What was your first caravan & what did you tow it with?
- Thread starter mealsonwheels
- Start date
In 1971, it was a 9'6" Europa towed by a Triumph 2000. An expensive play house for our daughter who was just 6 months old. (not really) But Mum and Dad enjoyed it too!
I'm sure ours was a Sprite Alpine as well. Bought it used with "all accessories" in 1984, I think it was early to mid 70s model. It had two single seats and small table at front which converted to single bed. A middle kitchen and toilet cupboard (no toilet just a cupboard) Kitchen had all the latest mod cons including a foot pump for the cold water. Two double seats at the rear of van which formed a double bed. Complete with gas mantles. Had it for a year before trading up and enjoyed every minute of it. Towed it with a Renault 9.
Robert
Robert
hi
ours was a thompson miniglen ( i believe ) bit bigger than a horse box and as long as you weren't taller than 3 ft 5 could have a good nights sleep.. towed at that time with an escort 1.4.. then we went onto a fleetwood garland 5 berth and towed that with a renault megane scenic now its a 2005 abbey aventura and towed with a freelander
daz
ours was a thompson miniglen ( i believe ) bit bigger than a horse box and as long as you weren't taller than 3 ft 5 could have a good nights sleep.. towed at that time with an escort 1.4.. then we went onto a fleetwood garland 5 berth and towed that with a renault megane scenic now its a 2005 abbey aventura and towed with a freelander
daz
Ours in 1975 was a 10' Europe (not Europa)with vinyl front and back panels towed first by a Hillman Avenger 1300 and then Escort 1300 (couldn't pull skin off a rice pudding)not exactly the height of luxury but I suppode it was then.Our last trip with this van was in 1976 to the Isle of Wight it was cold and wet we came back on Red Funnel and the sun came out to be one of the hottest summers of the century (story of my life)Now many vans later have 2004 Abbey Vogue GTS 416 towed by Mondeo 130 TDCi.
Our first caravan was a Fleetwood Garland 148 five berth. Attempted to tow with an MG ZS 120+. Terrible tow car, no torque whatsoever. Nice solo but towing was a nightmare.
Lisa
Lisa
We had one of those build quality was good but were they dated in appearance or what!The Fleetwood I mean.
Yes they were dated in appearance but I loved my old caravan, easy to tow, not too big and easy to manouvre.
Lisa
Lisa
1978 - Cosalt Piper 12CT - 12foot long with 4 Berths no mains electric or battery, only Gas Mantles toured all over Europe with this one. Great memories. towed with a SAAB 99
Monza 1200 towed with an Opel Manta 1.8 Berlinetta.
Monza was bought off a friend, T-cutted, re-sealed, new tyres, wheels painted, draw bar hammerited, re-upholstered,new curtains and mains fitted.
We then sold it for a profit!
When I was young and used to go with my parents, they hired caravans until they bought a Thompson Glen, towed with a Triumph 2000.
Monza was bought off a friend, T-cutted, re-sealed, new tyres, wheels painted, draw bar hammerited, re-upholstered,new curtains and mains fitted.
We then sold it for a profit!
When I was young and used to go with my parents, they hired caravans until they bought a Thompson Glen, towed with a Triumph 2000.
Same van as Shiraz, A 12ft 4 berth Piper, but ours had electrics fitted by the previous owner. It was bone dry, and totally immaculate. Still see a few on the road.
Our car at the time was a Volvo 440.
Our car at the time was a Volvo 440.
My first caravan is my current van - a Sprite Compact pop-top with a completely re-arranged interior. I tow it with the 1989 Range Rover 3500 that we have had for quite a few years.
I actually find it easier to tow than the Conway trailer tent that preceeded it - it weighs not so much more, but has brakes, and is easier to reverse because of the greater length.
I actually find it easier to tow than the Conway trailer tent that preceeded it - it weighs not so much more, but has brakes, and is easier to reverse because of the greater length.
Our first van was a Sprite Alpine,no electrics,gas mantles and we towed with a Mark 3 Cortina.Had 2 children and we went everywhere with this outfit..ah..memories
regards john.b.
regards john.b.
