Our Brand-new old Travelux

[Galavanters]

Jim and Jen from Ontario, Canada. We just towed home our brand-new (to us) 1969 23-foot Travelux Galavanter.

We've been looking for a bit of aluminum rolling real-estate for a while, and saw this one at the other end of province on Kijiji, a kind of Canadian Craigslist. We drove 700 km (435 miles) to have a look, and towed it home. The trailer was in great shape on the outside, no leaks, all original windows, all appliances, electric and plumbing in original working condition, all original cabinets, fixtures, and lights. It was exactly what we were looking for. Also new tires and re-lined 4-wheel electric brakes. Plus, as a huge bonus, the guy I bought it from was just the second owner, and all the original paperwork and maintenance information was there. Appliance manuals, Travelux order forms and advertising, the original bill of sale ($6, 990.00 in the Spring of 1970). We happily paid the asking price of $2,500, and towed it home with us.

A couple of pics are included, and I'll take more as I gently get her back to full functionality. My plan is to do a very subtle restoration, keeping it as close to the original look and feel as possible. The unit was ordered with the "anodized" aluminum finish, and I'm debating now whether I'll do the mirror-shine thing this summer, or leave it with that burnished, slightly toasty look. A metallurgist friend recommends leaving the patina, as the oxidization of the aluminum actually seals and tightens the rivets.

I'll keep people informed of our progress in the "vintage kin" area. Our plan it to make a major run with it this summer to visit our daughter in Saskatchewan.

Still smiling...

Jim and Jen Palmer... the Galavanters.

[ventport]

Are the front corner windows curved glass? I have a 64 Avion 21' that looks just like the Travelux, without the front corner windows.

[Galavanters]

Originally Posted by ventport

Are the front corner windows curved glass? I have a 64 Avion 21' that looks just like the Travelux, without the front corner windows.

Yes, curved glass corner windows with curved translucent plexiglass protective sheets that slide down on the outside for protection.

I've heard Avion and Travelux are very similar.

[oh2bcarefree]

That trailer is a beauty and what a great success story. Congratulations.

My vote is for anondized, our friend has an anondized Avion and he can get that thing to look amazing with little effort!

Now... is there a story behind the "longhorns'"?

Enjoy!!

Tina

[Galavanters]

Originally Posted by oh2bcarefree

.....

Now... is there a story behind the "longhorns'"?

Enjoy!!

Tina

LOL! The horns were on the trailer when we saw it in the ad online, and our boys (19 and 21--- two of our four kids) thought they were the coolest thing ever, so we asked the guy we bought it from to throw them him. A great conversation piece if nothing else!

Jp

[aireseneca]

It's a period classic!

[Travelux 20]

Very nice Travelux! We bought a 1973 Travelux 20' this past October and brought it home to NY. It tows beautifully and we're slowly fixing it up. Here it is before we bought it.

[247stream]

Congrat's on your find...looks like a really nice trailer. We have friends who say we need to add longhorns to our 'covered wagon' travel trailer, I love that they threw them in for you!

[SteveSueMac]

Both are real beauties!!! Congrats and safe and happy travels!

[AldeanFan]

Great looking trailer - Congratulations!

I saw the Kijiji add and thought it looked like a great unit. Have Fun with it You're lucky, you don't have to drive through Toronto to get to all the Provincial Parks.

[Galavanters]

That 20 footer looks great! That's actually the size we were looking for. Yours looks to be in great shape!

[Travelux 20]

Thanks! It needs a few things like a new floor. The PO put in a nice Allure floor but it is too heavy so that has to go. The 12 volt system is dead, it needs a new bumper (again,to lower the weight) and the cabinets are beginning to show their age.Oh and the rock guards on the front are deteriorating.
We had been looking for about a year for a small older Avion or Silver Streak when this one popped up on this forum's classifieds. It was in great shape at a even greater price ($3000)and it wasn't half way across the country.
I didn't know they could come anodized. I know ours isn't and I was going to polish it until I saw your comment about oxidization sealing it. That makes sense and gives me a good excuse
I look forward to watching your progress

[Terry9710]

I have a Travelux but no ownership how can I get one

[Terry9710]

I have a Travelux and no ownership how would I get one , bought it off guy who had farm and it was stored there and owner never came back for it