V TRAILERS e g a int
CAMPER
Vol. 8, No. 6, Issue: 46 November/December 2019
BOOT CAMP 2020 A Restoration Learning
EXPERIENCE see page 43
The magazine for all vintage camper trailer collectors, restorers, admirers and dreamers.
RESCUE
R E S TO R E
R A L LY
What our customers have to say about us
We picked up a 62 Shasta trailer and the side looked like a kid took a stick to the side of it. It was bad. We brought the skin to Hemet Valley RV and they Made a new piece. The Bottom skin is new and the top skin was old, but they look identical. It had 6 inch lines and it turned out perfect. Thanks Guys. Great job. -Barry
DIAMOND QUILTED
ďƒŠ
Five Star Plus!!! Steve and his company demonstrate what customer service should look like. Thanks so much! -Glenn
and Most Other Patterns of
I recently purchased all of the siding,trim and entry door for an 1970 11’ foot trailer that I rebuilt using only the metal frame of the original trailer. I contacted Steve at Hemet Valley RV and sent him a side view of the trailer with the dimensions on it. Steve figured out what material I needed and the amount and sent it. Everything that I needed I received in a timely fashion and it was packaged in very strong boxes...Thanks so much for the great job Steve, I have no doubt that your business will have continued success, Great Job. -Wayne M.
Aluminum Siding
Located in Hemet, California, we offer a wide variety of RV siding and camper siding for a variety of vintage camper trailers. Our panels and products are ideal when it comes to completing seamless repairs to siding, roofing and edging on your vehicle.
In polished , painted and raw finishes.
Hemet Valley RV guarantees to deliver the results that you expect right to your door.
Extensive knowledge and quality materials. Very fair pricing and quick turn around time. Steve and Tammy are always helpful. -Larry
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Capri Campers use polished quilted aluminum siding to give them a more "vintage" look.
Gifts Under $30
Go to the "Camp Store" at www.vintagecampertrailers.com Vintage Nights wall calendar contains thirteen wonderful images (16 months) of vintage travel trailers captured at night with available light, under the moon & stars, most with festive lights adding special charm. High quality images are suitable for framing, for enjoyment beyond 2020. The calendars are 100% “Made in USA." All images captured by Rick Rajewski photographer. FREE "I Love Vintage Camper Trailers" sticker with every order! $19.99
2020 Calendars A book that celebrates mid-century trailers and the people that love them. See the trailer rallies where hundreds of vintage trailers aficionados come together to show off their trailers and share their love of the hobby. Tips on how to plan and organize your own rallies and events, based on the authors’ own firsthand experience. $24.99
A complete, illustrated A-to-Z resource for vintage trailer enthusiasts. From Airstream to Zipper, including brief histories of the manufacturers, and illustrations of the trailer models by year showing how to identify them. The Illustrated Field Guide to Vintage Trailers also features a general history of vintage trailers showing silhouette shapes with “spotting notes” about how to identify some of the many different trailer makes and models. $24.99
The vintage camper trailer hobby attracts people from all walks of life. This book features hundreds of photos of restored trailers and the trailerites that rescue, restore and rally across the USA. 200 pages and in hard cover. From the publishers of the VCT Magazine, Paul and Caroline Lacitinola. $24.99
A book that is a visual wonderland filled with fascinating and diverse imagery that will surprise the average reader. The travel trailer figured prominently in twentiethcentury American pop culture. It’s put on grand display in this kitschy celebration culled from the coffers of Trailer Travel’s Phil Noyes. $29.95
ALL CAMP CASUAL ORDERS SEE PAGE 34
©Diane Dempsey / RetroChristmasCardCompany.com
20% OFF
Vintage Camper Christmas Cards & Ornaments! Order Here:
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Inside This Issue Index 1965 Serro-Scotty Cotton Candy 1953 Silver Streak Clipper
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Trailerfest 2019 -WhiteWedding 1980's 13 1955 Aljoa - Free to Fantastic
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Audrey's Jingle in July
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1964 Nomad/1966 Bee Line
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1961 VW Bus Roadtrip (In 1966)
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Vintage Trailer Supply Community
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The Gulley Collection
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Buying Trends for 2020
30
Retro Road Map for the Holidays
32
1972 Chinook Camper
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1956 Airfloat Copper Cabana
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1973 Shasta in Iowa
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USA Rally Calendar
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ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN PRINT AND/OR ONLINE WITH VCT MAGAZINE
This ad for a Palace trailer was in the 1948 edition of the Trailer Coach Manufacturers Association – Official Trailer Coach Yearbook. The publication contains the specifications for a variety of different trailers from the fall of 1948. According to this Year Book, this style of Palace came in three models The Palace Royale 24’ @3975# The Majestic Liner 27’@4650# The Palatial Manor 30’ @5150# The Royale was a single axle model while the other two aluminum bodied coaches had tandem axles. All the models boasted an impressive 6’9” of headroom inside as well as a full 8 feet of width in the body. 4
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Your subscription to the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine includes: • 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: PALACE
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Truck Campers, Fiberglass Trailers and Teardrops Show us what you've got.
