Unmistakeable in orange

We came upon this little belter on site, today. The sun was shining on it and it really stood out. We spoke very briefly to the user, who was rushing off to collect his family, and he told us that the rig was over forty years old, belonged to his parents at Nottingham and that he had many happy memories of holidays away in it as a child. We didn't have the chance to look inside but got a few photos anyway. Things don't change that much but of note was the window wall support that fastened from wall to tow bar with a pin. Not a bad idea when erected in a fresh breeze. Hope you like the pictures. I think its an early five berth.
Steve

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I would like a storm pole, just for the extra stability when erected. I remember a guy who put one on one of the later models simply because his old dandy had one and he said it did help.

I def like the idea of that

great pics,i remember once when the walls were bowing backwards about 15 degrees which was pretty worrying during gale force winds.I ended up turning the wing end into the wind and problem sorted.It was not easy as i was on my own and i had to take awning down as well.
I think there is only one way old dandys are going and that up in value as you cannot buy them anymore and they have a loyal following

I don't understand why they stopped putting them on, they don't look unsightly and can only make a Dandy even stronger

i love the curved roof on the awning reminds me of an igloo

i wonder if the early ones had the centre pole as the roof looks flatish above the walls

Not only does he find another dandy on site but a great little orange one,i just wonder if the storm pole was left out as a little movement in high winds was a good thing,if it bends its less likely to break,just a thought.

mike

Well looking at the age and condition of this unit I reckon the storm pole has done a great job, the years this has been in service it must have seen some pretty miserable weather and strong winds in its time.

Dear All

I would have thought that the storm pole and a gas locker were mutually exclusive unless a suitably high bracket was bolted on with the hitch.
Central poles; my Green Un has no central pole. When did they first appear. Do some orange Dandy's have a central pole. Brown ones or later browns when the awning was revised to be full width?

Kevin

my brown one from the 80s has a centre pole and it may be that this meant you no longer needed the storm pole as it keeps the door and kitchen window stable from the inside (if that makes sense)

Dear All

Sorry. It does have a central pole. That is all though no further loose poles for the interior. All the other poles are for the awning. I'm getting desperately mixed up now do later 4's or Darts' have a pole between the hinged "Hoops" and the end wall.
I should know I've looked at enough.
I'd blame brain fade if it hadn't already been down to the linings for years.

Kevin.

Tow Itch wrote:
Dear All

Sorry. It does have a central pole. That is all though no further loose poles for the interior. All the other poles are for the awning. I'm getting desperately mixed up now do later 4's or Darts' have a pole between the hinged "Hoops" and the end wall.
I should know I've looked at enough.
I'd blame brain fade if it hadn't already been down to the linings for years.

Kevin.

Does it have any pole fixings on the batwings ect

mike

Mike

Just two. One each side (inside) on the door side for the awning poles.
No signs of fixings been removed on the opposite side to disguise missing poles.
There are then three awning pole clips on the outside of the wooden frame surrounding the door.

Kevin.

We helped an elderly couple erect a dart that was a late model and it had a central roof pole, also the one we first saw that convinced us to buy a Dandy was an earlier model and that had one too, not sure when they started doing this though.

Tow Itch wrote:
Mike

Just two. One each side (inside) on the door side for the awning poles.
No signs of fixings been removed on the opposite side to disguise missing poles.
There are then three awning pole clips on the outside of the wooden frame surrounding the door.

Kevin.

Sounds like you need to DIY i used a piece of tent frame for one of my extra ones.

Mike

It doesn't have a sag issue as such, or is it the case that the extra pole are really necessary when the wind gets up.
I have plenty of poles left over from the trailer tent I cut up.
Please feel free to transfer next bit to more suitable section.
I wanted a small cross pole on my (Small) awning so I could fit a modesty curtain around my chemical loo.
If wanting a smooth cut on tent poles the open type pipe cutter will cut tent poles.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Kevin.

Thanks Kevin have added it to my roof pole piece.

mike

Hello, sorry to jump on an old post, but this Dandy is like mine!!!!!
It's found a friend! lol!

My Dads is like that and Phoenix has a lovely orange Dandy too so you're in good company