I am 63 and a first time Trailer owner/camper. My kids and grandkids like to tent camp and have wanted me to join them, but this Mimi does not do tents! Earlier this spring I started to look on FB Marketplace at vintage trailers. I spent about three months just looking but not really serious about buying – until one day I was. In July, I found one close by that looked decent on the inside and the seller promised that he rehabbed it and it was leak proof and road worthy. My husband said yes and we had our first trailer, the 1963 Bee Line (16′). I booked a campsite for the first weekend in October and got started painting, making curtains and cushion covers. Then in September, before we even went on our first camping trip, I found a 1963 Airstream Globetrotter (19′). I thought about that trailer all day and finally sent a message asking if I could come see it. It was close to home (15 mn) and so I went and the owner and I had a lot in common and similar local interests. I made an offer of half what she was asking and she said, “Sold”. So once again, I had to go home and say that I bought a 63 trailer – but this one needs a lot of work. Husband thinks I’m crazy!
We went on two camping trips in October and I am hooked. My grandchildren were with us both trips and we had a great time. So now my husband and I spend our nights looking online at vintage campers and researching, and then drawing different floor plans… the options are endless. I found a barn in Howell to store the Airstream for the winter and the Bee Line is under a cover on our property. We have all winter to make a decision and then it’s time to work on gutting that Airstream. And, I still have the Bee LIne to use, which is super cute. I call it the Cosmic Cat, aka Bad Kitty Lounge.
We inherited a Ford F350 truck last year and this is more than needed to pull either trailer. I think I could pull them with my Explorer, but in the truck I am more comfortable.
We have not attended a Rally ever but are looking forward to doing so this summer. We have two camping weekends planned for 2026. Hocking Hills in April and Indian River in June. I joined TCT because I want to attend the Rally in May at Camp Dearborn. I have lived in Oakland County my entire life and have never driven into Camp Dearborn. I have my letter ready to send on January 1st. to get registered.
I took this whole camping thing a step further when I signed up to be a Harvest Host – Boondockers Welcome host. We had our first couple last week spend two nights. It was fine and I plan to take advantage of HH next year. I also joined the Airstream Club / Vintage Airstream Club and S.E. Michigan chapter.
I look forward to meeting you in 2026 and am excited to camp again.
Sheri Trout & Robert Fraser
That is a wonderful story about how you got hooked. My husband Kent and I also got hooked when I started eyeing quality travel trailers prior to 1970. I saw a 1963 Franklin we wanted so bad but missed out. Then after a year having fun looking we found our “Joy”, she is a 1968 Utopia Panoramic, we want to keep her for life as a staycation on our property mostly, at the same time still hooked, still looking . We love all vintage travel trailers, still working on Joy to get her road worthy.
Nice article and it seems you have two very nice vintage trailers. The 63 Airstream should be fun re-building it. I am guessing others would like to see photos of it as well and your progress in the build.
Wonderful story. Sounds like you’ve jumped in with both feet. A warm welcome to the vintage trailer band of brothers and sisters. When you acquire that third trailer (and you will) its time to also join VTA aka Vintage Trailer Anonymous!
Congratulations on owning two vintage trailers. Vintage Airstreams are very special trailers. We have two of them, a 66 Tradewind that we travel in and a 63 Tradewind that we may end up renovating for our son and dil.
Start your Airstream education by joining Airforums.com. Go to the Knowledgebase section and find project threads for 63 Globetrotters. I have a project thread for our Tradewind- Dan’s 66 Tradewind Improvements. My Airforums name is Touringdan.
There is a TCT rally we like to attend in Michigan- the Thumb rally at Wagener County Park (July 23-26).
Call me anytime. Always glad to help. 434-401-4060