I can see the checker giving you grief whilst you drive (reflection wise) maybe spray it in raptor coat to give it a matte finish? Looks unreal though, great job 👌
Love the checkerplate. But maybe paint the top white to blend it to the rest of caravan? And leave bottom half? Or raptor coat it black. Anyway love the series
Fantastic effort guys, what a team. Thanks for sharing this major van reno, it's a good lesson for the rest of us, actually I would have loved to be involved. It will be a good feeling travelling in the old girl after all this work, you will know the condition of the meranti frame and all the other liitle indiosyncrasies.
Looking great and fun episode involving all the family 😊 Before welding the A/Frame just check that any welds you make to it doesn’t weaken the A/Frame. I’m not a welder but noticed in a lot A/Frame failures reported on forums that additional welds and drilled holes were a major contributor to failure … check it out before welding 😊 Look forward to seeing the list attended too.
Great job guys, looks great. Bertha is now “Big Bertha”, she’s chunky and tough and ready for the bush. It’s great to see a young family working together and doing the best they can. It’s also great to see the work you guys do for the community with camp for a cure. You guys should be proud of yourselves. Well done. Happy and safe travels. All the best guys 👍😁
Love to see the kids involved, making memories they’ll cherish forever. ❤ Bertha looks amazing, and it’s been great to see how vans are built for those of us who never get to see under the cladding. It’s come back together very nicely, anyone would think Alex used to be a caravan builder or something. 😅
Hi guys. Great effort. Remember I told you that our van has white checkerplate up the front as high as yours is. Ours looks great. At first I thought it looked a bit plain but now I think it makes the van look ‘beefy’ in the front. Also, I noticed on your ‘list’ that you have a leaky toilet as one of the things to be done. We had that problem with the Dometic which was in our van. Replaced seals etc. and still kept leaking down the front skirt. We decided to pull it out and replace it with an OGO Origin compost toilet. Best thing we ever did. We watched a couple from Perth (DNA…..Dave & Nik) who have just embarked on their travelling adventures. Brand new van off the lot and when he got it home he pulled the Dometic toilet out and replaced it with the OGO Origin. My husband did ours and it is so easy. Never have to worry about where the dump points are etc etc. You would find it so easy to because ‘you used to build caravans’. Takes longer to pull the old toilet out than it does to put the new one in.
Awesome job guys, the checker plate is very practical and a good alternative. As others have mentioned, only concern is the sun reflecting and shining in oncoming traffic eyes. Very nice watching you work together to get the changes done.
There is a 2 Pack epoxy paint brand named "Jotun" used to paint oil rigs and ships with. Comes in a variety of colours and can be colour-matched. A metal 2-pack and a timber 2-pack system. Not cheap but it was the only product that didnt rust. We painted our galv balcony posts with it as we are 50m from the sea and our 2 storey gets hammered by gale force winds. Our Van Cruiser has checkerplate all the way up to the roof. But admittedly its black.
Im about to do the same to my van as ive noticed water in the boot and water damage to the timber behind the sheet metal in the boot area, its good to see how it can be repaired, i had a quote and prices range fro 5k to $15k depending on the extent of damage.
Yes that’s an initial concern of our too but most of it will be behind the car. A lot of trucks are highly polished up and seem to be ok but we’ll soon how it is when we get out there 👍🏻
Just came across you today ... Have gone back and watched the last few weeks of doing the repairs on Bertha. So excit to see all your great adventures😊
I think Ross has a good suggestion painting it. Just to stop the reflection which is going to be quite bright or cover it with a sticker/ Stickers to break it up so it isn’t one big mirror.
Hi guys. If that first piece of checkerplate was painted white (colour match it to the colour of the van), that suttle change would work really well. Leave the second piece of checkerplate as it is. Have you still got some of the old white cladding to do a colour match? Am really enjoying this reno series.
Checker plate will give you good protection but you will get a lot of sun reflection into your mirrors and drivers coming the other way won't like you very much.
@garryhern2908 speaking from experience sunshine. Agree it is only when you are traveling into the sun but you might be surprised how often it happens both morning and afternoon I had to paint mine.
Guys it looks great. I do agree with other comments about a black matte finish to tone down the glare factor. The square front ends dressed in checker plate gives Bertha an entirely new look (a good look). 👍
Like the cheque plate, no issues with rocks chipping the caravan...and looks tough 😊. Only potential thing to watch, is maybe stones bouncing back and smashing your rear window.
