Minor Convertible
the car and inflated them a couple of psi higher than usual to compensate for the caravan, which also got some new rubber.
O! we go
With the car running well, the caravan was hitched and I trundled to Norfolk, joining a group of friends also on their maiden voyages into the world of classic camping. We arrived at the Model Farm Campsite in Skeyton and set up. Two Travellers, mine plus a Bermuda Blue example towing a Campavan trailer tent, a modified convertible with a Sprite Cadet caravan and a saloon with a Conway Phoenix trailer tent. This was a shakedown run, so problems were expected. Unfortunately, the Campavan was porous. Once dried out, a large quantity of Fabsil was used to totally impregnate the 50-year-old fabric and we had success.
My Heath Robinson water system (comprising a switched waterproof 12v socket on the front of the van controlling a £5.99 ebay special bilge pump) turned out to be rather more e ective than anticipated, and emptied my 40-litre aqua roll within a couple of minutes… oops! I forced a restrictor tube into the line, so pressure has now been reduced. After a good run, the wheel bearings, freshly packed with grease, needed nipping up slightly and the brakes were re-checked. A long list of forgotten items and improvements to be made was formed, and all of us gained confidence towing. Something tells me that our upcoming holiday will be one we’ll never forget. Let’s just hope it is for the right reasons. matt.tomkins@practicalclassics.co.uk