Hi,
I bought mine in 2003, privately. I bought it from a family of four who towed it with an 1100cc car. I had a 1.5TD Diesel Corsa at the time and wanted something that it would tow easily for comfortable accomodation at festivals.
What a beautiful little caravan it is though I have to be honest it is fine for just me without the awning which came with it but when Mrs Nova goes with me there isn't really room for two of us in it to move about, unless the awning is up.
I towed it over 300 miles on my first outing with it to a festival with a pal and was surprised to note that we were doing 85mph at one point so had to slow down quickly but steadily to a safer speed.
The only problem I had on that trip was that after 295 miles one of the tyres blew out, but as it had a spare I was able to put it on and continue, then came a problem - I tried next day to buy a new tyre for it only to find that 10 inch tyres were no longer available at all the major tyre houses, but finally found an independant who had a couple in as they are fitted on the original Minis, so was able to have a spare again for the return journey.
Another problem I had was when I drove to a festival on my own in torrential rain and arrived to find that one of the roof lights had disappeared. I cured this temporarily by putting my umbrella up through the hole then opening it. It worked a treat. I repaired it temporarily next day with 2 sheets of plywood and a bolt with one sheet on the outside and one on the inside with the bolt and nut through the middle. I later bought a replacement skylight which I was able to fit myself for around £30.
The van came with an original Silverline glossy brochure showing all the models available and I still have it, as I still have the caravan, but have swapped the Corsa for a 1.9Tdi Passat Estate which I have just had a towbar fitted on ready for this year's festivals, but have not had the van out yet. I will photocopy the brochure and send it if you want it, but you'll need to send me your address.
The van is a full caravan in miniature with a separate toilet and washroom, a rear kitchen, 2 beds, a fridge, lots of cupboard space, mains and 12volt lighting, calor gas stove and grill etc. I love it, and I've had lots of help and suggestions from other members on here when I've encountered the odd problem.
I didn't pay a lot for it and didn't check it with a damp meter when I bought it in February when it was snowing, but did check it visually and didn't see any obvious damp, but have rebuilt the interior of a Thomson Glenbervie we had for 25 years as a DIY job, reasonably successfully, so don't feel phased if I do find any damp in the future.
My advice is to go for it, but do have it checked with a damp meter first - there's plenty of threads on here about that!
Nova.
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Topic: Any other Silverline Nova Owners?
, but they went the way of most of the old manufacturers at that time. I don't think they had any particular damp problems but because any thing available now is pre 1991 there is always the chance of some damp like any caravan 16 years plus in age.
