In April 2013, we (Nathan and Lucy) recently married and full of optimism and creativity, decided that we would find ourselves a vintage caravan and turn it into a cafe. Not exactly a new idea, but with years of experience in the coffee and hospitality industries, as well as respective backgrounds in the arts and business, we figured we were the perfect couple to revolutionize the mobile coffee industry... little did we know what we were in for! Introducing Franklin![]() Eager and incredibly naive, we collected our eBay purchased 1964 Franklin caravan (complete with simply divine lace curtains...!) from a farm in Drouin. The sellers were keen to be rid of the mouldy heap, (as well as the homeless man who had been living within!) If only we had read what this hilariously accurate blogger had to say regarding caravan restoration, for in fact - we were to encounter every nightmarish issue listed. Exactly how not to start thingsKeen to get started we began removing the unwanted internals of our new purchase. As work progressed, we began to realise that the putrid mouldy smell did not, in fact, originate from the offensive mattress, curtains or timberwork (though I can assure you they contributed!). Concerned but optimistic we proceeded to remove the kitchenette. And that is where we learnt lesson 1 in caravan construction. Lesson 1: APPARENTLY INTERNAL STRUCTURES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE STABILITY OF THE CARAVAN FRAME Yes. That happened. The aluminium shell of the caravan turned out to be attached to the chassis by nothing more than some mouldy wallpaper, plywood, and the burnt out wiring and pipes that ran through the kitchen unit. This unit itself actually rested on the air as the floor beneath was completely rotten away, hence removing the kitchen (apparently a rookie error - or so we've since been told by seasoned caravan restorers) results in the above. Needless to say at this point all enthusiasm for this project had dissipated, so naturally, we called our good friend Michael Bell (builder, adviser, expert and and finisher of all unfinished over-ambitious Nathan and Lucy projects) for help. His response to our description of events went something like this: "Yoooooooooou absolute iiiiiidiots. There is absolutely no way I am getting involved in this crazy scheme" But he did. ![]() The following day, we somehow managed to muster a little determination, and propped decrepit Franklin back into some sort of shape. There he stayed for many weeks, unable to be moved, held together with props, car jacks and bricks. Michael, still maintaining his distance, (but becoming increasingly more interested) suggested a brilliant method to save Franklin. Together, Nathan and Michael re-constructed the caravan, and it was a huge milestone to be able to lay down a new floor, and remove the car jacks. Don't think we're going to get this done in 8 weeks...Following the joyous repair of the caravan frame, we found ourselves back at where we had planned to be about 3 weeks earlier. Inspired by a ripper caravan renovation we had seen using ply wood we decided to go for the natural wood grain look. This required cutting sheets of ply wood exactly to size to fit the walls and ceiling. Simple enough? Not exactly, since nothing in the caravan was square, and each side was completely different from the others. And so ensued 4 weeks of jigsawing, wedging, gluing and screwing sheets of ply to the inside of our caravan. Apologies to our neighbours for the noise... Is it going to get fun soon?![]() FINALLY! the first thing that goes back into the caravan that isn't a sheet of ply! Fed up with wall work one night Nathan decided that the bench seat was going in. So it did - and it was magnificent! We also had got the wiring finished, with invaluable help from Dad! At this point Michael's interest was reaching bubbling point, and he deigned to help us with the rest of the cabinetry. Naturally, this would not be an easy job either - with all of the timber requiring cutting to shape outside the caravan, and assembling inside as nothing wider than a grown man's shoulders could fit through the tiny door and windows. Franklin's superb cabinetry is a testament to Michael's attention to detail, patience and craftsmanship! It was at this point that we realised that our earlier attempts to repair leaky spots in the caravan roof had failed, which brings us to lesson 2 and 3 in caravan renovations. Lesson 2: CARAVANS AND WATER ARE NOT FRIENDS. As a result of this, we are qualified to say that Sicaflex is probably the best product on the planet. And that it's also really hard to get out of hair, skin and clothing. Something that looked a bit like a scene from a Worksafe adLesson 3: WHEELY BINS ARE NOT ADEQUATE OR SAFE SUBSTITUTES FOR LADDERS That is all. It actually does start to get a little bit funAfter 12 gruelling weeks we finally made it to the painting stage. It took three weekends of sanding, painting, sanding and painting, but finally Franklin was starting to look less derelict and more like a caravan that people might fall in love with. We were even noticing that as time went on we hated Franklin less, and were starting to feel somewhat fond of the little nugget. A marriage building experience, or so we called it.With a food safety inspection looming, the deadline for our first event already extended and money running out we had to finish Franklin. In a frenzied manner lino was installed, plumbing and hot water service fitted, curtains sewn, cafe stock sourced, caravan registration completed, insurances paid, forests worth of paperwork completed and finally we were installing our beloved coffee machine.
sandra anderson
2/4/2014 11:39:54 pm
Loved reading your restoration story and the happy ending, you have both entered another world of young achievers.. good luck in your enterprising and exciting journey.
