Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Amigo on 29 June 2010, 23:55:56

Title: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Amigo on 29 June 2010, 23:55:56
My little old van wants a few jobs doing, window latches, blinds/flyscreens, door shuts but won't lock from outside with key, pump works but won't drag water to taps, been told it's a tap relay as they don't "click" anymore. It's had a damp repair to the front window (common on Elldis of this age) but repaired before i bought it, dry & odour free since. I know an independent bloke in a van who is well thought of & can scource the 2nd hand parts & fit for a fair price. The van is new enough to have a galv. chassis & the floor is solid, no spongy or creaky bits. All elecs are spot on, 12 & 240v interior lights, 3 plug sockets for hook up or genny, all gas is good for cooking & runs two bottles with recent new pipes/regulators. Fridge is icy cold. It's nice inside for it's age being a "GTX"...yeah really!!...like a CDX/Elite? & love spending time in it. I paid £200 for it 2 years ago when they were fetching £800/£1200. Thetford cassette toilet (never used it). Reckon i could iron out the faults for another £200.
     So do i lay 2 or 3 grand out on something a bit newer or stick with what i know? It's a slopey front 3 bay window as in my avatar, tows well without a stabilizer @ 75/80mph as it's smaller & lighter than the Beastie which tends to forget it's even there!!!!

   So to sum up other than a certain 2 admins advice on petrol & matches, some of you are "vanners" what would you do? :-/
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: same #same# on 30 June 2010, 00:21:42
i have a 1980 piper still good bit of work done in its time but would not part with it 3 berth was 4 but only need 3, would check out caravan scrapys there are a few nationwide with reasonable prices, should be less than £200 to fix, mine is harder to find parts but they are still around as is yours.
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: CaptainZok on 30 June 2010, 01:07:56
Can't see Roy being impressed about you spending 3 grand on some modern pikey palace mate.
Much too vulgar for his tastes methinks. ;D
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Tonka. on 30 June 2010, 06:27:00
I would keep it and repair it. Get the satisfaction of keeping your own van on the road.

We have an 1984 Elddis Cyclone 5 berth. Its old, it has no mod cons but I love fettling her and keeping her going  :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Jimbob on 30 June 2010, 07:40:11
Im sure that van door was fine when you arrived at the lakes  ::)

What Happened Guy?  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: PhilRich on 30 June 2010, 07:57:09
I'd keep the van you've got Guy & spend the money on the inevitable repairs to the Omega! ;D ;D ;D ;) :y
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 June 2010, 09:03:34
Guy,

My turn to be sensible! You got a bargain when you bought that van and, to be honest, it's plenty for the use it gets. Spend a couple of hundred quid getting it sorted and enjoy :y

Hope that helps,

Paul
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Hannah Judes Dad on 30 June 2010, 09:13:49
Have to agree that you will be better off keeping it on the road.If you need a new hasp and staple for the front bin I can get you one from work,just remember where you put the keys for the lock this time  ;)
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: jerry on 30 June 2010, 09:16:24
have to agree with lazydocker here, you seem to have got a bargain when you got it and £200 to fix it now seems the sensible option when considering the alternative outlay
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Seth on 30 June 2010, 11:00:09
Quote
Guy,

My turn to be sensible! You got a bargain when you bought that van and, to be honest, it's plenty for the use it gets. Spend a couple of hundred quid getting it sorted and enjoy :y

Hope that helps,

Paul
Absolutely - 'better the devil you know' and all that!
 :y
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Varche on 30 June 2010, 11:10:44
keep it.
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 June 2010, 11:54:02
After my recent dilemma along similar lines I'd have thought you'd know what my answer would be!

I/we can't bring ourselves to part with either the Mini or the caravan so I'm awaiting delivery of 4 tonnes of gravel to finish the drive! It's much more than we need at the moment but it will get used (was only £20 more for 4 tonnes instead of the 3)
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Amigo on 30 June 2010, 21:31:59
Well there's an overwhelming majority & i'll go with it. I've spent many a happy weekend at OOF & classic car meets & you don't get much in the caravan world for 2 or 3 grand, i could end up with an empty pocket & a right lemon!
   Captain:- You're not wrong there John, Roy would have a duckfit if i did that!!!!
    Simon :- I'll have that hasp if you can get it please.
    Samesame & Tonkapaj:- You've inspired me to get all the use out if it i can.
    Jimbob:- I meant the main side door you enter / exit from but new locks are available.
    Paul:- Guess we've learned the same lesson, what we've got ain't so bad & not to take it forgranted
   & everyone els...you were right, she stays. Guy. :y
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: unlucky alf on 30 June 2010, 21:44:09
Anything i can help you with on your caravan guy?, or has all this materialised since york!. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: tunnie on 30 June 2010, 21:48:20
burn it. Problem solved  :)
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 June 2010, 22:11:28
Spend the money on it and your still quids in.

Use it a bit more............... then burn it.  ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 22:49:01
Quote
burn it. Problem solved  :)

My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

One day, once you are out of your early twenties and into your married with kids and a mortgage like a millstone, you will be unable to take 4 or 5 holidays abroad per year, failing to fulfill the schoolboy dream of sun, sea and ....... snow, and be gratefull for a tin tent.  Or, heaven forbid, chunky motorhome with BMW's latest incarnation of the twin the Reich made famous, on a trailer behind, holding up the next generation or two en route to the Piste and and the pissed....   :y

Guy - repair, re-use and enjoy...   ;)

edit for grammer mistooks... ;)
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: CaptainZok on 30 June 2010, 22:57:53
Quote
My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

You can get cream for that. ;D
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: tunnie on 30 June 2010, 22:58:50
Quote
Quote
burn it. Problem solved  :)

