September-October 2016 Volume: 5, Number: 5, Issue: 27
Custom Built Sheep Wagons & Pirate Ships?! A Sheep Wagon, Gypsies and the Skyla Trailer...
Recent Rallies
and the start of the
2017 Calendar
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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Inside This Issue
1936 Masterbilt pg. 18
1967 Aloha pg. 24
Articles Getting it Up - A how-to on Awnings Trailer Fun for Everyone - Mutts included! Pictorials Sheep Wagon - Custom built in Colorado 1964 Shasta - Just Wing’n it! Gypsy Time Travelers 1955 Ventoura - A Trailer Rescue Adventure 1936 Masterbilt - Flyte Camps Creation Aljoas - A Pair to Draw From 1967 Aloha and a 1957 Olson Kurbside Skyla’s Story - From Across the Pond 1955 Lakewood Rallies 2nd Annual Step Back in Time Rally - Virginia City, NV The Bodega Bay Rally Trailers in the Trees - Felton, CA Trailers by the Sea - Manchester Beach, CA 4th Annual Fiddlers Picnic Rally - Livingston, MT
12 35 6 9 10 14 18 22 24 32 34 17 28 30 36 38
USA Rally Calendar 41 4
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Skyla’s Story pg. 32 Publisher Paul Lacitinola Editors Caroline Lacitinola
Contributors Swanee Owen Carol Youorski Tim Heintz Michel Olson and Christy Horne Kevin and Sharon Sopata Kristian Campbell Dal Smilie Schultz See page 40 for info about the Vintage Camper Trailers book. Save $5.00 through October 2016 in our on-line “Camp Store” with coupon code MAG27
American Trailerite By Paul Lacitinola Publisher VCT Magazine Volume: 5 - Number: 5 - Issue: 27 PO Box 354, Elverta CA 95626 (916) 572-8554 www.vintagecampertrailers.com vintagecampertrailers@gmail.com Publisher: Paul Lacitinola American Trailerite The VCT Magazine is published bi-monthly January, March, May, July, September & November. Let me ask you honey which is better, a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love? -Antsy McClain Vintage Camper Trailers is a non-denominational supporter of the vintage camper trailer hobby. We welcome all collectors, restorers, admirers and dreamers. Subscribe Today - See page 40 for details.
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 Camper Trailers, Bicycles, Cars, and Pick-Ups. (916) 992-1427
It is not hard to recruit new trailerites in to the vintage trailering hobby. It seems that at every event we attend, rally that we host, or presentation we give, we meet people that have questions about buying their first trailer or fixing the one they have. Trailers sell quickly off of our social media and website. We have recently upgraded our website’s “For Sale” page. You can now view trailers by region so you are only looking at trailers near where you are willing to buy from. Many of the trailers we post for sale are also posted on our Facebook page, sent out on Twitter and some are even posted to Instagram. If you are looking for a trailer, be sure you are tapped in to our social media to hear about the deals first. If you see something you like, contact the seller directly. Posting your comments is great to share thoughts and compliments, but the seller may not be monitoring their multiple posts all of the time and you may not get a response and miss the deal. We have also added a “Rentals” directory to the website. We are frequently contacted for photo shoots, trade shows, commercials, weddings etc. that want to rent a vintage trailer. Often we are not able to supply something because it is too far away or we do not have the type of trailer they need. We are creating a directory of trailers that people are willing to rent to those that need to rent them! Visit our website if you are interested in renting yours, or need to rent one for yourself! Vintage trailers appeal to so many people you can see them showing up in TV commercials and a variety of magazine articles. Where someone may have once rented a vintage carriage or car for their wedding they may now want a vintage trailer that can be used as a bar or changing room or that adds ambiance to an outdoor affair. If you are at a trade show or open air market imagine the attention a vintage trailer will get! Companies with a need for a temporary office or showroom may want a vintage trailer to grab people’s attention. You may even be willing to set yours up at a campground for someone to enjoy for a weekend. The possibilities are endless. While there are companies like Tinker Tin already doing this; they too are limited by how far they can travel. If you are in California and need to rent a trailer, contact Tinker Tin (See ad page 26.) If you are interested in buying or renting a trailer (or renting yours out) visit the Vintage Camper Trailers website.
