V TRAILERS e g a int
CAMPER Vol. 8, No. 5, Issue: 45 September/October 2019
INSPIRED SPARTANS TIRES DON'T LAST
FOREVER HOW OLD ARE YOUR TIRES? Pg. 28
The magazine for all vintage camper trailer collectors, restorers, admirers and dreamers.
RESCUE
R E S TO R E
R A L LY
Inside This Issue Index On the Cover-Mansion on Wheels
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1948 Spartan Manor By So Cal Vintage 10 Golden Caravan Roadtrip
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Installing '47-'53 Spartan Windows
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1962 Garway Lemonade and Lace
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Mod Betty's 5 Faves of New Jersey
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TCT Centennial Celebration
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1948 Spartan Manor Barn Find
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How to Determine Your Tires Age
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Vintage Vacation in a Spartan
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Avion Silver Fellowship Gathering
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Buying Your First Vintage Trailer
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Fiddlers Picnic
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1959 Oasis Childhood Memories 36 Make Your Camper Eco Friendly
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USA Rally Calendar
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ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN PRINT AND/OR ONLINE WITH VCT MAGAZINE
Your subscription to the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine includes: Trailerites, and we presume most of our readers are trailerites, will recognize that there is a very real, albeit intangible, bond between all trailerites. The “On and Off the Trail” forward of the September/1946 issue of the Trailer Travel Magazine, begins with the above sentence that is just as true today as it was then. 73 years later the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine continues the tradition of bringing the trailerite community together with a printed publication that may itself become a collector’s item. The Trailer Travel magazine has an article by LeRoy Mills, the Royal Secretary of the Tin Can Tourists. The article says in part: “The membership registration is larger than most of pre-war reunions and the percentage of new memberships is much higher.” A subtle reminder of post-war America and the roll that trailers, travel and the trailerite community had on the country.
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• 20% Discount on classified ads on the Vintage Camper Trailers classifieds website. • FREE shipping on our books and back issues in our Camp Store. • Discounts on the rallies that we host. Coupon Code: SPARTAN
www.vintagecampertrailers.com ___________________________________
Coming Soon... to the VCT Magazine:
Fiberglass Trailers and Teardrops Send us what you've got.
American Tr a i l e r i t e By Paul Lacitinola Publisher VCT Magazine Volume: 8 - Number: 5 - Issue: 45 www.vintagecampertrailers.com vintagecampertrailers@gmail.com Published by: Paul and Caroline Lacitinola American Trailerites My formula for success is rise early, work late, and strike oil. -J. Paul Getty Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine is a non-denominational supporter of the vintage camper trailer hobby. We welcome all collectors, restorers, admirers and dreamers.
Subscribe in the USA by mailing a check for $32 or by visiting our website. Available on line and in print. Any changes to your subscription must be made in writing. Your mailing indicia contains info about your subscription. PO Box 354, Elverta CA 95626 (916) 572-8554
Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine reserves the exclusive right to reject or accept advertising or editorial material submitted for publication. The editorial content contained in this magazine does not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine (USPS Publication Number 15940) is published bimonthly (in January, March, May, July, September, November) by Vintage Camper Trailers, 8416 Elwyn Avenue, Elverta, CA 95626-9552. Periodical postage paid at Elverta, CA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Vintage Camper Trailers, PO Box 354, Elverta, CA 95626-0354.
