new member from Florida,USA

[wbski007]

Hi Mates,
I'm Wayne, my van is a 1972 Cygnet 13', made in Canada, that's the only information I have on it, its a wonderful little camper in great condition. I've made a few changes to the inside, originally it came with a porta potty in one small closet and in another small closet was gas heater below and a clothes closet above, I removed the Gas heater and the clothes rack and installed a small tub and shower. Also added a gas hot water heater and 12V water pump, which is great when we're out in the boondocks, now we have all the comforts of home. We plan on using it alot as I'm retired and we're planning a extended trip to the western United States. Cheers, Wayne

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[Deleted]

Giddy Wayne,

Welcome mate its great to have you on board and to have another international member is terrific and shows that the world isn't such a big place after all.

If you have had alook around the site you will have noticed that there are a few "characters" on this forum and there can be a fair bit of "leg pulling" done.

Your caravan sure looks like a little "beauty" and I'm sure the other members myself included woulld love to here all about it and other stories of interest that you may have.

In the mean time pull up a log to sit on and a cuppa or a stubbie and enjoy the company mate.

Kiwicarl

P.S I was snooping around and found this that you may or may not have found before that may be of help to you tincantourists.com/wiki/doku.php?id=cygnet

[kiwijim]

Howdy Wayne,

A great big "Hand-shakin" Welcome to the World of "Crazy Classic Caravan owners", ;D ;D ;D

I like the look of your van, from the out-side,

Any chance of some Pics of the interior, it sounds very much like it may-be of English decent, having a in built bath room with heater e.t.c.

It's great to hear from people with the same interests as our selves, especially from those living in other countries.

I am very interested to know what the value would be on your van in the States,
We will probably die of shock if told, comparing what you lucky people over there can pay for a motor home, when they are 5-6 times dearer here.

As Kiwicarl has said......pull up a log and take a break, stay a while,

we will all like to hear all about anything to do with American vans, especially what there is on the market over your way that would make camping a new pleasure.

Cheers Kiwijim

[wbski007]

Thanks Jim and Carl for the warm welcome, its great to be here , went to the link you gave me in facebook and found more Cygnet owners, found out mines a 75 not a 72 ,I am going to post alot more photos as soon as I figure out how to get them in Hall of Fame, I can post one ok but haven't figured out how to do a bunch at once? I belong to the Isuzu club in AU as my 98 Rodeo is from the UK and I can't find parts here in the US for it, the chaps in the club have been great setting me up with parts suppliers in Australia, some of them have caravans and they knew I have one so they put me onto this site which I love already, it really is a small world with lots of great people in it.
will be talking to you'all again soon, Cheers, Wayne

[wbski007]

Jim, My daughter bought the Cygnet about 2 years ago on ebay, payed $1600 for it a little high but well worth it as it turned out to be a great van in excellent contition, she gave it to me last year because she replaced it with a 1985 Toyota 4X4 Motor home, which is also in excellent shape, lucky me! will post some photos of the inside as soon as I figure out how to, Cheers Wayne

[kiwijim]

Hi, Wayne,

Yes, I would definitely say you have got a very good buy in that van of yours,

The price is very reasonably. even working out the difference in currency, the price is something that would easily attract a buyer here in no time.

If you can look at the posting in the general board of this forum, called Posting photos
It may help you in over coming the horrors of trying to get pictures to pop up here...

Best of luck, if all else fails, just give us a yell !!

cheers kiwijim

[bobt]

Hi Wayne

Welcome aboard. Sure looks like a nice caravan you have there. Now tell me where to find to find a daughter like yours. Mine always seems to have her hand out.........

amazing what the internet has done for us all. We can share our experiences about our carzy hobbies with other like minded people from all parts of the world.

How lucky are we.....

Love to see some inside photos.

[wbski007]

Hi Bob, thanks for the welcome, like you say its great to talk to fine people who have the same interest's as me, I'm still experimenting on posting photos so bear with me awhile, Cheers, Wayne

[bobt]

Hi wbski007

Thanks for the inside shot... looks like it will be most comfortable for your travels. I like the sliding window. I have hoppers in mine. A real pain if your trying to get some air through the inside.

Now the challenge.. how about the other end.

bobt

[wbski007]

howdy Bob, this is so crazy but this place will only let me send one photo at a time, I've tryed every trick I know but no go, I don't have any trouble on other sites. I'm going to my daughters this coming weekend and I know she will figure it out for me, she's a wiz at this PC stuff.

[wbski007]

Here's (one) more, this is where the gas heater and closet used to be, its a shower now, much better.

[wbski007]

and another, Ive taken out the front dinette and made a permanent bed.

[wbski007]

here's a shot of the back.

[bobt]

Hi wbski007

Thanks for the additional photos. It could be a long distant thing too and not a user issue. But check with the daughter..

Yep it looks like it will be most comfortable for you travels. I just went back and checked out the first photo you posted. I gather it is about a 14 - 16 footer (inside front wall to inside rear wall) You seem to have a lot packed into it. Strikes me as a bit unusual normally caravans (trailers) from your part of the world are significantly bigger. At least the ones I have seen. Am I miss calculating or is yours really I a compact?


