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Post by vintagelust on May 3, 2019 10:25:40 GMT -8
Hey everyone, I'm Josie, and my partner and I are trying to find a 1950s-1980s camper. After scouring for weeks, we're feeling pretty defeated because it just seems like there are so many lemons out there and we just aren't sure which ones are which. Right now we are considering a few, this being the first: It is a scamp, and is listed at $650 CAD - which is literally 1/10 of the cost of most we've looked at, which screams too good to be true. The photo that concerns me is the um... part where two walls come together? on the outside. I've tried to upload a photo, but this is my first time on a forum so I hope it works! If not, you can see the ad here: www.kijiji.ca/v-travel-trailer-camper/kingston-on/scamper-adventure-trailer/1422286114?enableSearchNavigationFlag=trueWhat do you guys think?? The second is a trilliam camper, and they are asking 10,000 - which is so far out of our price range that it isn't even funny... yet we are considering it. here is the link www.kijiji.ca/v-remorque-autres/gatineau/trillium-trailer-boler-style-1974/1422457077?enableSearchNavigationFlag=truethat one looks good, but is that what we are looking for in terms of pricing?!?!? It's three times the cost of our current SUV!!!
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 3, 2019 11:06:48 GMT -8
Welcome!
On the first camper I see signs of rot. Lot’s of signs of rot.
Anywhere the trailer is pasted with goop, they had problems. Anywhere hanging, like near the wheel well, is rotten. Anywhere they glued a panel to the ceiling most likely means rot. On a side note, repairs done from the inside without taking off the skin warrant careful inspection. Painted interiors are another warning sign. But $600 is a reasonable price for a camper that needs major work…if it has a title.
We don’t get many fiberglass campers like the Trillium. I’ll leave it to others to comment but $10,000 seems very high for a 1974 camper.
Try searchtempest.com to widen your search.
As a rule, small 1955-1962 ham shaped campers are expensive. 1962-1969 toasters are cheaper. IMO, a 1970s camper needing a lot of work should be (almost) free.
For $10,000 you deserve photos of all the work done. Before work was done, during and after.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 3, 2019 17:02:01 GMT -8
What ever you do take some time to learn from this forum. Educate yourself before you begin to look for a trailer. Learn how they are built, where the usual problems are, what it takes to fix problems that are common to all old trailers, the costs involved, which trailers are worth restoring and which ones aren't. Lots to learn before you actually go out looking for a trailer. If you do this, you will be glad you did later on when you begin work on your first vintage trailer. Read through these pages, buy a copy of Vikx's book, watch my videos and ask questions. In the mean time you can be looking around. And never.... ever.... buy a trailer sight unseen. If you can't go look at it, forget it.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on May 3, 2019 18:47:25 GMT -8
Info on the resources mentioned by Mobiltec:
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Post by vikx on May 3, 2019 20:12:54 GMT -8
I totally agree. The Scamper is a mess and doesn't look campable to me. That means the rot is significant and it might not hold together to tow it. The Trillium is way overpriced. Little ones like that go for around 6K and I still think they are too much money for what they are...
What area do you live in? We can help more if we know that.
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Post by vintagelust on May 6, 2019 3:45:16 GMT -8
Thanks everyone. $10,000 (canadian, so 7400 USD) seems to be about the going rate for trilliams and the like here, but I agree that it seems like A LOT. We're going to just keep watching for one that is a better deal, and hopefully something will come up. Sigh. Thanks for your answers, and nice to meet you! We will keep reading on xx Josie
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on May 6, 2019 9:25:22 GMT -8
But the Scamp “can be pulled by a Honda Civic.” That’s why there’s a Jeep in the background. The amount of money and time it’d take to restore it probably wouldn’t be worth it for a newer camper. And the Trillium? $10,000 Canadian is still pretty steep. Be very patient and make sure you know what you’re getting. Good luck!
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on May 6, 2019 14:25:03 GMT -8
I'm thinking the only reason the Trillium is so popular is that it has a bath room. Very small trailer to have a bathroom in it. You know I bet if I made a trailer that was ONLY a portable bathroom, I could sell it to tent campers with wives...
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on May 7, 2019 6:49:02 GMT -8
I'm thinking the only reason the Trillium is so popular is that it has a bath room. Very small trailer to have a bathroom in it. You know I bet if I made a trailer that was ONLY a portable bathroom, I could sell it to tent campers with wives... Actually, you may have something there. You could make it work on a motorcycle trailer, I bet. Porta pot and shower just a little bigger than what we have in Hamlet. However, as a woman and (unfortunately) retired backcountry person, I can honestly say that the most beautiful “bathrooms“ I’ve ever used are the ones in the wilderness. And as an added benefit, they come with built in air fresheners!
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Post by vikx on May 7, 2019 20:49:36 GMT -8
Honda Civics aren't supposed to be used for towing ANYTHING. Remember that gal that was sure her Civic would work? Can't remember her user name but after chatting quite a while about NOT using the Civic, she bought a trailer and disappeared...
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