WE BUY
Vintage Trailers, Golf Carts, Bicycles, Cars, Motorcycles, Vans and Pick-Ups. (916) 572-8554
We finished the last issue of the magazine while we were on the Golden Caravan tour with the one-of-a-kind 1961 Airstream. We made it home in one piece and shared all of the places we visited with you on page 14 of this magazine. Since we returned home, we finished filming the documentary for the Ultimate Restorations TV show and showed the Gold Airstream at the Hot August Nights car show. The trailer won Best of Show and we got to lead the parade through Reno, Nevada. The trailer has since sold, and I made another trip across the USA to Arkansas to deliver it to the new owners. We made new trailerite friends and I will be sharing a bit about them and their incredible collection in the future. Traveling this year has made me realize three things. 1.) I have too many trailers in my collection. Storing, maintaining and registering so many trailers has become a burden. Eight of them are listed on the VCT classifieds if you are looking for a trailer. 2.) I need a trailer that is fully self-contained. I love the vintage style, but I want it to function like a new trailer with all of the modern amenities. Bathroom, solar, 3-way fridge etc are all requirements for the next trailer build. 3.) I like building trailers, but I like using them more. This winter we will be “finishing” the trailers we are keeping and building a personal trailer that will be able to function off-grid. The year isn’t over for us regarding events. We hope to see a lot of you at the Vintage Trailer Supply Festival in New Mexico September 13-15. (www.vtsgrandopening.com) The following weekend is the Buellton Rally and the weekend after that is Trailerfest in Plymouth, CA. (www.trailerfestrally.com) Before winter we will be at the RVIA show in Fontana, CA (www. CaliforniaRVShow.org) or you can join us and display your trailer at the Sacramento Auto Show. We have finalized dates and locations for the three 2020 Trailerfest events and have the preliminary announcement on the inside back cover of this issue. We have added a Southern California event to the mix in April and will do a Cajun theme with a crawfish boil and live Cajun music. Unfortunately, we could not secure the Durango RV park in Red Bluff, CA for Glamperfest this year. The parks in this area are still housing victims of the Camp Fire so we could not find a park large enough to accommodate our group. Glamperfest will be back at Durango in 2021. The VCT Boot Camp registration is also open and our lineup of presenters is listed on page 46. We are still finalizing some of the class offerings, but rest assured, it will be a full line-up. Boot Camp is a restoration learning experience where you will meet like minded people from across the USA. The information and comradery is invaluable. Like most of you we are busy. We are fortunate to be able to work and play in the hobby we love and hope to see you campin.
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accommodate the installation of a 7,000watt generator up front. A custom aluminum luggage rack was fabricated for the top of the trailer. The interior features all new birch paneling, oak cabinetry and distressed hickory hardwood flooring in the main cabin. The bathroom includes a stainless-steel shower and inlaid ceramic tile floor. Two hidden split system air conditioners cool the interior and a vintage-look, full-size refrigerator and built-in blender provide cold beers and margaritas for clients. A large serving hatch over the bar provides more views inside and a place for answering questions and handing out product samples.
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All of the exterior signage was hand painted - no wraps or vinyl lettering was used. The traditional hand lettering included the use of gold leaf to emphasize the quality of the Cremo brand. To add even more historic style, a classic lighted rotating barber pole was installed. The Cremo Spartan spent its first summer on several laps around the U.S. with its maiden voyage ending in Brooklyn. It’s also made appearances at South by Southwest in Austin and the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis.
According to So Cal Vintage owner Denny Stone, “It was great fun working with Cremo to put this together. Almost every inch of this trailer was modified in some way and nothing about it was easy, but the end result made it all worthwhile.�
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GOLDEN CARAVAN ROADTRIP The Golden Caravan Road Trip took us across 15 states. We spent nearly 6 weeks on the road camping with fellow vintage trailer enthusiast, meeting business associates, displaying the Golden Caravan at museums and exploring the mid-west. We visited some great campgrounds, took advantage of our discount cards and even boondocked at Walmart! In the next issue we will show you where the trailer ended up. For more photos of the trip go to www.goldairstream.com.
June 6th- 9th Hollister, CA Casa de Fruta RV Park 160 Miles Rockabilly Rally June 10th – 11th Salt Lake City, UT Pony Express RV Resort 807 Miles Airstream of Utah Appearance, Celebrated 19 years of marriage! June 12th Cheyenne, WY Terry Bison Ranch (Passport America/Saved 50%) 445 Miles Bottle Fed Calves, Saw Bison
June 13th - 15th Minden, NE Pioneer Village 344 Miles Lost a vent on the Airstream, Pioneer Village Campout, Toured the Museum. First time to see fire flies! June 16th Kansas City, KS Kansas City East Oak Grove KOA 342 Miles First Laundry Stop! June17th Jefferson City, MO/St. Louis, MO St Louis NE/ Granite City KOA 276 Miles Toured Modern Litho Printing (The printer of the VCT Magazine). Rain downpour! Tried a Pork-loin
SPONSORD BY:
Book signing at Airstream of Utah.
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On the marquee at Pioneer Village in Minden Nebraska. Pulled in to discover the top vent cover was missing.
sandwich. Avoided a Hailstorm by killing time visiting the Veterinary Museum in Jefferson City, MO. June 18th ST. Louis, MO St Louis NE/ Granite City KOA Worked on Issue #44 of the VCT Magazine, Laundry, St. Louis Zoo, Fitz's Root Beer and Fried Pickles, picked up Angelo at the St. Louis Airport so he could join our road trip for 9 days June 19th Terre Haute, IN Terre Haute KOA 205 Miles St. Louis Arch Tour, Peanut Butter Pie, World's Largest Pitchfork and RAIN!
