College aged... looking at maybe getting trailer.... Advise please

[saturninin]

Hello....

I'm Nick, I'm a sophomore in college and well thinking about maybe getting a trailer to tow behind my Vue instead of sleeping in the back of the car....

(I'm an eagle scout/ outdoorsy type of person... (can do just a tent... but thinkin about stepping up) I'm decent at wood working... but have not had the chance to do much welding

I'm thinking about having a tow behind trailer to have for weekend trips to just relax away from the constant strain of school and everything (I live close to where I go to school so the trailer would be parked on my parents property)

I LOVE Airstreams... but with the cost/time in restoring one plus my Vue not being able to tow over 3500 with a 300 tongue weight there is no way possible

so I started looking around for a trailer that is basically for sleeping (would be nice to have electric and so forth) and saw that the scotty's were basically a trailer with wood stapled on them... and only like 1000 lbs

My questions are:

1) sujestions on a "CHEAP" trailer that i could rehab by myself (what sould I be looking for?...) I am thinking about like the scotty being all wood that i could build the wood frame no problems... any other brands/ things to look for?

2) I am in NorthWest Indiana..... so we have winters... what is needed to be done for winterizing something like the scotty?

3) Are there any good post to check out for like wiring how-tos?

4) What should I be looking at spending for a scotty or something similar or what ever you suggest?

5) Any more help/ thoughts for this college student whos thinking about maybe getting into retro-trailers....(if this rehab goes welll... maybe pick up another.... and hopefully one day a Airstream )

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by saturninin

Hello....

I'm Nick, I'm a sophomore in college and well thinking about maybe getting a trailer to tow behind my Vue instead of sleeping in the back of the car....

(I'm an eagle scout/ outdoorsy type of person... (can do just a tent... but thinkin about stepping up) I'm decent at wood working... but have not had the chance to do much welding

I'm thinking about having a tow behind trailer to have for weekend trips to just relax away from the constant strain of school and everything (I live close to where I go to school so the trailer would be parked on my parents property)

I LOVE Airstreams... but with the cost/time in restoring one plus my Vue not being able to tow over 3500 with a 300 tongue weight there is no way possible

so I started looking around for a trailer that is basically for sleeping (would be nice to have electric and so forth) and saw that the scotty's were basically a trailer with wood stapled on them... and only like 1000 lbs

My questions are:

1) sujestions on a "CHEAP" trailer that i could rehab by myself (what sould I be looking for?...) I am thinking about like the scotty being all wood that i could build the wood frame no problems... any other brands/ things to look for?

2) I am in NorthWest Indiana..... so we have winters... what is needed to be done for winterizing something like the scotty?

3) Are there any good post to check out for like wiring how-tos?

4) What should I be looking at spending for a scotty or something similar or what ever you suggest?

5) Any more help/ thoughts for this college student whos thinking about maybe getting into retro-trailers....(if this rehab goes welll... maybe pick up another.... and hopefully one day a Airstream )

For a weekender - I'd look at a Casita, Scamp, or one of it's kin. Looks like an fiberglass Airstream only smaller. They really don't depreciate so if you find one for cheap - you're doing great.

Paula

[gwchitty]

Another way to go would be a "tear drop". They are really small but easy to manage with your TV. You can customize them nicely and they store away easier. You can find plans to build your own from scratch.

Bill

[AtomicNo13]

Ditto, a tear drop is the way to go for space and weight, It is a rigid tent on wheels, (with a kitchen)
Ironically, I am from NW Indiana, and an Eagle as well!
Where are you?

[dwightdi]

There is a vintage trailer club in Indiana that has a lot of technical knowledge. Here is a link to one of their videos.

Vintage Travel Trailer Slide Show - YouTube

It is free to join their yahoo list and the national and state club. They do not have a forum but their list will get you answers. They rally a couple times a year.