American Tr a i l e r i t e By Paul Lacitinola Publisher VCT Magazine Volume: 8 - Number: 6 - Issue: 46 www.vintagecampertrailers.com vintagecampertrailers@gmail.com Published by: Paul and Caroline Lacitinola American Trailerites I'm gonna take you on a trip so far from here I've got two tickets in my pocket, now baby, we're gonna disappear -Eddie Money 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.
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Vintage Trailers, Golf Carts, Bicycles, Cars, Motorcycles, Vans and Pick-Ups. (916) 572-8554
November through most of February our travel schedule becomes far less demanding. We had a whirl-wind year restoring the Golden Caravan Airstream and spending 6 weeks with it on the road across the USA. We made a bunch of new friends on our journey including David, Mary and Jennifer Gulley. They purchased the Golden Caravan for their collection, along with another one-ofa-kind Airstream. (See their story on page 26). In order to get these trailers to the Gulleys, I made two more trips to Arkansas! I am looking forward to being home and getting caught up on projects that we have started, but not finished. This winter we plan to restore a 1961 Streamline that we started a couple of years ago. The project got pushed aside when we decided to build the 1955 Spartan Manor Museum. When the 1961 Golden Caravan Airstream landed in our lap the Streamline got put on the back burner again and even put up for sale. We had invested a fair amount of money that we weren’t willing to lose, so it didn't sell. We are grateful now as it is the perfect platform for our next build. I typically like to stay as close to the original style as possible when restoring a trailer while not being afraid to add modern conveniences and touches when and where they won’t take away from the original aesthetics. I've had a couple of years to marinate on ideas for this trailer. I have been influenced by the “off grid” RV’s I saw at the RVIA show in Fontana, CA this October. With their matte finishes, roof racks, off-road lighting and other features to make an extended stay on the road (or off of it) more comfortable. Another influence on doing a fully self-contained build was our trip across the USA this summer. Using our Capri Camper we were able to pull off the road anywhere and camp incognito. Staying for free makes extended trips more flexible not to mention more affordable. I am still pulling together ideas for lithium batteries, solar and the addition of holding tanks in a trailer that did not come with them originally. A hidden A/C and a workspace with enhanced Internet and cellular capabilities are also on the list. I plan to keep the comfortable twin bed layout and maintain an original feel to the interior but may take some liberties with the exterior. Maybe we will build a “Stealthline” instead of a Streamline? Your thoughts, input and how-to ideas are welcome. www.vintagecampertrailers.com
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and all painted a cool mint green with paint speckles everywhere. I decided that our trailer was going to outlast the great-great grand kids. So, Instead of replacing the plywood for the shell, we built a ¾” box steel skeleton frame. Since I wasn’t going for an exact restoration, I subtly raised the height of the ceiling an extra 3”. I also eliminated the step down into the little floor box by lowering the door entrance to the same height as the step down box. Now, even our tallest guests don’t feel like they have to duck when they are inside. We also created softer curves around the bottom of the trailer to make the lines flow more artistically.
