so what model / lay out is yours.

[Muzz]

Hi Rich.

18 month old still in a travel cot i'm surprised She won't be in it for much longer so no need to worry.

One of the best thing we bought was a little kids chair like the top of a high chair. It folded up small and was easy to store and you could strap it to any style of adult chair. Fantastic bit of kit for the caravan and for visiting friends etc. Also for when you eat out and no high chairs available.

Don't ever worry about the decor of the caravan kids will always find a way to re-decorate for you

[zippy656]

argos did a bed guard. we had one for our first caravan , needed a little work, as bunk wasn't as wide as a bed. but very easy to do.


Zippy

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Originally Posted by Muzz

Hi Rich.

18 month old still in a travel cot i'm surprised She won't be in it for much longer so no need to worry.

One of the best thing we bought was a little kids chair like the top of a high chair. It folded up small and was easy to store and you could strap it to any style of adult chair. Fantastic bit of kit for the caravan and for visiting friends etc. Also for when you eat out and no high chairs available.

Don't ever worry about the decor of the caravan kids will always find a way to re-decorate for you

suppose not, that was last summer mind is quite petite, think someone gave us a bed guard had wondered if could rig up in van or make own.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Originally Posted by AndyK

We've got a 2003 Swift Charisma 570. Nice 6 berth van. That's the reason I got the Terrano, I think my 1.8 Zafira auto would struggle a bit!!!
Also got a 1990 Swift Challenger 430/4 Anniversary model if anyone's interested or knows anyone who is after a smallish 'van.
Rejoined the Swift Owners Club and started rallying again after a 5 year layoff.

Always fancied a Swift, as kid parents had an astral but they hankered after a swift with
its light weight design, and those deep windows front and rear to see thru on the road.

few years back my dad bought a rapide, which was one of last square fronted swifts
and still offered that great thru vision, shame it had damp so was sent back and replaced
by the sprite. Mrs's parents had a swift 2b til recently and we had several good hols in
it. reckon the OC is pretty big, trawling their site other day mention of a 300 outfit
rally and now covers swift group brands, seems funny that many of other marques I
like belong to them now, abbey, bessacarr etc. even ace parents had an ace static at
one point.

Seems good idea joining an OC, another source of cheap holidays and rallies to
compliement Caravan Club.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

oh well, commited to a beautiful abbey spectrum 520 t/a 99my.
twin dinette layout, hoping that is gvw of 1660kg will be ok for
the t2. should be around 85%, doesnt appear to have a stabilizer
hitch so will see how get on and taking alko off lunar, more so can
trade for a winterhoff type if need be.

going to be a cheap skate and try to mod lunar's awning as a giant
porch for my new tupperware stately home. lol. if not will flog and
get one of these curved light weight jobs.

[Jocky]

Glad you've made your choice

What size awning does your new van take?

I've got a good Bradcot I need to sell after getting new van (1008cm) if you or anyone needs one that size!!!!!!

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Cheers Alan. dunno in short, not sure needs a full size for us yet, but certainly
like the overgrown porches. thinking back to 06 rally that tubbs and fingers
had. dad in law has a 2 panel version but with a 20footer would go for 3 unless
go for a pdq type travel with in rolled up type. searching web for specs now.

printed off abbey oc application, fair deal £12 for year and credits towards
rally nights.

a pal has also joined us with yorkshire friendly ralliers as an xmas gift so plenty
to got at. already planning first weekend away shake down.

also looking at security, wheel clamps. motor mover? maybe and how best to
jack it up for wheel changes and on sloping sites. as ever all info welcomed.

[dinky]

There is a place in Castleford that modifies awnings,if you want will find out number.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

ta Dinky, would appreciate that, seen awning rail strips in towsure book. thinking more
mod van with an extra down rail mid way. then again might look crap and better selling
it and getting a light weight job.

At the moment I have a decrepid ABI Award Tristar from 1989 I think. Its the one with the blue window tints anyway. My dad had it and dragged it arround with a 4.2 (diesel) Patrol. It then went to my sister and sat on a farm getting damp for years. I then took ownership of it, sorted out the damp and am in the process of re decorating it.

Only one large problem. It's a 4 berth, front double and a set of mid bunks. Rear kitchen and toilet area, a decent enough design but here is the problem. I have 5 kids!

Once I have decorated it (probably in spring) I will sell with the view of getting an Avondale Argente 650 - 6 (I think the model is) this is the 6 berth with 2 sets of bunks at the back which can be shut off from the rest of the van and a double at the front. Still not enough beds I know but I have an awning bedroom for me and the missus.

Before you all say I know Avondale have gone bust, but I can't find another van on the market with this layout. If anyone knows of one out there please let me know, but the two bunks need to be collapsable to seats so I can feed the tribe.

I also lived in a Target 5.70 for six months about 10 years ago, this had the same layout as the Avondale but a lot older and made from pig iron. My dad's Patrol dragged this arround for my first trip to Hereford

Oh I forgot to mention the Target 5.70 was the family holiday machine for years, about 20 - 15 years ago and was origionaly dragged by a 1985 (B) reg Patrol 3.3 which had bull bars on the front and back (the only car I have seen with rear bull bars)

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

hi r3m,

6 berths with rear 4 berth 'bunk room' include swift conqueror 650 and certainly
a lunar, ask davemud.

alternatively there are those 6ers with rear baths, fixed bunks to offside and a
dinette with optional bunk above to near side. which is a neat design but kitchen
is quite small though does have second worktop over firdge opposite.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

well got it home tonight, feels quite light for unladen of 1366 or so, certainly 4 of
us pulled into garden nose first seemingly more easily than the my dads sprite of
1000kg gross! and looking at it side on not even that much longer, maybe 5 feet
or so. Bit wider though may need some better mirrors but theres a great view thru
the van as well.

[zippy656]

hope yo uhave great time in it mate..

we can see trhough ours too. id miss it if i could. dont forget to LOCK it up well.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Originally Posted by zippy656

hope yo uhave great time in it mate..

we can see trhough ours too. id miss it if i could. dont forget to LOCK it up well.

thanks mate, had already bought clamp and lock nuts, put them on as soon as legs down.
the coupling is like a commercial 50mm, really HD, integral lock and a ball that swings up to
fill coupling. Taken jockey wheel off and set factory alarm. Padlocked the garden gate.

So fingers crossed, after that its insured wont let it rule my life.