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Old 09-06-2009, 03:53 PM   #1
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1966 17' Caravel
London , UK
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Our new '66 Caravel in the UK

Hi,
We bought a '66 caravel a couple of months ago over the Internet from a guy in North Carolina who sells Airstreams (RichardT). It finally arrived at the docks on 28 August. Unfortunately we had to wait a week while the money cleared but just picked it up on Friday 4th Sept. from Southampton. We are really pleased with what we have found so far. It is really original and unmolested (missing interior heater is the unfortunate exception).

Have attached some images. There's plenty to do- water line is cut on the inside, Water heater rusted to extinction. Inside heater missing and how on earth do we adapt the black tank for UK caravan waster disposal? - hours of fun. Made a good start over the weekend. All lights worked on 12v, as did water pump (well it was pumping fresh air) and the extract fan with some prodding. Upholstery original and undamaged. Fridge looks connected and undamaged but not managed to coax it into life yet. Few window openers missing (no big deal). Floor a bit soft around some edges. Missing Gaucho cupboard doors, missing battery hatch, butchered outside heater vent, kitchen worktop a bit spongy. External panels pretty clean and straight apart from one nasty dent on front top.

The race is on as we have a camping trip booked in 2 weeks- nothing like a bit of pressure!

Here's some images of picking the trailer up and at home checking out the interior (bit of a newbie so will post these next). I am sure we will have lots of questions. The intention is to have the basics working (Hot and cold water, heater, toilet, fridge) for a few camping trips and then make a full assessment of what it needs- eg axle, belly pan and one nasty dent.

We would love to get in touch with any local owners and will be regulars on this Forum.

All the best
Eddie and Miranda.
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Old 09-06-2009, 04:05 PM   #2
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1966 17' Caravel
London , UK
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Interior Shots

As found....
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Old 09-06-2009, 05:00 PM   #3
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1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Very nice! Good looking tow vehicle too!

I don't think the missing heater is much to cry about, the original heater was kind of a bear in these things - basically a stove burner in a can. They work well, keep the place warm, but I had to get rid of mine because no one wanted to work on it, it was such old technology without all the safety stuff they have now. I think our repair guys felt it was too much of a liability for them to even touch. Luckily a new modern furnace will fit perfectly in the hole (just like the one in the new Bambis), or you could use a catalytic heater. From the looks of the hole, the original furnace has been gone for some time, and the previous owners had something else there.

Looks like your fridge is not the original unit either.

Not that any of that matters. I replaced most of the appliances in mine. I figure modern and usable is better than staying vintage just for looks.

Congrats on your new project!
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Old 09-06-2009, 07:51 PM   #4
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Glad to have been of assistance! It looks great behind your truck!
RichardT
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Old 09-08-2009, 04:28 PM   #5
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1966 17' Caravel
London , UK
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Cooker Extract

Hi,
On my 66 caravel should there be a hood and an extract fan above the cooker? There is a flap with a chain in the overhead cupboard. Cannot see any electical supply or switch for a fan- was it an option?


Cheers
Eddie

ps Found the 1st live bug- they breed them big in NC!
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Old 09-10-2009, 11:26 AM   #6
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Jonesboro , Georgia
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Safety first

Have your brakes, wheels, and tires checked for safety. Our first time out we had a slow stem leak and the tire eventually went flat at the campground. Our truck was nearly pushed through an intersection, by the trailer, before we had the brake controls connected in the truck. We also had the wrong size spare tire. Safety first! The trailer looks great behind your vintage truck.Have fun.
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Old 09-10-2009, 11:54 AM   #7
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1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eddiecross View Post
Hi,
On my 66 caravel should there be a hood and an extract fan above the cooker? There is a flap with a chain in the overhead cupboard. Cannot see any electical supply or switch for a fan- was it an option?


Cheers
Eddie

ps Found the 1st live bug- they breed them big in NC!
I don't know if it was an option in '66, but my '68 has a hood and fan above the stove. It also has a simple flap you can open to vent, which is held closed by a magnet. The fan is 12v and the wiring comes up through the bathroom closet and in the end of the upper cabinet.
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Old 09-10-2009, 04:06 PM   #8
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1966 17' Caravel
London , UK
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Trout Lake

Hi, Love the area and your Caravel too.

Cheers
Eddie
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Old 09-10-2009, 10:12 PM   #9
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tallahassee , Florida
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Originally Posted by eddiecross View Post
Found the 1st live bug- they breed them big in NC!
No way, we don't have bugs in the south!

Carol
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