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Showing results for tags 'sprite'.
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Hello fellow caravaners! I would like some advice regarding the above caravan. It needs quite a few different things sorting which I shall list here, if anyone could offer advice or places where I can sort the issues then it would be appreciated! (Also going to use this area as a general list for me) Issues with the caravan:- • Needs a new fridge • Needs a new carpet • Original table needs to be de-rusted • Needs to have the surface rust removed and to be painted with some rust repelling paint on the chassis • Needs new stability legs • Back of the caravans chassis needs to be replaced… • Ceiling window needs to be repaired or replaced • Tow bar and surrounding area needs to be de-rusted • Check the gas pipes • Fix sink in the bathroom • Replace fire extinguisher I know it’s a lot of work but I’m determined to bring it back to how it was meant to be! Thanks for reading! ninja0598
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We've recently purchased a new Swift Sprite twin axle QEW which has the AL-KO Stabiliser fitted. We tow with a 2020 BMW tourer (factory fitted tow bar) and have continually found the stabiliser handle raises during journeys. Thankfully, the hitch remains down and secure and the stabiliser is fully engaged at the start of the journey (pushed down firmly in place and green indicator showing). The local dealership cannot work out why this is occurring but there are some historic posts (15 years ago) on issues with the handbrake lever hitting the stabiliser hitch during some manoeuvres and raising the hitch. Surely this issue cannot still occur? Has anyone else encountered this issue or has any other suggestions as to why it's happening (and how to fix)?
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We recently got our caravan serviced and shortly after that went on our first trip. Noticed the shower was dripping where the shower hose screws onto the shower tap. Unscrewed it and re-tightened it to see if that fixed it but noticed there wasn’t a rubber washer inside the screwed connection. Should it have one? I seem to recall one there before an think it may have fallen out either during the service or when travelling with the hose disconnected.
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The fridge on my Sprite Alpine 2 operates while on tow. But does the caravan battery get charged?
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Hoping someone can assist with this 2-part question with our Sprite Quattro EB. First part relates to the mixer tap at the kitchen sink. On out last trip it worked loose and I need to tighten it. I assume that I can do this purely by tightening a “nut” from underneath with perhaps an adjuster spanner (albeit in a very tight working space)? That leads onto the second part of my question...... To gain access to tighten the tap, I was looking at removing the narrow cutlery drawer between the fridge and the cooker. My problem here is that I can’t work out how to remove the drawer. Hoping there’s a simple solution and that I’m just being thick.
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On our Quattro EB the blind on the rear window won’t open easily. I’m wary of forcing the clip I’ve highlighted in the pics attached. Any advice on how they work. At first I thought the blind was sitting squint, but it seems the blue / grey surround panel Is off the plumb but probably not anything to do with the opening issue. Wish they’d fitted a blind the same as the rest of the van windows.
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Hi all Just a quick question before our maiden voyage in our 2009 Alpine 4. The attached shows our van has a toilet/shower combo, and as you can see there might be some patching up in terms of some of the sealing. So, 2 questions: 1 - how best to patch these joins up? 2- more conceptually, are there any sprays (adhesive or otherwise) that people recommend for the walls to assist with water resistance and the like, that can be used on the walls? Just trying to prolong the life of this as much as possible
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From the album: Craigderby
Collection day -
From the album: Craigderby
Castleton CMC Site -
We are considering getting our first caravan. We are a family of four - two kids aged 5 and 2. We need a layout that provides us with a good sleeping arrangement so the kids can go to sleep while we relax! We also want a shower room that functions well (we don't want to rely on site facilities). Wardrobe storage is also important and a kitchen which is practical. We love the interior feel of the Adria and it is the Altea 552 DT Tamar that we are considering. We haven't seen one yet as the dealer is quite a distance away. If anyone has this van could you comment on the functionality of the bathroom - is the shower useable and how well does the drop down sink work? Is there sufficient wardrobe space? I like the high level oven but the fridge is smaller than the others we are looking at (only 90l) . The other options are the Sprite Major 6 and the Bailey Phoenix 650. We have seen both of these and the layouts work well but the contemporary feel of the Adria is much more suited to our taste. But do the Sprite or Bailey provide a more useable family caravan than the Adria? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Don't forget it is our Sneaky Peek ? Bank Holiday Weekend at all three of our Leisure World dealerships! To register for the preview . .. http://www. caravanqjumper. co. uk/