[aluminitus]

Hello from Nappanee!
Definitely check out teardrop campers. I don't know if you are planning on actually camping in winter or storing it, but if your trailer has any holding tanks and plumbing, it will need to be winterized. I wouldn't count on camping in below-freezing temps. If you are an extreme DIY-er, you could get a teardrop kit and build it yourself!

[Someday'59]

Originally Posted by saturninin

I'm Nick, I'm a sophomore in college and well thinking about maybe getting a trailer to tow behind my Vue instead of sleeping in the back of the car....

First of all, kudos to you for thinking of taking on such a large project in college!

Originally Posted by saturninin

1) sujestions on a "CHEAP" trailer that i could rehab by myself (what sould I be lookin for?...) I am thinking about like the scotty being all wood that i could build the wood frame no problems... any other brands/ things to look for?

<wince> I'm not sure "cheap" is possible. I'm sure cheap-er is possible but I would say that renovating a trailer not for the faint of pocketbook.

Originally Posted by saturninin

3) Are there any good post to check out for like wiring how-tos?

There are lots of great threads on here about wiring. Poke around.

Originally Posted by saturninin

4) What should I be looking at spending for a scotty or something similar or what ever you suggest?

That's a toughie. We know more about Airstreams around here but I image how much you would pay for any TT would vary greatly based on condition/age etc. The "rehab" costs often exceed the purchase price depending on what you want to do, just be sure to check out those numbers, too.

Originally Posted by saturninin

5) Any more help/ thoughts for this college student whos thinking about maybe getting into retro-trailers....(if this rehab goes welll... maybe pick up another.... and hopefully one day a Airstream )

Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Most importantly, keep dreaming and chasing those dreams!

[inTransit]

Another option might be to get one the Apache hard sided popups that were made from the early 70's to the mid 80's. They sell for very cheap and the work they need to be made functional I have found is significantly more manageable than the Scotty/Shasta/other canned ham types which have almost all leaked at one time or another.

I find the Apache to be a great complement to the Airstream as its all solid ABS plastics and aluminum but folds up to be stored almost anywhere. They will last a long time.

[dkottum]

A usable trailer may not be cheap.

That Vue has a fold-down back seat to make sleeping space, maybe a mattress of some kind. I've done it to travel light, not bad. Biggest problem is condensation on windows, so need some kind of bug screens and you've got a mini-camper weekender. I've also seen tents that slide over the open hatchback to give more space.

There are also car top fold-open tent platforms with a little access ladder that some use. Looks good for young folks, I'm too old for that anymore.

doug k

[soldiermedic]

I agree with folks talking about tear drops. You can find some amazing teardrop trailers out there that are ready to camp in.

Tiny Trailer Classifieds Page

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by saturninin

Hello....

I'm Nick, I'm a sophomore in college and well thinking about maybe getting a trailer to tow behind my Vue instead of sleeping in the back of the car....

(I'm an eagle scout/ outdoorsy type of person... (can do just a tent... but thinkin about stepping up) I'm decent at wood working... but have not had the chance to do much welding

I'm thinking about having a tow behind trailer to have for weekend trips to just relax away from the constant strain of school and everything (I live close to where I go to school so the trailer would be parked on my parents property)

I LOVE Airstreams... but with the cost/time in restoring one plus my Vue not being able to tow over 3500 with a 300 tongue weight there is no way possible

so I started looking around for a trailer that is basically for sleeping (would be nice to have electric and so forth) and saw that the scotty's were basically a trailer with wood stapled on them... and only like 1000 lbs

My questions are:

1) sujestions on a "CHEAP" trailer that i could rehab by myself (what sould I be looking for?...) I am thinking about like the scotty being all wood that i could build the wood frame no problems... any other brands/ things to look for?

2) I am in NorthWest Indiana..... so we have winters... what is needed to be done for winterizing something like the scotty?

3) Are there any good post to check out for like wiring how-tos?

4) What should I be looking at spending for a scotty or something similar or what ever you suggest?

5) Any more help/ thoughts for this college student whos thinking about maybe getting into retro-trailers....(if this rehab goes welll... maybe pick up another.... and hopefully one day a Airstream )

Most of these questions have been responded to very well, but I have some other comments I'm adding via PM. Make sure to check your Messages folder....