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Sheep Wagon
The life of a sheep-herder is a peculiarly lonely one. Often months pass without giving him the opportunity of seeing a human being. His faithful dog is his only companion. He generally has a team and a covered wagon in which he sleeps at night during the winter, and wherein he stores the necessary provisions for his daily food. It is his duty to seek the best available pasturage, and, when the grass in one neighborhood has been exhausted, to drive the flock to a new and fresh supply. from http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/
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T I G N I W
After digging this one out of the frozen earth in March of 2015, the Sopatas restored this trailer themselves! They call her “wing it” because all their friends and family would ask “how are you going to do this and that.” Our response most of the time was, “we’re gonna wing it!” Sharon found a rally in Ohio. The On The Road Again (OTRA) rally was their second camp out and they won 1st place people’s choice! Kevin says they plan on exploring the great USA, what better way to see America than in a 1964 Shasta Airflyte! Kevin & Sharon Sopata Macedonia, Ohio
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An American retro inspired build from Staffordshire, England.
My name is Kristian Campbell and I come from Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire, England. I am married to my wife Emma who is a nurse and have two sons Jared who is 13 years old and Kian-Sky who is two years old. I am a coach builder by profession and built the Skyla trailer, for personal use to tow behind my 1964 VW Panel Bus as my family grew in size and we needed more living and storage space while traveling, holidaying and enjoying national VW shows. I got my inspiration for the Skyla trailer from my love of the Airstream and Bowlus type trailers because of the uniqueness and retro style, which I feel is in keeping with the vintage VW and Hot-rods. The name Skyla is in memory of our cherished daughter Skyla Louise Campbell, who was sadly born asleep in 2011, and we feel this is a fitting way for her name to live on.
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I would say it has taken me about 7 months to complete at home in my 30 x 15 ft garage, working on it after work in the evening and on weekends, until I was made redundant a few months ago and was able to work on it full time. Everything you see on the Skyla trailer has been built by myself, from the ground up; chassis, trailer frame all bent and formed by hand, aluminum skin was all hand cut, fitted the windows, made and fitted the external lights, fully insulated and trimmed the interior, built all the cupboards and doors, made the curtains as well as installing the utilities, Zig unit, lights and water system. When I needed any help I always had my right hand man on stand by, my eldest son, Jared! Thanks mate! The interior was inspired by the American Diner theme to catch the vintage era, with the red leatherette upholstery contrasting with the chrome trim and the chequered floor. The blue and white star curtains were inspired by the American flag. It includes a two ring gas burner, 3 way fridge, stainless steel sink and tap with 45 litre fresh wa-
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ter tank, Zig unit, 240 volt mains - electric socket and light and also leisure battery powered lights that work off remote control and are colour changing and strobe, a removable table, a sofa that converts into a dou- I got my inspiration ble bed and lots for the Skyla trailer of storage space from my love of behind glossy Airstream and red doors and Bowlus type trailers shelves – everybecause of the thing you need uniqueness and for a fantastic trip away. their retro style The exterior speaks for itself, with its shiny aluminum shell, lined with 2,300 precise rivets! It shows off its different angles and curves from every direction, with a splash of red to the bumper and wheels. The door at the front of the trailer is especially different because it’s not something you see everyday on trailers built in this era. The size is ideal as it is small and light enough to be towed by most vehicles.
Everything you see on the Skyla trailer was built by the owner, from the ground up.
The build had a few minor setbacks and there are things I would do differently if I was to build another one, but overall I am really pleased with the end result. It has only recently been completed and its first outing was at a local VW show called “Dubfreeze” in Staffordshire where we camped overnight in comfort.
The interior was inspired by the American Diner theme to catch the vintage era, with the red leatherette upholstery contrasting with the chrome trim and the chequered floor.
I intend to drive my bus and trailer to Europe this year and visit Turin, Italy where my bus was originally from and was used as a delivery van for the best part of its working life. Thanks to the Skyla trailer I can do that with my family with ease. Since completing the Skyla trailer, I have had a really positive interest in people wanting to buy it, especially on social media where I have posted some photographs. I am hoping to become self employed and make them to sell in the future under the name “Skyla’s Custom Works”.
The exterior speaks for itself, with its shiny aluminum shell lined with 2,300 precise rivets!
The owner/builder, Kristian Campbell sent his story and these photos from Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire, England.
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