Richard Lazaro
2/16/2014 02:39:11 am
Hi Nathan & Lucy, I loved reading what was accomplished and most of all the concept you guys have on your hands, "The travelling coffee company". I also love the look of Franklin, the decision to stick to the original colour was the best. I wish you both the very best and i hope to savour your coffee someday. 5/12/2014 01:08:15 pm
Bloody hell! What a journey, well I'm glad you did it, love the end result :-)
melinda
11/6/2014 01:07:59 pm
wow... that just scared the pants off me ... my husband and I have just purchased our new project and here I was looking for information like.. do we need to follow any rules when planning the inside....can I put whatever I like on the walls and floor all those girl like questions... and this was such a cute read.... What a lovely story for you guys to share, thank you I think.... Im not so sure I would have followed through like u guys, im almost to afraid to start.. (*;*)... excited to create all the wonderful memories... certainly not looking forward to all those G what are we thinking moments!....good on you guys....I will be using you as my inspiration @ times when only you will understand! Mel xo
Angela Eichler
12/6/2014 02:58:39 am
What a terrific story and result. Thank you for posting some real world information rather than a glossy before and after montage that typically appears on the web. I think Franklin looks wonderful and is a testament to your hard work, but the realistic take on the project is sobering and probably more informative than the dozens of 'how to' projects out there - and ultimately more beneficial. Wishing you the best of luck with your lovely business.
Chris
2/20/2015 03:15:33 pm
Looks great guys , we have just purchased an early 1960s viscount van , and looking for any tips we can get
Anna
5/11/2015 02:49:49 pm
Great work! Looking at doing the same thing, but scared! Fingers crossed!
Donna
5/29/2015 12:55:15 am
Hi Nathan & Lucy! Wow, this is such a gorgeous little story, so many memories made, with the sweetest ending. I too have purchased my little dream (around 6 months ago) and I am a little nervous to even start sourcing products then actually start it. Thank you for sharing a 'real' story. I've only seen those perfect before and after photos that make it look like it was all built and done in a day. I will be using this as full inspiration for my little Reno (when I get the 'you know what's' to start. Cheers guys! x
Kay Rowse
10/31/2015 05:46:03 pm
What did you use as insulation?
Noelene Jephcott
12/1/2015 07:10:29 am
Thanks Lucy and Nathan. I enjoyed reading you story and had to laugh with you at some of the lessons we learn as we do up old caravans. We have an old 69 0fiberglass caravan we are doing up. Thanks for the inspiration and showing us that sticking with it is worth it.
Keith willmott
1/8/2016 01:45:44 pm
Hi I am coming from the other end of the age Spectrum I am 75 and recently took posession of a 40 foot Viscount L caravan I am enjoying repairing the small aged damaged things that need doing I have left a few messages on sites asking where I could source the handles that open the front windows which have a wind out mechanism it would greatly enhance the air flow through my caravan would you know of any where. I read the story off the newly weds who rebuilt theirs into a coffee shop what a way to test your marriage Resiliance a Blue Ribbon effort, thank you for the story.
Nathan
4/3/2016 07:33:17 pm
Old caravan parts are definitely getting harder to find. For window parts, try Maria's recycling emporium in Foster VIC. It's a bit hit and miss but we had some luck! 3/28/2016 08:59:29 am
Hi Nathan and Lucy,
Tracy Hardiman
6/9/2016 12:17:14 pm
Well done, I am inspired by your journey and am just about to start the journey myself, my 1950 caravan is somewhat un moveable and I am attempting to turn it into a craft room for my time out. Fingers crossed. Thank you for a great read.
Rich n suzi
8/22/2016 11:27:53 am
Nice hope worked out for you
Genevieve Berlin
8/27/2016 01:24:38 pm
What a great read! I'm considering leaving the corporate world for gamble on a very similar idea in QLD and your story grounded me but also encouraged me. I, thankfully, have recently married a carpenter and we have a variety of handy, tradesmen friends. If I ever give up hope, I will return back to your tale and fill myself back up with encouragement! Thanks guys!
Belinda
9/24/2016 04:54:38 pm
Hey guys, love this blog! We are renovating a 40+ year old millard girl. If you still have your checklist of things to do, I would love to see it, I'm a little overwhelmed at present. :)
Ali
9/25/2016 04:35:19 pm
This looks fab!
Belal
2/25/2017 10:56:57 pm
Absolutely incredible. What an inspiring read - do you still operate the caravan by any chance? And we're there any more learnings obtained? I'm looking to refurbish my Franklin, similar to yours, and turn it into a food truck, but the process from the get go is daunting. I feel like I'm navigating my way through while blindfolded. If there are any resources/checklist/advice you can provide that will be warmly appreciated. I'm happy to pay a fee for the service - youbshould start your own consultancy enterprise, ha ha. Cheers.
Jess
3/4/2017 05:54:56 pm
Hi guys
Dennise
6/13/2017 09:37:00 pm
Hi there, I recently had my caravan drop on one side, how did you remedy this please and put it right? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance Comments are closed.
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