My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

One day, once you are out of your early twenties and into your married with kids and a mortgage like a millstone, you will be unable to take 4 or 5 holidays abroad per year, fulfilling the schoolboy dream of sun, sea and ....... snow, and be gratefull for a tin tent.  Or, heaven forbid, chunky motorhome with BMW's latest incarnation of the twin the Reich made famous, on a trailer behind, holding up the next generation or two en route to the Piste and and the pissed....   :y

Guy - repair, re-use and enjoy...   ;)

Nahh, they just don't make any sense to me. Running costs alone will pay for a lot of hotels, you have insurance, storage, breakdown cover, maintenance, fuel on towing (crap) & depreciation, you then have to pay to pitch it, pay for electric, pay for your own food, make and prepare your own food, empty your own excrement, collect your own water supply, obey campsite rules which often is no open fires or noise after certain time, wash your dishes, then make your own bed, not really a holiday in my book!
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 23:00:05
Quote
Quote
My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

You can get cream for that. ;D

I also know someone, of excess of 30 years aquaintance this year, thats happy to lend me a hand....   :o  ;D 
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 23:02:49
Quote
Quote
Quote
burn it. Problem solved  :)

My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

One day, once you are out of your early twenties and into your married with kids and a mortgage like a millstone, you will be unable to take 4 or 5 holidays abroad per year, fulfilling the schoolboy dream of sun, sea and ....... snow, and be gratefull for a tin tent.  Or, heaven forbid, chunky motorhome with BMW's latest incarnation of the twin the Reich made famous, on a trailer behind, holding up the next generation or two en route to the Piste and and the pissed....   :y

Guy - repair, re-use and enjoy...   ;)

Nahh, they just don't make any sense to me. Running costs alone will pay for a lot of hotels, you have insurance, storage, breakdown cover, maintenance, fuel on towing (crap) & depreciation, you then have to pay to pitch it, pay for electric, pay for your own food, make and prepare your own food, empty your own excrement, collect your own water supply, obey campsite rules which often is no open fires or noise after certain time, wash your dishes, then make your own bed, not really a holiday in my book!

As said, wait, grasshopper.... One day, your significant other will be telling you what they want and you will willingly aquiesce.

Mark the calender, your fortune has been told!   ;D   :(
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: tunnie on 30 June 2010, 23:12:51
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
burn it. Problem solved  :)

My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

One day, once you are out of your early twenties and into your married with kids and a mortgage like a millstone, you will be unable to take 4 or 5 holidays abroad per year, fulfilling the schoolboy dream of sun, sea and ....... snow, and be gratefull for a tin tent.  Or, heaven forbid, chunky motorhome with BMW's latest incarnation of the twin the Reich made famous, on a trailer behind, holding up the next generation or two en route to the Piste and and the pissed....   :y

Guy - repair, re-use and enjoy...   ;)

Nahh, they just don't make any sense to me. Running costs alone will pay for a lot of hotels, you have insurance, storage, breakdown cover, maintenance, fuel on towing (crap) & depreciation, you then have to pay to pitch it, pay for electric, pay for your own food, make and prepare your own food, empty your own excrement, collect your own water supply, obey campsite rules which often is no open fires or noise after certain time, wash your dishes, then make your own bed, not really a holiday in my book!

As said, wait, grasshopper.... One day, your significant other will be telling you what they want and you will willingly aquiesce.

Mark the calender, your fortune has been told!   ;D   :(

willingly ..... show them the door and wave good bye!

I like camping don't get me wrong, fresh air, climb Snowdon and such, but i will point blank refuse an expensive plastic box. Its either camping or hotel!

http://www.thecastleinn.co.uk/ - B&B i found within walking distance of the pub, £30 a night each night for 2, including breakie

You can camp for just £5 each per night!

http://www.pencelli-castle.com/Pages/Tariff.htm - £28 a night with van, but once you factor in extra fuel used, and all above running costs + your own breakie!!! Your going to struggle to make any savings..... if any!
Title: Re: Caravan dilemma.
Post by: hotel21 on 30 June 2010, 23:17:59
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
burn it. Problem solved  :)

My crystal balls are itching...   ::)

One day, once you are out of your early twenties and into your married with kids and a mortgage like a millstone, you will be unable to take 4 or 5 holidays abroad per year, fulfilling the schoolboy dream of sun, sea and ....... snow, and be gratefull for a tin tent.  Or, heaven forbid, chunky motorhome with BMW's latest incarnation of the twin the Reich made famous, on a trailer behind, holding up the next generation or two en route to the Piste and and the pissed....   :y

Guy - repair, re-use and enjoy...   ;)

Nahh, they just don't make any sense to me. Running costs alone will pay for a lot of hotels, you have insurance, storage, breakdown cover, maintenance, fuel on towing (crap) & depreciation, you then have to pay to pitch it, pay for electric, pay for your own food, make and prepare your own food, empty your own excrement, collect your own water supply, obey campsite rules which often is no open fires or noise after certain time, wash your dishes, then make your own bed, not really a holiday in my book!

As said, wait, grasshopper.... One day, your significant other will be telling you what they want and you will willingly aquiesce.

Mark the calender, your fortune has been told!   ;D   :(

willingly ..... show them the door and wave good bye!

I like camping don't get me wrong, fresh air, climb Snowdon and such, but i will point blank refuse an expensive plastic box. Its either camping or hotel!

http://www.thecastleinn.co.uk/ - B&B i found within walking distance of the pub, £30 a night each night for 2, including breakie

You can camp for just £5 each per night!

http://www.pencelli-castle.com/Pages/Tariff.htm - £28 a night with van, but once you factor in extra fuel used, and all above running costs + your own breakie!!! Your going to struggle to make any savings..... if any!


When two positives, combined, make a negative......

Aye, right....    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D