Are you going to possibly cause a problem with sun hitting the top section of checker plate affecting on coming traffic at certain times of the day??? I really like all that you have done it’s really interesting and honest 😊
You could look at getting a light wieght aluminium or one of those bunnings type table that stores on the front checker plate. You should be able to make a simple neat looking frame. This would reduce the plate look whilst also being practical.
Looks great guys I don’t think it’s to high it suits the look of the van in regards to the gas bottles maybe you could drop them down between the a frame that may give you a little bit more room between the doors just a thought once again great vid well done
Goid work team. But I'd be coating it with something like raptor coat. It doesn't have to be black, you can raptor coat in white or off white. Probably a matt finish.
I wasn't sure about the whole front being all aluminium but now it's done I like it. It will dull off a bit over time so that will reduce glare when it does. A little hint with silicone, albeit a bit late now. When you have everything in place and before you remove the excess and wipe it down spray soapy water (I use window cleaner) over it all and that stops the silicone spreading/sticking when you wipe it and makes clean up so much easier. I'll miss the next few episodes as I'm heading off to do the the Darling River Run and Flinders Ranges tomorrow and don't have internet while away. I'll have some catching up to do when I get home. Only thing I hate about going away is I miss my favorite TH-cam Channels.
Loving the build series you’re going to blinding a lot of people when the sun is shinning of it. Idea for new merch “ you can do anything if you put your butt into it”
Add more checker plate down the sides. Not high just 3/4 of a metre from the bottom edge of the van, good protection and would fit in nicely with the front.🤔🤔🤔
You guys crack me up it looks so good, im sure that i have seen you biulding caravans ha ha. PSA probably said it before but im so glad you chose Victron its soooo gooood.
Looks great 👍 will blind ya like a fancy cab over kenworth with all the chrome bling coming at ya shining in the sun 😅 but be careful the metal will richershay stones into the vehicles back window tho , that's why caravans have the vinyl on front deadness it
With the gas bottles can they not be framed in one in front of the other rather than side by side. then you'd have room to open doors? its looking great so far 😊
After reading through the comments, it would appear that there are A LOT of people wondering the same thing! You really should come clean and put an end to the endless speculation 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Your logo in some sort of resin mounted on the front to cut some of the glare. Or is there some tough solar panels that could do the trick something like Kedrons have put up front. Truck drivers sitting up high might be effected with the angle. Awsome job but.
Why not tape up bag up and paint white with plastidip. Can peel off and redo if becomes too damaged and go Again. Think that would cut down on reflection back at the car. Erin maybe check out the colour range😉 we’ve done mags and it came up great.
Well you did ask our opinion…😂…you should have left off the checkerplate and gone with the Swiss alpine look. Did such a neat job and you’ve covered it up!😂 must be cos you’ve built caravans…🤣🤣🤣👍🏻
I can see the checker giving you grief whilst you drive (reflection wise) maybe spray it in raptor coat to give it a matte finish? Looks unreal though, great job 👌
Wow, I love the full checker plate, that will keep it dry and well protected. Awesome. Cheers Judy qld
Love the checkerplate. But maybe paint the top white to blend it to the rest of caravan? And leave bottom half? Or raptor coat it black.
Anyway love the series
Definitely some options we may look into 👍🏻
Thanks!
Looks great. I think I would paint the top bit white and leave bottom section.
Thanks!
You need to make a sticker saying “I use to make caravans . “
Mods look awesome 😊
😂 thanks!
I like the look of the checker plate front. I thought of mounting the gas bottles in the exact position as you said.
Cheers!
I would paint the checkerplate mat black. Looks better and less dazzling.
I agree. Problem is it would be chipped to buggery after one trip!
Yes that’s our concern as well
Fantastic effort guys, what a team. Thanks for sharing this major van reno, it's a good lesson for the rest of us, actually I would have loved to be involved. It will be a good feeling travelling in the old girl after all this work, you will know the condition of the meranti frame and all the other liitle indiosyncrasies.
Thank you so much mate!
Hi guys The van looks so modern now comming along nicely
Looking great and fun episode involving all the family 😊
Before welding the A/Frame just check that any welds you make to it doesn’t weaken the A/Frame. I’m not a welder but noticed in a lot A/Frame failures reported on forums that additional welds and drilled holes were a major contributor to failure … check it out before welding 😊
Look forward to seeing the list attended too.
Thank you! Thanks so much for the heads up!
You guys rock, great work on refurbishing the van, it will be ready for new adventures soon.
Thank you and can’t wait!
