Locating a project camper can be a difficult task, even with the benefit of the Internet. The reality of geography and distance can quickly extinguish the hope of a perfect candidate. If you’re looking nationally, the best examples are found in dry climates. First, the temperate conditions prevent deterioration, and second, drier climates have a higher camper density because of the demographic of retirees who were former vacationers settling there.
The Internet will be your main avenue in searching for a potential camper project. When negotiating a deal, keep in mind that vintage campers are often easy targets for scam artists. Use due diligence to avoid a financial loss.
Many gems can be found in coastal and humid regions, too, but these conditions promote mold and mildew growth. This causes irreversible damage to wood and brings rust to ferrous metals. Plan to deal with these irritants when shopping in a rust-prone climate.
Trailers in cold regions experience a freeze-thaw cycle that promotes water intrusion, which, not ironically, causes the same rust and rot issues mentioned above.
National classifieds that specialize in vintage campers are a good source, but prices will be at the top of the market.
Another worthy option is to use your favorite search engine to find brand-specific classifieds. To broaden your search, you can put your manufacturers of choice into an online classified aggregator and hope for the best. Also, there are many forums for specific manufacturers, which may provide leads on available trailers within the group.
Despite the expanse of the Internet, you have plenty of other avenues to scan on your camper hunt. For example, local classifieds and bulletin boards are a good source, but finding a specific model may not be possible.
Another tip is to be aware of your immediate surroundings. Just as with the phenomenon of seeing your new car model more often after you’ve gained ownership or interest, you should focus on looking for campers when traveling around; you might just stumble on the perfect restoration candidate at the perfect price.
Another good source of information is couriers or postal workers. Make friends with them and ask them to let you know if they come across any old campers in their travels.
Finally, an important tip, which should be common knowledge by now when using the Internet, is to be aware that vintage campers are often targets by scam artists. Do not send money unless you are certain of the recipient and you practice basic fraud avoidance.
Transportation
Once you’ve located a trailer, transporting it can become a major hurdle. In most cases vintage trailers, especially those in need of restoration, are not roadworthy. It may take more than one trip to extract an old camper from its place of hibernation.
First, jack up a side to inspect the wheel, tire, hub, and brakes. If the tires are dry-rotted and need to be replaced, it could require not only changing the tire but replacing the rim as well. Old split-rims are not necessarily serviceable anymore, which many vintage campers ride on (but if you try hard enough, you might find a shop or individual that’ll mount them). When reinstalling the wheels, follow the proper “star” procedure for torqueing them down. Also, stop after the first hundred or so miles and re-check the lug-nut torque. Wheel lugs can and do loosen, and on a trailer it’s not as obvious when they loosen as it is in a vehicle.
Split rims are common on vintage campers and not the best choice for safe highway travel. In many cases, you need to replace the wheel and tire combo, and often, the whole axle assembly. You can see the split part on this 1960s Boles Aero.
This Airstream’s mounting points have actually broken free, and the body is sagging away from the chassis. This is very unsafe for transit and could lead to a catastrophic event on the road.
Chances are that the running lights are no longer working (though, I’ve seen my share of original lights surprisingly still functioning). A quick fix is a magnetic trailer light kit; just make sure there’s a ferrous bumper for attachment, as the aluminum skin won’t work.
In many cases the subfloor, to which the body attaches, is rotted to the point that it’s unsafe for road use. Be sure to inspect the integrity of the unit you’re towing to prevent any misfortune when in transit. On this Cruisette, you can see that the subfloor is rotted to the point that it’s collapsed and really nonexistent. Also, you can see light coming from the outside. These are both signs that this trailer’s roadworthiness is compromised.
Tape, cable ties, and bailing wire are your friends when rigging up a temporary lighting solution; sometimes it’s easier to route the wiring through the camper via broken windows and screens. In some cases, the body may be separating from the chassis. Be thorough with your safety inspection. If the shell or body parts are detaching, use scrap materials, grabber screws, or straps to securely attach dangerously loose components.
Similarly, make sure all windows are fastened shut. If not, wire or screw them shut. As with windows, inspect the vent covers, luggage doors, and access doors. If any of them are unfastened and capable of blowing off, remove or secure them.
Towing or Recovery Checklist
The following items should be on your list to check carefully.
• Grabber screws, straps, and plywood strips or scrap wood
• Airtank and compressor
• Trailer safety chains
• Trailer light kit, extra wire, connectors
• Sturdy jack and jack stands
• Breaker bar and lug wrench
Having a climate-controlled, organized, and roomy workspace is ideal for camper restoration. There are many components to a travel trailer and, as you dismantle and acquire components, space is quickly used up.
Before departing, make sure your insurance is up-to-date and covers the items in tow.
DIY or Outsourcing
Before tackling the restoration, it will be helpful to sit down and figure out your strengths. Focusing on your strengths and outsourcing your weaknesses will help streamline the build. Here are some of the skills needed for a successful trailer restoration: painting, polishing, aluminum fabrication, steel fabrication, fiberglass work, woodworking, 110- and 12-volt electrical wiring, and plumbing.
Next, take into account what equipment you have access to, the space you will be using, the time frame for the whole project, and how much money you intend to spend on each section (i.e., chassis, body, paint, interior, floor, belly pan, electrical, etc.).
Equally important, you need to realize that a travel trailer restoration combines aspects from the automotive and housing industries, and, in the case of Airstream-style campers, aviation construction as well. For example, you may have a strong carpentry sense but lack metal fabrication skills such as welding, or lack 12-volt electrical experience but are competent in 110-volt household wiring.
You can hire a metal shop to straighten and reinforce an old chassis, including replacing axles or adding under-floor mounts for water tanks, for example. The shop can also treat the chassis with a rust-preventative coating. These things can be performed while you’re focusing on other aspects, such as restoring cabinets and hardware, if that’s your skillset.