1951 Anderson - Is this too much for a Newbie?

I can't answer whether that is too big of a project for you take on; I just want to say that is a cool trailer and would make an AWESOME housing facility for your volunteers if you succeed.

It's a very cool trailer. The skin looks great. I bet almost everyone on this forum would like to spend the summer living in it. I would, especially if it's parked next to a trout stream!

I'm in my first trailer rescue, a very small trailer. From my limited experience three questions come to mind:

1) do you have a full-time job doing something other than reworking that trailer?

2) do you have as much money to rework it as it would cost to buy it?

3) do you need it _this_ summer?

I love love love those clerestory windows, it could be a beautiful trailer, but I see a lot of work here.
Assuming you put the months of sweat equity and $ in to fix this up, my question for you would be how do you want to use a 31 ft trailer? It's a big trailer (in my mind) to tow around to weekend rallies or camping. And with gas prices only going up....how far are you going to want to take this? Or do you have a nice piece of property to put this on as a vacation cabin?

At some point, I will definitely be in the market for a long trailer like this to fix up for a piece of land by a river somewhere. but not for towing around to go camping. just my 2 cents.

I got the impression from his post that this trailer wasn't going to be moved much, if at all - but rather a place for volunteers to hang out in. I could be wrong.

B.

Yes the plan is to find a large vintage trailer that is going to be kept on site. The summer camp was established in the 1950s so it would be cool to have something from that era that can be used to house adult volunteers. If this trailer looks like it needs tons of work does anybody have a lead or a suggestion on where we can pick up a larger vintage trailer that has a similar look? The camp is in Kelowna British Columbia.

Hi Ed, I'm new to the vintage trailer club too, so I don't have the restoration experience that others do.

How are you planning to use the trailer? Which parts of it do you need to work?
Is it going to be for sleeping in?
Or more like a "lounge" spot for your volunteers to hang out in?
How much of it needs to be operational?
Do you need the shower to work? The toilet? Or is there somewhere else nearby in camp the would work of the shower and bathroom?
Do you need the stove to work? How about the oven? Would it ever even be used? Or could it just be in there for "looks" Would a hot plate and a microwave work instead? Maybe you just need the kitchen sink to work. Maybe if you aren't going to be doing allot of dishes you don't even need the sink to work… Maybe just a hose bib outside the door will be enough… Maybe a BBQ grill outside the door would help substitute for the kitchen stove…

I think if you make a list like this for yourself you may find out that you don't need a "Full Restoration" that you can leave the charm of the Trailer in there, spruce it up a bit, and save yourself some time…

I think this idea is really COOL and that your Volunteers will LOVE it and will be willing to jump in and help you too!

I know you have come to the right place to ask questions and you have a Fantastic Idea… You are off to a great start! I'm wishing you the Best of Luck!