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Post by wisconsinjoe on Dec 4, 2021 6:37:51 GMT -8
When I think about the term "canned ham" the continuous curving roof plane of all those pre-60s models comes to mind. But once the ubiquitous hardwood paneling showed up at building centers in the 60s, the shapes of the trailers started changing to flatter lines to accommodate that new material. I still wonder how they were able to bend this thicker material around any curve. Did they use heat or steam or some form? Did the thinner parallel grooves that mimicked shiplap boards provide bending possibilities?
Nevertheless, what would you call those flatter roof versions of trailers?
Canned Oysters?
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Post by vikx on Dec 4, 2021 11:52:03 GMT -8
They are often called toasters. The mid 60s with pointy angles (think Loliner) are "retro" styling. In both cases they are not canned hams.
A good example is the two 64 Shasta Compacts: early 64s are canned hams, later ones are toasters.
True CANNED HAM:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/48819078236/in/dateposted-public/" title="shasta parts"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48819078236_51704e1b33.jpg" width="337" height="450" alt="shasta parts"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Note: long trailers with curves are not canned hams to me. Spartanette is a good example. Anyone have a good idea on what to call them?
TOASTER: looks like an old toaster, sometimes curved at front and back.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/28436817505/in/dateposted-public/" title="Redd in May (3)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8862/28436817505_65b39189e2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Redd in May (3)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
RETRO: no curves at all:
<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://live.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>
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Dec 4, 2021 13:30:57 GMT -8
When I think of a toaster, I see one of those rectangular box trailers with broad curved moldings from the roof plane to the side profiles. Of course, you are probably correct in your labeling. However, if this is a gray area, I'll call my Friendship (and the new Primrose) Vacationaires "canned oysters."
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Dec 4, 2021 15:18:54 GMT -8
Scotty's Hilander profile defies description but makes me think it missed spotting the 'low bridge' sign, but at 6'+ tall I sure appreciate the headroom.
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Dec 5, 2021 6:32:03 GMT -8
Here's a good "side by side" comparison for you (not my camper) Toaster vs Ham Actually, it's the same trailer. (Purist, look away) Gentleman in Louisville modified the profile. Hams are hard to find in the Midwest. They're either rotted, a tree has fell on it in the woods, or they've been made into flatbeds for hauling lawn mowers. This gave me the inspiration to do this on my '67 Compact. If you can't find it, build it! Whitney (and yes, this IS my opinion)
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 6, 2021 10:41:46 GMT -8
I consider my 62 Forester to be a Ham but in truth it's sort of in between.
My 64 Shasta 1500 was definitely a tweener
Our 62 Shasta Compact was more of a real ham.
And my 56 Shasta is a true ham
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Post by vikx on Dec 6, 2021 11:56:02 GMT -8
The Forester is a ham until you get to the front "dip". There are so MANY trailers that are tweeners. I think manufacturers began to lengthen the trailers and flatten the front curve. Roomier at the dinette and not quite as curvy...
I've also noticed they s t r e t c h e d bodies, where they lose the real canned ham shape, yet the curves are still there.
That said, where does a person draw the line? Is a Spartanette a ham? I would say French Breadloaf.
Someone please post a Spartanette picture. Thanks.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Dec 6, 2021 12:25:56 GMT -8
Campers to us rednecks are like soft drinks. All old campers are shastas.
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roadtripper
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Post by roadtripper on Dec 11, 2021 17:38:48 GMT -8
How’s everyone. I haven’t been here for quite awhile. I guess my 62 traveleze is a toaster if it has to have a category, but I really don’t care, and no ones ever criticized it for not being a “ham”. We just returned from a weeks camping on the north CA coast. We were in a campground with maybe 2 dozen campers, surrounded by large shiny models, most of which aren’t as old as the covid vaccine, except one neighbor with a 70’s something. We had a nice visit the first day. A few days later another guy walks by and when I said hi, he came over and said the rumor all around camp was I had the nicest trailer in the campground. Felt good. Hope you all are getting some good camping in.
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WhitneyK
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Post by WhitneyK on Dec 12, 2021 11:39:37 GMT -8
A few days later another guy walks by and when I said hi, he came over and said the rumor all around camp was I had the nicest trailer in the campground. Felt good. Hope you all are getting some good camping in. I find that even with our home built teardrop. The big rigs like their amenities, but quite a few are envious. While camping in Maine, there was a modern TD near us in the CG. He showed me his, I showed him mine. As we continued to chit-chat, I asked, if was any of my business, "How much you got in yours?". He responded with a large number. But the look on his face & "the pause" when I mentioned that I only had $1400.00 in mine was kind of heartwarming to me.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Dec 13, 2021 10:10:19 GMT -8
Sometimes folks don’t think about what they can do without, especially if they’re going to be gone only a few days. Hamlet has all the amenities we need for any length trip. Icebox (no gas or electricity needed) stove with oven, potty room with shower, seating for four at the table that turns into a full size bed. We don’t “need” a tv, coffeemaker, electric toaster, or microwave. The only thing I’d want in a larger trailer would be a bed we don’t have to break down when the weather is too inclement to eat outside. Some folks like big things, we just don’t.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Dec 14, 2021 5:28:35 GMT -8
The only thing I’d want in a larger trailer would be a bed we don’t have to break down when the weather is too inclement to eat outside. Some folks like big things, we just don’t. I loved our Shasta Compact but the bed was a hassle. The traditional ham layout with a permanent bed in the back and dinette in the front works better for two people. Not having a shower can be a hassle too but tolerable. Overall these little camper have everything you need. Do people really need slide outs? Really? Electric jacks? Satellite TV?
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Dec 15, 2021 14:47:52 GMT -8
Apparently people have different definitions for “need” and “want.” More power to ‘em, I guess. Just not our cup of tea.. I enjoy pulling into a spot at the same time as someone pulling a 35 foot behemoth. We’re set and ready to play after less than 15 minutes, they’re still fiddling with their set up. If we learned anything from our years backpacking, for us at least, less is more.
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Dec 16, 2021 9:28:39 GMT -8
Apparently people have different definitions for “need” and “want.” More power to ‘em, I guess. Just not our cup of tea.. I enjoy pulling into a spot at the same time as someone pulling a 35 foot behemoth. We’re set and ready to play after less than 15 minutes, they’re still fiddling with their set up. If we learned anything from our years backpacking, for us at least, less is more. I have to agree. One thing that always make me chuckle is leaving the campsite and driving past the long line of campers waiting to dump their black water tanks. Obviously we don't have a bathroom in our little rig. We're more than happy to use the clean, roomy, hardly used bathrooms and showers in the state parks we frequent.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Dec 16, 2021 12:18:08 GMT -8
Apparently people have different definitions for “need” and “want.” More power to ‘em, I guess. Just not our cup of tea.. I enjoy pulling into a spot at the same time as someone pulling a 35 foot behemoth. We’re set and ready to play after less than 15 minutes, they’re still fiddling with their set up. If we learned anything from our years backpacking, for us at least, less is more. I have to agree. One thing that always make me chuckle is leaving the campsite and driving past the long line of campers waiting to dump their black water tanks. Obviously we don't have a bathroom in our little rig. We're more than happy to use the clean, roomy, hardly used bathrooms and showers in the state parks we frequent. That porta pottie sure is nice in the middle of the night though.
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