IT'S FIXED BUT HAVE WE MADE A BIG MISTAKE?! CARAVAN RENOVATION

[@lynschostakowski8819]

Looks great. I think I would paint the top bit white and leave bottom section.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@_Rikki_]

Love the checkerplate. But maybe paint the top white to blend it to the rest of caravan? And leave bottom half? Or raptor coat it black. Anyway love the series

[@nowornever_aus]

Definitely some options we may look into 👍🏻 Thanks!

[@SuperHosko]

I can see the checker giving you grief whilst you drive (reflection wise) maybe spray it in raptor coat to give it a matte finish? Looks unreal though, great job 👌

[@tim18118]

Love to see the kids involved, making memories they’ll cherish forever. ❤ Bertha looks amazing, and it’s been great to see how vans are built for those of us who never get to see under the cladding. It’s come back together very nicely, anyone would think Alex used to be a caravan builder or something. 😅

[@nowornever_aus]

People keep assuming that! 😂

[@tim18118]

@@nowornever_aus 😂🤷‍♂️

[@michellemanton434]

The van looks great guys. 👏 I loved how you got the whole family involved ❤. Great parents

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@RuthSmith-p2q]

You need to make a sticker saying “I use to make caravans . “ Mods look awesome 😊

[@nowornever_aus]

😂 thanks!

[@kiaoraable]

Wow, I love the full checker plate, that will keep it dry and well protected. Awesome. Cheers Judy qld

[@milw99]

Great job guys, looks great. Bertha is now “Big Bertha”, she’s chunky and tough and ready for the bush. It’s great to see a young family working together and doing the best they can. It’s also great to see the work you guys do for the community with camp for a cure. You guys should be proud of yourselves. Well done. Happy and safe travels. All the best guys 👍😁

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you so much!

[@robertarmbruster5650]

Fantastic effort guys, what a team. Thanks for sharing this major van reno, it's a good lesson for the rest of us, actually I would have loved to be involved. It will be a good feeling travelling in the old girl after all this work, you will know the condition of the meranti frame and all the other liitle indiosyncrasies.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you so much mate!

[@rossdavey428]

I would paint the checkerplate mat black. Looks better and less dazzling.

[@HilltopFarmHomestead]

I agree. Problem is it would be chipped to buggery after one trip!

[@nowornever_aus]

Yes that’s our concern as well

[@waynelemmon3007]

I like the look of the checker plate front. I thought of mounting the gas bottles in the exact position as you said.

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@georgewinters3191]

Looking great and fun episode involving all the family 😊 Before welding the A/Frame just check that any welds you make to it doesn’t weaken the A/Frame. I’m not a welder but noticed in a lot A/Frame failures reported on forums that additional welds and drilled holes were a major contributor to failure … check it out before welding 😊 Look forward to seeing the list attended too.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you! Thanks so much for the heads up!

[@kerrylogan3953]

Wow I love it it looks amazing you guys did a great job! 😊😮😊😮

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@grahamwood9842]

Looks absolutely awesome. You should be very happy. Lot of thought gone into it.

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you and yes we are!

[@leannechurches5227]

Love the check a plate, waterproof for sure😊. Well done

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@lindaneumann3301]

Awesome job guys, the checker plate is very practical and a good alternative. As others have mentioned, only concern is the sun reflecting and shining in oncoming traffic eyes. Very nice watching you work together to get the changes done.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@WDMTAdventures]

You guys rock, great work on refurbishing the van, it will be ready for new adventures soon.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you and can’t wait!

[@WDMTAdventures]

@nowornever_aus and buy some Surfer Sam's thongs mate, and while ya there get ya Mrs a pair

[@judithtaylor6916]

There is a 2 Pack epoxy paint brand named "Jotun" used to paint oil rigs and ships with. Comes in a variety of colours and can be colour-matched. A metal 2-pack and a timber 2-pack system. Not cheap but it was the only product that didnt rust. We painted our galv balcony posts with it as we are 50m from the sea and our 2 storey gets hammered by gale force winds. Our Van Cruiser has checkerplate all the way up to the roof. But admittedly its black.

[@nowornever_aus]

We’ll look into it, thanks!

[@philwalsh9921]

Hi guys the only problem I see with the checker plate on the front like that is the sun shining on it for on coming traffic, have fun cheers Phil

[@lynparsons6539]

Hey it doesn't matter if it's not square! "You used to build caravans"!! 😉😉😁😎

[@nowornever_aus]

😂🙌🏼

[@diannehavelberg5875]

Wow good job guys looking good better than before no waters going to get in there❤

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@Panda55]

Checker plate will give you good protection but you will get a lot of sun reflection into your mirrors and drivers coming the other way won't like you very much.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks! We’ll do something to help if that’s the case!

