my sprite cadet!!

[fiona_374344123]

i have just bought a sprite cadet from about 1973-1975 and i have some questions as this is my first van. does anyone know if i will be able to get a skylight and rear lights? how do i find out about nose weight? and finally for now what kind of battery can i use to give me electricity while camping wild.

thanks from fiona x

 

[RogerL]

Noseweight is down to how you load it - as heavy as possible but within the limits imposed by the car, towbar and caravan hitch.

Good caravan accessory shops sell replacement roof light covers, but you'll need to establish the size and type.

A leisure battery is the usual source of 12v power.

 

[emmerson2]

Hi Fiona and welcome. I haven't seen a Cadet for years!!

Caravan breakers would be the best source for bits for your new baby. Google "caravan breakers" should get you some information.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Oldfogey]

Hi.

I run a Sprite Pop-Top from that era, which I have renovated and remodelled into unit to precisely match our needs.

Many spares are "generic" - so you do not need to get a specifically Sprite part.

For the skylight, measure the dimensions of the hole and find one to fit. It is possible to change the size of the hole, though with very great caution. Modern skylights can come with mosquito screens and/or blinds, so would be a worthwhile upgrade anyway.

As for the rear lights, I imagine, like mine, they are nothing fancy, just stuck on the outside. Just go to Halfords and buy new ones, a little bit bigger than the old ones.

I have bought most of my spares off ebay, and saved a fortune, but it is up to you if you are confident and have the patience to wait for a bargain.

The battery you want is a leisure battery, not a car battery, of 100Amp Hours or more. Worth shopping around for, as prices vary wildly.

Noseweight is trickier on old vans. Start with the car's limit as your maximum, but the caravan limit may be very dificult to find. It is almost certainly not marked on the van, and the net has little info available. Personally I aim for 70Kg, and it seems to tow nicely at that, but I can't make a recommendation for you!

An advance word of warning. Teh brake adjuster screw is almost certainly rusted solid, and you will have to strip the mechanism to free it. Before you do so, take a photo of the assembled system - on BOTH wheels - or you will spend forever trying to work out wich spring goes where.

 

[RogerL]

Noseweight is rarely, if ever, clearly marked but it will be stamped on the hitch mechanism somewhere.

 

[fiona_374344123]

thank you so much for your info. i will let you know how i get on x