Bow-Top Caravan time-lapse build

A time lapse of the building of my bow-top caravan on a reconditioned sprite caravan chassis. Check blog at http://www.blog.canvascaravans.com for more info and background...

http://www.blog.canvascaravans.com
http://www.canvascaravans.com

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Bowtop
• bow-top
• caravan
• gypsy
• gipsy
• vardo
• canvas
• sprite
• musketeer
• steel chassis
• time lapse
• time-lapse

[hallega1]

I really like your Bow top and think you've done remarkably well.

I wish I had enough skill to start from scratch like you.

I am refurbishing a bow top, can you please help me with the hoops, what did you use and did you have them steamed, or can you tell me where I can obtain them from?

cheers.

[arumdevil]

@hallega1 thanks. Traditionally the bows were made from ash, about 15mm thick and steam-bent - a lengthly process requiring the right knowledge and skill. I have a friend who makes yurts so I was going to enlist his help. BUT, I ended up getting larch from a local sawmill in long strips about 40mm wide by 8mm thick and they didn't need bending at all. 8mm is a bit thin, after planing they were about 5mm, but I laid them no more than 10" apart and it's fine. very strong and easy to lay.

[arumdevil]

otherwise if you just need to replace a few ash might be best to match what's there, but personally I would take them all off and replace with the thin larch.

[arumdevil]

@arumdevil if you do go for larch, you want to END UP at about 8mm, so if you plan to plane it smooth (sawmill marks are very rough) allow 1-1.5mm for planing for each side - a bit less if you plan to sand instead of plane.

[MrKeg1234]

ok your right arumdevil good job on the bow top

[arumdevil]

@MrKeg1234 ha, thanks, isn't it nice when we all get along :)

I've removed my rude comment from earlier.

Still would like to see your family's work on bowtops if you have any pics or vids (no I'm not being sarcastic I'm quite serious , I always enjoy a good lech over some vardos!)

[hallega1]

@arumdevil Many thanks for the very quick reply and the very handy hint re the hoops, I've just got to find the larch now.

[GypsieOtter]

great deal of work, and nothing is original, not even original sin. some people think they own all rights to creativity. thanks for this

[arumdevil]

@MrKeg1234 what are you talking about??? you can't steal an idea. I saw a Bowtop wagon on ebay and decided to make one, what's wrong with that? and FYI the vast majority of traditional bow-top caravans were made by master wainwrights, not romany gipsies themselves.

[arumdevil]

some of your family's creations.