Building The Rain Roof
Our rain roof is the backbone of our shelter. It collects water for our rain harvesting system, it provides weather protection for our caravan accommodation and it will support our solar panel as part of our photovoltaic energy system. It is simple but versatile.
The Renovation of Major Sprite
Major Sprite is our home away from home.
Major Sprite is a 15 foot single axle Sprite Major caravan proudly built by CI Munro probably in Otorohanga and probably sometime during the 1970's. It has made holiday memories for at least 40 years. Now repaired and restored to some of its former glory we look forward to it giving us another 40 years of memories at Tāne's Rest. You can read about our first meeting with Major Sprite in our blog post.
After bringing Major Sprite back to Auckland we discovered the repairs required were, like it's name, more major than minor.
Major Sprite is a 15 foot single axle Sprite Major caravan proudly built by CI Munro probably in Otorohanga and probably sometime during the 1970's. It has made holiday memories for at least 40 years. Now repaired and restored to some of its former glory we look forward to it giving us another 40 years of memories at Tāne's Rest. You can read about our first meeting with Major Sprite in our blog post.
After bringing Major Sprite back to Auckland we discovered the repairs required were, like it's name, more major than minor.
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Thankfully the installed cabinetry was in good shape with only the kitchen unit needing significant repair. Of more concern was the water leaks that became obvious as we searched for their source. We could see windows were broken but we did not realise window frames were broken as well.
Previously an awning structure had been nailed to the caravan leaving dozens of holes in the bodywork. Worse was the awning rails that sealed the roof and wall seams had been removed and once rain got under the aluminium it ran and pooled inside the walls and ceiling.
There was no option but to remove all the cabinets and strip the inside to find and stop the leaks. We removed and repaired the windows, including the window stays, parts for which are miraculously still available.
Previously an awning structure had been nailed to the caravan leaving dozens of holes in the bodywork. Worse was the awning rails that sealed the roof and wall seams had been removed and once rain got under the aluminium it ran and pooled inside the walls and ceiling.
There was no option but to remove all the cabinets and strip the inside to find and stop the leaks. We removed and repaired the windows, including the window stays, parts for which are miraculously still available.
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We even found a replacement for the unique window rubber on the front and rear windscreens that had shrunk with age and was leaking. A company in Christchurch makes it and Graham, our wonderful glazier was able to deftly remove and replace these big windows.
The stripout was a blessing in disguise as we could refix wall linings, plug floor holes, dry everything out, treat mould and repaint and recarpet inside. We have laid vinyl at the kitchen bench, strengthened the seat units with plywood linings and built a new double bed with storage lockers beneath.
Outside has been a thankless task of filling holes, resealing body seams, sanding and repainting. We have used the original colour scheme but with a modern take on what we think was the original paint colour. We have even been able to replace the door hinges with genuine Sprite replacements.
The stripout was a blessing in disguise as we could refix wall linings, plug floor holes, dry everything out, treat mould and repaint and recarpet inside. We have laid vinyl at the kitchen bench, strengthened the seat units with plywood linings and built a new double bed with storage lockers beneath.
Outside has been a thankless task of filling holes, resealing body seams, sanding and repainting. We have used the original colour scheme but with a modern take on what we think was the original paint colour. We have even been able to replace the door hinges with genuine Sprite replacements.
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To retain the original character we also restored an original padded fabric wall panel and repurposed it as an upholstered bed head.
Rebuilding the window pelmets was incredibly time consuming but with new blinds and curtains they look great and very retro. We have retained the original wiring but changed the lights to 12v units in anticipation of electricity from our solar panel. The kitchen plumbing was also reusable and our water tanks will gravity supply water directly into the caravan. The old water heater tank will be reused in our solar water heater. Major Sprite is just under 10 sq.m and is now our tiny house with kitchen, dining and sleeping for four. Being on wheels it provides us a living base that did not require resource consent. Under our rain roof it is protected from the elements and our next job is to add a deck as an outside room to more than triple our living space. And of course we mustn't forget the wood fired pizza oven. |
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