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Post by blackguitar91 on Apr 28, 2023 18:10:08 GMT -8
Hey there! Long time listener first time caller. I am running out of ideas on ways to gather information so I am going to lean a bit on all of you knowledgeable folk. I am potentially going to pick this trailer up this weekend (after I see it in person and make the final decision). The original plan has always been to buy a cheap trailer, $500 or less depending on condition, and completely restore it back to as near original as we could get it. Scrape off all the goop, de-skin it and go all the way to the frame if need be. The issue we have run into is that it is VERY difficult to get a trailer in this neck of the woods for a reasonable price. Which led us to this little fella about 70 miles away. Which leads me to our next problem, it has been completely gutted all the way to the studs. I am pretty confident in my ability to shore it up enough to make the drive back, but will make that call once I see it. What I need from you lovely people is information! I have googled every possible thing I could think of and gone through all the online archives I could think off and they all lead to dead ends. I have called countless people and government offices in Bonnieville and Hart County Ky and have gather a bit of info but not much yet, still waiting to hear back from a few of them. Here is what I know (I think): - It was manufactured in Bonnieville Ky. A town with a population of 300ish. - Little Colonel made the Little Rebel slide in pickup camper - At some point Travel World took over and started making travel trailers and RVs in multiple classes. - Travel World made the 16’ Little Colonel Camper In the late 60s or early 70s - Travel World went out of business in 1979. What I would like to know: - As much as possible! Some how I have become heavily invested in this company that seemed to have failed out of the camper game. I would love to be able to find a photo or SOMETHING that shows what the inside of these looked like so that it could guide us in the right direction for our restoration. Any help or insight is much appreciated. Here are a few photos and a few screen shots of the limited info I was able to dig up. imgur.com/a/ToExIDa |
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Post by Teachndad on Apr 29, 2023 5:22:49 GMT -8
Hello and Welcome, Sometimes trailer manufacturers only were around for a few years. This trailer might be one of them. This happens quite frequently, just no info to be found. All I can tell you is to search on "vintage 60's trailer with a trunk" and see what comes up. You won't find a Little Colonel as evidenced by your search, but you might find trailers with a similar vintage and length. From the picture you linked, the Little Colonel trailer has a vent just left of the entry door. That's where the fridge went. The dinette eating area is most likely in the front section of the trailer to the right of the entry door. I noticed with my own search that it was quite common for the bed to be in the rear curbside corner as a gaucho which is a bench that pulls out and the foam cushions on top form the mattress on top when extended. Search on gaucho in 60s vintage trailer and you should see some images. As an example, the trailer pictured below appears to be about the same length and has a large rectangular louvered vent to the left of the entry door. This is a 1968 Kencraft. The square vent protruding from the wall just left of the door down low is possibly an exhaust vent for a small furnace.  Interior dinette benches to the right of the door once inside. Note the upper cabinet above the front window.  Gally just opposite and to the left as you walk in against the streetside wall.  Gaucho to the left rear once you walk in. The bench pulls out to make a full size bed. Note the bottom corner of the fridge is seen in the corner of the picture. The fridge was at waist height. This model has a toilet in the corner. No idea about a toilet in the Little Colonel. Picture doesn't show that rear corner.  Here is the potty  Maybe that can help. Rod |
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WhitneyK
Active Member
Posts: 492 
Likes: 169
'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Apr 29, 2023 5:48:49 GMT -8
I agree, it's tough finding trailers in our area. But be careful what you are getting into. My first one is still disassembled in the barn while I attempt to work on the second one. Sometime the "learning curve" may cost you some money, but you do learn.
My suggestion: might want to wait for one to be more intact at least. Patience my friend, patience...
Just my opinion, didn't say it was a good one...
Whitney
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Post by Teachndad on Apr 29, 2023 5:57:42 GMT -8
Whitney makes a good point.
Also, by the time you get done restoring the trailer, you could spend more than what it costs to buy a more expensive and better restoration candidate. That trailer would be less to restore. It can save you time also. Time has value too, especially as we get older.
But, I know you are hungry for a trailer.
Cheers,
Rod
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Hamlet
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Likes: 925
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Post by Hamlet on Apr 29, 2023 8:07:31 GMT -8
It sounds as though the owners have already “taken it to the frame.” Whether that’s good or bad is partly up to you. Hamlet, our first generation Shasta Compact, was a frame up “restoration.” We kept and reused everything we could. But because he had so many issues, we decided to change a few things to make him more functional for the 21st century. It was important to us to have our little guy look as original as possible, and we achieved that. We have spent well over 500 nights in Hamlet and he still works as well as he always did.
