17/2 '79

[yogabum66]

Hi to all and thankyou for a wonderful website, a site like this is invaluable to those purchasing this type of caravan and bringing them back to there former glory.
My name is Iain and I have just purchased a 17/2 , it has the original national caravan council certificate, chassis number - 283884 and serial number - 79093
she is in pretty good condition as she has been covered up for a lot of her life......so i've been told.
 chassis all good as galvanised, braking mechanism needs sorting, but the major issue is that the left hand front panel ( as viewed from the tow ball)  has parted from the side panel due to water ingress and rotted wood. I have good mechanical skills and wood working skills so not beyond my capabilities but as with anything new to accomplish if there are those who have done this job already, believe its a common problem, then they would know the pitfalls and short cuts.
The floor is spongey with screws poking through as the walk a long it, I was told it is a sandwich construction that has a polystyrene core that gets compressed over time.
Missing "Safari badge from rear and right hand grab handle ( again from towball end)

 looking forward to getting loads of info to restore it back to its former glory
 
Many thanks Iain

P.S. tried to post pictures but files too big.....will sort it soon!

[Brian M]

Your Safari has been known to the Group for some time, did you buy it from Gary in Telford?

Damp in the front corners is common to 80% of a Safaris. Most owners restore by taking the inside furniture out removing the wall boards (which will probably be damp anyway) removing the screws holding the outer panels, and then replace as much of the frame as is needed to get back to good dry wood. Reseal the outside panels with a flexible non-setting sealant and replace the screw into your new wood. Sounds simple and while it is not too complicated there is quite a bit of work involved.

Spongy floors can be made solid again by injecting a resin through loads of pre-drilled holes. I cannot recall the name of the product but I am sure that someone who has done the job will soon tell us.

Rear Safari badges that are complete are rarer than rocking horse s***! the are aluminium and break at either end.

Are you missing a rear grab handle or a front? I have both in my stock of spares - rear £15 front £12 plus postage.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

[yogabum66]

hi thanks for the reply. Yes bought it from telford but the guys name was Dave. The grab handle needed is at the towball end, 3 point mounting RH side.
Just for the future the rear is the lights end and the front is the towball end, I am no caravaner so I may be entering into a whole new topsy turvy world here!
The badge missing is at the lights end. looks like it was unscrewed recently....maybe the seller removed it as he knew its worth.
Any way enough cynicism for today how do I forward you funds for this grab handle??
kind regards Iain

[yogabum66]

hi again, just for the record....as I have seen these caravans go for silly money
is £560 a good deal?

[Brian M]

YB66 - I really hate talking about the prices of Safaris, as I am always so very wrong in my estimates.

Last week three 17ft Safaris were sold - a 17-4 for £140, another for £410, and yours. Recently they have sold for between £500 and £3000+. There are two members spending several thousand on their restorations as they believe that theirs will be worth £5000+ when finished.

If you compare with new 17ft caravans, new price £16-24000, value after three years £8-14000 ie depreciation of £2-2500 per year! These then go off to the breakers when they are 12-15 years old.

With a Safari you have a much more stylish and unusual caravan that will never lose money, and if looked after will last you for another 30-40 years!

[Deleted]

Hello and Welcome to the group. In my opinion you have paid a very good price for what you have. The 17-2 was the most expensive safari that has been built. We are all here to help. Chris.

[yogabum66]

Thanks for the reply. It is a lot of good caravan for the money and as i intend to repair all its ill's i dont have a budget running into thousands. I dont intend to resale as i have been after one for a while. How can i buy that grab handle off you brian ? Iain

[Brian M]

I too got my ends wrong. The 3 point handle is the front one (the tow bar end) and is £15.00, p&p will be £6.00.
If you can pay by paypal my account is [e-mail]

Let me know when you have sent the money.

[yogabum66]

Hi brian, I have sent you the money for the RH grab rail via Paypal.let me know of any problems.
kind regards, Iain