(RE)Building A Dream
Caravan & Outdoor Life|September 2017

I grew up caravanning, and have always loved it. But my husband, Paul, and I could not afford a new caravan, so we decided to buy one “voetstoots”. We drove all the way from Johannesburg to Springs to pick up an old Ci Sprite.

 
Malita Du Plessis
(RE)Building A Dream

Once home, we realised that the tires were in a terrible state and the caravan was rotten to the core. What had been going to be a quick fix, turned out to be a nightmare. Two parts of the floor had to be replaced, as well as all the supporting beams – all the wood was rotten. The caravan sagged on one side, but Paul managed to hoist and lift it while we put in a new structure. All the panels were replaced. 

We are both really handy, but we are by no means experts. We learnt as we went along. I cut and sawed and nailed and hammered and used the angle-grinder …

We replaced the ugly tiled floor with beautiful panels. I painted the cupboards white, wall-papered the panels, put acrylic sealant everywhere, and built new cupboards to suit our needs.

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Caravan & Outdoor Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CARAVAN & OUTDOOR LIFEView All
Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Resorts Of The Month: Kruisrivier Guest Farm

Off the beaten track and ideal for the off-roading camper

time-read
4 mins  |
June - July 2020
Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Lagoon And Beachfront Bliss

Morgan Bay Campsite, EC

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
Conservation: The Endangered Vultures
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Conservation: The Endangered Vultures

Rating: The conservation of vultures in Africa is generally regarded as high priority, although limited resources are made available to assist with this important work.

time-read
5 mins  |
June - July 2020
Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Crisp, Clean Air & Gurgling Streams It Seems

Old Mac Daddy, WC

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Destination Of The Month: Transkei On The Fly

When the call came in from a fellow journalist, that his doctor had suggested he not travel due to a recent op, I had about a day to get everything prepared for an adventure to the Transkei Wild Coast.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June - July 2020
13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance
Caravan & Outdoor Life

13 Top Tips For Outdoor Accessory Maintenance

You certainly don’t want to arrive at your holiday destination only to find your gas bottles are empty, the tent has been chewed to heavenly holiness by marauding mice, and you left grandma napping in the caravan when you put it out to pasture at your local Storage Land for the winter season.

time-read
2 mins  |
June - July 2020
our take on SNAKES
Caravan & Outdoor Life

our take on SNAKES

Caravan & Outdoor Life joins some of South Africa’s leading herpetologists in the Maputaland region to find rare species and teach the local rural residents how to react to snakes. With Opposite Lock on board, we’re all set to strike at a moment’s notice…

time-read
10 mins  |
June - July 2020
Caravan clinic
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Caravan clinic

Our expert answers your technical questions & gives camping advice

time-read
7 mins  |
June - July 2020
Around The Campfire
Caravan & Outdoor Life

Around The Campfire

Readers share their outdoor adventures and air their values

time-read
4 mins  |
April - May 2020
In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade
Caravan & Outdoor Life

In The Shade Of A Dappled Glade

Slanghoek Mountain Resort, WC

time-read
1 min  |
April - May 2020