Message Forums

After only previously owning a tent, last year we bought a very old 4 berth Ace Pioneer caravan with awning for £300 from a neighbour. We presume it dates from the early 80's because we have seen others on ebay that date from the late 80's that have hot water and a shower which ours definately has not.

Thrilled with our new holiday home we have been on numerous trips away, even towing it up to Leeds last October to visit relatives.

However, parking our beat-up van alongside pristeen caravans is causing embaressement so I am looking for help.

Obviously, there are numerous bumps and scratches on the outside and we would love ideas to cover/hide these.

The storage box hinges at the front has been (badly) mended and looks awful. We also have no key to lock it. Ideas?

This year, the front dg window has blown and now needs replacing.

We would also love to know the exact year of our beloved van.

I am sure there will be other questions I will need to ask but I would also like to know for now whether, in the future, it would be possible to plumb in hot water and install a shower.

Thanks Kerry  

Sorry, I forgot.

Although we have cold water running through the tap in the 'kitchen', not a drip comes through the tap in the bathroom. The sink in the bathroom is tiny and we were wondering if it is possible to replace it for something bigger.

you need the haynes caravan manual .it will take you through the steps to carry out the mods you want.you should get most the bits you want off ebay.you can carry out most mods to a caravan if you have the room.your basin tap most likely needs a new micro switch.open the tap then turn on kitchen sink tap water should come out of basin tap if not blocked.

Morning Kerry

The Haynes manual is excellent - I know I risk sounding like the biggest saddo ever but I read it in bed...it's not written like a boring reference book, it's really interesting and....alright, I know, I AM the biggest saddo ever! I'd deffo get a copy though, I think we paid about £12 from Amazon

I've seen some van's with nice flower decals on them and you can get stickers in every shape, size and colour which would help you cover any dings and personalise your 'van, I think you can get them on Ebay.

It might be worth checking out the Fixed It club at the top of the forum list too - there are loads of stories about damp repair but I'm pretty sure there are other things on there that people have repaired and it'll help you when you come to replace your front window.

Sometimes there are new windows on Ebay, otherwise Google caravan breakers or it might be worth a punt to nip to your local car breakers yard - ours sometimes get caravans in.

Anyway, good luck and keep up posted how you get on (with before and after photos of course!)

Kelly

Gosh thanks for all the advice and I will definately be looking at ebay and for caravan breakers. Like you Kelly, (and Mae West), I do all my best work in bed, so will be the same and do the reading there. And I will definately buy the Haynes Manual...didn't even know there was one!

As soon as I'm able, I will put a 'before' photo on.

Thanks again and 'l let you know how we get on.

Kerry