When things were a lot simpler

Milothedog
Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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edited July 2019 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #2

    Those were the days but, thankfully, long gone.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #3

    yes, too much like real camping for me, but a very interesting video to watch

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited July 2019 #4

    You dare say that with your avatar,  TW  surprised

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #5

    That’s why I say it. 😛😀

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #6
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  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
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    edited July 2019 #7

    Thank you ,great video , as a child loved the gas lights in parents caravan , sent you to sleep ( probably fumes ! )

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #8

    This sounds like a Harry Enfield's mr Cholmondley Warner smile

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
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    edited July 2019 #9

    Brilliant ,keep em coming 

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #10

    Well things have changed.  We had an earlier sprite than the one shown pale green with Isabella awning and the same Bedford camper which we refurbished in the early 1980's those were the days. Thanks for posting this Milothedog.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #11

    Yes we started out with a Piper, no battery, cold water only by a foot pump, one electric light but no hook up or battery, power came from the car battery, a gas mantle, no heater two gas rings and no fridge. Life was simpler then, but I still prefer the mod cons we now have.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #12

    A bit of "over there" over here...laughing

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited July 2019 #13

    I just KNEW there was a Good and Justifiable Reason for Border Controls wink

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #14

    All you need is "joie de vivre!" laughing

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited July 2019 #15

    But only if its had the correct import duty paid    coolinnocentwink   !

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #16

    And I thought we were slumming it with our tent.😂

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #17

    An electric light wow you was posh laughinglaughing 

    Our first van (1980) was an Eccles Topaz, it had a vinyl roof.  Only light we had was a gas mantle, that was until OH fitted 12v lights and a battery. A few months later he fitted mains electrics, we bought a portable fridge and headed to Italy laughing the rest is history. Great holidays then with the kids but like my luxury van now.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #18

    Thanks Milo and the rest.  What a chuckle I've hadsealed Looking back to my first van - a Swift Pirouette - must have been late 70s / early 80s, I thought it was the height of luxury - suppose it was compared with the Sprite Alpine we went away in as kids.

    Think I'll stick with my Starclass, though!

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited July 2019 #19

    My old van was a 1980 Eccles Topaz. Foot operated water pump and 12v run from the car. When I returned to vanning in 2011, I was surprised at the amount of complexity and sophistication.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2019 #20

    First van bought in 1981 was a 7 year old Eccles Topaz. A lovely finished  5 berth with two gas lights, secondary glazed front window laughing and fluorescents front, rear and washroom. Nice veneer finish but a heavy van. It had a substantial pullman style bunk for the eldest and a good place to construct a playpen cum cot for the 3 month old. Loved it.

    I also loved meeting the chap that I bought it off.  I used to follow motorcycle racing and the TT riders also. It turned out that the seller was Charlie Williams, 8 times TT winner and two wins the year before. I looked over the 'van and made an offer which I felt was too low. I also told Charlie that it would be a couple of weeks before I could raise the cash as I had some substantial works expenses due. His response was 'I'll think about it. Then he showed me his new, fancy motorhome. We went on to talk bikes and have a coffee whilst he showed me his workshop and some bikes that he was tuning. When we came out of the workshop he said that he had thought about the offer and if I wanted to write a post dated cheque then I could take the caravan today. laughing I told Charlie that my towbar was in the post and I would be fitting when it arrived.

     Just then another chap rolled up wanting to buy. Charlie told him that a sale was already agreed. The chap offered to pay more than the asking price and was told to B off. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #21

    Things have changed. Our old Trophy did not have a sealed box for the battery or even a box at all. It just sat in a bed locker at the front and we happily packed the bedding in there during the day. Never even gave the potential problems a thought. Having said that it only powered the lights and the fridge.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited July 2019 #22

    Oh, heavens how things have changed  surprisedsmile.  My first Camper, a 1972, elevating roof, Bay Window V.W., had a hinged gas cooker which could be swung out to sit in the doorway at the perfect height for me to really judge how burnt the toast was embarassed. The roof itself was thoroughly water proof after about three coats of underseal - like mastic waterproofer had been applied.

    There was no fridge, just a fridge sized / shaped cool box which required a good cup of cold water per day to function. It never did much for frozen foods tho'  but it did take a lot of strain off the battery . Just the vehicle battery and a 3000 mile oil change. Now that caused a problem or three in the far north  --  where do you dispose of a gallon or so of mucky engine oil ??

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #23
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  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #24

    shame, sounds as if you have had a few teething troubles with your new van.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #25

    Yes I remember those days with fondness, you know when motor movers were a dream and we had to drag deadweight around to get the van pitched😥

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #26

    yes I've often said the motor mover is the best caravan invention ever. I wonder if caravans would still be about or be as popular if the mover didn't exist?

    Aquaroll comes in second

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2019 #27
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  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #28

    why should I be disappointed David? undecided 

    And I'm glad to know you had the best weather, the canopy would have come in useful then?

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited July 2019 #29

    I wonder if caravans would still be about or be as popular if the mover didn't exist?

    They'd certainly be smaller and lighter.

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