So my recently acquired 1993 swift challenger turns out to be a rot box, a lot of the wooden framework is rotted and I am undecided as to wether it can be replaced, I've taken most of the furniture out and the ceiling down but the wooden frame that the rail is screwed to on the right hand side of the van, (not the awning rail but the similar rail on the other side that runs along the top of the side panel)has actually rotted away to nothing, literally and in places daylight can be seen. So my question is how do I make a new piece of wood to screw this rail to as it is curved? anyone else replaced one of these bits of wood?
Also when or if I ever get round to rebuilding the inside could I use 3.5mm plywood from Homebase as wall/ceiling boards?
has anyone got any thoughts on how to replace the curved roof wood battens that run the length of the caravan along the edge of the roof? (like the one the awning rail is screwed into)?
I faced a similar dilemma with my old van's rail across the front of the van.
I assume from what you say the one side is rotten, but the other is ok. If this is right, you will have to use the good side as a pattern.
Is the curved shaped simply a batten that has simply been bent to shape, or is it a piece of multi ply that has been jig-sawn to shape with a lower edge that is straight? My guess is the latter..
If so, measure the good one from end to end. Make pencil marks at measured intervals along the whole length(the greater the curvature the more marks). The idea is to measure from the lower straight edge to the upper curved edge at every one of your pencil marks. Make a table of these or a drawing. Use these to transfer the measurements to your new timber (remember to mark out from the right end!) Join the dots with a smooth line, and jig saw out. If its longer than the available timber, join the pieces first with a good overlapping joints, waterproof glue, and the screw heads inwards facing
A far easier way to copy the shape is to somehow hold the piece of wood up in place as far up as it will go then get a small block of wood big enough to bridge the largest gap then use the block and a pencil to trace a new line on the wood you are going to cut starting at one end and slowly follow the shape of the roof and low and behold if you are careful you will have the perfect shape pencilled onto the new bit of wood and away you go with and jigsaw.
Also don't throw away the old parts until you are certain it is ok to do so. The originals may have screw holes in, wiring cut outs and the like to help with these positions when re-fitting.