First dormobile
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May 8, 2011 at 10:29 pm #875
Hello,
I am fairly new to this forum and picked up my first dormobile last night.
It is a 1966 Land Rover, it is pretty rough and does not run, but it is pretty much all there the wardrobe cabinet, kitchen unit with sink and stove,
folding seats, table mounted to back door both water containers, curtains and so on..
I am looking for advice, it is going to be about a year until I have a proper place to work on the vehicle and over this time, I hope to slowly
acquire various parts. I need a new canvas and I know that dormobile ltd reproduces this, has anyone used the replacement?
Also, the fiberglass top needs to be repaired and redone, any tips or advice on repairing or having the fiberglass repaired would very helpful.
Lastly, I have several original documents that came with the vehicle some documents about the original owner purchasing the vehicle, telegrams,
owners manual and brochures. I am interested in trying to find out more information on the history of my dormobile any information on how to do
this would be appreciated.Thanks for looking!
May 9, 2011 at 4:57 pm #4027Welcome!
Not sure of your location, but sounds a great buy. Jeremy has used a Dormobile replacement – not without trauma, and Mick (Jabbawocky) has used an alternative made in Yorkshire – again not without trauma.
If you post your location, I am sure you will find folk near (ish) to help. or at least give moral support – in addition to that which you will get on here.
All the best
Alex
May 9, 2011 at 5:07 pm #4028Thanks for the reply!
I am from Wisconsin, United States. From what I can tell most of those on here are in or around the UK is this true?May 9, 2011 at 7:28 pm #4029@midwestrover wrote:
Thanks for the reply!
I am from Wisconsin, United States. From what I can tell most of those on here are in or around the UK is this true?I would agree, but,there is also a french contingent and a very healthy US Dormobile membership, on :”DOR@mail.drivearoundtheworld.com”
which is an email forum – try the website?May 10, 2011 at 6:42 am #4030π bonjour et bienvenue sur le forum, je fais partie du contingent franΓ§ais π et nous avons eu la chance l’annee derniere de nous retrouver
tous en normandie π
bon courage a toi et si tu as besoin de photos n’hesites pas a demander
michel.jMay 10, 2011 at 11:30 am #4031Hi Midwest,
I’m from Colorado but I live in Switzerland.
The U.S. Dormobile owners seem to be centered in Colorado, California, and Arizona and the mailing list isn’t so active.
Can you tell us more about your Dormobile? The word “telegrams” rings a bell … I may have seen the ad somewhere? Ebay?
Dormobile LTD owns certain patents from Martin Walter but it is a different company. It makes several special parts. A company called “Exmoor Trim” makes a set of seat covers for Dormobiles (called “doormobile” covers, I think to avoid patent issues) for about $750.
Martin Walter is gone, and so are its records. I got information about mine in two ways. First, by making a blog about it, which despite predictions hasn’t been deleted yet. A previous owner’s wife recognized the curtains she made on the dormobile and contacted me via email, ultimately sending me loads of information:
http://n.ethz.ch/student/jhackney/Dormobile.html
I also got help on the Land Rover series 2 club forum. A user there (here, too: “Bea” I believe) has a database of Land Rovers that were dispatched to Martin Walter. Making a connection between the chassis number and Martin Walter number is impossible in my experience. You can sometimes find interesting information if you know its original UK license plate number, by searching the DVLA website (if it was once a UK vehicle). This gives you its first registration and last taxed year, I think color, engine displacement, and fuel type. You can get the dispatch information from the Gaydon Heritage Center for a fee. This consists of the order date, delivery date, delivery destination, color, engine type, body type.
The roof “canvas” or canopy is hard to patch when it gets brittle. It also shrinks, and then you can’t open the lid all the way. As AlexB says, I got a new one from Dormobile Ltd. I did have trouble with the quality of the seam welds and the angle of the stripes. I don’t think anything you’ll find will be perfect. The fabric is thicker and this makes the roof difficult to close (same with Jabbawocky’s alternative). But Jabbawocky’s stripes do line up horizontally and mine don’t … I also have a sink and a roof vent cover from the company. Again, quite flimsier than the originals, not the right color, but functional. I have kept all my original parts, in case I can repair them and re-use them.
Dormobile LTD is a one-stop shop but really just the above special items are Dormobile-specific; the rest of the stuff they sell you can get locally at camper supply stores.
