Post by vikx on Jan 26, 2018 12:06:53 GMT -8
There has been a lot of discussion here about what is considered Vintage.
At VTT, trailers built prior to 1970 are considered vintage. There are different eras and terms which are discussed below. Smaller than 15 feet, hammy shape and that "golden glow" interior are very vintage.
SIZE matters for several reasons.
1.Campgrounds often limit the length of any RV that doesn't fit their spaces. (tight turns, etc) One of the benefits of a small camper has nothing to do with charm or resale value. Campgrounds often limit the length of a camper in smaller spaces. Many of us have actually taken tent sites at State Parks.
2. Bigger trailers do indeed NEED a large and in charge tow vehicle to be safe on the road.
3. Larger trailers should have tandem axles; the look isn't really vintage, not to mention more fuel to tow, extra tires to buy, etc.
4. There are VERY FEW long trailers that qualify as vintage. Many are more like mobile homes than vintage campers. If you’re set on having one and can live with the fact that they are hard to sell, they can provide a fun camping experience. Beautiful wood interior is more important than 60s/70s decor. There was a 25' 59 Pathfinder at our Fall rally; to die for, so some big trailers are vintage. Most are not. They are simply old trailers, not worth the time and money to restore.
1959 Pathfinder:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/37778581194/in/dateposted-public/" title="1959 Pathfinder (1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4525/37778581194_34a4448462.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="1959 Pathfinder (1)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The term VINTAGE includes the 30s bread loafs, canned hams and retros. All are mid century modern. There a few quite exotic trailers as well; Holiday House, Airfloat, Aero Flite and more.
The older the trailer the better. 30s and 40s are rare, 50s as well. When you get into the 60s, they are more retro than vintage. Some are very cool. Anything newer than 1969 has issues with MDF and more. Most experienced restoration people don't consider them vintage. Some smaller 70s rigs are cute and usable but mass produced, easy to find and hard to sell.
There are different types of vintage trailers. The long ones, (Spartans. Boles, Airfloats, breadloafs, etc.) are riveted trailers that have a huge following. Some of the longest were top of the line, thus rebuilt for a lake cabin, etc. The 24-26 length is more popular for rallies.
Here is a huge 33' Spartan Mansion ready to go to a new home:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/39004323855/in/dateposted-public/" title="001 d Spartan Mansion (7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4662/39004323855_344eafdb5a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="001 d Spartan Mansion (7)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
50s Canned hams are very sought after. They're little, easily towed and have that iconic shape. Aircraft aluminum is wonderful, but paint is OK as well. The hammier the better, they must be rounded under front and back.
1956 Aljo canned ham:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28122942939/in/dateposted-public/" title="005 v JoJo in the Sun (5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4664/28122942939_e237193bda.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="005 v JoJo in the Sun (5)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This 1964 Oasis still retains it's hammy shape but is not a canned ham. It was at the beginning of the toaster shape.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28122959559/in/dateposted-public/" title="Oasis D Door side"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4714/28122959559_96384cec02.jpg" width="500" height="359" alt="Oasis D Door side"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Retro trailers are early to late 60s and some are quite stylish. Easily rebuilt, they are a great first build for most of us. Mine have been LoFlytes, Loliners, Shastas, Oasii, later Cardinals (60s Cardinals have a better frame than the late 50s models). They rarely have real wood paneling. I like them and the owners like them.
Here is a 1965 Loliner, very retro:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28122950459/in/dateposted-public/" title="004 q Loliner Shines (3)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/28122950459_f4a9d07e5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="004 q Loliner Shines (3)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I hope this helps all of you understand what a vintage trailer is.
At VTT, trailers built prior to 1970 are considered vintage. There are different eras and terms which are discussed below. Smaller than 15 feet, hammy shape and that "golden glow" interior are very vintage.
SIZE matters for several reasons.
1.Campgrounds often limit the length of any RV that doesn't fit their spaces. (tight turns, etc) One of the benefits of a small camper has nothing to do with charm or resale value. Campgrounds often limit the length of a camper in smaller spaces. Many of us have actually taken tent sites at State Parks.
2. Bigger trailers do indeed NEED a large and in charge tow vehicle to be safe on the road.
3. Larger trailers should have tandem axles; the look isn't really vintage, not to mention more fuel to tow, extra tires to buy, etc.
4. There are VERY FEW long trailers that qualify as vintage. Many are more like mobile homes than vintage campers. If you’re set on having one and can live with the fact that they are hard to sell, they can provide a fun camping experience. Beautiful wood interior is more important than 60s/70s decor. There was a 25' 59 Pathfinder at our Fall rally; to die for, so some big trailers are vintage. Most are not. They are simply old trailers, not worth the time and money to restore.
1959 Pathfinder:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/37778581194/in/dateposted-public/" title="1959 Pathfinder (1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4525/37778581194_34a4448462.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="1959 Pathfinder (1)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The term VINTAGE includes the 30s bread loafs, canned hams and retros. All are mid century modern. There a few quite exotic trailers as well; Holiday House, Airfloat, Aero Flite and more.
The older the trailer the better. 30s and 40s are rare, 50s as well. When you get into the 60s, they are more retro than vintage. Some are very cool. Anything newer than 1969 has issues with MDF and more. Most experienced restoration people don't consider them vintage. Some smaller 70s rigs are cute and usable but mass produced, easy to find and hard to sell.
There are different types of vintage trailers. The long ones, (Spartans. Boles, Airfloats, breadloafs, etc.) are riveted trailers that have a huge following. Some of the longest were top of the line, thus rebuilt for a lake cabin, etc. The 24-26 length is more popular for rallies.
Here is a huge 33' Spartan Mansion ready to go to a new home:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/39004323855/in/dateposted-public/" title="001 d Spartan Mansion (7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4662/39004323855_344eafdb5a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="001 d Spartan Mansion (7)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
50s Canned hams are very sought after. They're little, easily towed and have that iconic shape. Aircraft aluminum is wonderful, but paint is OK as well. The hammier the better, they must be rounded under front and back.
1956 Aljo canned ham:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28122942939/in/dateposted-public/" title="005 v JoJo in the Sun (5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4664/28122942939_e237193bda.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="005 v JoJo in the Sun (5)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This 1964 Oasis still retains it's hammy shape but is not a canned ham. It was at the beginning of the toaster shape.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28122959559/in/dateposted-public/" title="Oasis D Door side"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4714/28122959559_96384cec02.jpg" width="500" height="359" alt="Oasis D Door side"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Retro trailers are early to late 60s and some are quite stylish. Easily rebuilt, they are a great first build for most of us. Mine have been LoFlytes, Loliners, Shastas, Oasii, later Cardinals (60s Cardinals have a better frame than the late 50s models). They rarely have real wood paneling. I like them and the owners like them.
Here is a 1965 Loliner, very retro:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28122950459/in/dateposted-public/" title="004 q Loliner Shines (3)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/28122950459_f4a9d07e5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="004 q Loliner Shines (3)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I hope this helps all of you understand what a vintage trailer is.
