Can my camper be rescued?

[angeldust]

My much loved camper has got a problem with corrosion that's so bad, not many welders want to tackle this. It's out in Inverness. The problem is at the front passenger side. Is this fixable? If I got a donor van??

Thanks for your advice!

[davew2]

It is fixable but be prepared for more welding than you first thought

[Celticbiker]

Fixable yes but a lot of time and money.

Galaxy S6 & Tapatalk

[ceurieusneus]

I suggest you, or better, someone with Transit rust knowledge, take a really good look around your van.
More than likely there are also other rusty spots...
Probably, the driver's side in two years time...?
So far, my experience is, there is always more welding work than planned...

[Hendrixfan]

Ha! Never a truer word. Cheaper to invest in some welding gear and pay to go on a course to do it!

[CamperVanBeethoven]

Ha! Never a truer word. Cheaper to invest in some welding gear and pay to go on a course to do it!

I need to learn how to weld Or this van will bankrupt me.

[Milemuncher]

Hmm, at a rough estimate we have spent over £3000 on having the mk3 welded - and thats just the front half. Can't afford to have the back done till next year.

Every little thing leads to a big job - the left wiper was a bit jerky - err well thats more welding needed obviously. (done in conjunction with the top frame repair mentioned on the other thread)



Maybe we should do a thread on this van, have over 200 pics taken by the welder as he has done his magic.

[DodgeRover]

£3k that's a lot of welding and new panels...could you not have found a better body shell and rebuilt yours into it?

[Milemuncher]

Maybe but the project was to save this vehicle if at all possible. Many mk3 vans seem to be just as rusty anyway.

[jamie182]

Having welded up my mk5 190 recovery truck it starts out as just a patch the size of a 50p on the arch then end up chasing it until you want to scrap the van! But once its all done you will have a rock solid van and its well worth it!
buy a half decent mig welder 100amp will be plenty enough for anything on a transit.Get a book from the library about automotive welding repair and watch some videos about how automotive body shells are made will just give you an idea of how repair panels are spot welded in maybe even take a course at a local collage or something it will be well worth it brilliant skill to have! will work out far cheaper than paying someone to weld it up, i take welding jobs on from time to time and i tend to turn away transits. i would only do it for myself, my crewbus needs a front spring hanger,outer arches, innter arches, sills, rear quarter and few other little bits its a job for the summer and i'm not looking forward to it but am at the same time cause it will be brilliant once its back on the road!

[andygee1138]

Everything is fixabe if you have time and skills, or deep pockets...
I have done a ton of welding on my mk3 camper and still have bits to do. I bought a MIG for £40 S/H and learned on the job. made all my panels from old scrap filing cabinets. Only ever bought a pattern OSF arch rear part and OSF wing. Cept I got a Mk5 and had fun reprofiling the arch to match. Point is, if you are determined and can afford the time and modest outlay for basic tools and materials, you can save £00s if not £000s. I reckon thats doable but do you have a budget???

[vanfox]

Search for my posts last August/September to see how bad mine was, now running again. Like said, owt is possible with a mig, nouse and time....and space to work in.

[bigjohnthomas]

this threads from 2016 dudes
that van will history by now
in van hell the transits final resting place
being poked in rusty bits by demons and the queer fellow
you know he who must not be named

[cherniy_chack]

Milemuncher,Welding work on car bodies is a very interesting job.
Some things can be done like a factory, many things can be made easier.
I have been doing body repairs for about 25 years and still continue to learn.
Be persistent and your car will delight you.
Good luck!

[gotgcoalman]

this threads from 2016 dudes
that van will history by now
in van hell the transits final resting place
being poked in rusty bits by demons and the queer fellow
you know he who must not be named

Mike?

Milemuncher,Welding work on car bodies is a very interesting job.
Some things can be done like a factory, many things can be made easier.
I have been doing body repairs for about 25 years and still continue to learn.
Be persistent and your car will delight you.
Good luck!

with enough time/metal and a bit of welding knowledge most things can be made to last a bit longer.