V TRAILERS e g a t in
CAMPER Vol. 8, No. 1, Issue: 41 January February 2019
1956 Silver Dome The magazine for all vintage camper trailer collectors, restorers, admirers and dreamers.
RESCUE
R E S TO R E
R A L LY
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By Pete Whitley
1956
I restored a 1964 Shasta Astroflyte about eight years ago. We decided that it was getting a little tight for a growing family of four so we looked for a larger vintage trailer to restore and camp in. Our criteria was that it would have mid-century modern design, a full bath, and a bedroom that could be closed off to make two living spaces. That pointed us in one direction, a vintage mobile home. We wanted to keep it short because we wanted it to be able to fit in more rustic campsites and smaller campgrounds where a 40 footer would not. One day while searching on Craigslist, we found the perfect
trailer - a 1955 Silver Dome Heritage 24. It had everything we wanted plus a cool trapezoid shape that screamed MCM. It was owned by Johnny Agnew out of Las Angeles. I gave him call and to our disappointment, it had sold the previous day. Back to the drawing board. Unbelievably, a few days later we saw a 1956 Silver Dome Heritage 24 again on Craigslist. This time it was in Massachusetts! These might be the only two in existence. It's as if it were divine guidance. The 1955 and 1956 Heritage line of Silver Dome trailers look just alike from the outside with a slightly different interior layout. They came in seven differ-
Silver Dome
HERITAGE
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ent lengths up to 50 feet. The Heritage 24 was the smallest of the lineup at 24 feet. It only came with a single axle where the 27 foot model came with a choice of dual or single axle and the 31 foot and up only in dual. As far as I know, those are the only two years that had the trapezoid shape with the 1954 being bread loaf and the 1957 a more modern design. They were manufactured in Kalamazoo, Michigan and were a spin-off of the large company, Kozy Coach. They ended production in 1961. We had our Silver Dome shipped from Massachusetts to Sharpsburg, Georgia. As is usually the case when buying a site unseen trailer, it was rougher than expected. Water damage meant a complete interior gut job. The chassis and tongue had through rust so I had to weld angle iron doubles down the main rails and cut off the A frame about two feet under the trailer and weld on a new one. About two thirds of the wood is original as is all the cabinetry. I boarded over the floor (had to cut out several sections) and then installed Continued on page 34
I've always liked mid-century pastels and the coral color. The colors are Samoan Coral which is a special order 1964 Ford Galaxie color and Dover White.
Forbo Marmoleum sheet flooring. The wood is birch finished with amber shellac. It took about four years to restore, much longer than the Shasta that we restored.
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CHERRY HILL VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY
By Ron Drake
The warm days and cool nights were a perfect combination for the annual Tin Can Tourists Northern Utah Vintage Trailer Rally, which was held September 14 and 15 at the Cherry Hill Water Park in Kaysville, Utah. Over two dozen vintage trailers gathered at the camp park section of the water park on Friday and got settled in before a potluck dinner that evening in front of organizer Watt “Orbie” Mungall's 1952 Silver Streak Clipper. A news article in the Ogden Standard-Examiner newspaper featured the trailer rally and described the rally as a “redneck parade of homes, which will give the public a rare opportunity to peek inside a couple dozen restored travel trailers from the 1950s, 60s, and beyond.” That article brought many curious spectators to the day-long Saturday open house and no doubt inspired many to look into the hobby for themselves.
"Orbie" Mungall wears weird headgear as he welcomes trailerites during the BBQ
Smoke-A-Billy BBQ and Grill rolled up with a large catering trailer to furnish the evening meal of various barbecued meats and side dishes and a couple of ladies playing guitar and violin furnished a variety music for the diners. During the dinner Orbie informed the gathering that next year's TCT rally will be held at the KOA campground in nearby Perry, Utah, not far from previous rallies. The group will have their own section and will be able to accommodate even more vintage trailers. Above Left: A 1959 Shasta Airflyte purchased and restored by Shania Laird. Middle Left: Interior of "Daisy," a 1963 Shasta owned by Kirk and Jen Hill. Bottom Left: A 1966 Fireball owned by Theren Blue after the sun goes down.
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Colorful Finnish Furnishings
Meets Vintage Camper
Does your trailer design have a written plan?
On the evening of her company’s 20-year anniversary, Sondra Phillips’ love for renovating campers was born. After the party she found the perfect Go-Tag-Along camper nearby on Craigslist. Sondra loves a challenge and looked forward to the adventure of designing a small space that was both functional and fun. Sondra Phillips has been an interior designer by day for 30 years and vintage camper restorer by night for 3 years. [Sondra loves spending time with her kids, sunsets, camping and design.] She is the founder and owner of SKP Design, a commercial/residential interior design firm located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The company has four areas of focus: Hospitality Design, Office Design, Medical Design and Residential. Projects range from small office designs to national franchise designs to large facilities. Sondra’s shared love
for design, small spaces, vintage, the outdoors and camping merged to form her passion for renovating vintage campers.
