Newbies from Preston

[Daddydoodoo]

Hello all, nice to be on here, we are new to caravanning, already having had a week in Wales and a weekend in Ullswater having owned our van for a month
(Don't laugh!)

1986 Sprite Musketeer, towed by 2005 Accord Tourer iCTDi.

Van itself cleaned up a treat, dry inside and seems to have been well looked after, new tyres and carpet and off we went!
Tows well, no stabiliser, were hooked now and hope to upgrade next year.
Awning came off E Bay for £41 as did the aquaroll etc at bargain prices. Just need to install a Whale pump socket ready for next outing.
Shes getting serviced / inspected tomorrow £100 plus VAT for all the checks, peace of mind and all that.
Nice to meet you all

 

[Parksy]

Hi Daddydoodoo, welcome to the Practical Caravan forum and congratulations on becoming a fellow caravanner.
So far you seem to have done everything right, it's never a great idea for those new to caravanning to spend a kings ransom on their first caravan in case one of the family doesn't like it and with your eye for a bargain you will fit in very well with most caravanners who hate spending money just for the sake of it.
Good Luck with the service tomorrow, hopefully all will be well but if there are any problems let us know on the forum and somebody will have a solution.

 

[Robtel]

Hi Dx3,

welcome to the forum. Why do you think anyone would laugh at your choice of caravan? A lot of folks on here, including myself started off with an older van, quite often a Sprite. My first van was an Alpine Sprite, gas lighting, water pump that you had to prime with a rubber foot pump, no hot water, no oven, no shower, toilet compartment but no toilet. We had as good a time with that van as with our new and modern van. You've done the right thing in buying an older van first, see if you like the lifestyle then take it from there. Hope all goes well with the service and no nasty surprises.
Robert

 

[Beachball]

Hi daddydoodoo welcome to the forum why would anyone laugh at your outfit me and the wife brought a old Sprite Musketeer when we started out plus two dogs and one child

 

[forestgump]

good thing with sprite they are easy to do diy so this should help if you need to ,

 

[pippah45]

Hey well done you! Sprites are great - I have had an alpine and a couple of old muskateers too. Its only in the last couple of years that a legacy from my father has had me looking a little upmarket. I remember gas lights too - and the fiddly nuisance of changing the whotsits! Mantle? In fact on my trip to Ireland in the newest van I had bought I was still heating water in the kettle until I made friends with neighbours onsite who showed me how to use the mod cons! I do believe there are too many electronics in more modern vans - I am having endless trouble with the Loo in this one - first there was a phantom flusher - really bad when you have more water in the tank than the bowl will hold! Now the thing isn't working at all - so back to the dealer with it! I confess to liking the cassette system though - but there isn't a lot wrong with the porta potti! Good luck with the travels.