NEW and researching

If you have spent any time INSIDE any Airstream, or a Spartan, you would quickly know which direction you want to take for a FULL TIMER trailer. Just like on your Vanagon design, it's most important how they used the available space, and not just the footprint size.

On any Airstream, Silver Streak, Streamliner, or similar designed "jelly bean trailer" you give up tons of interior cubic space for the rounded outside design. Just open a cabinet, or look inside a corner closet, there's only 50% of the storage space available on this trailer design.

Spartan's, and Boles Aero's (top line Mira Mir models) still have the aircraft quality riveted skin and aluminum wall framing construction, but due to their square roof edges (like a big canned ham) they have tons more available storage room inside. Look at my 1967 24' Boles Aero for sale on the Orange County, CA. CL under Vintage Travel Trailer, for a shape comparison. I just purchased a 1948 Spartanette 24' single axle trailer. It was Spartan's smallest length model. It will be fully restored over the next two years. It came out of the Arizona desert and the skin is not pitted.

Do not believe the common misconception that these are ALL ALUMINUM trailers. They were built on steel frames, and plywood floors. Because they were designed to be lightweight, they used "very thin" steel frame materials. Most had full belly pans and with 50-60 years of condensation and water leaks from the bathrooms caused severe aluminum corrosion, and rusted steel on many trailers. If the belly pan is still attached, it's impossible to fully inspect the structural integrity. They are well built, but not quick, cheap, or easy to rebuild. Basically you want to buy the best example, with the least amount of damage to begin your project.

Good hunting

Thanks everyone... and John I appreciate your input on the Jellies. I was already in the 80% side for the Spartan. Heck even my PC desktop has a pic I took of a Spartan down at Dillions Beach in Nor Cal. Living small means square inches are so precious, I just didn't want to fully rule out the Airstreams. I will look at the Boles Aero's and see what pops up. And thanks for the under belly tip.

I don't want to hijack this thread away from the original poster, but I will mention that Jet campers were manufactured by Midway Trailers out of Grapevine or the Fort Worth area in Texas. There is very little info about them out there, but the way to start gathering is to do a search for... Midway vintage Mid-Jet camper Grapevine Tx... that will open up some threads from Pinterest and one by The Texas Tumbleweed where you may be able to contact some owners of other Jet or Mid-Jet Trailers. Looks like they were built maybe from the mid to late '50s until at least the early '70s. I think their real name was Mid-Jet campers. Good Luck.

On the JET trailer, are you sure they are all from TX? Because I just got one that says Jet, crafted by Lofgrens, Salt Lake City, Utah on the body twice. Sorry if this is not the right thread, I am a complete newbie.