Newbie on the search for something pretty..

[jodio]

Hi My name is jodi.

I am just beginning my search for something pretty in our lives.

I come from a motor racing classic car family.. but the rebel in all of us sent me off on an unending journey on the road. First by thumb from Newcastle to Broome to Darwin.. and then as I picked up a wee canine companion.. I bought my first car too.. a 1976 HQ station wagon! Cement Putty Yellow! .. that took me to Tasmania where I upgraded in 1998 to a CFBedford .. which took me off on another round of the country. That Bedford was my home for 8 years..
Now though .. with two wee children and a rather un-wagon adept man.. I find myself looking for a more practical family friendly option.
Caravans I never really glanced at because they all look so modern and box like and sterile ...
But now .. my eyes are open to just how beautiful these little boxes can be!! and its all about what you guys are living!!

And so .. I surrender myself to your guidance and expertise and ask for any suggestions you may for suitable options
for us.

I am looking for that does not need restoring. My man is not mechanical at all.. and stresses putting roof racks on! and at this point of my life, with a 4yr old and a 2yr old.. I recognise it is not my time to have to work on things. I am a milliner by trade now.. so finding time to make hats has to be my main priority.. but having a pretty caravan to take the family with me to country markets is just sounding too perfect!

Looking for something small.. 12ft? and narrow -- our driveway is narrow .. 7ft and 3 inches wide...

and I don't need a toilet or shower or anything like that .. just a simple set up that is warm and lovely...

if anyone has any suggestions I would welcome it..

I also ask if anyone can give me information on this caravan:

It came up on Gumtree today : www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/burnside/caravan/vintage-retro-caravan/1024152297?ea=3368966&utm_source=ALERTS&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=EMAIL_ALERTS

and I LOVE the curved wooden beams in the roof line... the curve of the roof and the upper cupboards... I think I am having my first caravan crush!!

This one is not registered though .. and I have to be strong not to look in its direction..

Having said that .. I am also loving the multi coloured varieties I have seen in vintage caravan pics...

I am based in Sydney.. inner west. and still strongly connected to Newcastle town!

Many Thanks for reading, I hope I haven't written too much!

jodi.

[firefighter]

G'day Jodi

Welcome to the forum

I am a milliner by trade now.. so finding time to make hats has to be my main priority.. but having a pretty caravan to take the family with me to country markets is just sounding too perfect!


Read more: vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=forsale2&action=display&thread=12177#ixzz2Zp8ixQPg

We don't support using vintage caravans for markets
vintage caravans .com is about....... out touring and camping in your vintage caravan

vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=hints&action=display&thread=6477

cheers
f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[shesgotthelook]

Welcome Jodio, the one on Gumtree would require a fair amount of renovation.
Fully restored or mint condition bondwood caravans are rare & come at a price but if you search the new listings every day on gumtree & ebay & are patient, you may find what you are looking for!

[isambard]

Hi Jodio, and welcome

I love your idea of taking the family with you while you do the regional markets - what a great way to work/play together!

In the meantime, it does sound as though you'll need an earlier van, given your width constraints. I seem to recall reading somewhere that most 50's and earlier bondwood vans are 6'6'' or less (evidently humans were shorter in the bad old days), so that'll probably be the way to go. There may be later vans that are 6' wide, but couldn't tell you what makes or models. Someone expertier might pitch in on that front

All the best with the search. Keep us posted!

[tinstuff]

Hi Jodi, welcome! I am only a relative newbie too so i cant offer any technical advice but as SGTL said keep looking through ebay and gumtree. Keep an eye out for caravans in backyards too as the odd door knock could result in success-I've tried a few times but it hasn't worked yet, but you never know!! This forum is full of lots of very helpful people and information as I have found, so its a good place to be.
It sounds like you plan on doing what we currently do. We live in regional WA and travel to markets, Agricultural shows, festivals etc. We use our caravan for accommodation (its not part of the stall). Since getting the caravan it has really allowed us to travel to shows that we otherwise could not have attended (due to lack of accommodation in many country towns). You also get to stay in your own bed instead of getting stuck in the Dirtbag Inn, hehe, as I like to call some of the motels!! With the small cost of a caravan park it has also made some of the smaller markets more viable. If you are lucky enough to stay overnight in your caravan next to your market we have found this be a positive draw card too.
So I highly recommend it, I find staying in my vintage caravan while working on weekends makes it even more fun.
I hope you find a lovely caravan soon.
Leesa.

[isambard]

Wow, you ladies have hit the jackpot with this idea of travelling the van to regional markets ... I'm starting to think I've missed my calling

Seriously though, what a great idea. Motels can be vile, and hideously expensive to do on a regular basis. As you say, Leesa, always MUCH nicer to be in your own bed. Adds a nice element of adventure to what is otherwise 'work' too, I'll wager.

Yes indeed, very impressed with this idea, I am

[jodio]

Hi, thanks for the warm response!

The van is to live and stay out of .. not run a stall from .. just to clarify ..

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2013 13:25:33 GMT 10 jodio said:

Hi, thanks for the warm response!

The van is to live and stay out of .. not run a stall from .. just to clarify ..

hi jodi

just a little misunderstanding, nothing to worry about.

thanks for the clarification.

conti

[Deleted]

Hi Jodi,lovely little bondwood Roma on Gumtree today,might suit your needs.
cheers
hughdeani

[shesgotthelook]

That is a nice one Hughdeani, & registered too which is always a bonus.

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/howlong/caravan/vintage-roma-caravan/1024208148

[moon]

Hi there.
I'm first time caravan buyer and so not interested in the new vans at this stage of my life.
I have 3young children and searching for something bigger perhaps with bunks and Character .
came across this cutey too small for our tribe but thought I would share with you...
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/howlong/caravan/vintage-roma-caravan/1024208148


This is my fav so far but found too late....
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/keswick/caravan/retro-vintage-caravan-19ft-tandem-65-unique-collectors-item/1023839496

Happy searching.

[First Glass - Tory]

Welcome to VV Jodi,

The van link that you've put up looks like it will need a bit off work too.

When looking for a old van is to ensure that the van is structurally sound with the floors being one of the main things to check, no water leaks and brakes (if on the van), wheel bearings & tyres are done or for you to get done.

You might want to look at a Olympic Debonair they are 14ft vans, they can either have single beds or a double at the rear and the front dinette seating transforms to a double bed also and they are just a nice size van, easy to tow.

You might want to put many people are you looking at sleeping in this van???

Cheers Tory

[First Glass - Tory]

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/glass-house-mountains/caravan/olympie-debonaire-caravan/1015766107

No pictures though, you could ring them for some

[First Glass - Tory]

www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/pinjarra/caravan/vintage-olympic-debonair/1019779132
This is one to refurbish, however gives you an idea of size & what the outside generally looks like for these vans

[jodio]

Ohh That is a good option! Thanks! Will investigate!