Prattline

[tassietiger]

I suspect there is something on here about Prattlines but blowed if I can find it via a search so..........any information, what to be wary of etc etc regarding Prattlines would be welcome.

Cheers
TT

[millard1399]

G'day t/t,

I don't remember us ever talking about Prattlines on the forum in any detail, so I doubt you'd find much about them on here at all.

I don't have any detail about them in my collection either, so this could be a pretty short conversation.

They are certainly an interesting design, but have always struck me as being a bit "short" on cupboard space for the relative size of them. I guess you can't have too many interior fittings interferring with the top half coming down over the bottom half.

I have no idea what you would look for in an inspection of one of these, other than the usual things you would look for in any other aluminium clad van. I guess the raising and lowering mechanism is something important, so that would need some sort of "specialized" inspection.

They've been building them for quite a number of years (are they still around?), so I guess parts for them could be found if you searched around.

Can't help you with any more than that, unfortunately.

cheers,
Al.

[Deleted]

Tiger..

There’s some basic information about Prattlines on Ron Mac’s site.

The short of it is there are (seems to be) four basic series (shapes). It’s a clever design but a little complex with all the lifting gear.
Have a six pack handy while you read and understand the instruction sheet (It’s shown on Ron’s site)

Also, Prattlines are rather heavy for their size – due to reinforcing of the ‘shoebox’ construction, plus the lifting mechanism, etc..
The later models certainly look a lot smarter than the early versions.

Have a look here
australianvintageclassiccaravan.yuku.com/topic/83/The-amazing-Prattline-Caravans

Jim

[Deleted]

Hi TT, Al, and Jim
I've been meaning to join this group for a while, and finding this thread via Google convinced me it was time to sign up.

We currently have 3 vans (it's a long story why), but none of them fit in the "Classic" category. One too old, and two too new. A 69 Franklin Regent (rebuilding), a 83ish Viscount Grand Tourer (registered), and our newest addition, an 87 Prattline Lowtow (registered).

At the moment I'm looking for Prattline info, but also we want to sell the Grand Tourer as soon as we find a suitable Classic van to replace it with. I'm thinking a mid to late 70s Viscount, 22' to 24' long, but would consider other brands if they have aluminium frames and a curved roof to shed the water well. The flat roof is one of the things I dislike about our GT. I've looked at a couple of Classic vans, but double doors seem all the rage for that era, and we want room for a double bed (or two sets of bunks) at the front, and the ones I've seen have the front door too far forwards for that.

That link you posted is the best Prattline info I've seen online Jim. We got ours just over a week ago, and it came with bit of old paperwork showing layout options and sizes etc, but as I said, it doesn't fit in the Classic era. Not sure how strict you folks are about van ages here (I'm used to the vintage forum), so let me know if you'd like to see the info I have.

[supreme78]

I believe the moderator will be here shortly to inform you.
But the good news is we are caravan nuts here and not strict on years of manufacture more about helping those with the same addiction so to speak.
I have always though prat lines were a bit different looking but I do like the idea of folding up. Someone went to a bit of work to get that right. Just hope it doesn't fall down while cooking tea or you will turn into a midget.
Happy caravaning

[ForumMod]

G'day ripper, and welcome to the forum!

We don't have a hard and fast rule about the age of a van on this forum, as such. However, we tend not to stray too far from the aim of 1970 to 1979, only because the design of caravans has changed over the years, and anything too far removed from our core time period is generally of not much interest to the majority of the forum.

Having said that, the Prattline brand is one that we've not heard very much of at all on the forum, so any information you have might be useful in the future to somebody who comes on the forum with a 1970s Prattline and wants to understand their van a bit better. Post whatever information you have, and at least we'll have it on record for future use.

cheers,
Al.

[cazperth]

I just bought a 1975 Prattline to renovate.

[Deleted]

I'll post pics when I figure how. I am not sure if we'll restore to original look or modernize. With such a square shape there is not much classic style to her.Inside, fridge cupboards and stove are original, cushions have been recovered and vinyl on floor too.