hello from new(ish) member

[pat2895]

Hello
I am Patrick, new owner of 12-2 6553 which is registered on this site.
I towed it to the South coast from South Yorkshire after getting the seller to do some emergency welding on the A frame (some tech forum Q.s may follow here! )....The body, thankfully, seems to be water tight, despite obviously standing in a field for a few years. If the previous owner is out there or any one who knows them, and can get the door key, I will be very greatful ...a bit of a long shot, i know!
If not, I imagine a locksmith will make a key if i take them the lock assembly. This is because I am getting caravan out on nice site for season next week Hurrah.
I do however need car first, as tow vehicle (Toyota Lucida 2.2d) has cracked head . I saw a very attractive 1966 Triumph Vitesse on ebay, aesthetically and historically a lovely match, but perhaps a bit short on weight and power........Happy Camping!

[Brian M]

Patrick

Glad to hear you are enjoying your Safari.

The serial number went on the list when I spotted it in the ebay adverts for your Safari, so you know the previous owner better than I do!

Don't go to a locksmith to get a key cut, the last time I heard of someone doing that, they got charged £40 for two keys to fit their lock. In a previous life I was an unqualified locksmith and would advise the following:

Take the lock apart until you have the barrel that the key goes into. You then need to find any old key that will go into the keyhole. Ask old car owners, we seem to collect them!! Put the key in, and you will notice a series of brass tumblers sticking out of the side of the barrel. Use a fine file to remove all the bits sticking out and when you remove the key, different tumblers should be sticking out. It is these tumblers that stop the barrel being turned without a key in the slot.

When it is working you can get a duplicate key cut for £3-4.

A recently deceased member used to tow his 12ft Safari with an early 1600cc Vitesse that certainly had enough power, but I take your point about the relatively light weight. A Triumph 2000 might be a better tow car.

[elfynhughes]

Hello Patrick
Following on from Brian's advice regarding your key. If you take the lock off you may find a number ink-stamped somewhere on the body of the lock, if you take the lock to a caravan dealer, this number may correspond to pre-cut spare keys that they have. This worked for me when I needed a key for a 1978 11/2 a while back. I paid £2.50 for the key.
Regards
Elfyn