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Dandy Campers

Dandy Trailer Tent / Folding Camper Enthusiasts. Dandy Trailer Tent/Folding camper the best for all year camping


4 posters

    Interested in becoming a Dandy Camper...advice needed!

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    StephyB


    Posts : 1
    Join date : 2018-01-21

    Interested in becoming a Dandy Camper...advice needed!  Empty Interested in becoming a Dandy Camper...advice needed!

    Post by StephyB Mon 22 Jan 2018, 9:07 am

    Hi everyone,


    Looking for some advice before committing to buying a Dandy in the near future.

    Are you able to hook up to electrics and is there a water pump or do you need to hook to water too? I have recently sold our campervan and want to ensure it's the same sort of "mod cons" for our family of 4.

    How do you securely store the trailer on a driveway? We have an open driveway and no garage so is there any good storage/security solutions for the trailer?

    Can a standard hatchback tow one of them? And do I need to special driving licence?

    How often do you need to service them? Are there any specialist companies that deal with servicing and support?


    Many thanks
    StephyB
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    KB


    Posts : 37
    Join date : 2013-09-16
    Age : 65
    Location : Barnsley

    Interested in becoming a Dandy Camper...advice needed!  Empty New Dandy

    Post by KB Mon 29 Jan 2018, 7:22 am

    Hi StephyB and welcome!

    I'm afraid there is no definite answer to some of the questions you have posed concerning services and 'mod cons' fitted to Dandys, there are many different versions and quite a few may have been modified, so everything depends upon which model/version you intend to purchase.

    Perhaps the best thing to do is narrow down your options by taking a look at the information on the Riva web-site which has a lot of information about the various types and their respective standard fittings although if you are thinking of acquiring an earlier version of a Dandy, light blue, cream or brown, then be aware that there will be variation from the specification applying to the later dark blue versions. See link below:

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

    Some of the 'winterised' earlier Dandys were fitted with underfloor gas heaters and as a general rule, most are fitted with a 12v water pump to a sink and 2 ring gas burner with grill but the golden rule is to check for yourself.

    Whether or not you can tow a Dandy on a post 1 January 1997 license depends to some extent upon what you intend to use as a towing vehicle and how much it weighs.

    If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

    The smaller Dandys all come in under 750kg but some of the larger models weigh in at 1000kg so you will have to check depending upon which model you go for and what you use to tow it with.

    There are others on the site who know far more about Dandys than I do so I hope this helps until one of the experts comes along!

    All the best!
    Tow Itch
    Tow Itch
    Dandy Expert


    Posts : 3186
    Join date : 2011-06-20
    Location : Leigh Gtr Manchester

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    Post by Tow Itch Sat 10 Mar 2018, 9:13 am

    Hello StephyB

    Think KB has covered most of the corners but also you need to tell us more and read a bit more, become aware of your options.
    To give examples:

    Are you able to hook up to electrics and is there a water pump or do you need to hook to water too? I have recently sold our campervan and want to ensure it's the same sort of "mod cons" for our family of 4.

    Electrics. What the Dandy came with originally is a bit mixed. some will have nothing. So it's using a commando extension that easily slips into the Dandy. Some will be wired for mains originally, many will have been wired for mains by former owners.A few will have mains and a leisure battery.    
    Water pump yes. "Do you need to hook up to water too?" Hook up to water? I'm wondering what level of campsite or campnig experience you're used to. Anything more advanced than an Aquaroll is beyond my experience.  
    You sold your campervan and want the same level of luxury for a family of 4. Well what is a campervan? Anything from a Ford Escort (I'm old) Citroen Visa sized conversion to, if you have a pre 97 licence a 7.5 tonne behemoth. It might or might not include fridge, freezer, heating, hot water, toilet and shower.
    What is a family of 4? Now it's not like me to be PC but even I recognise that not all families include a Mum and a Dad also kids ages vary. So Mum, Dad, son 14 and daughter 12 is very different to Mum daughter 8 and twin boys 4.

    Security, towing and servicing. It's the standard folding trailer or caravan options. Hence me saying you need to read. Towing the largest and most luxurious dandy can legally be towed by a hatchback with the ability to tow 1 tonne. I think peridot managed this. would I do this NO. We've had some reports of instability with the late model (only the late model) Destinys. Servicing, minimal most important thing is to buy well.

    It's not my intention to give you short shrift. i could write pages in response but that is a waste of my time if this is a very preliminary enquiry. Come back with more detail and I'll give more detail too.
    Best of luck with your search.
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    jezosaurus


    Posts : 1
    Join date : 2015-07-26

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    Post by jezosaurus Sun 11 Mar 2018, 9:41 pm

    We have a Dart (Delta?) Anyway, smaller model. Tows like a dream off the back of a supermini, so no worries about the car.

    We had a problem with the chassis - that was solved by a local trailer specialist.

    Mod cons for us is the beds and being able to stand up. We don't do leccy.

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