What I’m really saying is that you may have a blank slate. Teachndad is right, there were only a few layouts for trailers then. You lived with it even if it didn’t work. There are things you have to do, like making sure the walls are connected correctly to the frame, that the cabinets are appropriate to give the trailer the rigidity it needs, and that the weight distribution is appropriate. I’m not suggesting throwing original plans out, but the freedom to make changes can be a gift. The journey and the destination are both important.
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Post by blackguitar91 on Apr 29, 2023 10:55:27 GMT -8
Thanks teachndad and others! This info and the photos have been extremely helpful. The thought of designing something from scratch was a bit overwhelming at first. I was too hyper focused on this particular brand and didn’t even remember that a lot of makes/models used the same layouts.
Another question I have is what is the best order to do things in in this case? In my head it’s:
- Take the skin off
- Replace any boards that need it
- Remove from frame
- Repair the rot in the floor
- Do whatever frame work needs to be done
- Put the walls back on the frame
NOW do I start to build the cabinets, run electrical and plumbing and all the other fun stuff? Or does some of that need to happen earlier on?
I will continue to read all of the forums and watch all of the recommended videos before I get too far in.
(Obviously there are a TON of other things that will be happening during my list and it’s nowhere near as easy as it looks on paper and I am mentally ready for that)
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Post by vikx on Apr 29, 2023 12:47:03 GMT -8
I think you might wait a while to try to find a better candidate for a rebuild. Paying more will be worth it. This particular trailer is longer than most and not as sought after. Being gutted makes it SO much harder to place cabinetry and copy the layout. (I speak from experience) Just knowing how far the door side closet is from the door is important. Also, taking on a trailer of this size is going to cost more and be much more difficult. Order of build: 1. Remove skins and roof 2. Remove what's left of the walls 3. Once down to the frame, inspect and repair sills and joists and install new floor and flooring 4. Build each wall and attach according to the way the manufacturer did. (some builders do the cabinetry at this point; it helps square the walls) Be SURE any appliances are inside the trailer cabin before the walls go on-some won't fit thru the door. 5. Attach crossboards and rafters over installed front and rear sheeting at seams and required spacing. (14" at any vents) 6. Run electrical and place backers for light fixtures, plumbing and outlets. 7. Insulate 8. Replace cabinetry, dinette, kitchenette and other built ins if not already done. Take a look at Mobiltec's videos: cannedhamtrailers.com/Also my Book: Vintage Trailer Repair, Order of Build. vikxtrailers1.shutterfly.com/ |
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Post by trailerfan1965 on Sept 10, 2023 15:45:55 GMT -8
My dad and mom owned a Little Colonel. They bought it new around 1973, when I was 8. We had it about 3 years when we sold it for a permanent mobile home on a lot. Here is the best I remember. The 1 door to the camper was on the right side. Once you entered, to the left in making the back wall was a lower bench seat that made a bed. Above that was a shelf bed where my brother and I slept. It had a small rectangular window at the top (maybe 18”x8”) that could be rolled open to a screen. When you first walk into the camper, across was the dinette table with bench seats that would all make a bed when the table was brought down. I will try to look for some pictures of this and post them if I can find them. Hey there! Long time listener first time caller. I am running out of ideas on ways to gather information so I am going to lean a bit on all of you knowledgeable folk. I am potentially going to pick this trailer up this weekend (after I see it in person and make the final decision). The original plan has always been to buy a cheap trailer, $500 or less depending on condition, and completely restore it back to as near original as we could get it. Scrape off all the goop, de-skin it and go all the way to the frame if need be. The issue we have run into is that it is VERY difficult to get a trailer in this neck of the woods for a reasonable price. Which led us to this little fella about 70 miles away. Which leads me to our next problem, it has been completely gutted all the way to the studs. I am pretty confident in my ability to shore it up enough to make the drive back, but will make that call once I see it. What I need from you lovely people is information! I have googled every possible thing I could think of and gone through all the online archives I could think off and they all lead to dead ends. I have called countless people and government offices in Bonnieville and Hart County Ky and have gather a bit of info but not much yet, still waiting to hear back from a few of them. Here is what I know (I think): - It was manufactured in Bonnieville Ky. A town with a population of 300ish. - Little Colonel made the Little Rebel slide in pickup camper - At some point Travel World took over and started making travel trailers and RVs in multiple classes. - Travel World made the 16’ Little Colonel Camper In the late 60s or early 70s - Travel World went out of business in 1979. What I would like to know: - As much as possible! Some how I have become heavily invested in this company that seemed to have failed out of the camper game. I would love to be able to find a photo or SOMETHING that shows what the inside of these looked like so that it could guide us in the right direction for our restoration. Any help or insight is much appreciated. Here are a few photos and a few screen shots of the limited info I was able to dig up. imgur.com/a/ToExIDa |
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 10, 2023 18:21:55 GMT -8
Hey what happened to the Little Colonel that was introduced in the OP's post?
Blackguitar, any updates?
Rod
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