A Short Guide To Vintage Trailers

A stay in a vintage trailer would best be described as glamping rather than actual “camping.” Most people are drawn to the iconic shape of mid-century aluminum and the warm wood interiors of a trailer manufactured before the bicentennial. Memories of camping as a child or just an appreciation for the past can stir emotions and desires. Admirers and dreamers can satisfy their yearnings to play in the past by purchasing a vintage trailer or by renting one. Owning a piece of travel history does not fit into everyone’s lifestyle. RV Resorts and AirBnBs have realized the demand for travelers that want a glimpse of yesteryear. Many are offering the vintage trailering experience as an option for curious temporary tenants.

For old souls that do not have a vintage trailer, they can have a similar experience renting one in an upscale park, on a private farm, or remote desert hilltop. Travelers may opt for a vintage trailer stay for a special occasion or a unique stop on a road trip adventure. For people curious about the nostalgia of an old trailer, many are likely to fall in love with the mid-century styling and want one for their own. If restoring, maintaining, and storing one does not scare them away, staying in a trailer for a few nights will give them an idea if they would like to own their own vintage trailer. We encourage them to visit a rally during the open house to see many different models of RVs and get a feel for what they like. They may even find one for sale.

Before the 1970s, trailers were crafted from natural wood and had a warmer retro feel. From the 70s on, cheaper plastics and veneers lined the interior, and streamlined body styles gave way for a boxier, easier to mass-produce exterior styling. The charm of handcrafted pre-war coaches would be a thing of the past. After WW2, the abundance of aluminum used for riveting together planes for the war effort found a new use as siding for camping trailers. Hundreds of small companies popped up. Many were building the “canned ham” trailers that were iconic shapes on the horizon in the 1950s. This style of trailer remains popular today. Unfortunately, their wood frames and lack of a bathroom probably do not make them the best candidate for a glamping lodging rental.

“Silver Twinkies,” like Airstreams, Streamlines, Silver Streaks, Avions, Argosy, and other similar trailers, have aluminum frames and siding. The aluminum construction resists water damage more than the wood-framed trailers and can make for a sturdier trailer. All campers have plywood subfloors. Therefore, regardless of wall frame construction material, old trailers are susceptible to leaks and dry rot. Wood frame and subfloor repairs are doable. You can hire this type of work or tackle it yourself if you are handy. We recommend spending a little more money to find something in better condition. Spending a little more upfront may save you some time and grief if your plan is to restore a trailer. If you are adventurous, have some skills, and a vision of a custom build, try to locate an abandoned project that has already been gutted. This will save you work, money and time.

The twinkie shape of the trailer brands mentioned earlier does have a downside. The rounded walls typically mean shorter ceilings and lower windows. The aerodynamic shape is excellent for traveling, but a Spartan trailer may be better suited for lodging accommodations. The Manor models of the 1950s were typically used as park models. Their boxy shape and substantial front windows make them airier and more spacious inside. The larger models over 30’ are less appealing to the vintage camper crowd. Because of this, they may be more plentiful for a permanent park fixture. The flat wall and ceiling panels are easy to replace. (Builder tip: Save the original curved corner pieces for patterns. These can be tricky to make new from scratch. The shape is irregular, and you will save a lot of time tracing an old one. If not, build a template with poster board until you get a shape that fits.)

There are hundreds of brands of vintage trailers, and they are all serviceable. Choose styles you like and have fun decorating them. You can go traditional, modern, or choose a themed trailer. Each type will appeal to different guests. Adding a vintage trailer or two (or more) to your property will open you up to a traveler with the vision of glamorous camping that does not include dirt. You may find restorable park model trailers in older mobile home parks or storage yards or the classifieds at www.vintagecampertrailers.com.

Unfortunately, an actual original vintage trailer may be too fragile for the general public. Some retrofitting and updating will probably have to be done to make an old trailer user-friendly. Outfitting each trailer with extensive plumbing and cooking fixtures can be difficult and expensive. Shared kitchen space and/or bathhouse will free up space inside of your campers. Smaller trailers can be utilized as private sleeping bungalows and for guests to have a personal retreat area. This setting gives it the “campy” feel and a social environment for friends, groups, and those looking for adventure. If you have space, a vintage trailer could become the centerpiece of your property. Who knows, we might get you hooked and see you at a rally.

Paul Lacitinola and his wife Caroline have watched their kids grow up in the vintage trailer hobby for over 12 years. They are fortunate to own vintage trailers and glamp at vintage trailer rallies year-round. They host several events every year called Trailerfest, Glamperfest, and Boot Camp. Boot Camp is a vintage trailer restoration learning experience where participants learn how to restore vintage RVs from the pros. The other events have crazy themes, food trucks, live bands where long weekends are consumed playing in the past. With 100-300 trailers attending, they get together with as many as 600 of their closest friends at the sold-out rallies! The Lacitinola’s have authored two books on the hobby and have published the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine since 2011.

www.vintagecampertrailers.com

www.buyvintagetrailers.com

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