I repaired my fiberglass roof, myself. It’s very simple. I think I outlined the procedure on this forum somewhere. There’s an “L” frame along the front and hinge edges made of 1/2″ steel tubing, and there are steel backing plates for the hinges. These are probably all rotten. I used wire cutters to cut this metal frame out of the fiberglass, and I replaced it with conduit pipe from the hardware store, and zinc-plated steel backing plates for the hinges. Use a heavy glass mat and epoxy resin to re-close the wound. I bought several tubes of Gelcoat (go to a boating or trailer shop) to patch the outside of the roof where it was cracked from UV and water ingress. The Gelcoat doesn’t have a long shelf life, so don’t get it until you’re ready. I got my window seals, protective edging, and felt seal for the roof vent at Dormobile. They are available at any camping store. Ask here for the dimensions. Installing the window seals is something you learn by doing. Search this forum for tips.
I made my own bunks: laid flat they’re 23″ from fold to fold and 6′ long. Any strong fabric will do.
Finally, the Hammerite paint that people use on the wardrobe and stove is not heat-resistant! ;^)
Let us know how it comes along
-JeremyMay 10, 2011 at 7:42 pm #4032Michel.j and Jeremy thank you for the replies!
Above is a link to the ebay motors post, for some photos of the vehicle that the previous owner had taken.
Jeremy- you have a good memory, it was on ebay just a few weeks ago. I am thinking of ordering the dormobile roof windows and roof vent seals, were you happy with those items from dormobile ltd? I am missing the roof vent piece, I may have to order that as well. Did you purchase your dormobile while
living in Switzerland? On a side note how do you like living in Switzerland? After I finish college I hope to move to Switzerland for a few years, but have never been there.If anyone knows of anyone that happens to have a roof vent laying around, I may be interested.
Thanks again for the replies!
May 11, 2011 at 7:29 am #4033Michel, if I remember correctly made some of these and, after seeing one, I wish I had purchased one form him rather then the one I bought from Dormobile, as it is stronger and more importantly perhaps – curved – just like the original.
Alex
May 11, 2011 at 11:01 am #4034^^ as Alex said.
if michel can still make me one if his, you can have my Dormobile Ltd one at a low low price. it has about 27 holes around its edge for the fly screen, for which i can also provide plans so you can use the holes at least. the shipping would be about the same as from Dormobile in the UK. if it sounds good to you, i’ll see if michel can make me one. i can’t send mine until i have a new one, though.
giving a single supplier some competition is never bad for the consumer.
-jeremy
May 11, 2011 at 12:12 pm #4035Good to see another “project” that will be restored, although you look like you have your work cut out π
I need a roof vent for my project too, does michel make these to order ?? Are they much better than the Dormobile ones ??
I’m soon going to be putting an order in at Dormobile for some items and am now a bit concerned after reading the above post πHas anybody purchased a wardrobe and cooker/sink unit ?? Are they of the same quality as the originals ?? I was going to replace my canopy too as it’s a bit grubby, also bunks need replacing along with all new rubbers needed.
The Aussie heat has taken it’s toll
May 11, 2011 at 12:30 pm #4036Roof vent – not sure if Michel is still making them, or having them made, but, much better than the Dormobile version, much thicker and curved, which means it closes using the one fastener, whereas the replacement (on a 110 for example) needs two, or continuous tightening.
Look on the DOrmobile website – bunks were Β£250 the pair IIRC
I had someone make a replacement wardrobe for Β£200
May 11, 2011 at 12:45 pm #4037Thanks for the info, my Dormobile had no wardrobe fitted but had the fridge mount instead, hence I have no details or dimensions of the wardrobe. My bunks just need new covers as the originals have rotted π―
May 11, 2011 at 12:58 pm #4038Jeremy thank you for the offer, but I think if Michel is still making or having the roof vent made I would order one from him.
It seems like dormobile ltd kind of has a monopoly going in the market for dormobiles.For any of you that installed new window seals offered by dormobile ltd, was it necessary to purchase the tool offered by them to instal the seals or can you
instal the seals easily with out the tool?May 11, 2011 at 4:24 pm #4039π bonjour Γ tous, c’est michel jaunet (mr jones) qui a refait faire l’event de toit, ce n’est pas moi π³ π
May 11, 2011 at 5:33 pm #4040 -
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