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Hi Everyone, I'm in need of some help and advice with a CI Sprite Compact (early 1980's) pop top roof. The roof is suspended with gas struts and has vinyl sides (which are stapled in). The sun roof started to leak a few years ago the roof panel has warped and started to rot inside. The kitchen cupboard is suspended from the ceiling and that has started to pull away from where the wood has weakened. (The same with the main light fixture). I'm presuming the roof is wood (i'm guessing plywood) with a plastic or metal sheeting over the top then crimped over at the sides. Because the roof panel is separate, I would presume it would be easier to replace/repair, however lets be honest, this is usually not the case. The roof is still useable and i'm planning to take it away this summer (with the caravan cover just incase of bad rain), but I would like to get the roof back to good working order, maybe over the winter months. Does anyone have any advice, experience, knowledge about sprite compacts, their roofs or just general roof repairs. (Or know anyone who does). It would be much appreciated. Thanks, CJ
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We love our new van - it's doing a great job for the family and the months/years spent agonising over layout seem to have paid off (for now!). The only thing that lets it down is the build in the kitchen. I've had to screw back in the cutlery drawer runners and add tiny bolts to ensure the drawer stays on it's runners. We've also now got an oven that has come loose due to retaining screws working free. We don't drive over excessively bumpy roads and we have shock absorbers fitted. We've done about 3000 miles in the van this year but we didn't have these type of issues on our much older Sterling that we traded in. Finally, the hob knobs! These started to fall off the Thetford unit almost immediately. We now only have three in place. I'll get these replaced by the dealer, but unless the design has changed I can only see this happening again and again. Have others suffered the same kind of issues? What sort of fixes have you employed?
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More of a rant than a question! Seven weeks ago I reported to the dealer that my Swift Sprite Major 6 had a huge crack in the rear panel, in the centre above the brake light right back to where it joins to the body, approx 12", it has also allowed water to penetrate to the inside of the 'van. The dealer, who at this point I would like to say have been fantastic, submitted a warranty claim to swift and this was apparently accepted. Swift are now trying to force the dealer to affect the repairs themselves. however. Having attempted such a repair previously (entire new rear panel) they are extremely reluctant to do so as they do not have the specialist tools or jigs that Swift possess and ave with my complete support tried to insist that Swift take the vehicle back to the factory to have a new panel fitted by the manufacturer. The dealer has told me that if they repair it will not be perfect owing to their need to have to improvise on tooling and alignment may be out at the joins where they cant get the 'van completely square, they are concerned at upsetting a customer and worry for future dealings I may have with them. My biggest concern here is that after seven weeks Swift have still not agreed to a factory return despite my dealers and my insistence. Surely with a clear manufacturing fault a return to the manufacturer is a perfectly acceptable request from a customer who has paid thousands of pounds for one of their products that is just two years old with a 10 year MANUFACTURER warranty, not a dealer warranty! I have a service due and I don't want to get it serviced when I know that there are serious defects and damp that will be reported. I would rather wait for the repair to be completed and the service to report a perfect 'van as it would be then.
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Hi Everyone, Thanks for all your help and advice thus far. The caravan is coming along, and will hopefully be going away in it soon. The chassis on my Sprite compact (early 80's) has rusted and needs restoring. It's ok in terms of welds, towing, etc, it just needs looking after and repainting. I just wanted to check that this is what should be done; 1. Remove rust and old paint with wire brush 2. Treat the steel with rust eater (Does anyone recommend a brand and where to get it. I've seen KURUST in Halfords, but has anyone used it?) 3. Paint with rust resisting paint (I found a can of metal spray paint with rust protection in Lidl for £3. 99 - is it worth a try?) 4. Stand back with cup of tea and admire handiwork. Please let me know if i've missed anything off, or if you think there's something I should do differently. Thanks
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I have an old(ish) Sprite Alpine with a steel chassis. I am not sure of the age. The springs are of the combined spring and damper type, common to most modern cars. The springs are tired and the van sits low at the back when attached to a vehicle. The dampers still work. Has anyone any idea where I could get replacement springs or complete spring/damper assemblies from? They look really easy to replace and would stop the rear of the van grounding occasionally. Thanks!