@nowornever_aus and buy some Surfer Sam's thongs mate, and while ya there get ya Mrs a pair
Great job guys, looks great. Bertha is now “Big Bertha”, she’s chunky and tough and ready for the bush. It’s great to see a young family working together and doing the best they can. It’s also great to see the work you guys do for the community with camp for a cure. You guys should be proud of yourselves. Well done. Happy and safe travels. All the best guys 👍😁
Thank you so much!
Hi guys the only problem I see with the checker plate on the front like that is the sun shining on it for on coming traffic, have fun cheers Phil
Love to see the kids involved, making memories they’ll cherish forever. ❤
Bertha looks amazing, and it’s been great to see how vans are built for those of us who never get to see under the cladding. It’s come back together very nicely, anyone would think Alex used to be a caravan builder or something. 😅
People keep assuming that! 😂
@@nowornever_aus 😂🤷♂️
Looks absolutely awesome. You should be very happy. Lot of thought gone into it.
Cheers!
Thank you and yes we are!
The van looks great guys. 👏 I loved how you got the whole family involved ❤. Great parents
Thank you!
Wow good job guys looking good better than before no waters going to get in there❤
Cheers!
I like the chequerplate front idea. Much better than the other option.
Thanks!
Hi guys. Great effort. Remember I told you that our van has white checkerplate up the front as high as yours is. Ours looks great. At first I thought it looked a bit plain but now I think it makes the van look ‘beefy’ in the front. Also, I noticed on your ‘list’ that you have a leaky toilet as one of the things to be done. We had that problem with the Dometic which was in our van. Replaced seals etc. and still kept leaking down the front skirt. We decided to pull it out and replace it with an OGO Origin compost toilet. Best thing we ever did. We watched a couple from Perth (DNA…..Dave & Nik) who have just embarked on their travelling adventures. Brand new van off the lot and when he got it home he pulled the Dometic toilet out and replaced it with the OGO Origin. My husband did ours and it is so easy. Never have to worry about where the dump points are etc etc. You would find it so easy to because ‘you used to build
caravans’. Takes longer to pull the old toilet out than it does to put the new one in.
Thank you! Yes we’ve heard they are good!
Awesome job guys, the checker plate is very practical and a good alternative. As others have mentioned, only concern is the sun reflecting and shining in oncoming traffic eyes. Very nice watching you work together to get the changes done.
Thank you!
Wow I love it it looks amazing you guys did a great job! 😊😮😊😮
Thank you!
I'm really enjoying this build. Thanks, guys.
Thanks for following!
The checker plate looks fantastic. Great job
Cheers!
There is a 2 Pack epoxy paint brand named "Jotun" used to paint oil rigs and ships with. Comes in a variety of colours and can be colour-matched. A metal 2-pack and a timber 2-pack system. Not cheap but it was the only product that didnt rust. We painted our galv balcony posts with it as we are 50m from the sea and our 2 storey gets hammered by gale force winds. Our Van Cruiser has checkerplate all the way up to the roof. But admittedly its black.
We’ll look into it, thanks!
Love watching your caravan renovation!
Thank you!
Im about to do the same to my van as ive noticed water in the boot and water damage to the timber behind the sheet metal in the boot area, its good to see how it can be repaired, i had a quote and prices range fro 5k to $15k depending on the extent of damage.
Good job guys, I love the checker plate ❤
Also, Erin maybe you can get Now or Never sign made for the top checker plate 👍😀
😁 thanks!
The reflection is my concern as well. It will be blinding in certain circumstances. Perhaps paint it white or match the cladding colour. Nice work.
Yes that’s an initial concern of our too but most of it will be behind the car. A lot of trucks are highly polished up and seem to be ok but we’ll soon how it is when we get out there 👍🏻
Love the check a plate, waterproof for sure😊.
Well done
Thanks!
Hey it doesn't matter if it's not square! "You used to build caravans"!! 😉😉😁😎
😂🙌🏼
Hahah at the start when you where saying how good it looked I was thinking go on say it and out came the “I used to build caravans” hahah love it
🤣🤣
Just came across you today ...
Have gone back and watched the last few weeks of doing the repairs on Bertha.
So excit to see all your great adventures😊
Thank you and welcome!
Great job, thats a big milestone in the update, look forward to the coming weeks
Thanks!
That looks awesome! sun reflection might be a bit bright at times... but thats a small issue... well done
Thanks mate!
Looking good legends - keep up the great work and stay positive 👏
Thank you!
