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Old 07-17-2011, 09:55 AM   #21
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I did a google search and found this link to the founder and creator. There is a brief mention that in 1963 he aquired two other caravan companies and expanded the market to the rest of Europe, North America as well as Austrailia/New Zealand.

Sprite has a history almost as long as Airstream and very similar. Two brothers founded the company right after WW2 and some of the first components came from spares off military aircraft.

Sam Alper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Old 07-17-2011, 11:00 AM   #22
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Oops, should have looked a little closer. I stand corrected. Never seen one of those before. It actually sounds like a good idea...
I've wondered why we don't see them here also. It doesn't seem like it would be difficult to adapt to electric drum brakes. I would still use wheel chocks but if it were offered as an option I think I would go for it.
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Old 07-17-2011, 11:57 AM   #23
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Sprite Features

Went to the Sprite site, and could AS use some of the creative ideas that this trailer has!

I want one of those round sink counter drainers!

Nan
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Old 07-17-2011, 12:01 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle View Post
I've wondered why we don't see them here also. It doesn't seem like it would be difficult to adapt to electric drum brakes. I would still use wheel chocks but if it were offered as an option I think I would go for it.
We'll know if Airstream is still reading this forum if they come out with a "new and innovative" option for this kind of parking brake in the next year or two. Isn't it amazing how old stuff can become new again?

I have a stove top percolator that must be from the 1940's and my camping neighbors (fairly new campers) went into seventh heaven because they had never figured out how to have coffee without electricity to run their Mr. Coffee. Neither were very creative - but after mentioning several options - they say they'll opt for the lexan French press.

Paula
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Old 07-17-2011, 12:23 PM   #25
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Paula I don't know for sure but this type of brake is standard for European trailers so I'd bet that Airstream is putting it on the ones they sell there.
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Old 07-17-2011, 12:32 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by YankeeDoodle View Post
I've wondered why we don't see them here also. It doesn't seem like it would be difficult to adapt to electric drum brakes. I would still use wheel chocks but if it were offered as an option I think I would go for it.
I found this link to the EU standard braking system. It seems that it would work only with the surge type brakes and maybe not with electric brakes.

http://www.brenderupforcanada.com/do..._Operation.pdf
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Old 07-17-2011, 12:56 PM   #27
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That handle on the tongue looks like the manual crank for the tongue jack.
Yep.

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wasagachris, The hand brake is really a very nice option. It allows the owner to "lock" the trailer wheels while in camp to prevent having to use wheel chocks. Ed
Yep



Yellow line: lever activating hand-brake
3: security-line . In the event that the trailer breaks loose from the hitch
this wire will pull and activate the hand brake
Green line : handle that locks the pivoting end of the tounge to the cars 'ball'-hitch
2: Pivoting handle ( out of picture) will lover the small-wheel thingy to move and turn the trailer by hand.
Also used for raising the tounge/trailer front-end....move it over the 'ball'-hitch....lower it....CLONK...lock handle


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... it would work only with the surge type brakes and maybe not with electric brakes.
Electric trailer brakes are not legal over here.
The Airstreams that makes it over the pond, are modified to surge brakes
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Old 07-17-2011, 10:31 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by wasagachris
I found this link to the EU standard braking system. It seems that it would work only with the surge type brakes and maybe not with electric brakes.

http://www.brenderupforcanada.com/do..._Operation.pdf
That must mean that the lever likely compresses the master cylinder on the coupler and latches to keep the trailer brakes applied while parked. Is that how they do it? Seems to be a simple solution for surge brakes.

Bet we could have a thread on how to adapt a manual addition to the electric over hydraulic disk brakes some of have to provide the parking brake feature... That is, after we get over the bad experiences some of us had with the early pump units.
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Old 06-22-2014, 05:53 AM   #29
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My wife and I are now the owners of this trailer. It is actually a Sprite Major. There is a decal on the inside of a cupboard door that states is a 1977 model, built in Napanee Indiana. We picked it up for a song last season and renovated the interior, to spruce it up some. The condition of this unit was amazing when we got it however. We did need to remove the original furnace as it had a massive hornet nest inside it.
The surge brake and swivel hitch are indeed a nice feature. However with the axle at basically the center of the unit, it takes a slower roll over large bumps, as the weight behind the axle can lift the back of our tow vehicle some.
We absolutely love this trailer, and it is definitely a conversation starter at any campsite we visit. Anyone in the Simcoe County area keep an eye out for us. You can also see it in our driveway if you travel hwy 90 at all.
I'll post some pictures of the spruce up shortly.
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Old 06-22-2014, 07:45 AM   #30
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Click image for larger version

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No holding tanks, so water is on demand from a hose hookup, and drains into a portable waste water container, and the toilet is a porta potty.

This will be it until we find the right AS. Something in the under 25' range. 19 would be ideal. Vintage obviously.
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Old 06-22-2014, 09:42 AM   #31
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Go to the Tincan tourist facebook page and tincan tourist dot com. Enjoy. Jim
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Old 06-22-2014, 03:30 PM   #32
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Go to the Tincan tourist facebook page and tincan tourist dot com. Enjoy. Jim

Been on it plenty. We are members of several vintage rv groups.
AS is our eventual end, just waiting for the right one to cross our path.
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Old 06-30-2014, 06:44 PM   #33
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I have seen 1 or 2 trailers of that type (Sprite) here in Ontario. They seem to be rather rare, whether they were imported or made here, they don't seem to have been on the market very long.
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Old 07-09-2014, 05:55 PM   #34
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they don't seem to have been on the market very long.

Actually they've been around since the 50's. Still being made (under different ownership). They were huge in the UK and still are in parts of Europe, North American production was only for a few years in the 70's and very limited numbers. They just didn't have the history here that the competition had, nor did they have enough to differentiate themselves from the crowd.
We love it however.


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Old 07-20-2014, 02:51 PM   #35
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We gave the old girl a bit of an update this weekend. Freshened up the outside with some new paint, and carried it through to the interior with a Canadian inspired feel. Click image for larger version

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