Post by Brian M on Jan 29, 2009 10:23:06 GMT
From: mike_dyes (Original Message) Sent: 25/03/2007 16:21
At the moment we don't have a table in our 1968 14/4 and wondered what sort of thing we should have.
Many thanks.
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Recommend Message 2 of 4 in Discussion
From: ClassicSafariman Sent: 25/03/2007 17:58
I suspect that your caravan would have originally had a clip-on table, secured to either the central chest of drawers (if fitted) between the seats or to the front window ledge, and with then a folding single leg at the free end, although I am not familiar with models as early as your one. If you look in the Pictures section, in the 1970 Sales Documents album you will see that the drawing for the 15-4 clearly shows such an arrangement; this caravan is of course only 2 years later than your one, although 15 ft rather than 14.
This was the fairly ubiquitous standard arrangement for caravan tables from the early fifties until comparatively modern times. Coupled with the above evidence that Safaris were certainly using them two years after your caravan I am reasonably confident that your arrangement was probably of this type. For a photograph of such an arrangement on a more modern Safari see the album "Carole The Caravan".
Alternatively you might consider a more modern and arguably a more convenient approach, using a freestanding folding table. This has a number of practical advantages, and at the same time because it is freestanding it does not in any diminish the authenticity of your classic Safari.
Advantages include the ability to adjust the position at will, both to enable someone to slip in or out more easily, and so that one person has the option to pull it close to him/her if using it to do an intricate job. The ability to adjust the position lengthwise may also be helpful, depending upon the particular layout of your caravan. And a freestanding table can be used in the awning or ouside, for al fresco dining or whatever.
It is possible to make your own, and caravan dealers will sell the folding legs designed for this purpose as standard accessories. Alternatively you can probably buy such a table complete, from a caravan dealer. If you can give them carte blanche as to the make and model of caravan that the table was originally designed for (provided the size is suitable and you like the table top) you might even be lucky; when I bought mine the dealer was very pleased to be able to get rid of an item of old stock, and I picked it up for £10 - much less that the cost of materials were I to make my own.
Photos of this one in the album "Freestanding Table".
Hope this helps,
Oliver
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Recommend Message 3 of 4 in Discussion
From: ClassicSafariman Sent: 25/03/2007 18:05
I have just realised that your own photo album describes your Safari as a 1968 13-4. If this is the same caravan, and the reference in your message to 14-4 was just a typing glitch, I note that the 1970 Sales Documents album shows a drawing of the equivalent of your model, just two years later.
This clearly shows the sort of clip-on table that I have described, clipped onto a central furniture unit between the two settee berths.
Hope this helps,
Oliver
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Recommend Message 4 of 4 in Discussion
From: mike_dyes Sent: 25/03/2007 18:32
You're right, ours is a 13/4 and not as I'd put. 1 too glasses of wine at lunchtime I think!
Thanks for your help.
At the moment we don't have a table in our 1968 14/4 and wondered what sort of thing we should have.
Many thanks.
First Previous 2-4 of 4 Next Last
Reply
Recommend Message 2 of 4 in Discussion
From: ClassicSafariman Sent: 25/03/2007 17:58
I suspect that your caravan would have originally had a clip-on table, secured to either the central chest of drawers (if fitted) between the seats or to the front window ledge, and with then a folding single leg at the free end, although I am not familiar with models as early as your one. If you look in the Pictures section, in the 1970 Sales Documents album you will see that the drawing for the 15-4 clearly shows such an arrangement; this caravan is of course only 2 years later than your one, although 15 ft rather than 14.
This was the fairly ubiquitous standard arrangement for caravan tables from the early fifties until comparatively modern times. Coupled with the above evidence that Safaris were certainly using them two years after your caravan I am reasonably confident that your arrangement was probably of this type. For a photograph of such an arrangement on a more modern Safari see the album "Carole The Caravan".
Alternatively you might consider a more modern and arguably a more convenient approach, using a freestanding folding table. This has a number of practical advantages, and at the same time because it is freestanding it does not in any diminish the authenticity of your classic Safari.
Advantages include the ability to adjust the position at will, both to enable someone to slip in or out more easily, and so that one person has the option to pull it close to him/her if using it to do an intricate job. The ability to adjust the position lengthwise may also be helpful, depending upon the particular layout of your caravan. And a freestanding table can be used in the awning or ouside, for al fresco dining or whatever.
It is possible to make your own, and caravan dealers will sell the folding legs designed for this purpose as standard accessories. Alternatively you can probably buy such a table complete, from a caravan dealer. If you can give them carte blanche as to the make and model of caravan that the table was originally designed for (provided the size is suitable and you like the table top) you might even be lucky; when I bought mine the dealer was very pleased to be able to get rid of an item of old stock, and I picked it up for £10 - much less that the cost of materials were I to make my own.
Photos of this one in the album "Freestanding Table".
Hope this helps,
Oliver
Reply
Recommend Message 3 of 4 in Discussion
From: ClassicSafariman Sent: 25/03/2007 18:05
I have just realised that your own photo album describes your Safari as a 1968 13-4. If this is the same caravan, and the reference in your message to 14-4 was just a typing glitch, I note that the 1970 Sales Documents album shows a drawing of the equivalent of your model, just two years later.
This clearly shows the sort of clip-on table that I have described, clipped onto a central furniture unit between the two settee berths.
Hope this helps,
Oliver
Reply
Recommend Message 4 of 4 in Discussion
From: mike_dyes Sent: 25/03/2007 18:32
You're right, ours is a 13/4 and not as I'd put. 1 too glasses of wine at lunchtime I think!
Thanks for your help.