So what travel plans do you have?

bobt
Average size for "modern" caravans way down in 'mexico' (Victoria Australia) is the 15 to 16 foot range. Has a lot to do with what we call the average family car its engine size and its towing capacity.

[Deleted]

Gidday Wayne,

That is a fine little caravan (trailer) that you have there mate, and to have a toilet /shower in one that size is a little unusual for this part of the world but not un-heard of.

That outside table is a great idea and I have seen it included in some of the specs of the new vans here also and can also be bought as an after market extra.

Keep trying with the photo's mate and keep us posted of any interesting trips into the boon docks you may have.

Carl

[wbski007]

Outside measurements are 11'10", so it is quite small, but still has all the comforts that I might need, one thing I have learned thru years of camping, bigger does not always mean better.
I'm planning an extensive trip to Mexico and the western US this coming spring, something I've been looking forward to for a long time. I wanted a small, light, easy towing caravan, my daughter had this Cygnet, was planning to buy a small motor home and asked me if I wanted the Cygnet, well that was easy to answer, a big YES. It had no shower, hot water heater and just a hand pump for water, but with a little work I managed to install a shower, 12V water pump, hot water heater and toilet so now I am pretty much self sufficient. It all fits in there fairly well and looks pretty good. I've made changes to the inside to suit my own needs and comfort, like removing the front dinette and making a permanent bed, the cushions were OK but really not that comfortable to sleep on every nite, so I took out the fold down table and seats and built a platform and put in a good air mattress, much more comfortable. ;D Really didn't use the dinette that often anyway as I like to eat outside.
My tow vehicle is an 1998 Isuzu Rodeo, 2.5 turbo diesel, 5 speed, it originally had a V6 gas motor but that was replaced with a 2001 diesel from the UK, ;D I've turned up the fuel and adjusted the turbo for more boost so it has plenty of power to haul the Cygnet and still get 23MPG on the road, I love it. ;D Also added WDH even tho it is a small lite trailer, the WDH makes it a safer tow. ;D
Cheers, the old man
Wayne

[Deleted]

,
Welcome to the downunder gang Wayne. Looks like you've done a great job on your little Cygnet there. When this caravanning bug bites it seems to bite hard. I like your ideas and plan to do something similar with my 1974 16' Viscount Royal. I'll have room to keep the dinette inside and plan to install a shower and toilet just aft of the dinette, the table of which folds down between the benches and forms the basis of a second double bed with the bolsters form the dinette as the mattress. It's handy if you have some one else staying for a night or two and only takes seconds to convert.

We hope yor enjoy your times with us and I'm sure we all enjoy your company.

Cheers,
Ross.

ps. Oops, I see you have your dinette still inside. I must have been thinking of someone else's van when I typed that.

[bobandjacqui]

G'day Wayne,

Welcome to the forum. This hobby of ours is quite additive and this forum is a great source of information. Need to know something? pose the question and someone has an answer ....might take a coupla days, anyway welcome once again.

Bob and Jacqui.

[wbski007]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome, you guys are great, Wayne

[bobt]

Hi wbski007

Based on the changes you have done to the Cygnet I gather you have done a bit of caravaning before. Those dinettes are not the greatest thing to sleep on when your doing serious touring. Well that is my opinion. I am a big believer in having a good bed to sleep in at night espcially if you planning on spending a large amount of time in it.

Sounds to me like you could take your rig almost anywhere. And not go broke in the process.

I too am a firm believer in a WDH, they certainly make long distant travelling much nicer and more comfortable.

bobt

[wbski007]

OH, by the way Jim I like your Thompson, not the rot tho, mine had a little in one rear corner so I know what you went thru, you did a great job on fixing her up. would like to see some photos of the inside and how long is it??
Cheers, Wayne

[kiwijim]

Howdy Wane,

"Yep" I am sure glad I managed to cut all the rot out of the Thomson, It was a rather difficult job to do with-out taking the side off the van but managed it from under-neath, sure glad that's finished.

If you would like a tour of the inside of the Thomson have a look under the heading....."Thomson Improvements" in this Section.

The length is 17"2" it's on a single axle. has independent suspension with double coil springs plus hydraulic dampers on each side.

It also has mechanical over-ride brakes with 8 1/2 drums.

I think you will find a heap more written about it through-out this section, I have posted a great number of bits and pieces about the Thomson over the last two years while rebuilding it.

Cheers kiwjim

[wbski007]

Howdy Jim,
Saw the photos of your Thompson, good job, love the floor and the upholstery looks great, what do you you tow her with? I,ve had a few other vans before this one, they were called Serro Scotty's, named after the guy who made them, they were made here in the US, in Pennsylvania in the 50's and 60's, great little caravans,very easy to tow and well made. The first one was a 1971, 13' and the second was a 1973, 17'. Here's a photo of the 71
cheers, Wayne

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[wbski007]

1973 Scotty Highlander Before & After Restoration
All Painting & Interior work was done by myself


Before Restoration
New Paint Job


New Birch Wanes Coating Interior

[wbski007]

My daughter finally figured out photo bucket, but I don't have a clue how it works.
I hope I'm posting all of this on the right board?