I think Ross has a good suggestion painting it. Just to stop the reflection which is going to be quite bright or cover it with a sticker/ Stickers to break it up so it isn’t one big mirror.
We’ll definitely look at some options if it reflects too much!
You have done well. Congrats!
Looks bloody awesome, it will give heaps of protection to the front of the van, gee anyone would think you've built caravans before 🤔🤣
People always assume that 🤷 😂
Well done guys looks great 👍
Hi guys. If that first piece of checkerplate was painted white (colour match it to the colour of the van), that suttle change would work really well. Leave the second piece of checkerplate as it is. Have you still got some of the old white cladding to do a colour match? Am really enjoying this reno series.
Thank you!
Great job guy's anyone would think you used to build caravans
Thanks! Crazy that people think that! 😂
Say “I used to fix caravans again”, I can’t get enough 😂😂😂😂. Love the progress you have made.
🤣
Looks good but you might have people coming to your caravan asking for a flat white as it kinda looks like a coffee kart 😜😜😜
😂 lucky we have the battery power and coffee machine then!
Could make a bit of money on the side 👍👍👍
Well done guys...! Looks bloody great...!
Thanks!
Oohh Alex, that looks feckin awesome 👌 great job everybody 👏 👍 😀
Thank you!
Great work guys 👌 Looks fantastic
After the the brakes are done Alex, what fun will you have then not being able to slide around on the creeper 😂
Looks great. Great work guys
Cheers!
Looks pretty bloody good to me. Impressive work.
Thanks!
Checker plate will give you good protection but you will get a lot of sun reflection into your mirrors and drivers coming the other way won't like you very much.
Thanks! We’ll do something to help if that’s the case!
Wrap it ??
What a load of crap.The car will take up the majority of it,and as if there going to be driven towards the sun every day.
@@garryhern2908 ignorant
@garryhern2908 speaking from experience sunshine. Agree it is only when you are traveling into the sun but you might be surprised how often it happens both morning and afternoon
I had to paint mine.
Guys it looks great. I do agree with other comments about a black matte finish to tone down the glare factor. The square front ends dressed in checker plate gives Bertha an entirely new look (a good look). 👍
Thank you!
Hey guys what about a checka plate box between the 2 doors for the gas bottles it would blend it altogether.
Looks awesome
That would be look good!
Like the cheque plate, no issues with rocks chipping the caravan...and looks tough 😊. Only potential thing to watch, is maybe stones bouncing back and smashing your rear window.
Are you going to possibly cause a problem with sun hitting the top section of checker plate affecting on coming traffic at certain times of the day???
I really like all that you have done it’s really interesting and honest 😊
Cheers mate!
Potentially but we’ll sort it if it is!
You could look at getting a light wieght aluminium or one of those bunnings type table that stores on the front checker plate. You should be able to make a simple neat looking frame. This would reduce the plate look whilst also being practical.
Good idea, thanks!
It looks great like it a lot very clever 👍
Thanks!
Hi Erin, Question by any chance did Alex maybe once build caravans 🤣. I love the checker plate looks great.
good job guys
I think he may have 🤔🤣
Thanks!
That looks so good guys
Now that looks great guys good job. One would think Alex had built caravans in the past possibly…2497😂
🤣🤣
Looks great guys I don’t think it’s to high it suits the look of the van in regards to the gas bottles maybe you could drop them down between the a frame that may give you a little bit more room between the doors just a thought once again great vid well done
Thanks mate!
Great to see your making progress and your doing a fantastic job. When do you think you will be travelling again?
Thank you! As soon as we can!
Goid work team. But I'd be coating it with something like raptor coat. It doesn't have to be black, you can raptor coat in white or off white.
Probably a matt finish.
Alex, the front of your caravan looks so pimped, it might just roll into 'Pimp My Caravan' hall of fame! great job to both of you
Thank you!
I wasn't sure about the whole front being all aluminium but now it's done I like it. It will dull off a bit over time so that will reduce glare when it does.
A little hint with silicone, albeit a bit late now. When you have everything in place and before you remove the excess and wipe it down spray soapy water (I use window cleaner) over it all and that stops the silicone spreading/sticking when you wipe it and makes clean up so much easier.
I'll miss the next few episodes as I'm heading off to do the the Darling River Run and Flinders Ranges tomorrow and don't have internet while away. I'll have some catching up to do when I get home. Only thing I hate about going away is I miss my favorite TH-cam Channels.
Thank you and enjoy your trip!
