Can you tell us about how you got into the vintage trailer hobby?
I’ve always been a tinkerer and for the past several years, I have thought about purchasing an older trailer. During the pandemic, I was tired of not being able to travel, so in February of this year, I began looking for a small trailer to use, and do some upgrades as I went along. Unfortunately, I did not arm myself with too much knowledge on what to look for when purchasing an older RV (potential rot, bad wires, etc.) So while the trailer I purchased looked cute, it did have some issues. After removing a window too look at the butyl tape, my worst fears were realized; there was some significant rot, at least in this window. I started removing interior panels to see the extent of the damage; my worst fears were now being realized. After some significant buyer’s remorse, I began disassembling the interior of trailer. After 7 months had passed, I had completely rebuilt the interior of the trailer, as well as upgraded the brakes and electrical system.
What type of trailers have you owned and what do you have now? What is your dream vintage trailer?
This is my first trailer. It is a 1971 Shasta M1400, which is my dream vintage trailer, as I built it the way I wanted.
What do you tow with?
Mainly with a 2016 Nissan Frontier, however I do have my restored 1973 Dodge D100 that I will use for some short trips.
Do you attend rallies and what do you like the most about attending a rally?
I will be joining some rallies, mainly to see the craftsmanship of others. I really enjoy hearing what inspires people to restore older vehicles.
Why did you decide to join the Tin Can Tourists?
I wanted to gather information on events and products. I did use the website to look at various makes/models of trailers, so I was able to narrow down what I wanted to purchase.
What are your camping plans for this year?
As of 9/13/21, I just finished the braking system, so I now I am ready to camp. I still have a few interior items that I want to complete, but for now I want to take a few short trips and will likely meet up with my sister and brother-in-law, as they have an RV as well.