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        Hello peeps,

                          we have just bought a 70's dandy and although we bought it cheaply its costing quite a bit to put right. We are  considering buying an awning but are a bit put off by comments about the weight and difficulty in putting an awning up, which would seem to negate one of the main advantages of a dandy in the first place. We are dithering on types of utility tent instead and have followed the recent topic on OR outhouse V khyam day tent. However before we plump for one or the other is there another solution or are the dandy awnings worth bothering with ?

                                      cheers Vilhelms

Hi - we have an old one that came with a canvas awning which was made to fit by using popper studs which was quite clever - but even the canvas ones are quite heavy - I have also been trying to think of an alternative lighterweight option - i even considered a tent (cheapy one on ebay that has two doors but im not sure the door would be high enough fro the dandy door to fit into if you see what i mean - they are the peak top carbin ones with sewn in ground sheets - then i thought I may be able to alter them slightly but im not sure if it would work. let me know if you do come up with something.

What size/type of dandy have you got?

Jacki

Post last edited on 23/03/2007 12:19:55

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Some people use Standalone motorhome awnings with their Dandies or one person I saw put a caravan rail thingy on a bit of wood and used G clamps to fix on the side it to the front wall then just used a caravan awning.  The new Dandies have lovely awnings but with the old one it is really their one flaw.

I have zips in my old PVC awning which works...

Some people use the movelight awning that is sold by outdoor revolution which is on this site here which is light and easy to put up with a Dandy.... But you do nto say which size Dandy you have....

Vielhems can I ask you if you are in the Dandyowners group?  Becuase if you have a rebuild of your trailer they would be an excellent resource.  It only costs £15.00 a year and they have been so kind to me a complete numskull.  Also the first year they give you a free weekend at a rally.. so you get the cost back anyway if you use it.  I live in Gloucester just up the motorway from you....  There is somebody in the group who has restored quite a few Dandies and I understand the trailer goes before the the roof etc.

    Hi everyone, and thanks for the replies. we are joining the dandy owners club and we 'think' the green panelled , white roofed , 4  berth  early 70's dandy we have is called a dandy 4. It is roadworthy now and we are looking forward to our first nights away in easter.

       We plumped for the OR outhouse in the end but are still thinking of an awning. The green pvc panels appear to be fitted with popper studs is this significant ?

                                  cheers !

                                      Vilhelms and Ali

Hi Eileen... I would contact the Dandy owners club for help and advice they will help.  Also you can buy second hand ones direct from Riva and they come with a years gaureentee.  There is a technical section also in the Dandy owners Group on Yahoo.

Hi Eileen,
I thought I answered your query the other day but obviously got distracted in the middle. There used to be a file on the Yahoo group about buying a Dandy but I can't find it anymore.
Basically you have to treat the lower half of the trailer like a car, check over the wheels, running gear and chassis etc. Check the dates on any pipes and ask about servicing. Inside the unoit make sure it all goes up nicely and that the hinges move freely. the bed bases shoud be firm and not collapsing. Look for signs of water ingress adn try to find out how often or how recently it's been used. Have a good sniff inside the camper to check for musty smells. The vendors should be able to demonstrate putting up and folding down. drop into the the Yahoo group and have a look about.

Julian