Autosleeper self build

[harrow]

Many old Romahome C15 habitation pods have been put on to newer C15 panel vans and are now sold on by dealers as if they are the age of the van, rather than the actual age of the pod, which is naughty. There's been lots of discussion about it on the Small Motorhomes forum, including comments from Romahome themselves that, if done properly, and providing it is declared as such, then it isn't a problem.

I've never heard of it being done with an Autosleeper monocoque, but I would have thought it would be just as feasible - although you are dealing with a much bigger and heavier "pod" that would have to be lifted.

I think it would cost an awful lot to pay someone to do it, though, and think it would be a heck of a job to do yourselves.

On a one off basis you move the vehicle to a location, jack the body up, roll the old vehicle out and then roll the new vehicle in underneath the body and then lower the camper down.

My firm used fork lift trucks.

They did go through a period of a lot of off lift off box bodies but then they stopped ordering them.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Thank you everyone for your input, I will investigate further - and please keep the suggestions and ideas coming!

Caz, that's interesting you say you hadn't heard about the Autosleeper monocoque shell undergoing the same process as the Romahomes.
Phil (Admin) thinks it has been done. Think I need to trawl about a bit and see what I can drag up about it, if anything.

I am insane enough to try it, providing most of it could be achieved within my limited budget, and therein lies the question! (which I already asked in my first post).

Always fancied doing a sort of "Pimp My Van' with it

Even if I don't go the whole hog of renewing the chassis because it turns out to be too difficult/expensive etc., I am seriously considering refurbishing the old girl to some extent anyway. Maybe have it waxoyled or dinitrol'ed like Wildebus suggests, but I need to get her all checked out underneath to see what condition it's in these days.

I also thought about a respray. Most of the finishes you tend to see on the average Campervan or Motorhome are fairly standard and 'beige-y' with no real wow factor.

I like a challenge, Wildebus, and we have a few paint shops & sign writing outfits around here, so you never know what might happen!

The more people tell me the old girl is not worth bothering about and that I should just forget it and replace it with something bigger & more modern & a lot more expensive, the more stubborn I get about seeing If I can find her a proper new lease of life!

:scared: :lol-053:

 

[Polar Bear]

I think you will find the local 4X4 boys are well used to changing chassis on Land Rovers so may be able to help out?

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I think you will find the local 4X4 boys are well used to changing chassis on Land Rovers so may be able to help out?

Thanks for that suggestion, Wilhelm, I will follow up on that.

You saying that, there is a superbly kitted out Land Rover always parked up not too far away from me, can easily knock on his door and have a natter.
He'll either tell me to bugger off, or might just be able to point me in the right direction.

More grist to the mill!

 

[trevskoda]

It will not be that easy,first all outriggers will have to be in same place etc ,if you have time skill tools and one hell of a big workshop just about everything is pos,much work though for a we leggy thing like you or so im told,head down now.:wave:

 

[mariesnowgoose]

It will not be that easy,first all outriggers will have to be in same place etc ,if you have time skill tools and one hell of a big workshop just about everything is pos,much work though for a we leggy thing like you or so im told,head down now.:wave:

Weleggy? What's a weleggy when it's at home?! Sounds like a mythical Irish creature like a leprechaun, or the fella in that avatar of yours, Trev

Anyway, don't hijack the thread, we're still talking business so concentrate please sir :hammer:

 

[trevskoda]

Weleggy? What's a weleggy when it's at home?! Sounds like a mythical Irish creature like a leprechaun, or the fella in that avatar of yours, Trev

Anyway, don't hijack the thread, we're still talking business so concentrate please sir :hammer:

Im finding it hard in my old age,concentration that is.:lol-053:

 

[wildebus]

Thank you everyone for your input, I will investigate further - and please keep the suggestions and ideas coming!

Caz, that's interesting you say you hadn't heard about the Autosleeper monocoque shell undergoing the same process as the Romahomes.
Phil (Admin) thinks it has been done. Think I need to trawl about a bit and see what I can drag up about it, if anything.

I am insane enough to try it, providing most of it could be achieved within my limited budget, and therein lies the question! (which I already asked in my first post).

Always fancied doing a sort of "Pimp My Van' with it

Even if I don't go the whole hog of renewing the chassis because it turns out to be too difficult/expensive etc., I am seriously considering refurbishing the old girl to some extent anyway. Maybe have it waxoyled or dinitrol'ed like Wildebus suggests, but I need to get her all checked out underneath to see what condition it's in these days.

I also thought about a respray. Most of the finishes you tend to see on the average Campervan or Motorhome are fairly standard and 'beige-y' with no real wow factor.

I like a challenge, Wildebus, and we have a few paint shops & sign writing outfits around here, so you never know what might happen!

