Alas Jim was to be sadly disappointed it wasn't a gentleman who turned up but myself.
I've figured that if I wanted to do the gas struts acquiring a couple of Dandys and up rating them might well pay for any work on mine.
I arrived at Wigton and picked up Jim.
We went to where Jim had the Dandy laid up. If your going for this a vehicle with body skirts is not what you want to take.
Luckily the Dandy doesn't have a Riviera heater because there wouldn't be much of it left if it had.
The Dandy is down an unmetalled road that has a significantly raised centre.
We got to the Dandy and Kevin was not his open minded happy best.
It's brown it's brown it's ÂŁ$5&!N brown. Walked round it, odd wheels an ex mini wheel on the near side a more contemporary flat wheel on the off side.
Deary me what's happened here? I just wanted to bugger off home and wondered what the point is of asking anyone anything is.
Composed myself and thought well I might as well have a look at this and post on what I see.
Unhitched the Dandy from the vehicle it was attached to.
Coupling moves in and out freely. Didn't check the brakes it wasn't that sort of surface where you could.
Lifted the cover (brown slight cut sealed with gaffer tape) It is blue! What strange bag of $"!^& is this?
Unfolding the legs look at the A frame for a date it's an 89.
Realise typical Dandy 1st of the blue PVC with a left over brown body. Threw the thing up (Acid reflux) and Jim was telling me that the near side front needed propping up. Of course I knew better. The support leg was fine (well all the plastic feet need replacing but fine) A quick look round and all is better than it might be.
I had looked over the underneath and it's straight. Considering the odd wheels I'd looked at the suspension and it looks square. Oh and there is a "spare wheel corresponding to the "flat" wheel on the off side.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Had an all over look round. The down side is it needs a good scrub. A general clean and the black marks that PVC picks up. The offside wall has a faint "hallo" from the spare wheel but it's not deep it may scrub out. The up side is it's all there, there is a full awning (Brief look over awning and poles there. Not tried a full erection[More tea vicar])We've all seen awnings go for ÂŁ250+ It's not got cuts or or splits in the roof sides or the drawstrings.
It has a hook up. I've not metered the electrics but there is an distribution unit with an RCD with 10 and 5 amp MCBs no obvious 12v supply neither transformer nor battery. But there was a lead attached to two 12v sockets under the sink.
The tap is not meant for a dandy but there is a water pump with a switch on the side of the sink for water.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] There are some home made covers for the sink and burners, but these don't hinge. The usual metal folding heat shield is under the sink. You can see the tap, distribution unit and sockets below.
At this end looked at the window. It doesn't shut properly. Look at the catches, the ends look folded. Though either the wall pins are wrong or it's the wrong clamps. It's only less than 10mm you can no doubt camp with it while your looking for catches. Like a few things just odd.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Upon retreating to take full frontal photo it was apparent that the LHS was dropped and angled. (Look again at the second photo) Jim was right!
On reflection I thought that the bed side wall didn't look square. Upon folding the unit up I noticed that the bed frame was broken on a corner weld. The corners often break and a simple pop riveted corner plate is all that is required.
Upon folding up we found what the caused the odd angle to the near side bed: I'd speculated that somehow an offside bed stay had been found (Only two of the leg stays were pinned in place. There was an odd mix of leg screws facing internally and externally.) What had actually happened was that the door end leg was the same length as the A frame end leg. The A frame end is mounted to the front of the body, the door end is mounted under the body and should be 2" to 3" longer. These are handed though, no such part as that found should exist.
Oh and there is a small crease on the body on the rear off side corner. (And I mean small)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] This is an odd messed about Dandy but only with minor things. The questions about the bed supports and window catches we'll probably never know the answers to. It's all a bit strangely messed about.
It needs three new tyres. How many Dandys don't need new tyres?
Why didn't I buy it? If I just wanted to turn a coin I should have, it's probably cost me ÂŁ50+ in petrol to view. I can't be bothered to argue over bits and pieces upon selling. I regret not taking my laptop because I'd have offered to tow it further south for someone who would have committed to buy. I'm lazy just didn't want to do the buggering about just to sell on. It is majorly there though, odd but better than a lot I've seen
I don't believe I'm breaking any confidence to say Jim got this at the best of prices but he's not robbing anyone at ÂŁ450.
I've seen worse go for lots more. If by chance you want a multi fuel stove you may save by speaking to Jim's mate.
Apologies to your mates missus Jim I never thanked her for the coffee and cake.
If you have an open mind and you may well get a bargain.
If lacking in an open mind or scared of dogs go elsewhere.
Cred point. All white Dandys rare? How many blue and white Dandys with white brown bodies have you seen?
Final bit the joined pieces of PVC aren't separating but odd bits of the piping trim of thin PVC are lifting.
There is a newish gas pipe and regulator and 907 Camping Gaz bottle (didn't check how full)
I've also discovered that the blue curtains I have for my awning must be a Dandy fitment.
Sorry Jim I said I'd post just late home and this took an age to write up.
If you don't agree with anything I've said or think I've got it wrong do say.
Home
once before my egg and bacon bun and once after,shouldn't have bothered really because i know you well enough to know there wont be any subliminal message in there,my conclusion from your report is its worth the money being ask leaving two levels of a bargain,one buy it and sort it yourself and end up with a very cheap dandy,or pay to get some of the problems sorted.