bronte
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bronte on Dec 4, 2012 22:52:24 GMT
Hello, I have just bought my first caravan on Ebay, it's a Safari but that's all I know at the moment. I hope to collect it on Thursday. I live in Kent and have always hankered after a beach hut but they cost around £20,000 and way beyond my means. I have been looking for a vintage caravan to tow to the beach for the day, somewhere to change, snooze, cook and enjoy the fresh air. I may venture further if the caravan is in good enough condition to travel a distance. Apparently it was used for a holiday last year so it shouldn't be too bad. I think it's a bit rough inside, I will take some photographs once I have collected it. The description said it was 14 feet approximately and it's two berth. Attachments:
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Post by Brian M on Dec 5, 2012 8:07:54 GMT
Hi Bronte, and a very warm welcome to the group.
I read the ebay description and noted the error in the length. The vendor measured the total length including the tow bar to arrive at 14ft. I think yours is a rare 11/2 although it may be a 12/2 - a bit difficult to estimate from the photos. It is the body length that determines which model it is.
If there is a plate by the door it will tell you the model and also the serial number which will tell you when it was built.
Nice to have another Southern based member, I am in Essex, we will have to arrange a meeting in 2013.
Please let us see the interior pictures when you get your Safari which I know you will enjoy using.
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Post by henry on Dec 5, 2012 14:54:47 GMT
I would love to see more photos looks like a great little safari you have there if you have any questions ask away
Gary
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bronte
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bronte on Dec 6, 2012 17:46:06 GMT
I went to collect my caravan today but the rear lights weren't working, the vendors were fixing them but we were on a tight schedule so they have very kindly said they will deliver it for me on Saturday with new wires soldered (they had connectors and were rusty) I was very pleased with the condition of the interior, I think it is still the original. Some of the larger doors have crinkles in the veneer and the inside of the caravan door looks like it had something stuck on the inside and removed. I took a few photos, maybe somebody could tell me if the upholstery is original? If so I will keep it that way and fit loose covers. I quite like the curtains and will just give them a wash. I was a bit worried about towing, we have a Toyota Hilux Invincible pick up and the tow bar is quite high, the caravan seemed low to the ground and I thought the back corners might come into contact with the ground. Our work van is quite light and we live at the top of a very steep hill, I don't think it will manage the weight. We do have a car though, I think we may have to get a towbar fitted to that for the caravan as it will be lower to the ground. I wondered if maybe the caravan should be higher and something is wrong underneath? Attachments:
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bronte
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bronte on Dec 6, 2012 17:49:01 GMT
This is the plate near the door, you were right Brian, it is 11-2 and from reading your very informative posts on the forum I think it must be 1971. Attachments:
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bronte
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bronte on Dec 6, 2012 17:53:56 GMT
The cupboards are all lovely condition but alas, no contents. I will have to hunt Ebay and boot fairs to try and kit the van out with retro cutlery etc. My husband has suggested we try and find a couple of rallies we could go to so that we can see other caravans like ours. He's even talking about putting it in the garage while we do it up. I think 'she' will have a name soon... Attachments:
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Post by Brian M on Dec 6, 2012 22:02:43 GMT
Thanks for the pictures. I think the upholstery in yours is from a later Safari, I have the same green velour in my 1978 Safari. The problem of the height of your tow hitch is easily solved with a drop plate to lower the ball hitch. I have a three inch drop plate on my Jeep Cherokee, and they are available in up to 6-8 inches. There are other owners on the forum who tow with Japanese pick-ups and I know they have got their Safaris to sit level. But having said that, in the one picture that shows your wheel arch it does look a bit low. Can you check that you have 13 inch wheels with "full-height" tyres (i.e not low profile). It might be that your springs have settled. In the morning I will measure the height of mine to the base of the wheel arch , so you can then compare with yours. Glad to hear that your husband is getting enthusiastic about the Safari
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bronte
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bronte on Dec 6, 2012 22:16:28 GMT
Thank you, I will measure up when it comes, the tyres did look a little soft and he did say he would inflate them before he brings it over. I will look into the drop plate idea but we may just get a tow bar on the car, that's what I drive most of the time anyway.
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Post by henry on Dec 6, 2012 22:25:06 GMT
I have a movable tow plate / drop plate on my land rover its very high up the suspension is jacked up 6 inches I think they are standard items on the land rover pretty sure you can get one off eBay to bolt on where your other tow ball bolts on with no modification just 2 bolts I will take a picture tomorrow for you
my safari is low too and its sits level on the back of the high land rover
Gary
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Post by Brian M on Dec 7, 2012 14:37:40 GMT
The bottom corners of the wheel arch are 24cm from the ground on mine, but my tyre looks a little soft so perhaps an extra 1cm should be added.
Interesting response from Margo on the other thread regarding the torsion arms.
Let us know what yours measures when you get the Safari.
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bronte
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bronte on Dec 7, 2012 17:32:40 GMT
Thanks Brian, I have yet to google torsion arms...
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