I bought a big and joined the circus.

[puddlethumper]

A friend of mine rang me a few days ago asking if I knew anyone who wanted to buy a motorhome. Looking to get shot of it quick as they had a Volkswagen T4 camper coming today and didn't want to face the ebay, gumtree wankers. Wanted £6000 for it. Told Jeff about it and so we went to have a look. Bought and brought back to the yard where we are sorting out a few little bits on it. 47000 miles, FSH, aircon, leather upholstery, galvanised chassis, towbar, full size cover and 2 sets of keys. Mot November. Could be worth £12000 to £14000. All profit going to further the workshop.

[puddlethumper]

Work is progressing slowly on the Yank fifth wheeler. Got the slide out working. Straighten out stuff, a new end panel and a new side panel and it won't be far off complete. Went to look at a Custom Freightliner that was built specifically for a fifth wheel caravan with an extended cab with all seating in it. It's a very rare 4x4 truck which, with the fifth wheeler, will appeal to the circus and fairground people. Negotiations are under way. Will get pics if it gets bought. Fingers crossed coz it is kinda cool.

[Shandylegs]

Looks a decent spec bus that, for a bargain price.

[Floatylight]

If you are buying are you interested in this?

Sure there's a deal to be done...

 

[puddlethumper]

4 hours ago, Floatylight said:

If you are buying are you interested in this?

Sure there's a deal to be done...

 

I'll have a word when Jeffs back.

[puddlethumper]

The Custom Freightliner was bought and low loadered to the yard. I think it looks well cool. (Buckets to keep the water out of the stacks.) Cummins 8.2 with Allison automatic box.

[puddlethumper]

Some more pics of the freightliner. We are absolutely sure this is the only one in the country and very possibly in Europe.

These are before the clean up pics. The back seat is a bit, erm, manky. Going to get the wet and dry on to it and see how it comes up. The material seems pretty good quality and there are no rips in it. 

 

[puddlethumper]

The murals, which look quite well done, and a belt buckle, which is, obviously, the Australian version.

[puddlethumper]

Progress has been made on the fifth wheeler. New panel in and most of it straightened out. A new sheet of metal is arriving tomorrow which we are going to have to roll to get the shape for the bottom panel. Then it's spray it and fit all the trim bits. Will be finished this week.

[puddlethumper]

Looks like I'm not totally finished with the circus as I was asked to drive a truck from Cardiff to Glasgow last week for them. It was good to see everyone again. Many hugs from the ladies and all asking when I was coming back to which I had to inform them that I wasn't. Much disappoint.

[paulplom]

That's a bit sad Paul. 

The velour in the cab of the freightliner looks a bit worn..

[puddlethumper]

23 minutes ago, paulplom said:

That's a bit sad Paul. 

The velour in the cab of the freightliner looks a bit worn..

The velour does look worn but it's actually the pattern that makes it look that way. The truck has only done 33,000 miles.

[puddlethumper]

We had to make a new panel for the fifth wheeler so a sheet of ally was bought. The bottom edge had to be rolled so a bit of ingenuity was used. First pic is the trial effort which turned out better than we thought. Second pic is the design of our rolling machine* made from a length of truck exhaust pipe with an arm welded on each end and a piece of flat metal spot welded on to sandwich the sheet into. Third pic is the roller on the sheet ready to be rolled. One of us on each end and leverage did the rest. Fourth is after it was sprayed. Last is of it fitted before all the trim is fitted.

[puddlethumper]

And here it is all trimmed up.

[High Jetter]

That'll do