Sondra’s shared love for design, small spaces, vintage, the outdoors and camping merged to form her passion for renovating vintage campers.
The camper showcases Sondra’s love for color and pattern, and how they can be combined in a successful way. Although the 1960 Go-TagAlong looks beautiful now, it was not a pretty job. It first had to be gutted and cleaned out. Luckily the previous owner had already stripped the interior and added Masonite to the interior so it was ready to paint. After scraping off a layer of the floor “the original” flooring could be seen. How cool! The next step was selecting new materials and finishes to update the camper and give it a fresh look. The interior color palette was inspired by the camper’s exterior yellow stripe as well as Sondra’s own collection of Massimo Vignelli Hellerware melamine plates. The camper was painted with
neutral grays along the dinette and kitchen area that was contrasted by a bright orange color along the back bunk area. For the floor a sheet vinyl with a vintage floral motif from Mannington Commercial called Filigree was selected. Its weathered and hand painted pattern gives the flooring a rich and authentic look while the visual of ornate metalwork gives the floor an eclectic mix on the classy style. The counter and table top feature a fun, patterned, green laminate as part of Formica’s 100th Anniversary collection
to keep the space colorful and lively. A decorative panel in a wavelike pattern serves as the backsplash in the kitchContinued on page 23
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R E S C U E RESTORE R A L L Y
IN THE
USA
CLASSIC and
Colorful Jack and Cindy Ferris restored their Aloha trailer themselves. Jack was in the lighting business so it is not surprising that the light over the dinette caught my eye. The "Classic Coke" exterior is super clean and classy. Inside are splashes of color that make every camping trip a fun destination.
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The Original The Original
RV Leveling system RV Leveling system
Works as great as our Stop n’ Chock But has Works as great as ourofStop n’ Chock But has the added benefit a dock as well! theIdeal added benefit of a dock as well! for: Travel Trailers, MoTor HoMes, UTiliTy
Trailers, BoaT Trailers, anyTHing wiTH a HiTcH jack Ideal for: Travel Trailers, MoTor HoMes, UTiliTy Trailers, BoaT Trailers, anyTHing wiTH a HiTcH jack
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Mercier Ranch on the South side of Livingston, MT, just North of Yellowstone National Park and on the banks of the Yellowstone River. Dry camping. The meat portion of a potluck is included as well as a pancake breakfast. Old Timey, bluegrass, Celtic and more acoustic music is heard throughout the event, all over the grounds. Bring your instrument when you come or just tap your toes.
River” so we can plan events accordingly. FlyingFlorence66@gmail.com Angela, Danielle and Julie (The Three Gals) NO Open House. 530-320-6303 August 16-18, 2019 Lakeport, CA Lakeside RV, Car, Boat, and Motorcycle Show - 2019. 1 First Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. Come join us and display your Vintage RV at the 2019 Lakeside RV, Car, Boat and Motorcycle show. The show is on the banks of Clearlake in downtown Lakeport, CA. There will be vendors, bands, awards, fast nitro-fueled boats demonstrating their power on the water, and lot's of beautiful cars and motorcycles. This is a fun show, with beautiful views from your campsite. So come join us with your Vintage RV, 1978 or older. We have reserved the entire RV park. Call the Willow Point Campgrounds to reserve your site at 707-262-2785 For more information you can also call Al Fox at 707321-0811 www.curbside.tv/lakeboatshow. Saturday, Aug 17th9am to 3pm. Al Fox foxdelivery@aol.com 707-321-0811
Dalsmilie@aol.com for details
August 7-11, 2019 Reno, NV Hot August Nights. See ad on page 44. August 8-11, 2019 Truckee, CA Happy Campers Rally by the River. 10068 Hirschdale Road, Truckee CA. Truckee River RV Park This will be a fun family friendly event filled weekend of campfires, a potluck, and splashing and/or relaxing by the river. We are aligning this weekend with Reno’s Hot August Nights Vintage Trailer show (Aug 6-11, 2019) so you can enjoy a day trip to this awesome event if you’re interested.1979 or older. Book your reservation through Truckee River RV Park (http://www. truckeeriverrv.com/home.html) When booking let Truckee River RV Park know you’re attending the “Happy Camper Rally by the
September 3-9, 2019 Lynden, WA Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally. NW Washington Fair & Event Center 1775 Front St. Lynden, WA 98264. 19th Annual Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally. Washington State's
Largest Annual Vintage Trailer Rally. This is field camping with no assigned spots. You pay and register upon arrival. (Cash, check or credit card) Showers, restrooms and a rv dump station are on site. Power and water is abundant and available for most everyone with extension cords and water splitters. Cost is: $30 per night plus a one time rally fee. (Add 3% for credit card payments). All are welcome to attend. Those trailers that aren't Vintage or "in The Spirit of Vintage" will just be asked to park in a designated section along the perimeter. This years theme is: Cowboys and Indians. Yes, Saturday, September 7, 2019 12-4:00pm. Rene Perret DownRiver11@yahoo.com (360) 431-7311 September 5-8, 2019 Branson, MO Branson KOA Annual Vintage Camper Rally. 397 Animal Safari Rd. 8th Annual Vintage Camper Rally. All campers dated 1976 and older receive special pricing. Events include a swap meet and trailer tour. Tour on Saturday, September 7 from 12 - 3 pm. Open to the public. Asking for donations to KOA Care Camps. Angie Dickerson angie@bransonkoa.com 417-334-4414 September 6-8, 2019 Winthrop, WA Wheel into Winthrop. 316 Castle Avenue. Vintage Trailer Enthusiast Extravaganza!