[cameront120]

See if you can't find yourself an old 13' Boler or Trillium. Both are fibreglass shell trailers and are very light.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Look for an old Vega.....

Good luck in your quest.....

Bob

[saturninin]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

Ditto, a tear drop is the way to go for space and weight, It is a rigid tent on wheels, (with a kitchen)
Ironically, I am from NW Indiana, and an Eagle as well!
Where are you?

I'm in LaPorte.... where were you from?

Originally Posted by aluminitus

Hello from Nappanee!
Definitely check out teardrop campers. I don't know if you are planning on actually camping in winter or storing it, but if your trailer has any holding tanks and plumbing, it will need to be winterized. I wouldn't count on camping in below-freezing temps. If you are an extreme DIY-er, you could get a teardrop kit and build it yourself!

Thank you of this... was not sure... yeah I'm thinking about probably camping in the winter maybe...that is if we are not covered in Lake Effect snow making it so I can't get the camper out

also I'm thinking about going over to the RV hall of fame..... since Elkhart... is so close (I actually attending Bethel so yeah will be super close to it )

[dkottum]

You most probably know this, but the greatest danger of winter camping is using a heater that may give off carbon monoxide or other dangerous gases, and/or depletes the air of your oxygen.

doug k

[LarryGlover]

Hi Nick,

If you are an airstream fan, you should check out the Streamline and SilverStreak models. The CEO's of thos companies split off of airstream and made an almost duplicate trailer. I have a 25 ft Streamline Duke, Weight is 3400lbs, tounge weight 300lbs. But they also made a 19ft Prince model: Gross weight 3000lbs, tongue weight 200lbs. I lucked out and bougt one needing floor replacement and a bit of spit and polish for $2200. All Aluminumn inside and out for massive weight savings over an Airstream of same size. I am amassing technical information on at my download site as well so this is a good choice if you are going to do the repairs yourself, as I have a nice collection of reference materials available.

Happy Camping!
LarryGlover

Originally Posted by saturninin

Hello....

I'm Nick, I'm a sophomore in college and well thinking about maybe getting a trailer to tow behind my Vue instead of sleeping in the back of the car....

(I'm an eagle scout/ outdoorsy type of person... (can do just a tent... but thinkin about stepping up) I'm decent at wood working... but have not had the chance to do much welding

I'm thinking about having a tow behind trailer to have for weekend trips to just relax away from the constant strain of school and everything (I live close to where I go to school so the trailer would be parked on my parents property)

I LOVE Airstreams... but with the cost/time in restoring one plus my Vue not being able to tow over 3500 with a 300 tongue weight there is no way possible

so I started looking around for a trailer that is basically for sleeping (would be nice to have electric and so forth) and saw that the scotty's were basically a trailer with wood stapled on them... and only like 1000 lbs

My questions are:

1) sujestions on a "CHEAP" trailer that i could rehab by myself (what sould I be looking for?...) I am thinking about like the scotty being all wood that i could build the wood frame no problems... any other brands/ things to look for?

2) I am in NorthWest Indiana..... so we have winters... what is needed to be done for winterizing something like the scotty?

3) Are there any good post to check out for like wiring how-tos?

4) What should I be looking at spending for a scotty or something similar or what ever you suggest?

5) Any more help/ thoughts for this college student whos thinking about maybe getting into retro-trailers....(if this rehab goes welll... maybe pick up another.... and hopefully one day a Airstream )

[loudruff]

Don't forget to put the little Argosy trailers on your search list. They were made to be lighter weight and were pulled by most cars of the time period. We have a 6.7m Argosy Minuet. Narrower by 6 in. and it has an aluminum floor. Little wood in it. Makes it very light. They also had a 6.0 m. and a 7.6 m Argosy. Nice little campers....and Airstreams!!!

[LarryGlover]

Nick, did you ever find your trailer?