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Author Topic: Viscount windup camper  (Read 14048 times)

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Offline Dirty rock star

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Viscount windup camper
« on: April 24, 2012, 02:29:03 PM »
Hi all,
Im new on here. more into the 4x4 side of things.
Just wondering why nobody on here seems to have a viscount pop top camper?

Were they quite ordinary compared to a jayco?
Did they just not sell? or are they all wrecked?

I recently purchased a 1985 viscount wind up pop top camper for a decent price around 2k.
Have been looking for tips and ideas but they seem very rare.

Are there any particular problems with these that i should be looking into?

Cheers

Twon
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Offline Mace

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2012, 02:53:07 PM »
Welcome Twon

Viscount had a long history commencing in the 50"s.  Unfortunately a series of owners with "chequered history" led to its downfall in the 90's.

So, natural attrition means not many around in good condition now.

Quality of build probably dependent on who was running the show at the time.

This link (and forum) may be a better place to ask:

http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9834

Cheers.
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Manjimike

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2012, 03:07:53 PM »
Welcome to the forum Twon

 :cheers:
Mike
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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2012, 03:21:30 PM »
G'day Twon

To MySwag.
To be honest I've got no idea, never really thought about.
Anyway, Enjoy your stay here.
 :cheers:
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Offline singo-26

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2012, 04:33:07 PM »
G'day Twon, long time no see, well about a month anyway. Welcome aboard.

  :cheers:
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Offline luxabout

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2012, 05:01:11 PM »
My parents owned a Viscount wind up in the 80s... we went everywhere in it! Many happy memories from my childhood where in that van.... I wonder if that's why I love camper trailers now? :)
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Offline Kit_e_kat9

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2012, 06:35:56 PM »


My parents had a fibreglass pop top "caravan" as they were called back then (and in my mind still are), with a lovely blue racing stripe around it ... brand unknown (just can't remember).  It was a good old beast.  Blue canvas pull out beds, 12V "bar" fridge, 4 burner gas stove and seating for 4 at the dining table.  We spent many holidays enjoying the fresh air and Getting Out There.

One thing dad HATED about it, was the fact that the "cogs" were plastic and often needed replacement as they rounded off or broke completely.  He often was fixing it instead of enjoying the camp like we kids did.  He reckoned that if they made the pulley system properly, then it would have been The Perfect Thing.

Kit_e
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Offline Dirty rock star

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2012, 06:06:49 AM »
cheers for the welcome all.

ok i will keep on hunting for information on them.
singo you pop up all over the joint. if your not stalking me at tuff truck then its on here. GOLD!
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Offline jatt

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2012, 08:32:25 AM »
Got a foto of it?

Seen some that look a lot the Jayco in construction.

Winding mechanisms/telescopic stuts seem to be the biggest issue with this kind of van. 

The ones I have seen have zips in the corners where the bed ends attach.  Your zips are probably metal and hopefully arent sticking when u run the slider.

Seen floors that are a bit on the spongy side when walking on, but thats not specific to your van.  Check out the state of the timberwork behind the front stoneguard.  Water can get in and yeah .....
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Offline Dirty rock star

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2012, 08:56:19 AM »
This is the camper before i bought it.
you wind it up at the back.
and in each corner is about a 100x50mm telescopic piece that winds up.

maybe i have bought something needing too much work??
time will tell.
i think i got my 2k worth.
has new brakes, axle, springs and bearings under it.
its going to sit idle alot so i dont want too much cash tied up there.

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Offline Mace

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2012, 09:26:57 AM »
Just by the look of its general condition in the pic, id say youre on a winner.

Tub looks ok, and the canvass looks in fairly good nick.

If the floor and structure are solid, then go mad with the gal paint, itll look a million$$$

 :cup:
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Offline 99disco

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Viscount windup camper
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2012, 05:53:19 AM »
Mate I have one almost identical to your mine is an 87 model and the yellow section on your is green on ours. We have had our nearly 10 years and it has been an awesome camper taking us all over the southwest of WA. We have done quite a few mods including turning the front bed to face north south giving us a full size king bed. But my favorite mod is the latest, I've made a full heavy duty new chassis for it with independent air bag suspension, aluminum tradesman boxes front and back for bulk storage and twin gas bottle and Kerry can holders. They seem to be a rare beast but are a good thing. Keep us posted on your new toy.



Shane
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Offline Dirty rock star

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2012, 09:31:18 AM »
cheers for the responses.

the chassis needs a little work. but i have the best fab man in newcastle so i will talk to him soon about some overplating and replacing of one small section.
The floor is a tiny bit spongey in the middle, so i was planning on running a brace under it. it looks alright underneath but i guess old age etc is showing.
tub is mint as far as i can see.
canvas has one tiny repair on it the rest is sweet.

now i will tidy it up abit and prepare it for a test run or 3 before fraser island in september.

It seems to tow pretty well behind my turbo diesel 80 series.

i may need to fit a towball onto my other toyota and see how it tows.

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Offline Dirty rock star

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2012, 09:35:15 AM »
99disco
is there a model name or anything of them??
is there anywhere that sells parts for the viscounts?
ive googled my ass off and come up pretty well empty.

any pics of yours?

cheers

Twon
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Offline 99disco

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Viscount windup camper
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2012, 10:14:43 PM »
I've done the same searching mate and basically come up with nothing. Very hard to find info on. I'm on night shift ATM but I'll chuck up some pics tomorrow when I get home.



Shane
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Offline Dirty rock star

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #15 on: April 30, 2012, 01:00:08 PM »
anyjoy shane?
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Offline jatt

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2012, 07:30:33 AM »
Like many windups one or more telesopic struts can jam when winding up/down, so just keep an eye on it to ensure it winds evenly.  A bit of gentle assistance usually works. Be wary of greasing em up cause the crap that sticks to the grease.... u get the idea.

Whilst u r doing works have a look at as mch of the winding mech as possible, as in pulleys, cable winch etc. Seen pulleys screwed directly to chipboard and nuthin else.

Its nice and easy (usually) to remove canvas sections on these, however take note of where canvas is before removal.  As in once u remove tension from canvas work it can take up a bit and be a bugger when refitting.

Most important of all be very carefull when pulling the rubber out up top.  Yet to see a profile that suits this application on your van.
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Offline Dirty rock star

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2012, 09:49:40 AM »
thanks,

what did you mean exactly when you said pulling the rubber out uptop?

cheers

Twon
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Offline jatt

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Re: Viscount windup camper
« Reply #18 on: May 11, 2012, 08:25:24 PM »
Where your canvas is attached up top there is usually a grey rubber extrusion inside an ally track.  Tear it and its a PIA to try and restictch.  If any one has founds a suitable after market extrusion that can be sewn to, then I'm all ears.

Jaycos usually have plastic.... and if anyones interested u should be still able to buy it.  Buts thats another story.
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Lockwood Canvas Repairs.   

Sure it looks easy, unless your the poor bugger who actually has to do the job.
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