[@arm_luvr1002]

Wrap it ??

[@garryhern2908]

What a load of crap.The car will take up the majority of it,and as if there going to be driven towards the sun every day.

[@arm_luvr1002]

@@garryhern2908 ignorant

[@Panda55]

@garryhern2908 speaking from experience sunshine. Agree it is only when you are traveling into the sun but you might be surprised how often it happens both morning and afternoon I had to paint mine.

[@lynparsons6539]

Oohh Alex, that looks feckin awesome 👌 great job everybody 👏 👍 😀

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@rockotravelsoz3770]

I like the chequerplate front idea. Much better than the other option.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@confuzsays7196]

I'm really enjoying this build. Thanks, guys.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks for following!

[@NoFixedDestinationAu]

Say “I used to fix caravans again”, I can’t get enough 😂😂😂😂. Love the progress you have made.

[@nowornever_aus]

🤣

[@marh5952]

The reflection is my concern as well. It will be blinding in certain circumstances. Perhaps paint it white or match the cladding colour. Nice work.

[@nowornever_aus]

Yes that’s an initial concern of our too but most of it will be behind the car. A lot of trucks are highly polished up and seem to be ok but we’ll soon how it is when we get out there 👍🏻

[@Carpo74]

Looking good legends - keep up the great work and stay positive 👏

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@sb847]

Im about to do the same to my van as ive noticed water in the boot and water damage to the timber behind the sheet metal in the boot area, its good to see how it can be repaired, i had a quote and prices range fro 5k to $15k depending on the extent of damage.

[@garyd768]

Looks bloody awesome, it will give heaps of protection to the front of the van, gee anyone would think you've built caravans before 🤔🤣

[@nowornever_aus]

People always assume that 🤷 😂

[@Elizabeth-k5u2v]

Hi guys. Great effort. Remember I told you that our van has white checkerplate up the front as high as yours is. Ours looks great. At first I thought it looked a bit plain but now I think it makes the van look ‘beefy’ in the front. Also, I noticed on your ‘list’ that you have a leaky toilet as one of the things to be done. We had that problem with the Dometic which was in our van. Replaced seals etc. and still kept leaking down the front skirt. We decided to pull it out and replace it with an OGO Origin compost toilet. Best thing we ever did. We watched a couple from Perth (DNA…..Dave & Nik) who have just embarked on their travelling adventures. Brand new van off the lot and when he got it home he pulled the Dometic toilet out and replaced it with the OGO Origin. My husband did ours and it is so easy. Never have to worry about where the dump points are etc etc. You would find it so easy to because ‘you used to build caravans’. Takes longer to pull the old toilet out than it does to put the new one in.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you! Yes we’ve heard they are good!

[@treeman3663]

Hi guys The van looks so modern now comming along nicely

[@caroljohns6251]

Good job guys, I love the checker plate ❤ Also, Erin maybe you can get Now or Never sign made for the top checker plate 👍😀

[@terrystewart2326]

I think Ross has a good suggestion painting it. Just to stop the reflection which is going to be quite bright or cover it with a sticker/ Stickers to break it up so it isn’t one big mirror.

[@nowornever_aus]

We’ll definitely look at some options if it reflects too much!

[@Bradp72]

That looks awesome! sun reflection might be a bit bright at times... but thats a small issue... well done

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks mate!

[@CheekyQuokkaCo]

Love watching your caravan renovation!

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@chaslie]

Hi guys. If that first piece of checkerplate was painted white (colour match it to the colour of the van), that suttle change would work really well. Leave the second piece of checkerplate as it is. Have you still got some of the old white cladding to do a colour match? Am really enjoying this reno series.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@grjh58]

Great job, thats a big milestone in the update, look forward to the coming weeks

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@kevinryan7649]

Hahah at the start when you where saying how good it looked I was thinking go on say it and out came the “I used to build caravans” hahah love it

[@nowornever_aus]

🤣🤣

[@garethraven3933]

Looks good but you might have people coming to your caravan asking for a flat white as it kinda looks like a coffee kart 😜😜😜

[@nowornever_aus]

😂 lucky we have the battery power and coffee machine then!

[@garethraven3933]

Could make a bit of money on the side 👍👍👍

[@libbywilson3064]

Just came across you today ... Have gone back and watched the last few weeks of doing the repairs on Bertha. So excit to see all your great adventures😊

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you and welcome!