Loving the build series you’re going to blinding a lot of people when the sun is shinning of it.
Idea for new merch “ you can do anything if you put your butt into it”
😂 love it!
Soapy water in spray bottle to clean smearing of silicone
Good job guys it looks good , it’s been a big job already 😂👍
Thank you!
Have you thought about doing the plastic gas bottles for your van . Lighter and narrower. Compgas 7kg and narrower .
Yes we have those and will be putting them back on 👍🏻
No worries, keep up the good work and clips
Looks awesome
Love the ballistic look 🙏👍
Thanks!
Looks alright
Only issues might sun glare coming off it and it will get badly stained with that horrid red dirt
Add more checker plate down the sides.
Not high just 3/4 of a metre from the bottom edge of the van, good protection and would fit in nicely with the front.🤔🤔🤔
Would look fantastic but we are just being weight conscious
Love it!! Well done lovely family.
Thank you!
You guys crack me up it looks so good, im sure that i have seen you biulding caravans ha ha. PSA probably said it before but im so glad you chose Victron its soooo gooood.
The best! Cheers!
Loving this reno series! Noticed you said you used to work at kedron - Any reason why you didn't go with one? Cheers!
Thank you!
Price!! They hold their value very well
We done. You might need to dish out sunglasses to the on coming drivers. Nah.....they can just shut their eyes 😂😂
Looking good guys 😊
😂
Was getting worried in the first 30 seconds no mention of I used built caravan bur came at the 46 seconds mark😂😂😂
🤣
Bertha airstream look 😊
I think when then jmold goes on etc it'll settle the checker down and finish it nicely
Hopefully that’s the case! Thanks!
Looks great 👍 will blind ya like a fancy cab over kenworth with all the chrome bling coming at ya shining in the sun 😅 but be careful the metal will richershay stones into the vehicles back window tho , that's why caravans have the vinyl on front deadness it
Thanks 👍🏻
I wish that all of my van was checker plate especially after seeing how our frame is starting to rub through the allicomp on our van...
That’s a bugger!
I recon you’ve installed the joiner upside down
We cut it to work that way 👍🏻
Awesome ❤ Awesome well done guys 👍❤
Thanks!
Idea put a big Now or Never decal across the top bit
👍🏻
With the gas bottles can they not be framed in one in front of the other rather than side by side. then you'd have room to open doors? its looking great so far 😊
They could be but they will have enough room being side by side still 👍🏻
lolooo, yes i was singing the same song
Dam that looks good, how is the reflection going to be ,no lights required.
Good job guy's
Thank you!
Wow. I’m always so impressed with the quality of your work. I keep wondering if you used to build caravans? 😂
After reading through the comments, it would appear that there are A LOT of people wondering the same thing! You really should come clean and put an end to the endless speculation 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Looks gorgeous 👏🤩
Cool Ep guys she come up a treat
Cheers!
Hi guys, love the videos, aer you working on the van on the north side of Brisbane?
In Brisbane but not on the north side 👍🏻
Bertha is sporting a Madonna look in the front 😳😳checker Bra 👍 Seriously tho looks mint one of a kind and remember ya use to build caravans lol 😂
😂 thanks!
Your logo in some sort of resin mounted on the front to cut some of the glare. Or is there some tough solar panels that could do the trick something like Kedrons have put up front. Truck drivers sitting up high might be effected with the angle. Awsome job but.
The checker plate looks propa’.
It’s got a bit of a Kedron look about it too 👍
Cheers!
Raptor coat the checker plate..
Why not tape up bag up and paint white with plastidip.
Can peel off and redo if becomes too damaged and go
Again. Think that would cut down on reflection back at the car. Erin maybe check out the colour range😉 we’ve done mags and it came up great.
Yes the plasti dip would work well!
Great job buy hey it should be , you used to build caravans,lol 👍
Thank you!
Jeez mate, you need to get someone who has built a few caravans :-)
I’ll keep an eye out for someone!
Looks great
Waited til the first “I used to build caravans” before hitting like button😂didn’t take long😂
Now I’ll watch the rest
Enjoying your content 👌
😂 love it! Cheers!
Looking great. Don't paint it or you'll be forever painting it.
Thanks, exactly why I’m hesitant to do so!
It'll look great
Well you did ask our opinion…😂…you should have left off the checkerplate and gone with the Swiss alpine look. Did such a neat job and you’ve covered it up!😂 must be cos you’ve built caravans…🤣🤣🤣👍🏻
🤣🤣 thank you!