The more people tell me the old girl is not worth bothering about and that I should just forget it and replace it with something bigger & more modern & a lot more expensive, the more stubborn I get about seeing If I can find her a proper new lease of life!

:scared: :lol-053:

Your post reminds me I should do something with my van! It is 15 years old but in great condition underneath and I should do my best to keep it that way.
I'll probably be using Tetraseal as I have 10 litres of it which I bought for another vehicle but never got round to applying. (another option to look at maybe? Tetraseal is a popular DIY option whereas Dinitrol is usually a specialist-only system).
And also Shultz for the wheelarches (a heavy duty stonechip type application product)

And the last sentence of your post ..... :cheers:

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Your post reminds me I should do something with my van! It is 15 years old but in great condition underneath and I should do my best to keep it that way.
I'll probably be using Tetraseal as I have 10 litres of it which I bought for another vehicle but never got round to applying. (another option to look at maybe? Tetraseal is a popular DIY option whereas Dinitrol is usually a specialist-only system).
And also Shultz for the wheelarches (a heavy duty stonechip type application product)

And the last sentence of your post ..... :cheers:

Thanks for that, Wildebus, v.useful suggestion and duly noted!

 

[DaveH55]

Sounds like a plan Marie. Give the chassis and cab a good looking over for corrosion. Transits are known for their tendency to rust but repair panels are widely available. I think that would be a lot cheaper than a full body transplant.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

The sills and wheel arches at the front were replaced with brand new panels when the diesel engine went in a couple of years ago.
They weren't too expensive in the scheme of things.

 

[Looser cruiser]

Know by reading this now one of you’re problems lack of power from engine and that you fitted a diesel a few years ago do you know the psi of engine fitted 80% of transits have the 100 psi so good chance that’s what was fitted an early Di it will run for ever but sluggish the bigger engine say the 140 pulls like a train and in my opinion better on fuel because it’s not working so hard you could fix up bodywork and try find a 140 engine then get that fancy paint job and you’d probably still be well in budget.

 

[DaveH55]

As long as the chassis checks out youre best part of the way there! Nice psychedelic paint job and away you go.
Or you could do one of these ...View attachment 65473

 

[mariesnowgoose]

As long as the chassis checks out youre best part of the way there! Nice psychedelic paint job and away you go.
Or you could do one of these ...View attachment 65473

Ooo no! :lol-049:

Thing is, as much as I admire psychedelic paint jobs a hippy-ish look would be the last thing I want for my purposes

 

[mistericeman]

Thanks for that suggestion, Wilhelm, I will follow up on that.

You saying that, there is a superbly kitted out Land Rover always parked up not too far away from me, can easily knock on his door and have a natter.
He'll either tell me to bugger off, or might just be able to point me in the right direction.

More grist to the mill!

We've rechassied a couple of landies using a two post lift....

This is the last one we did...
Took us a weekend from driving in to driving out on a brand new galvanised chassis

[video=youtube_share;3w1f_VePNis]https://youtu.be/3w1f_VePNis[/video]

Obviously lifting a fibreglass monocoque is a tad more awkward due to size and weight (as well as concerns about its integrity)
But it used to be a common thing with the Ci (caravan industries) bodies on transits/cfs

 

[trevskoda]

It says this vid is unatanable,pity cos i have a 110 ex army lefft hooker and was thinking of new galvo chassis for her,can the be changed to rhd easy.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Out to work right this minute, iceman, but will definitely check back in on your post later, looks v. interesting ....

 

[harrow]

It says this vid is unatanable,pity cos i have a 110 ex army lefft hooker and was thinking of new galvo chassis for her,can the be changed to rhd easy.

Trev video worked ok for me,

LR are like meccano if you have all the spare parts.

 

[mistericeman]

It says this vid is unatanable,pity cos i have a 110 ex army lefft hooker and was thinking of new galvo chassis for her,can the be changed to rhd easy.

Are you trying to view it on a, mobile device ?
The way YouTube links work can be awkward at times...
Try searching YouTube for mfo918
And its titled chassis swap.

YouTube

Not a difficult job especially IF you keep the body intact.
Few bolts/electrical plugs and hydraulic lines to disconnect.

 

[hairydog]

Know by reading this now one of you’re problems lack of power from engine and that you fitted a diesel a few years ago do you know the psi of engine fitted 80% of transits have the 100 psi so good chance that’s what was fitted an early Di it will run for ever but sluggish the bigger engine say the 140 pulls like a train and in my opinion better on fuel because it’s not working so hard you could fix up bodywork and try find a 140 engine then get that fancy paint job and you’d probably still be well in budget.

As far as I know, the different power outputs of the Transit Di 2.5 engine was simply down to the injector pump.

I had one that was a bit underpowdered and Feather Diesels were going to replace the injector pump and metering unit to increase the power.

Unfortunately it was stolen before that happened.