[@nadenekendall2982]

The checker plate looks fantastic. Great job

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@alfieadan7545]

Great job guy's anyone would think you used to build caravans

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks! Crazy that people think that! 😂

[@alexmurphy644]

Looks great. Great work guys

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@takingawander198]

Hey guys what about a checka plate box between the 2 doors for the gas bottles it would blend it altogether. Looks awesome

[@nowornever_aus]

That would be look good!

[@RaymondSommers-q3q]

It looks great like it a lot very clever 👍

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@lindaarmiger217]

Guys it looks great. I do agree with other comments about a black matte finish to tone down the glare factor. The square front ends dressed in checker plate gives Bertha an entirely new look (a good look). 👍

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@beach2bushaustralia]

Well done guys...! Looks bloody great...!

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@petergraham7719]

Now that looks great guys good job. One would think Alex had built caravans in the past possibly…2497😂

[@nowornever_aus]

🤣🤣

[@robertcorlet512]

You have done well. Congrats!

[@mickp10]

Like the cheque plate, no issues with rocks chipping the caravan...and looks tough 😊. Only potential thing to watch, is maybe stones bouncing back and smashing your rear window.

[@DarrenKatsoolis]

Are you going to possibly cause a problem with sun hitting the top section of checker plate affecting on coming traffic at certain times of the day??? I really like all that you have done it’s really interesting and honest 😊

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers mate!

[@nowornever_aus]

Potentially but we’ll sort it if it is!

[@markcarlile5209]

Looks fantastic. Well done.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@Itsme-zq3et]

Bertha airstream look 😊

[@garrybourke507]

Was getting worried in the first 30 seconds no mention of I used built caravan bur came at the 46 seconds mark😂😂😂

[@nowornever_aus]

🤣

[@campingaustralia6698]

Awesome ❤ Awesome well done guys 👍❤

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@shepherdsadventure]

Great work guys 👌 Looks fantastic After the the brakes are done Alex, what fun will you have then not being able to slide around on the creeper 😂

[@christinecormick6104]

Hi Erin, Question by any chance did Alex maybe once build caravans 🤣. I love the checker plate looks great. good job guys

[@nowornever_aus]

I think he may have 🤔🤣 Thanks!

[@brentmoss1706]

Add more checker plate down the sides. Not high just 3/4 of a metre from the bottom edge of the van, good protection and would fit in nicely with the front.🤔🤔🤔

[@nowornever_aus]

Would look fantastic but we are just being weight conscious

[@marktate8770]

You could look at getting a light wieght aluminium or one of those bunnings type table that stores on the front checker plate. You should be able to make a simple neat looking frame. This would reduce the plate look whilst also being practical.

[@nowornever_aus]

Good idea, thanks!

[@TheoVanBussel]

Looks pretty bloody good to me. Impressive work.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@iansharpe5306]

That looks so good guys

[@just_dave]

Looks awesome Love the ballistic look 🙏👍

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks!

[@rickbailey1074]

Looks great guys I don’t think it’s to high it suits the look of the van in regards to the gas bottles maybe you could drop them down between the a frame that may give you a little bit more room between the doors just a thought once again great vid well done

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks mate!

[@SollysOnTheRoad]

Good job guys it looks good , it’s been a big job already 😂👍

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@MrAidenaiden71]

Looks alright Only issues might sun glare coming off it and it will get badly stained with that horrid red dirt

[@paulcallan5540]

Have you thought about doing the plastic gas bottles for your van . Lighter and narrower. Compgas 7kg and narrower .

[@nowornever_aus]

Yes we have those and will be putting them back on 👍🏻

[@davekerr8133]

We done. You might need to dish out sunglasses to the on coming drivers. Nah.....they can just shut their eyes 😂😂 Looking good guys 😊

[@nowornever_aus]

😂

[@paulwashere.2121]

I wasn't sure about the whole front being all aluminium but now it's done I like it. It will dull off a bit over time so that will reduce glare when it does. A little hint with silicone, albeit a bit late now. When you have everything in place and before you remove the excess and wipe it down spray soapy water (I use window cleaner) over it all and that stops the silicone spreading/sticking when you wipe it and makes clean up so much easier. I'll miss the next few episodes as I'm heading off to do the the Darling River Run and Flinders Ranges tomorrow and don't have internet while away. I'll have some catching up to do when I get home. Only thing I hate about going away is I miss my favorite KZbin Channels.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you and enjoy your trip!

[@martinschoonderwoerd4518]

Alex, the front of your caravan looks so pimped, it might just roll into 'Pimp My Caravan' hall of fame! great job to both of you

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@adamberg1379]

Loving the build series you’re going to blinding a lot of people when the sun is shinning of it. Idea for new merch “ you can do anything if you put your butt into it”

[@nowornever_aus]

😂 love it!

