some of you will remember my articles on the renovation of our classic 1985 swift corvette caravan. well thanks to my health and other problems i think its time to sell her on.
the only jobs left to do are the centre roof seal and refurbish the inner ceiling panel behind the cabin roof end lockers but i just cant do it.
shame it is but that's life. no doubt i will advertise her on here first ( just got to get my head around letting her go)
this will not be the end of our camping life though as we have plans for a light weight trailer tent in the future
That's very sad that you havn't been able to complete the project Al, however you have the satisfaction of knowing that you've helped countless others who have been faced with the daunting task of damp repairs. Many of whom couldn't have attempted the work without the help and advice on your site. Glad it's not the end of your camping days, certainly know the feeling as both self and oh are arthritus sufferers and was beginning to think we were going to pack it in. After some discussion and a great deal of thought we have made our van pretty much disabled friendly. First thing and the major expense was a moter mover, then I fitted tubes to the rear steadies so I could engage the cordless drill winder without bending down, front ones are ok. Next I bought a double step and fitted a folding handrail to the door. We use the Arizona's long bench seats as two seperate fixed singles and use the side dinette for eating and the beds for lounging. We have found that we can manage quite nicely and will be taking off for 3 weeks very shortly We wish you well and if there was a UKCS roll of honour, then you would be n umber one for the help you've been to others....Mick.
well guess what folks after a long illness i never got to sell the old girl and last year we let my daughter take it to Anglesey for a whole season on Bodfan farm Rhosneigr. the site has been a family favourite for more than 20 years. we went down to visit and ended up staying in it for a week and fell in love with the van all over again so she is not for sale now. hope to be well enough to tour this season.
That sounds like positive news, I hope after your health problems you manage to get away in the 'van this year.
I know how you feel about letting go. I have a 1989 Mardon Meridian 2-berth which my now-ex and I bought almost four years ago, we spent many hours refurbishing it and making the interior look more up-to-date and I absolutely loved it once it was finished. We only used it four times though before we split up - I kept the 'van and managed two bank holidays in it on my own thanks to some people who towed it to site and back again for me in 2009. I did the CC towing course in September 2010 but just haven't got the confidence to tow completely alone and I don't know anyone who can tow who could accompany me. So my lovely little 'van spend its time in storage and I wonder if I will ever get round to using it again, but I just love it so much it would break my heart to sell.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I understand totally the "falling in love again""...... our old van, we used perhaps twice a year. Since we retired 3 years ago, we bought a new van and love it to bits....we are away now as much as possible. I think when we were both working, trying to get away weekends was too much effort!!! It's a pleasure now!!
Tigermouse - our last van was a Mardon Classique 1989. We had it from 3 years old till 2009. We had great adventures in her when the kids were small - a great van!!!
Really good news Alan. Great to hear you on the forum as your website detailing your repairs has been an inspiration to me. I am currently putting the toilet cubicle back together again and I have been motivated by your work. Its good to hear that you are hopeful to tour this year and that the van is still going strong.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 14/2/2012
That sounds like positive news, I hope after your health problems you manage to get away in the 'van this year.
I know how you feel about letting go. I have a 1989 Mardon Meridian 2-berth which my now-ex and I bought almost four years ago, we spent many hours refurbishing it and making the interior look more up-to-date and I absolutely loved it once it was finished. We only used it four times though before we split up - I kept the 'van and managed two bank holidays in it on my own thanks to some people who towed it to site and back again for me in 2009. I did the CC towing course in September 2010 but just haven't got the confidence to tow completely alone and I don't know anyone who can tow who could accompany me. So my lovely little 'van spend its time in storage and I wonder if I will ever get round to using it again, but I just love it so much it would break my heart to sell.
Tigs you can do it. Even if you ask for a refresher course. Go towing at an easier time of day, to a site that is nearest to you, just for the weekend. Do it a few times pretty close together and your confidence will grow. It is like not driving for a long time, just needs a few times of going out close together and your off driving again, so it will be for towing.
You could also just hitch it up and tow it around and about without going to a camp site, just driving around. The big roads first so you have plenty of room to start yourself off, till you feel more confident to progress further to a camp site. When the traffic has died down.
Do try it Tigs you can and will succeed. I will restart driving in this newer car this way as I was used to the VW camper as I sat higher, but I will take little journies till I get use to it again.
It's not just the towing Chrissie, it's hitching up and getting it in and out of storage as well. Space is tight and it takes a bit of manoeuvring even for an experienced tower - I might just be able to get it out but I'd never get it back on my own as it needs to be unhitched and pushed in. So until I can find someone to help I'll just continue to visit on a sunny day and spend some time just sitting in it - I can always pretend I'm on a camp site!
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Quote: Originally posted by alsparker on 14/2/2012
well guess what folks after a long illness i never got to sell the old girl and last year we let my daughter take it to Anglesey for a whole season on Bodfan farm Rhosneigr. the site has been a family favourite for more than 20 years. we went down to visit and ended up staying in it for a week and fell in love with the van all over again so she is not for sale now. hope to be well enough to tour this season.
So glad your carrying on with it Al I know how much you've put in to it so far Know what you mean about Anglesey as well we have a favourite c & cc THS there we go to
It's not just the towing Chrissie, it's hitching up and getting it in and out of storage as well. Space is tight and it takes a bit of manoeuvring even for an experienced tower - I might just be able to get it out but I'd never get it back on my own as it needs to be unhitched and pushed in. So until I can find someone to help I'll just continue to visit on a sunny day and spend some time just sitting in it - I can always pretend I'm on a camp site!
Hi Tigermouse why not pick your van up and take it to a large car park out of hours and pratice reversing into the bays as it gets easier move the goal post to make it harder, pratice makes perfect
To the original poster- so glad you decided to keep the van. I have a plan for the future very similar - when it gets too much for me, I intend to take it to a site and leave it there, and just settle for the one place for holidays.
Quote: Originally posted by Tigermouse on 14/2/2012It's not just the towing Chrissie, it's hitching up and getting it in and out of storage as well. Space is tight and it takes a bit of manoeuvring even for an experienced tower - I might just be able to get it out but I'd never get it back on my own as it needs to be unhitched and pushed in.
TM, I was just the same when I started towing! I have back probs and my caravan is on the drive. Even though its really light, there is no way I can do it on my own - I bought a Mr Shifta for the purpose and can (if I have to, but usually get help from my grown up sons) unhitch and move on and off the drive without help. I would prefer to get a motormover but its out of the question as they are soooo expensive. If you can, get a motor mover. As for having someone with you (which I can well understand, I didn't tow on my own for the first three times I went out!) you could advertise for a lady travelling companion? Just a thought. There might even be someone on here near your location who would come with you.
or... you could get someone to tow it to a site for you and leave it there for when you want to get away.... A place I went to last year (near Aberdaron, Wales, on a coastal farm with site) were charging around £140 for indoor storage in their barn for the year, and then you just pay the going rate for any weeks you want to book, and they tow it out of storage and put it on the site for you.
Excellent news Als, hopefully we will be down your way and get to do some camping again soon!
Need to get some work done on the old Thomson, damp in the front corner, first sign of it in a 31 year old van! They don't build them that good anymore!
Alan, that's the best bit of news I've heard for a long while and nice to see a post from you and on such a happy theme.
Wish your van all the best and while we are at it, regards to Papa-Pip
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: I think its time to sell her
and while we are at it, regards to Papa-Pip 
