Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[duffy2000]

Hi All,

I am new to forum and hoping for some advice.

I am in the process of looking for a classic caravan for my small but growing family (3yr old and 6 month old). Holidays have suddenly become alot more complicated!! I have been looking at the Viking Fibreline and more recently the Cheltenham Sable - 2 berths I know, but we want a small van as we are total caravan novices.

I was hoping for some opinions on either of these vans. Any views on which are better?

I believe both would be able to be converted to sleep us all either by adding a bit to make a double bed or putting in some bunk beds..... any ideas on this? Has anyone done this to these vans..........

Also, I am probably more inclined toward the Fibreline, but they seem to be pretty hard to get..... any ideas where I could look other than ebay... have bid on 2 recently with no joy (one being a wreck in a field and going much more than we expected). If anyone has one they want to sell we are looking!!!

Thanks all and any advice would be really appreciated.

[ajlelectronics]

Where are you? Maybe you could see an example of both. I am in Gloucester and have a restored Cheltenham Sable you could look at. More information here: http://www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=12550
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[gillberry]

We are a bit one sided on this as we have a Cheltenham, have you looked at the owners club website as they have for sale adds and if they come from a club member are mostly better looked after and the site will show you all the models - happy hunting
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1968 Volvo Amazon estate (Gracie)
1967 Cheltenham Nyala caravan

[duffy2000]

Hi ajlelectronics, I am in Surrey, so a bit far to see your caravan unfortunately. Though I had seen your images on the site....I am becoming caravan obsessed during my search and had found your threads.

Thanks Gillberry. I have found the Cheltenham site and am actually in contact with someone and due to view their Sable. The more I research the more confused I get...... Cheltenhams are lovely!

[Uncle Alec]

If you have a vivid imagination, are very good at carpentry, and fancy extricating a very early derelict Sable with TV history from a farm field in Shropshire, I may have some good news for you!

[duffy2000]

Hi Uncle Alec, I do indeed have a vivid imagination but more 'optimistic' than 'very good' carpentry skills. I would love to take you up on the offer but not sure I would be able to get it back and do the work..... does it tow?? And how much are you looking for? my email is claireduffy@inbox.com if you want to discuss further

[gresham flyer]

Neither caravans would adapt to having extra beds built into them.

The 12 foot Viking Fibreline is a two berth caravan with end kitchen,cannot see where you would fit bunk beds without ruining the interior.

The Sable is a two berth as well with end and side kitchen,beds at the front,still not sure where the bunk beds would go.

Gresham Flyer

[Uncle Alec]

Have a look for a Cheltenham Waterbuck. 2 + 2 berth.

[christine lowery]

hi duffy200
look on ebay gumtree and all the other sites that may have older vans on
find vans near you and go and have a look at them you need a 4 birth conversions can be straind to say the least
anyway what car are you going to tow with, small or larger if the car has the weight and power larger vans tend to be easyer to tow and easyer to reverse the novices nightmare
we have 6 vans at the moment all royales we stick to one make now as we know them inside out
look and listen and you will find your dream
the viking club is no more but there is a strong cheltenham club that can make the elsusive spare that bit more easyer to find
have fun
caravaning can be great but only if you let it
some people work on there vans till there perfect others get out and use them for there intended purpose no matter how they look

christine

[duffy2000]

Thanks Gresham flyer - i had thought is was possible because someone was selling a fibreline on ebay and said it was 2/4 berth with bunks..... I might try and contact them to find out what they did.....we might just have to squeeze in!

I will look at the Waterbuck... though hard to come by I would suspect?!?!

[duffy2000]

Thanks Christine - we definately will be using it as intended! As novices just looking for something small to start and with baby and toddler don't really need huge amount of space.... they always end up sleeping with us anyway!!!
as i say above, just thought the conversion could work for us.... a little bunk for a little person! good fun already!

[mistericeman]

We have a 3 berth Waterbuck ...smashing van, though very lightly built (Compared to my old viking)
The 4th berth/bunk is a fold out metal framed affair that sits over the single berth in our 3 berth (If that makes sense ?)
probably wouldn't be too difficult to make something similar .

[duffy2000]

Thanks for the images of the waterbuck...it looks like a good option for us. I have looked and they do seem rarer than the sable.... Is that the case?

However! The die is now cast.... And we have made a purchase. A lovely 1973 Cheltenham Sable. Needs a bit of work which we plan to do asap but is perfectly useable for us as is. We are really chuffed! .

Will add some pics later.

[gillberry]

Congratulations - welcome to the Cheltenham fold
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1968 Volvo Amazon estate (Gracie)
1967 Cheltenham Nyala caravan