Advice: Renovating 1978 Franklin Snipe

[StephJane]

Hi everyone!​

First time caravan owner here, and I've just bought a 1978 Franklin Snipe to fix up. I was wondering if anyone has reno'd one before? Looking for first timer advice, tips and tricks. I'm finding it quite difficult to find any of the Snipe's with the hard side pop top like mine has.

Thanks!

 

[otherclive]

Hi welcome to the Forum. I’ve never seen that model of caravan but it looks an interesting project. There seems to be quite an active number of owners via Facebook (AU) but on this Forum there are members with experience of restoring older vans. Just ask your questions and see what informs forthcoming. Good luck.

 

[Hutch]

Welcome to the forum, good luck with your project.
The Air-conditioning unit is one heavy beast on the back , was the van used as a static caravan before you got it.

 

[StephJane]

Welcome to the forum, good luck with your project.
The Air-conditioning unit is one heavy beast on the back , was the van used as a static caravan before you got it.

It's apparently only had one owner before the people I bought it off, and the original owner used it a couple of times yearly for camping trips with his family before deciding to sell it late last year.

The people I bought it off added in the heating/cooling unit when they purchased it, but only used it a handful of times with their kids. They realised it was slightly too small to fit all 4 of them in there comfortably, so now they're looking to upgrade to something bigger.

They said they've never had any issued towing it, and I couldn't see anything wrong with it when I checked it out today, but I guess I'll find out when I pick it up on Saturday if the weight on the back throws it off at all.

 

[Hutch]

It's apparently only had one owner before the people I bought it off, and the original owner used it a couple of times yearly for camping trips with his family before deciding to sell it late last year.

The people I bought it off added in the heating/cooling unit when they purchased it, but only used it a handful of times with their kids. They realised it was slightly too small to fit all 4 of them in there comfortably, so now they're looking to upgrade to something bigger.

They said they've never had any issued towing it, and I couldn't see anything wrong with it when I checked it out today, but I guess I'll find out when I pick it up on Saturday if the weight on the back throws it off at all.

I think I would be ready to put a full gas bottle in that holder on the A frame , as a just in case.

 

[GaryB]

That has an Aus/NZ look to it?

 

[otherclive]

That has an Aus/NZ look to it?

I think it is, that’s probably why there’s an active Facebook AU grouping.

 

[Buckman]

Yep Australian caravan.

 

[toad a caravan]

Nice,👍