We started with a 1968 Sprite Alpine towed with our 1978 Ford Cortina MK3 XL. A very formidable outfit for it's time!!:O)
Hi Everyone,
we started like alot of people it seems with a Sprite Alpine,gas lights only(Mantles blew very easily)and we towed with a Bl Allegro 1300cc almost tore the guts out of the car on a trip to Weston -super-mare in a gale on our first trip out.What a nightmare.Jim
Robin 12/4 no electrics, no fridge, no toilet, gas lighting, no awning, towed with a MK1 Golf diesel.
GeorgeB
GeorgeB
Our first caravan was a Bluebird Europe 3 at 9ft 3in long it was a 3 berth with no toilet compartment or piped water.
I added mains as we used it exclusively in Europe
We bought it at Easter 1968 for
I added mains as we used it exclusively in Europe
We bought it at Easter 1968 for
What memories all this has stirred! We'd forgotten the gold dralon seats and those gold curtains in the Stallion and of course the venetian blinds - they were so good when the sun was streaming in the windows, as you could tilt them a bit to stop being dazzled, but they still allowed the air to come in.
I well remember operating the footpump and the bursts of water spurting out of the tap. We used to pour any water left in the kettle into a flask, to use later for washing up(no hot water heaters on board in those days and electric hook-ups were unheard of).
Best of all was the gas lamp. I still recall the gentle background hiss it made and the warmth it gave off while we played scrabble or read our library books, newly acquired from the library before each trip. We made a point of not getting a TV when they became available for caravans and still don't have one.
It had one big pane in the front window (which we now notice is coming back into fashion)and all the windows were solid glass, no double glazing. They required a regular wipe over, because they misted up easily.
The 'bathroom' was the height of luxury, with a plastic sink in avocado green and you always banged your arms on the walls when washing. We also got ourselves a newly available state of the art 'porta-potti' which had a bellows flush. Nowadays our washroom takes up the whole back end of the caravan with shower, electric flush loo, sink and wardrobe, blown air heating and room to get dressed in comfort.
We used to carry all our water from the site tap in plastic cans, until one day something called an Aquaroll came on the scene, which made life on a campsite much easier. Waste water was collected in a bucket with a handle until proper waste containers came on the scene.
We were young then and learned a great deal from older experienced caravanners, now we have gone full circle and are helping the younger ones. We haven't lost our enthusiasm for caravanning one little bit and still feel the same excitement as we set off on the next trip. What happened to time?
I well remember operating the footpump and the bursts of water spurting out of the tap. We used to pour any water left in the kettle into a flask, to use later for washing up(no hot water heaters on board in those days and electric hook-ups were unheard of).
Best of all was the gas lamp. I still recall the gentle background hiss it made and the warmth it gave off while we played scrabble or read our library books, newly acquired from the library before each trip. We made a point of not getting a TV when they became available for caravans and still don't have one.
It had one big pane in the front window (which we now notice is coming back into fashion)and all the windows were solid glass, no double glazing. They required a regular wipe over, because they misted up easily.
The 'bathroom' was the height of luxury, with a plastic sink in avocado green and you always banged your arms on the walls when washing. We also got ourselves a newly available state of the art 'porta-potti' which had a bellows flush. Nowadays our washroom takes up the whole back end of the caravan with shower, electric flush loo, sink and wardrobe, blown air heating and room to get dressed in comfort.
We used to carry all our water from the site tap in plastic cans, until one day something called an Aquaroll came on the scene, which made life on a campsite much easier. Waste water was collected in a bucket with a handle until proper waste containers came on the scene.
We were young then and learned a great deal from older experienced caravanners, now we have gone full circle and are helping the younger ones. We haven't lost our enthusiasm for caravanning one little bit and still feel the same excitement as we set off on the next trip. What happened to time?
Our first van was an ABI Monza 500CT 5 birth 1987,
hot and cold running water with a pull down sink in the so callled bathroom, with a porta potti underneath,
We got the van in 1996 and it was a good dry clean van bought it for
hot and cold running water with a pull down sink in the so callled bathroom, with a porta potti underneath,
We got the van in 1996 and it was a good dry clean van bought it for
Meals on Wheels
Remember all the exactly as you tell it.
Forgot to say 1st towcar was a VW Variant estate 1600 petrol bought new via the NAAFI in Berlin ex Wolfsburg for
Remember all the exactly as you tell it.
Forgot to say 1st towcar was a VW Variant estate 1600 petrol bought new via the NAAFI in Berlin ex Wolfsburg for
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