The 15th International Portafold & Ansfold Gathering) (i.e. 2024)

Our annual gathering will be returning to the Newbury Retrofestival.

So put the dates 9th, 10th & 11th of August 2024 in your diary now and get those dates booked off work early.

Show Address: Newbury Showground, Priors Court, Hermitage, Thatcham, West Berkshire, RG18 9QZ

Don't book direct with the show organisers it will cost you more money, just contact me (07771544419) to get your pitch saved.

My Brothers Restoration

Any questions about maintenance or the restoration of your Portafold or Ansfold.
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bigherb
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun, 08 Nov 2009, 7:04 am
Location: Biggin Hill, West Kent

My Brothers Restoration

Post by bigherb » Fri, 02 Jul 2010, 3:29 pm

His Portafold that is!

Since purchasing the Portafold late last year my brother has only done a few jobs first was to free off the seized overrun coupling, constant applications of plus gas and a copper mallet eventually freed it. Initial inspection looks like it is saveable but I will have to strip it down later. While we at it I freed of the brake compensator to stop the brakes rubbing which makes it easier to push around. As I was underneath I noticed one of the wheels sitting further away form the axle than the other, as they where both the same later mini wheels I whipped them off for a further look and found my answer, one side had been fitted with not the best wheel spacers I’ve seen!
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That’s better
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Not much involvement over the winter while my brother removed the bitumen paint from the inside of the roof and some fibreglass repairs.
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Some nice spring sunshine. Time to get it up on axle stands and check over the running gear.
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First job to clean up and lubricate the brake compensator so I can check the operation of the brake shoes later.
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After a few overnight soaks with Plus Gas of the trailing arm grub screws, removal of the arms for inspection and regreasing
Oh dear I didn’t want to see this. Virtually devoid of grease and the arm had picked up parts of the plastic bush. Really the axle should have a couple of grease nipples for easier lubrication.

After a good clean up and refitting to check for any play, the arms and bush appear to have survived the lack of lubrication.
e.jpg

At least the springs where in good condition but a surprising amount of machine swarf stuck to them.
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One tip with dealing with the grub screws especially if you have to use a lot of force to shift corroded screws is to clean out the Allen key hole properly; the key fits in quite a long way up to the mark on the key and use a key of good quality chrome vanadium steel.
Pic00839640.jpg

Also leave the lock nut at the top of the screw to stop the Allen key spreading the screw and rounding out.
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Time for reassembly after a good clean and a coat of chassis black.
The seal is in three parts an outer and inner felt washer sandwiching a rubber O ring.
Pic00853640.jpg

The brakes where in good condition, just requiring lubrication of the pivot points and new expander boots.
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A new set of wheel bearings. I was unable to locate an original type of seal so used a normal double lip seal instead.
Pic00871640.jpg

Just have to source some new tyres and that is most of the main parts of the chassis done.

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Admin
Posts: 856
Joined: Sun, 05 Nov 2006, 8:53 pm
Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Re: My Brothers Restoration

Post by Admin » Tue, 04 Nov 2014, 12:45 pm

bigherb wrote:Just have to source some new tyres and that is most of the main parts of the chassis done.
I've just come across this from a few years back, and if anyone is after tyres, the ones I'd recommend are:

Camac - 145/R10 Trailer/Trailer Tent/Caravan tyre - 8 Ply

They're available new on eBay, and currently 'Tyre Specialists' in Shipley, West Yorkshire sell them. You can call them on 08458628080.
Matthew
portafold.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wanted: Any original Portafold, Ansfold or Mini-Motel brochures, adverts or magazine articles.
Also, any chassis numbers for the above caravans!

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bigherb
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun, 08 Nov 2009, 7:04 am
Location: Biggin Hill, West Kent

Re: My Brothers Restoration

Post by bigherb » Thu, 31 May 2018, 8:47 am

After 7 years of non use I have taken over my brothers Portafold.
So the restoration starts again.

First job was to free off the hitch again.
After freeing off with a copper mallet and plenty off Plus Gas there was no spring resistance.
So to strip it down and clean out all the hardened grease.
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To find the circlip that fits in this slot which pushes the spring had broken.
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Not an easy job getting a new one in, obviously Bradley had a purpose designed spring compressor. I had to resort to a brake caliper piston push back tool.
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Circlip in place and the end nut tightened. Finally the internals where sprayed with water repellent spray grease to help stop corrosion and a couple of new grease nipples fitted.
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While I was at it made a bracket that is held by the hitch bolts to anchor the breakaway cable.
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Finally refitted ready for a test tow. I used new M10 bolts with nyloc nuts in place of the old imperial bolts
27598871987_9ec7da24b5_z.jpg

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bigherb
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun, 08 Nov 2009, 7:04 am
Location: Biggin Hill, West Kent

Re: My Brothers Restoration

Post by bigherb » Wed, 27 Jun 2018, 6:27 am

More work.
Wheels have been shot blasted and painted with light ivory paint, three for the porta and one in reserve. Just waiting for the paint to harden off.
43036872041_740d619c23_z.jpg

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