Well, the summer schedule is a little hectic. We have a number of family obligations and two of three daughters are home. My wife and I also have a road trip to Chicago planned around her birthday in late July. We wanted to stop in the vintage campers place in Peru, Indiana, to look at some old girls, but the schedule just didn't work out. As my wife and I find the time, we'll continue to do scouting trips. I suppose it's a bit like looking at houses. The more you see, the more you learn. We'd like to sneak out to a rally, meet some folks and see some rigs. I suppose when we happen upon something that 1) seems like a really good deal or; 2) seems really unusual and interesting, we probably make a special trip. I'd also like to find the time to visit a couple of restoration shops. Based on my experience with vintage cars and older homes, the more you see what's going on inside, the better you understand how things work. I always found the best lessons were the ones I learned with my hands.
I recommend you check out Trailer Buff in central Virginia. Their number can be found on the net. You buy one and they restore it. Takes about 14 months to two years to get it, but... somethings are worth the wait. Here are a bunch all looking for new owners....
732 Rockfish School Lane Afton, VA, 22920 Phone: 434-361-2500 FAX: 434-361-2501 Business Activity: Service
Products Description:
We refurbish, renovate or restore vintage travel trailers. Trailer Buff is a vintage travel trailer (mostly pre- 1958) restoration and refurbishing shop specializing in frame off work with an eye to detail and quality workmanship. Bring your own special trailer in or select one from our extensive selection of Airstreams. We also have other trailers such as Spartan, Boles-Arrow, Curtis Wright or we can find what you are looking for.
Martha and Dave Makel run the place and the work they put out is very good. If you call them you can go for a friday tour. I went a few weeks ago and was blown away by the attention to detail. They are located about 3 1/2 hours drive from you. The work is very impressive. Here is a 1937 clipper being restored for a museum. Dave is the guy in the red shirt explaining the process of riveting.
for fun, I played "fantasy Restoration"... here is my pick. Not an Airstream, a Curtis Clipper...
I have posted about the Makel's before. I must have been very impressed with what they do. Abe Lincoln, AKA vajeep, has a 1976 Overlander they did for him. Contact Abe and get his two cents about Trailer Buff.
732 Rockfish School Lane Afton, VA, 22920 Phone: 434-361-2500 FAX: 434-361-2501 Business Activity: Service
Products Description:
We refurbish, renovate or restore vintage travel trailers. Trailer Buff is a vintage travel trailer (mostly pre- 1958) restoration and refurbishing shop specializing in frame off work with an eye to detail and quality workmanship. Bring your own special trailer in or select one from our extensive selection of Airstreams. We also have other trailers such as Spartan, Boles-Arrow, Curtis Wright or we can find what you are looking for.
I agree with Frank, Trailer Buff is a great Vintage Trailer Shop. Just remember "they renovate or restore" not small repairs. Please pm me with any questions and I will try to help. Or come see us at the Vintage Trailer Jam!!!
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"Abe" & Melissa Lincoln
1976 Overlander "Spirit"
2005 Suburban w/q-steer
Hensley Hitch
WBCCI# 7627 / VAC Air #2798
Thanks for the contact info and the pictures. It sounds worth a drive to Virginia to look at what they do.
I restored a vintage pick up (1952 Chevy) from the frame up and two older houses. I gave the pick up to my nephew and sold the houses... and much like my time in the military, I tend to remember the good things and forget the bad.
My wife likes the idea of restoring a vintage trailer. For the hiatus (and beyond), she thinks its important to have something with real character (not just to travel with a real character). If we were to go vintage, my preference would be renovation rather than restoration. I deeply respect the historic preservation mindset. When I restored the Chevy, everything was original down to the vacuum wipers, 6v system and 216 with "dippers." When the nephew "inherited" the old girl, well, she changed a bit.
My thought on a vintage trailer would be to keep the exterior "period" but to make the interior comfortable and modern (while respecting the vintage aesthetic). In other words, we'll have a TV but we'll find a way to hide it. Personally, I like the idea of a relatively open floor plan so we could make the bed we need work and tweak the dimension of the head. I'm not concerned about the time, since we seem to have plenty right now. I am a bit concerned about "the budget." How much restoration will $50k buy these day? I frankly don't know... but I suspect that about ten minutes into the project I'll start fibbing myself about what it's really costing. I guess that's aluminitis?
Added: My wife and I decided awhile ago about the "hiatus." It took about five seconds to decide that the "splash logo" white boxes with 70s "avocado and harvest" interiors were not for us. We laughed out loud when we walked through the seemingly 100' long fifth wheel with the fake fireplace. My wife's grandmother always wanted (but could never afford) an Airstream. We're long-time train lovers and have ridden a number of historic trains. The Airstream has a very "Pullman-car" feel to it. Frankly, it would be nice if we lived in a world where there were more travel trailer manufacturers building high quality, well designed, artistic and attractive units. For better or worse, it seems like the only choices my wife and I can get excited about are a new Airstream or a vintage trailer (Airstream, Avion, Spartan, etc.)
As for aluminitis, my wife would prefer paint to polish. If we go vintage, she's already indicated a willingness to entertain the Great Northern Railroad paint scheme. We're still negotiating on the "Rocky" the goat logo.
Yup, that's aluminitis. I believe people who have already performed vintage car restorations are especially susceptible.
For an idea of how to renovate a trailer with modern style and materials, but at the same time respecting the period of the unit, you might want to check out the designs of David Winnick. When I finally obtain a vintage unit of my own, my renovation will likely follow a similar path. Here's a link to the project section of his website:
I just ran across this link in another thread:1985 Airstream 25’ Sovereign Travel Trailer
It is for a 1985 Sovereign 25' trailer for $3000. The seller has removed a bunch of the stuff, but still has it all for you to put back together as you see fit (more or less). It would be towable by your Titan, and the cash you would save on this vintage, but still relatively late-model, trailer will allow you to do a lot with it, and have a bunch of cash left over to travel.
I'm following up on the Maryland listing. It's the first time I have actually seen an Airstream for sale in the old line state. We've communicated with some nice folks and are talking about a '76 Argosy (California) and a '66 Tradewind (Texas). Finding something within a reasonable distance, however, saves the travel to inspect a trailer and getting it back here. I really appreciate the fine folks in the forum helping us out. Thanks.
We had a lead on a 72 Argosy in Fairfax, Virginia, but it sold. I would have liked to take a look, just to better familiarize myself with the Argosy. I dropped an email to the '67 Overlander on Craiglist in nearby Westminster. No response yet. We waiting on interior pictures for a few other options. I'll keep you posted on any advances.
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