Grace, Paul, Caroline and Angelo Lacitinola with the two gold Airstreams at the factory.
June 20th Troy, OH Fulton Farms (Harvest Hosts) 215 Miles Happy Birthday to Caroline, Greek Food at a Truck Stop in Indiana, First Amish Grocery Store, Finished Issue #44 at a Krogers in OH and Stayed @ Fulton Farms with Harvest Host June 21st Jackson Center, OH and Elkhart, IN Airstream Incorporated 223 Miles Spent the Day showing the Golden Caravan at Airstream and taking a Factory Tour. June 22nd - June 24th Sandusky, OH Camp Sandusky 181 Miles Amish Country, Cedar Point, Lake Erie.
The Golden Caravan on display at the RVMH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, IN.
June 25th -26th Dearborn, MI Camp Dearborn 248 Miles Detroit, Coney Island Hotdogs, Buddy's Pizza, Henry Ford and Greenfield Village Museum, Custard June 27th Elkhart, IN Walmart 210 Miles Dropped Angelo off at the Detroit, MI Airport and drove through Amish country to Elkhart, IN June 28th Elkhart, IN Elkhart Campground 10 Miles Showed the Golden Caravan at the RVMH Hall of Fame Continued on page 38
Devils Tower was majestic! The background photo: The Bad Lands.
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Vintage Vacations Conventional hotels and motels don't offer you the experience you could find in a Spartan Trailer
Traveling across the USA gives you so many opportunities to see and do different things. Conventional cookie cutter hotels and motels are not your only options for lodging if you don't have a vintage trailer. You could stay in a newly renovated, 1948 Spartan Vintage Camper Trailer. This one has all of the amenities like a queen sized bed, full bathroom with shower, kitchen with coffee machine, microwave, cooktop and small fridge. It is located just 15-20 minutes to Santa Fe, NM. Enjoy the peace of the country, star filled nights, quaint, beautiful, and clean accommodations. Local sites include ancient petroglyph hikes.
You can experience staying in a vintage trailer without having to tow or own one. This Spartan is comfortable and sweet, situated in a rural setting 12 miles from Santa Fe's growing south side. . Less than a mile from Las Golindrinas, a living history museum and easy access to all northern New Mexico sites. Just 5 miles from the Santa Fe airport and 55 from the Albuquerque Sunport. Enjoy a little digital detox as the Spartan Manor does not have television or wi-fi, however cell service is top notch. A portable DVD player and some great movies are provided, just in case your withdrawal becomes unbearable. There is also wi-fi about 50 yards away. 30
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We found this retreat in www.airbnb.com. They have a filter for "Unique Stays". One option under that selection is "Camper/RV". (Search 1948 Spartan in Santa Fe, NM to find this one.) The property owner, Suzanne, is a Superhost ¡ Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests. Suzanne has lived in Santa Fe for 37 years and loves it. The beautiful landscapes, the quality of light, the rich culture and the local traditions are embedded in her soul. She is even an ordained minister and can provide a legal wedding ceremony! She does many weddings in Santa Fe at the Loretto Chapel, but if the chapel is not available a beautiful mountain meadow will do, or under the stars by a blazing fire would be romantic and sweet!