Our first project was a 1968 Airstream Overlander. It was a complete frame off modern custom. We built it exactly as she wanted. She has been in love with camping ever since.
Our Serro-Scotty was born in 1965. Her sidewalls were 3/4'” plywood. Her ceiling was ¼”plywood and pressboard. As a matter of fact, the cabinets, seats, doors, virtually everything was plywood
With my roots being firmly entrenched with my passion for aluminum, everything in the Serro-Scotty had painted walls for her interior instead of a natural wood finish. I chose to use .030 white aluminum for the new walls. It is maintenance free and won’t rot. I like how bright and airy it makes the trailer feel too. I riveted the aluminum panels to the box steel tubing with white 1/8” rivets.
Over the last decade, my wife, Melanie, and my nine year old daughter, Grace have been restoring and renovating vintage trailers as more of a hobby than a business. Most of them have been my beloved Airstreams. We restored a 1966 Streamline Empress back to her exact original self. Grace has fallen in love with anything mid-century and/ or vintage. We even built a lemonade stand for her to sell lemonade at the rallies in her vintage Girl Scout uniform. Grace asked “Why don’t we build a pink trailer for me?” What dad in their right mind would deny such a request? It just so happened that I had been driving by this lonely Serro-Scotty Hilander sitting quietly in a field for the past 13 years, knowing that one day she would follow me home. After our conversation with Grace and her request, I tracked down the trailer’s owner and he let me adopt her. Grace had her trailer. She wasn’t pink. And, she wasn’t pretty, yet. When you adopt a trailer, if she or he does not have a name, the first order of business is to name your new family member. Grace came up with Cotton Candy or Pinky Pie. We settled on Cotton Candy because she is so sweet. 8
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I knew before we even started on her that she was going to be a complete frame off. I know a lot of people are afraid to go that deep into your new beloved projects. I have found it to be easier and sometimes faster just to start over than it is to work around things. Also, you can do some pretty cool subtle modifications and still have it appear original. I remember how afraid I was when I made my first cut into that perfect piece of aluminum.
All of the lighting is 12 volt LED with the exception of the Sputnik chandelier over the dining table, which is 110. I special ordered 3\4� foam core insulation for the walls and ceiling. I did a lap around the whole trailer and installed rubberized adhesive flashing at every upright and cross member where the insulation met the tubing to make the trailer virtually water tight before I put her outer skin on. While I was rebuilding Cotton Candy, Melanie and Grace were busy picking out tile, upholstery fabric, laminates, door handles and the ever important accessories. Since I was modifying some of the basics, I upgraded most of the fixed windows to jalousie windows. I think they are much cooler looking and I did happen to have a few in the shop that worked perfect. I kept the Continued on page 40
Grace came up with Cotton Candy or Pinky Pie. We settled on Cotton Candy because she is so sweet. www.vintagecampertrailers.com
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Nordby
1955 Aljoa From Free To Fantastic Left in an Avocado grove for many years, this 1955 Aljoa Sportsman Model 18 was really feeling its age. Not only did it have water damage and all of its appliances removed, a branch of a tree had fallen on the roof of the trailer causing some extensive damage. So, when Wes and Cindy Nordby saw it for FREE on Craigslist, they just had to have it! The Nordbys had already restored an Aljoa and knew the potential hiding behind the rot. After sharing the pictures of their first restoration with the owner, they became the proud owners of the Aloja. 16
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Gary Warner of VIntage Trailer Rescue in Temecula, CA went and gathered the little trailer up and towed it to his home until the Nordbys were able to take the trailer to Reno, NV where the restoration was completed. With a missing kitchen and appliances, the Nordbys had to research kitchen layouts as well as search for period correct appliances. They found a Marvel refrigerator and a Preway counter top stove. Wes and his friend, Roger Haas, did a complete restoration on the Refrigerator and the stove was sent out to get new porcelain.
The Nordbys did a complete restoration with new wiring, a 12-volt system, new water heater, Marmoleum flooring and added steel to reinforce the roof to support the low-profile air conditioner. The free trailer found in an avocado orchard is now completely restored and being enjoyed by the Nordbys as they rally around the West Coast.
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