Our "Ex-Caravan" 1998 Award Twinstar
(Being towed by our "Ex-car")
This is the advert for its sale, 23/02/02, but we've kept the web page for now, as a reminder kind of thing.
(Picture
below)
It's been stored inside in low light from
new. This means no fading or crumbly mastic - it still looks new.
It's been stored with permanent hook-up
and frost protection.
It's been meticulously maintained and
enhanced from day one.
So, we are quite literally talking better
than new inside and out.
Read on
You won’t find many of these around.
They were introduced in 1997, but were not quite sorted with the swiveling armchair
facing
a blank wall and a bed that was virtually impossible to make.
In 1998 they got it right,
redesigning the layout slightly and putting in an extra picture
window to give two picture windows ( one on
each side) in the front lounge/dinette.
With the range being rationalised and huge price cuts needed in 1999 the luxury Twinstar couldn't
continue.
Now don’t judge the interior of this
caravan before you see it. Standard 1998 Awards had strange colour schemes. This
one is
much better.
If you’re not sure what the layout is
like it is very similar to the Superstar (External dimensions and weights are
near enough
identical), but with a few important differences.
It is a 4 berth van with a double bed at
each end.
(Picture below)
The front features a full width built in
sofa and a separate swivel arm chair. It is very comfortable and makes the "lounge" look incredibly spacious. There are picture windows on both sides
making it very light and airy. Trust me, you won’t miss not having a large
rooflight.
(Picture below)
The Twinstar’s washroom is very
different to the Superstar’s in that it features a separate shower, which
is a delight to use (and in this one is also properly waterproof, has an extractor
fan and of
course looks new.
One aspect of the rear dinette better than
most is the fact that you have space to get out of bed with the sliding door/partition
closed.
Storage is no problem as there is more
cupboard space liberated by not having an internal water tank. Before you throw up your
hands in horror, I have installed a water system which has proved to be much much better.
There are two separate water inlets (side by side), where you connect the two special 40
ltr. aquarolls and two pumps (included in the sale). These feature water level sensors.
The result is that when one aquaroll
(let’s call it A) runs out, it automatically
switches to the other (let's call it B). It can switch mid-shower and all you
will notice is a little splutter during the change! The pumps can never
run dry. You simply refill the now empty A with B still connected and working.
Indicator lights inside the ‘van show you which ‘roll is
empty.
The system gives you a true
uninterrupted water supply. What
is more, if you’re very lazy, with both ‘rolls full you have 80 uninterrupted
ltr’s of water on tap.
(Picture below)
(Picture below)
Other standard specification includes Alko
Euro axles with shock absorbers, Tyron bands, Spare wheel and Alko carrier, Alko jack and
winder.
Other improvements (above and beyond the
top of the range standard spec.) include:
· Extractor fan in shower.
· Upgraded extractor over the cooker (the
original was pathetic).
· Second battery and advanced charger in a fan
ventilated (to the outside) container, to allow you to watch TV for more than 10 min. when
not on hook-up.
· Keyfob remote light control also now works
the alarm, with sensors inside, on the door and on the wheelclamp!!
· Automatic gas changeover system.
· External Gas and Mains sockets.
· Alko 2500 stabilising hitch.
· Pneumatic
levellers (X2) (up to 7" lift).
· The ‘van came with a loose-lay carpet
over a vinyl wood effect floor. Magazine articles say how good this is. Rubbish. The
carpet moves about and muck finds its way underneath. Fine, so you take up the carpet. It
now feels cold in winter, and every footprint or bit of fluff shows on the vinyl. I speak
from experience. We’ve had a quality (steam and strong detergent cleanable) carpet
fitted which makes the ‘van look larger, more elegant, is easy to clean and is bullet
proof. A quick vax and it’s as good as new. (If you really want to revert
to the original I have the lovely brown carpet still wrapped in its cover which
you are welcome
to have).
· The
revolting orange oven and hob found on most 1998 Awards have been
upgraded to a current dark brown all in one cooker. The orange
front to the carver heater and the cooker hood have been professionally re-coated
in "antique black" – actually very nice.
· There is now a PIR light over the door and
matching light on offside above the locker and cassette hatch.
· There is a built in (and I mean properly) CD
player and radio with remote control - and of course sub woofer! (NOTHING like the bodges
you usually see, professional or otherwise).
· There is a much upgraded TV antenna system,
with the standard status AND the latest directional matching antenna with its own
amplifier for use in weak signal areas.
· 1.5" rigid
wastepipes throughout with a single articulating outlet (see rear
of caravan below).
I have seen DIY "upgrades" on
caravans before. Most fall into the category of "Oh dear I wish they hadn’t
bothered". I can assure you that the upgrades on this ‘van are either
at or
above factory fit quality. You really need to see for your self.
(Picture below)
Included in the sale are these separate
items.
2 40 ltr. water level sensing aquarolls
2 Water pumps
Wastemaster - see under rear of van above.
Pneumatic
levellers
Gas cylinder
2 Batteries
Step
Hitchlock
Alarm connected wheel clamp.
In fact, "Hitch up and go!" - we'll even
include a melamine dinner service if this is
your first van!.
Tow cars: I weighed the van on collection
from new and it weighed 1365kg.
The maximum towing weight is 1700kg.
I use a Vauxhall Senator which weighs
1590kg and we have never towed above this weight (which would be illegal anyway).
We
haven’t had to count every sock to achieve this either.
If your vehicle has a kerb weight of
1575kg or more, this will be fine, IF your car is fairly powerful AND you are
reasonably
experienced AND don’t try and race the reps. The van with its length, twin
axles,
shock absorbers and stabilizing hitch is incredibly stable!
(If you are even remotely interested you
will need to see the van in the flesh otherwise you will not be able to judge
its true
worth. The corny phrase "First to see will buy" springs to mind. Only once
you’ve see the ‘van will you be able to compare it with what else you
could buy
for the money).