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contact Karen at kaboo71@aol. com for registration. Register soon as this event will most likely sell out. Open House. Karen Clancy, kaboo71@aol.com (415) 246-1428 October 31 - November 3, 2019 Lake Havasu City, AZ Havasu Round Up-7260 Sara Parkway, At the Rodeo Ground, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406. All vintage trailers come and join us at the Rodeo Grounds for a fun camp out, all vintage trailers welcomed, $10.00 per night camping fee, dry camping. Meet and greet Friday November 1, 2019, 6:00p.m. (in large building) Bring a hors d’oeuvre (snack) to share and your own beverage. (for campers) Swap meet, bring items to sell and have fun buying, Saturday from 8am until noon, big building, everyone welcomed to join in. Open to the public. Dogs are allowed on leash at all times. Showers and restrooms are available. There are great hiking trails all around our camping area. Pot luck Sat. 5:00pm in the big building. (Bring your own dishes and silverware). Coffee in the morning in the group area. (big building). Wear your best Western Gear for the potluck, prize for the best outfit and a prize for the best or unusual decorated trailer, prizes, Saturday after pot luck. Public can check us out; it is free to come and see us, from 10:00am until 3:00pm Friday and 10am until 2:00pm Saturday. Camping is $10.00 per night, when you arrive, Cherri and Mike Aiken
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hosts our number is (928) 5052730 jra@cnw.com Do not need to preregister, there is plenty of room. Cherri/Mike Aiken November 1-3, 2019 Jackson, CA Rancheria Rally. 11407 Dalton Road, 4th annual Located at the beautiful Jackson Rancheria RV Park. Join us for a fun weekend with friends who love the vintage lifestyle. A great 'end of year' rally. No Open House. Greg and Wendy Burns rancheriarally@yahoo.com 209-605-1305. January 30 – February 2, 2020 Lake Havasu City, AZ Lake Havasu State Park, 699 London Bridge Road, (Windsor beachover flow lot). Beautiful Setting On The Beach! Come Join The Fun!! First Timers Are Always Welcomed! No Dues, No Meetings. All Vintage Trailers Are Welcomed. Cherri and Mike, (928) 505-2730, or e-mail anytime jra@cnw.com February 14-15, 2020 San Dimas, CA Sweetheart Vintage Trailer Rally at Bonelli Bluffs. See ad on page 46. March 5-8, 2020 Hollister, CA 5th Annual VCT Boot Camp. VCT Boot Camp is for the restorer of vintage camper trailers. Beginners are welcome! It is a combination of intensive classroom learning and demonstrations. VCT Boot Camp is
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October 18 - 20, 2019 Calistoga RV Park
1601 N. Oak Street, Calistoga, CA 94515
Join us for a Vintage Trailer Weekend at harvest time in the beautiful Napa Valley. Situated less than one mile from downtown Calistoga, the RV park is within walking distance to wine tasting, mud baths, shops, restaurants and the golf course next door.
Open House/Sale
October 19 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hosted by Don and Karen Clancy To register, contact Karen at kaboo71@aol.com. Space is limited. Register soon, as this event is likely to sell out.
ADVERTISE YOUR RALLY OR YOUR BUSINESS IN PRINT AND/OR ONLINE WITH THE VCT MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER
CAMPIN
DOUG KERSHAW CRAWFISH BOIL
24-27 SHINDIG 2 0 2 0 Hollister, CA June 11-14, 2020
PLYMOUTH, CA
OPEN HOUSE
April 16-19, 2020 SATURDAY 10a-2p BONELLI BLUFFS SAN DIMAS, CA www.trailerfestrally.com
an opportunity to meet with industry pro’s, many that make their living in the hobby and are willing to share their expertise with you. Get in on all the action, camaraderie and enjoyable learning experience centered around the vintage camper trailer hobby. You will have an opportunity to work closely with the experts as they answer all your questions and provide step-by-step instruction on trailer restorations. You will be a part of a network of fellow restorers! Not experienced? No need to be, this event is for both novice and experienced restorers. We provide a comfortable environment to pick up the skills you will need to begin, complete, or restore
www.trailerfestrally.com your enthusiasm for your project. This event sells out every year. www.vctbootcamp.com. See the list of presenters in the ad on the next page. March 26-29, 2020 Joshua Tree, CA Blast from the Past. This year our theme is a retro Tiki Party, so dig out that Hawaiian shirt, grab a few leis, and pick up some Tiki glasses or mugs. You do not need to be a TCT member and all SWTCT events are pet friendly and open to all camper rigs regardless of make, model, or year. SWTCT has reserved a private campground for the weekend with 70 sites available. All spots are
www.trailerfestrally.com back in with water and electric and all but a few have sewer. The campground is minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, fabulous 4WD trails, a ghost town, and short jaunts to Palm Springs and other attractions. A Thursday Meet and Greet with a movie, a catered dinner Friday, a potluck Saturday, and Sunday morning coffee and donuts will be offered inside the large dining hall. A Saturday morning a private swap meet, craft sale, and trailer tours will be from 8-1. Saturday night awards will be presented for best large/tiny decorated trailer and best male/female tropical attire for outfits worn to the luau themed potluck dinner. The event fee is $10 and T shirts cost $15
THE 67th ANNUAL
California RV Show is moving to the Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA.
OCTOBER 4 - 13, 2019
www.CaliforniaRVShow.org www.vintagecampertrailers.com
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PO Box 354, Elverta CA 95626
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