Q. How do I indentify the year of manufacture of my Carlight Caravan?
Serial number and their allocation
You can determine the age of the caravan from the serial numbers, as we have used various methods of allocating serial numbers to the caravans over the years, this section gives details of these and explains how the build number and approximate date of manufacture can be derived from a serial number.
From 1960 to 1991 inclusive
In 1960 the numbering system changed slightly to give a coded year of manufacture. For caravans built from 1960 - 1991 inclusive, the build number is shown as the last two digits and the month of manufacture is given by the centre two digits. The year of manufacture is coded, but can be quickly worked out by deducting the last digit of the serial number from the number which is made up of the first two digits at the front of the serial number.
Take for instance number 860979. This would be build number 79 (last two digits) built in September (middle two digits) 1977 (first two digits 86 minus the last digit 9 = 77). It is important to stress this gives the approximate date of manufacture and not necessarily the model year.
From the mid 1980's Model years ran from August /September so a 1988 model year caravan could have been built anytime between August/September 1987 through to August/September 1988 (caravans built for shows, exhibitions or publicity purposes - brochure photography etc., may have been built earlier and therefore have an earlier date of manufacture, but these caravans would not be released from the factory until the new model year officially started).
Upto the mid 1980's model years tended to coincide with calendar years. To prevent confusion over model years from 1988 a new Alpha numeric 4 figure prefix was added to the usual 6 figure serial number, this included a manufacturers code (CL) together with the model year, for instance CL90960827 would be build number 27, built in August 1989, and it would be a 1990 model. This alpha numeric prefix was stamped with either letters or numbers leading the code i.e. CL90 or 90CL.
From 1992 onwards
As almost every manufacturer had a different numbering system, and to try to combat the growing number of caravan thefts, the Caravan Industry decided to adopt a universal numbering system . The VIN (Vehicle Identification Numbers) System has been employed from 1992 onwards.
The VIN system is a 17 character International Standard that specifies the content and structure of a vehicle identification number in order to establish, on a world-wide basis, a uniform identification numbering system for road vehicles and their trailers.
Where to find the serial / VIN number
Serial numbers are normally found stamped on the caravan (and later models the VIN number is etched on the caravan windows) in the following positions:
- From 1932 - 1991 the serial number was stamped on a small plate fixed to the exterior side panel immediately behind the main entrance door, (on two door caravans behind the nearside door).
- From 1960 - 1986 the number was also often (but not always) stamped on the A frame beneath the A frame cover, the usual position was either on the nearside leg (on the outside face) of the A frame or at the head of the A frame where the two legs were joined by a flat steel plate.
- From 1987 UNTIL 1991 the serial number was stamped on the nearside leg of the A frame (on the outside face) immediately to the rear of the A frame cover. (So it was visible with the A frame cover still in place, unlike the earlier numbers that required the A frame cover to be removed).
- From 1992 onwards the VIN number was etched on the bottom right (when viewed externally) corner of all of the windows and stamped on the offside of the A frame and a window was cut into the A frame cover to highlight the position of the number. (on 1992 models the number was stamped immediately to the rear of the A frame cover). The VIN number is not stamped on the plate behind the entrance door.
Q. How do I indentify the model type?
Model types, codes & year of manufacture
Many different models have been produced over the years. If you are unsure about a particular model upto and including 1991, the model of a particular caravan was normally stamped on an identification plate positioned on the external side panels behind the main entrance door (the nearside door on two door models).
Where space did not allow, the model name was shortened and to help identify a caravan we have shown both the full name and the corresponding short code are given below.
When no short code is shown it means the information is not available. From 1992 (inclusive) and onwards the caravan model name was not normally shown on the caravans.
Q. Can I fit Motor Movers to my Carlight Caravan?
All single axle Carlight Commanders after mid 1999 have a strengthening sub-frame in the chassis and a special slotted plated to allow the fitting of Motor Movers. All Twin Axle Commanders built 2005 onwards have the sub-frame and plates to allow for the Reich 4 motor movers.
All single axle Commander /Countess/’S’/’SX’ models caravans built prior to mid 1999 and all twin axle Commanders built prior to 2005 will need a chassis modification before Motor Movers can be fitted. Most Countess/’S’/’SX’ models and Commanders built before 1993 may also require an axle and perhaps even an a-fame upgrade?
Please contact us for further details
Q. How do I work out the awning size for my Carlight caravan?
Because of the unique Lantern roof on a Carlight Caravan we would recommend you try Isabella awnings. Below is an explanation of what’s involved form Isabella themselves together with their contact details.
We understand when a customer wants the best and our service package
includes fitting awnings on those special Carlight caravans where it is
not possible to provide an awning "off the shelf".
The unique roof line of the Carlight requires modification to the
awning to ensure you can achieve correct tensioning, this makes the
awning perform better, look better and last longer.
We refer to many years of caravan templates to get the detail right or
customers can bring their Carlight caravan and Isabella awning for
fitting at our workrooms in Buckinghamshire. There is a standard price
for this service whichever is most convenient or gives the peace of mind
required.
All work is carried out by our experienced team, and is covered by our
service agreement, 24 months on new awnings, 6 months on pre-owned or
other older model awnings.
We do not sell awnings direct but our retailer network can quote for
this work to be carried out.
Please do not hesitate to telephone if you require further details.
Isabella Repair Rooms - Please call 01844 202099 for free advice.
Isabella International Camping Ltd
Isabella House
Drakes Drive
Long Crendon
Buckinghamshire
HP18 9BA
Tel 01844 20 20 99
Fax 01844 20 21 11
http://www.isabella.net/
The following awning sizes are given as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for any variance in the figures give for individual caravans. We would advise that you check the size of you individual caravan before you purchase your awning.
| Model | Size in CM |
| Caslatte | 725 |
| Casetta | 775 |
| Cosmopolitan | 800 |
| Caribbean | 825 |
| Continental | 900 |
| Commander/Countess 1980-1992 | |
| 112 | 725 |
| 132 | 750 |
| 152/4 | 800 |
| 184 | 925 |
| Commander/Countess 1993 onwards | |
| 112 | 725 |
| 132 | 750 |
| 152/4 (except Countess/S/SX) | 825 |
| 162 | 875 |
| 184 | 925 |
Thank you!
