Folding Camper & Trailer Tent Definitive Guide
Model Summary: Dandy Destiny
Travelling / Stored:
Folding Camper (Discontinued Model)
Berths:
Setup / On Site:
Width
Height
Length
Width
Awning Size
Gross Weight
Wheel Size
Tyre Size
Tyre Pressure
Paperwork
Gallery:
Six
Blue Sky Recreation Limited. Freephone: 0800 069 9601, Freefax: 0800 069 9602, Email: info@blueskyholdings.co.uk
406cm
198cm
135cm
198cm
518cm
530kg
750kg
145 x 10
10"
32PSI
Model Summary:
Unit Type:
The Generic Dandy Bit
The Dandy models commenced production in 1963. At this point, they were manufactured in a dark green
colour scheme on the camper walls, and, uniquely, the canvas part of the camper was constructed in PVC. This was a characteristic
that was to continue throughout the life span of the range, and makes them the only brand that can, safely, be packed away wet, and
left for longer periods, unlike their canvas contemporaries, that can only be packed away wet for some 48 hours or so, before mould
and mildew start to become an issue.
By the early 70's, the green PVC walls had been replaced by orange, and, towards the
end of the 70's, in 1978, this was, again, superceded, this time by brown PVC. During the 1980's, there were various colour cobinations,
including brown and white, brown and mushroom, and all mushroom. During the 1990's (the last years of the original Dandy company)
the walls were, again, changed, this time, to a light blue and white (pictures 6 and 7). In 1994, double glazing was introduced in
all models. The light blue and white colour scheme continued until 2003, when Ian Smith, an employee of the original company,
acquired the business, and transferred it to his new company; Riva Leisure Products Limited. During the period from 2003 to 2008,
the new company continued to manufacture the Dandy models, in the dark blue and white colour scheme. The business ceased trading in
2008, and Riva Dandy Sales came into being. The latter is still very actively involved in spares and repairs for
existing Dandy units.
The Dandy Destiny
The Dandy Destiny started life as the Dandy Six Berth, in the 1960s, As with
all models, production then continued until 2008, when current owners, Riva Leisure Products Limited ceased manufacturing
them. The Destiny started out as a standard six berth layout, with side door, kitchen opposite, and a double bed,
either end. In front of the rear double bed was a double dinette, which converted to the third double bed. The front bed
was a fixed double (although some models did convert to a settee). The rear bed could be made up into a large settee, when not being
used as a bed, thereby creating a large U shaped seating area around the dining table.
Early models were known as the Destiny
Low Side, as their side walls were much lower than the later High Side models. Later models were named after the higher side walls,
which were raised in order to accommodate the three way fridge, which was, now, included in the kitchen area.
In 2004, the Destiny
was upgraded to include a toilet / washroom. Its overall length was increased from 406cm to 455cm, in order to provide the additional
space required. At the same time, the old Destiny was, effectively, re branded as the Dandy Dimension. In the Dimensions section above,
the top figures represent the pre 2004 Destinys, whereas the lower figures relate to the post 2004, with washroom, models.
The
Destiny had a kitchen unit with dual burner hob (later models had a four burner hob) and grill, plus cold water fed sink. However,
unlike the four berth models, there was a three way fridge installed (High Side models only) as well as a wardrobe,
and plenty of additional storage. Of course, the big differentiator was the addition of the toilet / wash room in the post 2004 Destiny,
which set it apart from the other models, and put it into competition with the likes of the Pennine Pathfinder, Conway Crusader andTrigano Randger 575TC. The Destiny also featured solid walls all around, meaning that it had four caravan style double glazed
windows and a solid, caravan style door.
Included in the Paperwork section above is the Riva Dandy sales brochure for the
Destiny, as well as a couple of brochures, from 1980 and 1996. Two further brochures are, also, included below, along with a
set of assembly instructions, from The Dandy Forum. We also have four videos, again, courtesy of Neil Taylor,
of the Dandy Forum, showing the setting up of a Dandy Destiny High Side, plus a couple of walk around tours, one of a 1989 Destiny
Low Side, and the other of Neil's own 1998 destiny High Side. The final video covers the roof lining of this particular model.
Additional Paperwork
Dandy Destiny Walkaround Videos
472cm x 188cm
Additional Images
426cm x 188cm
455cm
205cm
135cm
198cm
566cm
780kg
1,000kg
165 x 13
13"
32PSI
1989 Dandy Destiny Low Side Walk Through.
1998 Dandy Destiny High Side Setup Video.
1998 Dandy Destiny High Side Walk Through.
1998 Dandy Destiny High Side Roof Liner Guide.