Can you tell us about how you got into the vintage trailer hobby?
I completely stumbled upon it really. I bought an old trailer for 500 bucks a few years ago to take my kids camping because we had tent camped as kids and my kids were getting older, now or never situation. It was painted brown and I started researching what it should be originally painted because I wanted it to look nice at the campground. I discovered it was a ’69 Aristocrat lo-liner. I joined a few vintage camper Facebook pages and a rally host invited me to my first rally 20 minutes away.
What type of trailers have you owned and what do you have now? What is your dream vintage trailer?
In order… ’69 Aristocrat Lo-Liner, ’54 Chris Craft Land Cruiser kit and a ’48 Tourette teardrop. I still have the Chris Craft and actually went on to find around 20 known survivors (from the original 4) in 18 months’ time with another passionate owner I found in a Chris Craft boat page, David Irvine. We started our own Facebook page for the CCLC’s and I tracked down the original owners of mine. They couldn’t believe that old trailer their dad built in the driveway in ’54 was still on the road. (It was a kit from Chris Craft only built for 6 months) They were ecstatic, sent me old pics of their dad building it and shared so many precious memories. The Aristocrat was my first and I made alot of mistakes. They all hold a special place in my heart and if I had to pick a “dream trailer” it would be my ’48 Tourette moved to a ’69 Apache frame. It’s just the perfect little weekend getaway trailer. It gets complimented everywhere we go! Somebody asked me once what company makes that. I said it’s 74 years old, you can’t buy that anymore.
What do you tow with?
If it’s a rally I tow with my classic stock ’94 Eddie Bauer Ford Bronco with the 351W. For family trips to the local KOA I have a v8 Chevy trailblazer with the DVD for the grandkids.
Do you attend rallies and what do you like the most about attending?
I was terrified to attend my first rally. I’d never heard of them, and I figured “these people” would expect a mint trailer. The host talked me into it and I am so glad I went. “These people” were the nicest group of people I’ve ever met. It was so interesting seeing all the diversity in what people chose to call their home away from home. The trailers are all so different, yet everyone just seems to mesh together so well with their different tastes and camping needs. You truly associate the faces with what camper they own.
Why did you decide to join the Tin Can Tourists?
After my first rally it was apparent that this was the biggest, oldest and most accepting camping club in the world.
What are your camping plans for this year?
Once a month to the local KOA with the family. Also, about once a month to rallies and car and boat shows. So, about every two weeks. This year is the 100th anniversary of Chris Craft boats, so we have got to bring the Land Cruiser to Algonac. Also, Gilmore car museum is a hot spot for Chris Craft trailers. Although, I definitely want to get the Tourette out to some car shows. There’s just too many choices, and that’s a good thing!