Package for Vintage Trailer Owners
Oct. 25th to 27th, 2019 Breakfast provided Saturday & Sunday - Best Halloween Costume Contest - Best Halloween Decorated Vintage Trailer Contest - Murder Mystery Dinner Friday Night - Saturday Trick Or Treating Open To The Public - Pumpkin Carving Contest. Secure your site today.
Call To Book 877-624-4140 Visit www.EmeraldDesert.com/vintage 46
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A laid back gathering for folks who own vintage trailers. A great time to make new friends, show off your RV and Oooh and Ah over other folks' vintage RV's, Tractors, Motorcycles, Bicycles and collectible Automobiles. There will be an Auto Show including vintage Semis, Motorcycles, Parade of 120ish autos that come through our Campground on Saturday the 8th. Join the Party! Open House Saturday from approx 11-2. Anna Kominak pinenearpark@gmail.com 509-341-4062 September 13 -15, 2019 Newport, OR South Beach ROVT Rally.South Beach State Park. Join Rollin' Oldies Vintage Trailers for our annual rally on the Oregon Coast. Soup Bar, Potluck, Night Glow & more! Reserve
sites thru Reservations Northwest in A, B & C Loops. We welcome 1980 and older trailers. Contact your hosts Priscilla Lewallen & Ashley Morrison-Roberts at lewallenw@ msn.com & morrison.ashley1@gmail.com to register with the ROVT after you book your spot. Open House. Ashley Morrison-Roberts, morrison.ashley1@gmail.com (503) 522-6179 Priscilla Lewallen 503-831-
Go to BrighamCity@ko.com for information or call 435-723-5503.You can book now. 435-730-3840. Orbie
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September 20-22, 2019 Perry/Willard, UT RALLY ON THE FRUIT WAY "Journey" KOA. We are back in the country! Rates are $35.00 flat rate,no discounts,per nite,per trailer. Most spaces are full hook ups. James and Kristan Settlemire are our camp hosts.
September 26-29, 2019 Plymouth, CA TRAILERFEST! White Wedding, An 80's Love Story. Karaoke, Fast Times- a live 80's cover band, muscle cars and over 250 Vintage Trailers! Register ASAP for this sellout event: www.trailerfestrally.com October 4 -13th, 2019 Fontana, CA The 67th Annual California RV Show is moving to the Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA. The move will improve the customer experience with FREE Parking, real bathrooms and yummy food courts! On exhibit will be 1,200 brand new 2020 model year RVs with over 120 booths of camping accessories and RV related products. Over 40 camping seminars and RV test drives available. Take Hwy 10 and exit off Cherry St, head north to the track entrance. FREE PARKING! Adult Admission $15. See www. TheBestRVShow.com. October 11 - 14, 2018 Laconia, IA So Harrison Vintage Camper Rally. South Harrison County Park. 35 vintage campers pack a secluded campground for a weekend of fun to include 4 large group meals, a Fri night band, a special observatory event, a nightly bonfire, Open House-Saturday 1-3pm. Abby Kincaid-Bohnsoharrisonpkvintagecamperrally@gmail.com 502-994-3832. November 1 - 3, 2019 Jackson, CA Rancheria Rally. 11407 Dalton Road, 4th annual Rancheria Rally. 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 Send us your rally info. Visit the "RALLIES" page on our website to link to a simple form to give VCT the details about your event This list can not be reproduced without written permission from VCT Mag.
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PO Box 354, Elverta CA 95626
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