The Approximate age of a caravan can be gauged using the following details;

1960 Features
• Late 1960s – Labcraft invented fluorescent lights for caravans using 12v power source.
• Gas cylinders carried on an open rack on the drawbar.
• Water jugs became redundant as manual pumps appeared.
• Track way for an awning not often fitted.

1970 Features
• Drawbar-mounted locker boxes appeared in the late 1970s for the gas cylinders.
• 1972 More caravans sold than ever before (67,000 tourers), due to the threat of purchase tax, forerunner of VAT.
• Gas lamps continued alongside fluorescent lights until the mid 1970s.
• Chassis like Peak, B&B, and CI were heavy and needed painting and employed springs and shock absorbers.
• Reversing on the over-ride system required someone to engage the clip behind the coupling when reversing started.
• Water pumps remained as manual units.
• Body made around framework, clad in aluminium sheet and lined inside with ply wood.
• Insulation modest. Floors usually un-insulated; wall voids filled with glass fibre quilt or polystyrene panels.
• In 1978, the use of non-safety glass became illegal. Aluminium frames went and acrylic double glazed windows appeared.
• Post October 1979 all caravans had to have a rear fog lamp.
• The need for a fog lamp feed led to the introduction of the double socket system with the tow car.

1980 Features
• Bonded sandwiched floors introduced at the start of the decade; bonded walls followed.
• Lightweight galvanised chassis introduced, particularly from Al-CO who took over B&B chassis.
• Automatic brake disengagement mechanisms fitted into drums.
• Rubber suspension replaced with coil springing on the lightweight chassis systems.
• From early 1980s so many electrical items developed that fused distribution panels where introduced.
• Separate inboard 12v batteries commonplace for the increase in low wattage appliances.
• Electric water pumping became standard.
• Wedge shaped designs arrived in the mid 1980s for improved petrol economy.
• From 1985, most caravans had an integral gas locker box rather than a drawbar ‘add-on’.
• In April 1989, auto reverse brakes made mandatory.
• Mid 1980 saw many hot water systems installed.
• The cassette Toilet in the late 1980s revolutionised the bathroom and emptying arrangements.

1990 Features
• Fire retardant foams mandatory on all cushions.
• Fire alarms introduced.
• Ripple finish used for most bonded sandwich walls lost favour with some manufacturers; smooth finishes returned.
• Almost all caravans wired for mains as standard.
• Low voltage fused distribution panels less like Concorde flight deck and more discreet.
• Internal creature comforts reached unprecedented levels.
• Separate lockers for gas and battery.
• Sealed bearing systems e.g. Euro-axle.