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One concern Tom, given how hot that area gets in sun behind that big glass windscreen is expansion. How much – perhaps ask before ordering.
Probably can be allowed for with the right sealant that you will be using around the edge anyway and can also be controlled with the external screen that you have anyway.
Fred
A super photo Tom and I know that we can count on more top tips from you.
The last few days whilst away wild camping and wiping the windscreen down both mornings, I was thinking to myself “if only I could improve this” and a cursory check of the condition of my fabric covering and tapping convinced me that it was a lot of work probably not required…..now with what you have discovered in yours, I am disturbed again!
Good idea to take an observation break.
I am hoping that in the meanwhile you will be coming up with another of your groundbreaking ideas – other than just marine ply and find a solution that will vastly improve air/sound insulation.
Best wishes for the project, Tom.
Fred
Hello Keith, pleased to see that you appear to be well.
Very kind words regarding Barry that we all echo.
Another aspect for Barry and all of us to consider is that we can self isolate for a few days using purely our own resources and not being in contact with anyone by wild camping somewhere in one of our favoured quiet out of the way locations. We have just returned from a couple of days of walking/cycling in Gloucestershire where we visited the wild daffodil locations – a bit wet but away from busier weekends.
Go on Barry, stay with us a bit longer, you know you want to.
Fred
Yes Tony quite a neat finish, job well done.
A different approach regarding materials used.
I’m thinking that the Correx may not be as sound deadening as the ply, but perhaps the foam compensates and most certainly insulates better. Have you noticed any affect on engine noise in the cab?
Fairly certain that mine is ok, but some while ago I ‘thought out’ that this area is a weak point for noise and sound insulation and I worked out in my head that I would use ‘cow mat insulation bed’ that is available from Farm supplies stores if ever I had to make this repair……probably similar to your foam, but being denser not as workable.
Fred
Thanks for the heads up Mac.
Someone posted (Sue) on the Motorhome Fun website that they were looking for an Exsis SG this weekend.
I joined the forum specifically to be able to post and tell her about our website – perhaps you will here from her Barry.
Fred
Here you go Barry/Katy.
This is the info on the struts – I listed this on Toms ‘Lifting the Bed’ thread in January.
Here you go Barry…..some notes that I made some years ago when the topic was mentioned and it inspired me to ‘investigate’ in case I needed to change mine at some point – and I found the piece of paper!
I also took photos at the time of the actual struts giving all the info….but I can’t find those, but the info is clearly on the struts.
I seemed to think that Billington group (as per Tom) supply or make them? and if I remember SGS may have been mentioned or came up in my search, or perhaps they manufactured them?. See a photo shot of my notes below
Fred
OMG!
I look forward to seeing the renovated version.
Please also include materials used so that folks have a range of options to compare with other remedies should they be unfortunate enough to suffer the same challenge.
Best wishes for a good and satisfactory result.
Fred
Noticed one was with ‘Freewheel Leisure’ – I came across him at Shepton a few years ago with one for sale.
He was quite taken with the Exsis and it seems that he has made a niche out of sourcing these.
Looked at the red one you posted Barry and it said ‘Sold’…..well that didn’t hang about.
Fred
Well done Barry and Stephen, another useful feature added.
I have used the messaging facility to pass on contact info to Dougie
Fred
Well done Nozzi for your perseverance and thanks for highlighting the issue for others.
I hope that my Ruby behave herself because like Barry I am thinking that I am getting too old for problem solving and being a contortionist to get into those difficult spaces (usually upside down)
Fred
Here is another view.
Any more detail and I will have to get my thinking hat on – if I can find it!
Fred
I never posted my mods as I was keen to see what others would do – I did write copious notes which I have now lost and in any case lots of photos and ‘how to’ is a little difficult to post one at a time.
I worked out that the Fiat wiper motor support bracket inverted was not to dissimilar to fit onto the black metal plate from the bulk head below the unit….so I cut some off the wide end and made some little cuts to bend the end at right angles and then with some angle iron bolted the modified piece to the original bracket. The bottom of the inverted support bracket was then bolted to the plate below – see the elements in their ‘offering up stage’ in the photo below.
Note the original Hymer stay back to the bulk head ( which is woefully inadequate) and Tom and I have replaced the original ‘Phillips’ self tappers with hexagonal head self tapper bolts.
Fred
I spray white grease around all moving parts.
Another good point to remember is something that Tom pointed out long ago…..make sure that the insulation for the cab extension does not inhibit free movement and trim back if necessary.
It was me who initiated the beefing up of the support brackets after mine failed a second time in 2016 when the drive arm fractured in exactly the same place as before, where it is flattened. In previous observation I had noticed a fair bit of movement of the existing Hymer set up and that flimsy support stay back to the bulk head. I modified mine quite simply using the spare original Fiat motor bracket that came with the replacement wiper unit from the breaker yard. I demonstrated this at the 2016 Exsistravaganza and made others aware of the movement and flexing by us all looking at other vehicles.
It came as a surprise to all and keen interest followed along with some subsequent beefed up modifications from Harvey and Tom, ….. others followed such as Hector.
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Think mine looks a little neater than all that angle everywhere and fingers crossed has stood the test of time. |As we can only post one image I am showing what mine looks like and will do a separate image to show what I did.</p>
Fred
Hello Dougie and welcome, look forward to hearing more from you and where you got that rare ‘Vario’ version from. You are nearly on the right track with your actions.
The standard set up in the boot next to the boiler is a flip up lever which drains down the boiler (hot water) which without looking I think is yellow on mine.
Next to that is a black screw top air valve which allows water to drain out of the fresh water pipes – don’t lift it all the way out or water could flow into the boot.
Further back into the boot an arms reach is the larger lever that operates the waste valve (Aus means out) and this is mounted immediately in front of the inboard waste tank.
The valve on top of the fresh water tank in the bottom of the wardrobe only drains the water in that tank. The pump in the bottom is fitted with a non return valve. I have fitted a set up that drains to the side of the van – I think all documented in the little Exsis Book …..an essential long read for which we are so grateful to Tom for, especially with the demise of the old and original website – such foresight.
Standard procedure for winter draining is to set taps halfway between hot & cold and open taps before opening the valves aforementioned… make sure 12 volt switch just inside door is off or the pump will run and remember that if you go in or out of the van and use lights.
I always pull out and extend the shower head tap from the wash basin so that it is not curled up in its cavity and then after draining I always unscrew the shower head and blow into the hose to force out water droplets.
Luckily with all the inboard equipment the Exsis is quite winter resistant and I only drain down if it is really cold and I am definitely not using the van, otherwise if I anticipate a frost I put a small heater in the van on a very low setting and open up the cupboard a little to allow air to circulate. We often use the van in winter, even in freezing conditions at this time of year.
Regards,
Fred
Another quality job CV, fitting the back box.
Did you get the paint matched by the paint shop and put into a ‘rattle can’, or do you mean off the shelf from a car parts shop – could be helpful to other silver owners to know.
Thanks for the photo of the fridge, it doesn’t look so daunting now…..contemplated replacing mine a year or two ago when I was experiencing some issues, which thankfully I managed to work through.
Fred