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Hello everyone, Not been on here for a while, hope you are all well! Just been looking at the new Sprite range, it is more upmarket now - so Swift decided to tint the windows. Has anyone ordered a new 2016 sprite, can you still see in the windows from the outside? I like to check through the window before we leave to make sure everything is in order, but the tint maybe too much to see in! Thanks in advance Michael P. S. Example of Sprite windows attached
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Whilst in Kent, we called into a Swift dealer, and discussed a new 6 berth Sterling, and the lack of supply. The dealer said this is common and reflects a big increase in demand from families like us. As such it may be worth waiting until the new 2016 models arrived before purchasing. Our salesman noted the following changes he was aware of for 2016: The Challenger Sport and Challenger SE models are likely to merge into one, staying broadly similar in layout and build, with the option to upgrade the heating and other aspects to differentiate the features each buyer prefers. The Sterling models will be completely revamped, with a complete new body bodyshell design. He helpfully mentioned without saying directly that the artists impressions he had seen were like the Swift Elegance (perhaps referring to SMART HT non-wooden floor), with subtle difference (perhaps keeping the dark lockers that the Sterlings have). As a family we mentioned our disappointment that the manufacturers don't seem to offer the family vans in the luxury ranges, as we would happily buy one, he acknowledged that many families have noted this, hence the shortage of 6 beds in general, so perhaps the manufacturers will 'lux up' for our market segment. I know that the Sterling bright and clean colour palettes are proving popular, and it would make sense to roll the SMART HT technology down to just one line. This would leave a broadly similar offering in the Challengers and Swift. This one model (Sterling) update and simplification of the Challengers may then meet more buyer needs from a budget and weight perspective (as I believe SMART HT is more expensive and heavier). We're now very excited for what the new models will look like, and hope to buy a new, hopefully (fingers crossed) 6 berth, SMART HT caravan. Has anyone heard anything similar from other dealers?
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2nd day of project Alpine. Yesterday I picked up a 1970s sprite Alpine 4 berth caravan. A steal as it was free. Same old story. . Left in a field all alone with a few animals for company for 5+ years. .. Why does it always start like this? Weather was poor yesterday (typical British summer weather) so all I did was power wash and remove interior curtains and cushions. Today a more thorough clean for assessment of potential problems. Slight damp but may be due to being left with window seals that had perished and front window open (easy for putting number plate in). Will hire a heat fan and seal with a tarp an see how if fairs. From pictures you can probably see a number of large dents in the roof around the roof vent, thes will need beating out and repairing (not an easy DIY job so may need to source this out, any recommendations or tips please let me know ) I think the 'van needs a general update of its interior. Think I may end up replacing all the vinyl hardboard panelling so instead of patching and matching bits it may be better in the long run to completely replace (again, any tips please let me know). This will also give me a chance to check any rot and repair as I go. It's not all doom and gloom there's a lot of positives with this project. Comes with an awning that doubles the size (will need to try and put it together when weather improves and time isn't so tight), the previous owners obviously wanted to repair the window trim as there's a 10m roll in the toilet area, speaking of, there's also a chemical toilet and cleaning stuff inside and 2 nearly full gas bottles. Will update posts when I can, maybe start a blog. Watch this space
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Hello All . . It's now that time of my life, moving from camping to caravanning. I'm looking for advice/tips and more importantly feedback on the following models: - Sprite Major 6 TD - Swift Challenger Sport 586 - Sterling Eccles Sport 586 We have one small child and are planning to add to our brood, hence this layout seems best fit for our need. Also one of the main factors influencing our choice is I'm 6'3" and as I've visited a couple of dealerships, this brand seems to allow me to stand inside the van without ending up looking like quasimodo ! We're split between buying new vs used . . I've read that Swift had a problem in 2011/12 with manufacturing and this is putting me off those years. However buying new, you obviously lose money as soon as it leaves the showroom. My Car is a new Land Rover Discovery 4 so I don't believe I'm restricted by weights etc. Any advice would be gratefully received. Kind regards Anthony (Newbie!) -
Hello all I am restoring a beautiful 5 berth Sprite Musketeer. Does anyone have any tips or tricks they could advise with this model please?
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Hi I am looking at a sprite, but I would want to change the jockey wheel to a more heavy duty one. How do I go about changing the FULL jockey wheel Thanks
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How far can you go before the tag axle or one of the axles lifts off the ground? Thanks
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Hi, I have a Sprite Musketeer TD 2010 and love the lay out, especially as our child is at the back so we can have a nice glass of wine with out disturbing him, (instead of being on the single bed on the side). Why isn't there a new model?, and nobody else seems to do this lay out - gutted wanted to upgrade this year, with what has to be one of the best layouts for families with only one child.