[@brianhickey948]

Great to see your making progress and your doing a fantastic job. When do you think you will be travelling again?

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you! As soon as we can!

[@anitaneat1010]

I wish that all of my van was checker plate especially after seeing how our frame is starting to rub through the allicomp on our van...

[@nowornever_aus]

That’s a bugger!

[@dotwillcoxson5352]

Love it!! Well done lovely family.

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@adamslattery5445]

I think when then jmold goes on etc it'll settle the checker down and finish it nicely

[@nowornever_aus]

Hopefully that’s the case! Thanks!

[@ab7406]

Soapy water in spray bottle to clean smearing of silicone

[@TerryCassar]

I recon you’ve installed the joiner upside down

[@nowornever_aus]

We cut it to work that way 👍🏻

[@ShanksExcellentAdventures]

Goid work team. But I'd be coating it with something like raptor coat. It doesn't have to be black, you can raptor coat in white or off white. Probably a matt finish.

[@petagee2204]

Looks gorgeous 👏🤩

[@davidmilledge221]

Looks great 👍 will blind ya like a fancy cab over kenworth with all the chrome bling coming at ya shining in the sun 😅 but be careful the metal will richershay stones into the vehicles back window tho , that's why caravans have the vinyl on front deadness it

[@nowornever_aus]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@Adam-ox6zy]

The checker plate looks propa’. It’s got a bit of a Kedron look about it too 👍

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@nicolemitchell446]

Wow. I’m always so impressed with the quality of your work. I keep wondering if you used to build caravans? 😂

[@nicolemitchell446]

After reading through the comments, it would appear that there are A LOT of people wondering the same thing! You really should come clean and put an end to the endless speculation 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@MurrayHands]

Idea put a big Now or Never decal across the top bit

[@nowornever_aus]

👍🏻

[@paulhardie9450]

Bertha is sporting a Madonna look in the front 😳😳checker Bra 👍 Seriously tho looks mint one of a kind and remember ya use to build caravans lol 😂

[@nowornever_aus]

😂 thanks!

[@paultemminghoff6805]

Great job buy hey it should be , you used to build caravans,lol 👍

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@terry2833]

You guys crack me up it looks so good, im sure that i have seen you biulding caravans ha ha. PSA probably said it before but im so glad you chose Victron its soooo gooood.

[@nowornever_aus]

The best! Cheers!

[@steveborg-cv8vj]

No worries, keep up the good work and clips

[@oursandylap]

Loving this reno series! Noticed you said you used to work at kedron - Any reason why you didn't go with one? Cheers!

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you! Price!! They hold their value very well

[@WarrenRorison-yb5ux]

lolooo, yes i was singing the same song Dam that looks good, how is the reflection going to be ,no lights required. Good job guy's

[@nowornever_aus]

Thank you!

[@maxmckenzie2560]

Waited til the first “I used to build caravans” before hitting like button😂didn’t take long😂 Now I’ll watch the rest Enjoying your content 👌

[@nowornever_aus]

😂 love it! Cheers!

[@shanehorridge1220]

Raptor coat the checker plate..

[@steveborg-cv8vj]

Hi guys, love the videos, aer you working on the van on the north side of Brisbane?

[@nowornever_aus]

In Brisbane but not on the north side 👍🏻

[@nograndplan]

Your logo in some sort of resin mounted on the front to cut some of the glare. Or is there some tough solar panels that could do the trick something like Kedrons have put up front. Truck drivers sitting up high might be effected with the angle. Awsome job but.

[@craigtomkinson2837]

Cool Ep guys she come up a treat

[@nowornever_aus]

Cheers!

[@mindyedwards2699]

With the gas bottles can they not be framed in one in front of the other rather than side by side. then you'd have room to open doors? its looking great so far 😊

[@nowornever_aus]

They could be but they will have enough room being side by side still 👍🏻

[@ladysusanjane2682]

Well you did ask our opinion…😂…you should have left off the checkerplate and gone with the Swiss alpine look. Did such a neat job and you’ve covered it up!😂 must be cos you’ve built caravans…🤣🤣🤣👍🏻

[@nowornever_aus]

🤣🤣 thank you!

[@gonegliding2966]

Jeez mate, you need to get someone who has built a few caravans :-)

[@nowornever_aus]

I’ll keep an eye out for someone!

[@helenverrall2892]

Looks great

[@davidmarrone6366]

Hey guy, How will it go when the sun hits it? love the look thought.

[@nowornever_aus]

Hopefully not too bad but we’ll find out quickly!

[@TheoVanBussel]

It'll look great

[@phillroo7871]

Raptor coat the checker plate mat black, then not so glary?

[@nowornever_aus]

Might be an option!