want. You'll also need a decent courier to post it off all over the UK too.
Good luck, it's a lot of hasle time & effort, but I'm certain it "will all be for the best in the end" :heart:
scampa
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We might have to contemplate scrapping it ultimately
It's such a shame.
The actual camper body is good and internally it's great with a lot of new fittings (already in when we got it).
The thinking caps are on!
Before giving up on it completely, I'd be tempted to take it to one of those helpful members on here who have offered to help. At least then you would have an idea of the cost of the welding and repairs needed, which would help you to decide where to go from there? If you're worried about getting it there with no MOT, it might not cost the earth to transport it on a trailer or even on the back of a truck?
If you then decide to go ahead with an economically worthwhile repair to the chassis and get through an MOT, it would give you another year to investigate the cost of a chassis swop compared to more longer term repair work? (You could even try to sell it back to your friend??
).
mariesnowgoose
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Before giving up on it completely, I'd be tempted to take it to one of those helpful members on here who have offered to help. At least then you would have an idea of the cost of the welding and repairs needed, which would help you to decide where to go from there? If you're worried about getting it there with no MOT, it might not cost the earth to transport it on a trailer or even on the back of a truck?
If you then decide to go ahead with an economically worthwhile repair to the chassis and get through an MOT, it would give you another year to investigate the cost of a chassis swop compared to more longer term repair work? (You could even try to sell it back to your friend??
Scampa, we're contemplating doing that already
It might be the old girl's swan song trip if the chassis is really not worth repairing at all.
We don't know yet.
I am so gutted! And angry!
Marcs
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I know your being bombarded with replies ( you really are a heavyweight
I'm sure it won't come to this, but its a better plan b , than your worst fears. :wave:
Agreed, and you'd end up with nothing for it scrapping it, you can't weigh in fibreglass.
Worst case scenario stick it in eBay as spares or repairs requiring welding for mot.
You considered learning to weld?
mariesnowgoose
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Funnily enough, that's not such a bad idea.
I always wanted to learn joinery, too, but there's not many classes around this neck of the woods
Marcs
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Measure twice, cut once.
You just learned joinery
You just learned joinery
herbenny
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Took our old camper for MOT yesterday (runs out tomorrow).
The sad news is the chassis is totally and absolutely b*gg*r*d, stuffed, a goner, due for the scrap yard in the sky
Now at a total loss for what to do next.
Is is worth taking the body off (it's in pretty good nick, 1988 Autosleeper Legend, all new gear inside, on a knackered ford transit chassis) and putting it on a newer chassis cab?
Understand we need a coachbuilder for this, and is it worth it? How much does it cost? Is there anybody out there who could do this?
Would it be better to trade it in against another camper?
Oh bugha!
Oh Marie ...you must be gutted...but dont give up hope yet, where there's a will theres a way and all that, lots of good advice on here :idea: and if you love your van so much then it will be worth clinging onto it for dear life whatever it takes. :goodluck:
Romahomepete
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It is possible to transfer the shell to a newer truck, I have seen older legends on newer trucks.
Broadland Leisure transfer Romahomes. They may be able to do the job or suggest someone who can.
If the worst comes to the worst don't break it sell it as a restoration project and someone will buy it and transfer it to a newer truck.
Peter
Broadland Leisure transfer Romahomes. They may be able to do the job or suggest someone who can.
If the worst comes to the worst don't break it sell it as a restoration project and someone will buy it and transfer it to a newer truck.
Peter
bigmillie
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Do not give up hope just yet without somebody having a look at the corrosion,
3 weeks ago I put my old girl in for MOT Mercedes 207d now in its 27th year
Failed on chassis corrosion , 2 points , OSF inner wing corrosion within 30 cm of suspension NSF inner wing corrosion within 30 cm of suspension , Bulkhead corrosion within 30 cm of brake servo , Bulkhead corrosion within 30 cm of steering
Plus a couple of minor items (Horn and Brake pipe)
It cost me £500 for a mobile welder for 3 days work
Now Wild Camping at Stonehenge with 12 month MOT :wacko:
3 weeks ago I put my old girl in for MOT Mercedes 207d now in its 27th year
Failed on chassis corrosion , 2 points , OSF inner wing corrosion within 30 cm of suspension NSF inner wing corrosion within 30 cm of suspension , Bulkhead corrosion within 30 cm of brake servo , Bulkhead corrosion within 30 cm of steering
Plus a couple of minor items (Horn and Brake pipe)
It cost me £500 for a mobile welder for 3 days work
Now Wild Camping at Stonehenge with 12 month MOT :wacko: