Daughter and son-in-law's vintage camper hobby

[Bob Correll]

Our son-in-law sold his recycling business early this year and retired.
He always worked too hard to have a hobby, now he does.
They are buying vintage travel trailers and rehabbing them to flip.
First project though is one they plan to take camping to Colorado the first of August.

It's a 1965 18' Silver Streak.

Here it is on June 5 after he gutted the inside.

Totally new floor frame was built.
Here is the progress as of today.

A new composting potty installed.

This one is a 1966 28' Silver Streak they plan to keep for their travels around the country.

It needs a little work.

And a 1967 Avion that needs very little to get it ready for resale.

They are a perfect pair for this hobby since he can do about anything, and she has the vision on what should be done design and decor wise.

Kind of makes rehabbing a Weber a real cake walk eh?

 

[Jeff F]

My sister just bought a brand new really old trailer.

It is a re-issue of the 1962 Shasta AirFlyte. When she was telling me about it, I started googling around and saw quite a bit about the hobby your SIL is jumping in to. I would love to re-do an old Airstream or Avion. My BIL's folks had an Airstream that spent almost all summer parked on the shore of Bull Shoals lake every summer when we were growing up.

 

[Bob Correll]

I've seen the new/old Shasta trailers, really cool, and not cheap!
This 1970? Shasta is going to be set up on their property for guests.

 

[Jim Lampe]

I need one of those when I start snorin' at night...
do they have really good heaters in 'em? Cuz I snore in wintertime too, I guess.

 

[Bob Correll]

 

[Jim Lampe]

is that a trick question??

 

[Jay G]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Gene Brownson]

That's really cool! I mentioned aero stream but meant silver stream. My father work in a trailer manufaturing company when we were growing up. As a matter of fact, he worked in several thoughout the years until finally retiring after 30+ years with one company. When he would do side jobs I always tagged along and observed. I was the trash picker upper and tool collector and the dummy end tape holder. I had no idea I'd follow down the same path and even unknowingly worked for some of the same outfits he worked at as a young man. I learned a lot and kind of became the proverbial "jack of all, master of none". I always called them West Virginia mansions When I was 16 he bought one, a 56' mobile home. We totally gutted it and refurbed it to our needs and he bought a piece of "almost heaven" just outside of Bruceton Mills WVA. We were on the top of our own little mountain in the middle of heaven, I miss it dearly and cherish the memories. My high school was a vocational school, I graduated and became a welder. I've done every kind of welding. I thought I was being different by not following his path and ended up fabricating the metal frames of the units and it was on from there I wound up doing just about everything from soup to nuts on them and spent 20 years or more in this field. They're both doing some great work! They look nice! There's just something about these ole balls of tin that you just can't find anymore. Thanks for sharing Bob! It brought back memories!

 

[T Waite]

Very cool, and timely! My wife and I are considering another camper, this would be number 4. After spending some time looking we've both gravitated to the '61 Shasta Aeroflyte 19'. Whoever said not cheap is right, but they have one thing that I really, really want, a solid one-piece metal roof.

Our first camper in the early 80's was a used Amerigo FG16, an all fiberglass classic similar to a Scamp or Casita. From there we went pop-up, then a 26' fifth wheel. We've been without for about 15 years and I was happy as a clam, then the grandkids came, and my wife started. It's taken her two years but she finally wore me down. Besides, I figure if we get a camp it'll be the perfect excuse to buy a Jumbo Joe. Can't camp without a grill!

 

[Bob Correll]

Gene,
Thank you for sharing!
It's always interesting to find out more about a friend you've never met in person.
With all that background, you must be like what, 80 years old??

PS, I thought only us surveyors called it the dumb end of a measuring tape.

 

[Rich Dahl]

That's really cool Bob, It's really great to see your SIL and daughter doing what they have a passion for and also the combined talent of the two is a win-win.
I've always wanted to do that but never had the time. Barb and I have had trailers from pop ups to 26 footers and in between five motor homes. Unfortunately we no longer have a place to store one and I sold my truck, so I won't be doing one.
Please post some more pictures of their progress I would love to see a complete cook

 

[Rolf Jacobsen]

bob what a great idea. This sounds perfect for the two of them. As has been said, lots of character and fun still left in these things. Thanks1

 

[Gene Brownson]

Gene,
Thank you for sharing!
It's always interesting to find out more about a friend you've never met in person.
With all that background, you must be like what, 80 years old??

PS, I thought only us surveyors called it the dumb end of a measuring tape.

HA! You'd probably think that I was older, my body sure feels like it! I was always and still am one who can't sit
still and I'm a sponge when it comes to things that interest me. I had the largest paper route in the neighborhood. I also worked on a crab boat since we are so close to the water. I look back and I guess I was and still am trying to find my way on this short ride. I think I've nailed it down with animals and the farm. I think every young person old enough should spend a summer working on a farm. Then they'd have a better appreciation of where their food comes from and how hard it is to make it happen. (Boy I DO sound old huh?) :/

 

[ChuckO]

Our son-in-law sold his recycling business early this year and retired. {snip} They are a perfect pair for this hobby since he can do about anything, and she has the vision on what should be done design and decor wise.

That is very cool what they are doing. Back in the 60's I used to spend the summer with my nanna & pappa at Clear Lake in their Airstream. Wonderful times, couldn't ask for a better summer

I'd recommend that your kids form a corporation (S corp specifically) so that they're shielded behind the corporate veil. Sounds like they could form two (or more) partnerships (his & hers) so that they could downstream the revenues to the partnerships, reducing income taxes. Bottom line is, being retired they're going to want that veil that being incorporated provides. Keep us posted of some of their finished products, it should be very enjoyable to see

 

[Mike Willis]

Thanks for posting this Bob! I've been looking to get some sort of RV, be it a SMALL trailer (my tow vehicle is a 2004 Tacoma Double Cab so weight is an issue) or a small, used motorhome. The work they are doing on those vintage trailers is AWESOME! I wish I had the talent to restore something like that...your son-in-law and daughter obviously do! Plus, it looks like they are on a beautiful piece of land! Talk about living the dream! Best of luck to both of them!

 

[Bob Correll]

Thanks guys!

Gene, what interesting jobs you've had!

Chuck, this is just a hobby, if it became a business it would not be fun, he's been there done that, and is enjoying the stress free life.

Mike, check out the Scamp or Casita trailers.

 

[Rich Dahl]

Mike, just an observation I have after having six trailers and five motor homes over the years.
We were into off roading and the motor homes were ideal because I could tow my trailer full of off road bikes and ATVs. I always had one little street legal trail bike to run to the store if needed. As the kids got older they got into other sports. So Barb and I went into trailers for the two of us as I already had a pickup.
What I discovered if you don’t have to tow something and have a truck, a trailer is the way to go. Much cheaper to buy and maintain + much cheaper insurance. Also when you get to your destination you have transportation. With a motor home you’re there and not able to go anyplace without packing up the motorhome or you have to tow a car or jeep, another major expense.
There a lot of lite trailers that are very nice and roomy out there that your Tacoma would pull easily.

 

[Bob Correll]

This Aussie popup is pretty neat, but costs 58K USD.

 

[Jeff F]

I'll just add to what Rich said...

Both modern and vintage, used and new, professionally restored or ready for you to do the work. It amazed me once I started looking around.

 

[Mike Willis]

Thanks guys! Mike, check out the Scamp or Casita trailers.

I have Bob. They are nice and (unfortunately) hold their prices quite well! Plus, I discovered the hard way that the top of the door is lower than my forehead when I try to exit one!

Mike, just an observation I have after having six trailers and five motor homes over the years.
We were into off roading and the motor homes were ideal because I could tow my trailer full of off road bikes and ATVs. I always had one little street legal trail bike to run to the store if needed. As the kids got older they got into other sports. So Barb and I went into trailers for the two of us as I already had a pickup.
What I discovered if you don’t have to tow something and have a truck, a trailer is the way to go. Much cheaper to buy and maintain + much cheaper insurance. Also when you get to your destination you have transportation. With a motor home you’re there and not able to go anyplace without packing up the motorhome or you have to tow a car or jeep, another major expense.
There a lot of lite trailers that are very nice and roomy out there that your Tacoma would pull easily.

Thanks for the valuable insight Rich! The plus of a motorhome for me is NOT having to tow anything (an irrational fear on my part). The negative side is having another drivetrain to maintain. I tried backing up my friend's tent trailer just to see what it's like...on the 5th try I managed to back it up my uphill-sloped driveway into my single wide carport without hitting anything! So I guess I could get used to it eventually, and a small, used trailer makes the most sense for us and our budget.

I'll just add to what Rich said...

Both modern and vintage, used and new, professionally restored or ready for you to do the work. It amazed me once I started looking around.

Yeah, looking around has amazed me too Jeff! The new, lightweight camping trailers are really nice. Some have GVWRs at 3500 lbs or less (that's my cutoff point for my Taco). One guy near our neighborhood had an older Shasta for sale for $7500.00. It looked REALLY nice...but I was taller standing next to it than it was! Moving around inside would have been interesting!

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions guys! I really appreciate the voices of experience!