Hi all and yes its been a long time since ive been on, (work family etc etc = no time)
now im in a dilema on what i should do with my old eldis earl crusader.
I bought it a while ago for 200 something pounds and its served me better than well.
I work away most weeknds steam rally type of shows and this was just the job to get me out of tents and offer a dry warm bed,Now this baby is no spring chicken and had been parked on my daughters garden for some time but today after bringing it home i noticed the side wall was flexy I new about the damp on this wall but it really doesnt bother me as its still better than any tent.
however the family is getting bigger (by age not more of them) and the kids OH and the misses are all keen to work away with me so 2 berth is not ideal so 1 way or another its gotta go,
my long winded question is!!!!!!!!!!! should i advertize it as it is (damp and soft on 1 wall or just break it for the parts and weigh in the scrap metal,
or park up until winter and attemt the repair then sell.
i dont know how bad it is and i wouldnt want some novice thinking its a 10 min repair.however i can say the top and the bottom of this wall are still firm and not moving its just along the rail under side window 2ft sq area.
I'm facing the same situation with our old van - had it 18 years so it doesn't owe us anything. When I got it out this spring I had to rebuild the front end, and that seems to be OK now. But the floor is delaminated and there's signs of the structure flexing a bit. The water heater, fridge and oven have all gone. The electrics have been replaced and I had to mend the loo wiring last time out. So it's on borrowed time.
My plan is to run it until the next major repair then call it a day - at which point it will go on ebay listed as "Spares or repair", and if no-one wants it then I tow it to the scrappies. So long you are honest about the state of it on ebay then there's some folks who will want it for parts, or make it into a shed, etc.
I'd say in the listing everything I know is wrong with it and suggest it's offered for spares, but if someone has the time and skills to repair it then they ought to inspect it before bidding.
The caveat is that if you suspect it isn't safe to tow then it goes straight to the scrappies.
I wouldnt bother with the time taken doing it up for someone else if you are a novice diy -er.
looking a the fixed it clubs pics , it takes a lot of time and effort to restore things properly , and would be a big job for a novice , just to sell on and let someone else enjoy the benefit of all your hard work. the materials don't come cheap and are often hard to come by , so adding postage costs for any parts like wallboards etc.
a van that only cost you 200 isnt really worth you spending many hours putting it right is it?
I'd try it on ebay listing honestly the faults , and if if it don't sell it weigh it in for scrap.
you could take out the windows, stays , fridge , portaloo , cushions, wheels ? and sell these seperately before scrapping it.
That said, I met a friend on a site the other day , she had bought an older 2 berth caravan for 200 and it looks great.
if you cant sell it then get rid of all the wood and wiring and sell for scrap or take off the caravan top, scrap that bit but keep the chassis as a lot of folks tend to buy something this size and convert it into a trailer.
this is what my friend did, he purchased a caravan base, placed some more strengh beams on it, plated it on the bottom and now he uses it to transport his banger racing car to the track and back.
After mine was written off in an accident, I managed to get it to the scrapyard with a log strapped between the axle and the chassis to give me some clearance to lift the wheel. It was a local yard so it was just a 4 mile tow. The accident had been my fault and the van was not worth claiming on. Also I got nothing for it at the scrappy.
Before I took it there, I removed some parts that a mate could use on his van and some new parts that I thought I might need in the future.
You can imagine my horror when 3 weeks later, while walking the dogs around an area of my village that I do not usual walk, I saw my van parked up outside a house.
This chap had bought it from the scrapyard and was using it. The axle is bent, the suspension has completely collapsed on one side, the nearside wall has been pushed in and the kitchen appliances, including the fridge, are all buckled along their rear areas.
All this happened a couple of years back and I do believe the chap has now sold the van on. Gawd help whoever has it now.
if i can make a sugestion try googling teardrop club of great britain. tcgb... there is a following of enthusiasts for small or large teardrops .very often made from old scrap caravans. i,m sure if you have had your money,s worth getting a small donation to your next one and knowing your old friend is going to be reborn is a good thing.
lobbey have a look .you may find it usefull as well.
i,ve had a small bed in a shed for 20yrs now. made by devon and never sold on the open market.
if i can make a sugestion try googling teardrop club of great britain. tcgb... there is a following of enthusiasts for small or large teardrops .very often made from old scrap caravans. i,m sure if you have had your money,s worth getting a small donation to your next one and knowing your old friend is going to be reborn is a good thing.
lobbey have a look .you may find it usefull as well.
i,ve had a small bed in a shed for 20yrs now. made by devon and never sold on the open market.
cheers alan.
Hi Alan, If you look at my gallery, you will see our present van, bought new 3 years ago. Somewhat better than any teardrop, albeit probably 3 times the price.
hi lobby i know yur van its great. i have a van that looks like a busmar side car but bigger. it was made over 30 yr ago and was originally towed behind a m,bike and sidecar. i have used it behind trikes and still tow it behind my bongo. not all teardrops are small some are 4/6 berth. they are now being built using old designs from the 30,s /40,s. polishe wood etc you should have a peek ,also the tearjerkers in america .you will spend a few hours being amazed. its not just about teardrops .have a look let us know what you think. cheers alan.
hopefully that will do it. i hope. there is some pics of mine on there i had to email another member as i couldnt get them on myself. give me a welder or spraygun ,yes .but a computer no. cheers alan.
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Topic: scrap! sell as spairs! break! or repair??
